The

O•S•C•A•R© The Community Voice of Old Ottawa South Year 38 , No. 1 The Ottawa South Community Association Review JAN 2010 Fire on Grosvenor Avenue, Dec 28, 2009

n December 28, there was a five alarm fire a block from Oour house. It was an in-fill in the process of being built, so no- one was hurt or lost anything. It went from smoke to a huge fire in no time at all. I was just coming back from the store and was able to get some shots (with a camera phone) of the fire as it progressed. At its height, it was so hot that I could feel the heat on my face from 50 feet away.” said Michael Walma. Ten fire trucks battled the fire on Grosvenor Avenue. Two workers were doing construction in the basement when an explosion happened, but both got out safely, according to fire officials. Firefighters put out the flames promptly. The cause remains under investigation.

Photo by Michael Walma

Christmas Mystery at Abbotsford

In the Murder Mystery from left to right are: Joseph Cull (Frank Sinatra); Judith Haney (Ava Gardener); Ross Imrie (Dean Martin); Pat Goyeche (Grace Kelly); Alex Neve (Marlon Brando); (missing name, watch for update in Feb OSCAR) Alex Rawek (Marilyn Monroe); and, Justine Boutette (James Dean). Photo of the actors by Jane Stallabrass.

By: Pat Goyeche Marilyn Monroe recently came to occasion for friends of Abbotsford @ the famous. Everyone was enjoying Abbotsford for a big birthday bash and The Glebe Centre who came to this the spectacular appetizers when a rank Sinatra, Ava Gardener, special Christmas dinner sponsored sold-out dinner theatre. Cameras were Marlon Brando, James Dean, by The Lord Lansdowne Retirement snapping as this elite group of guests FDean Martin, Grace Kelly and Residence. Yes, it was quite an rubbed shoulders with the rich and Cont’d on page 3 Page 2 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR JAN 2010

CONTRIBUTIONS The OSCAR The OTTAWA SOUTH COMMUNITY Contributions should be in electronic format sent either by e-mail to ASSOCIATION REVIEW [email protected] in either plain text or WORD format, or as a printed copy delivered to the Firehall office, 260 Sunnyside Avenue. 260 Sunnyside Ave, Ottawa Ontario, K1S 0R7 www.OldOttawaSouth.ca/oscar SUBSCRIPTIONS Please Note: The OSCAR Has No Fax Moving away from Old Ottawa South? Know someone who would like E-mail: [email protected] to receive The OSCAR? We will send The OSCAR for one year for just $40 to Canadian addresses (including foreign service) and $80 outside Editor: Mary Anne Thompson of Canada. Drop us a letter with your name, address, postal code and [email protected] country. Please include a check made out to The OSCAR. Distribution Manager: Larry Ostler 613-327-9080 Business Manager: Susanne Ledbetter [email protected] SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS Advertising Manager: Gayle Weitzman 613-730-1058 The OSCAR is sponsored entirely from advertising. Our advertisers are [email protected] (not classy ads) often not aware that you are from Old Ottawa South when you patron- OSCAR is printed by Winchester Print ize them. Make the effort to let them know that you saw their ad in The OSCAR. They will be glad to know and The OSCAR will benefit from their support. If you know of someone providing a service in the com- munity, tell them about The OSCAR. Our rates are reasonable. NEXT DEADLINE: FRIDAY, JANUARY 15 FUTURE OSCAR DEADLINES The OSCAR is a community association paper paid for entirely by ad- Jan 15 (Feb issue), Feb 12 (March issue), March 12 (April issue), April 16 vertising. It is published for the Ottawa South Community Association (May issue), May 14 (June issue), June 12 (July/Aug issue), Inc. (OSCA). Distribution is free to all Old Ottawa South homes and Aug 7 (Sept issue). businesses and selected locations in Old Ottawa South, the Glebe and Billings Bridge. Opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily of The OSCAR or OSCA. The editor retains the right to edit and include articles submitted for publication. The Old Firehall FOR DISTRIBUTION INQUIRIES, Ottawa South Community Centre CALL 613-327-9080 [email protected] or email: [email protected] The OSCAR thanks the following people who brought us to your door this month: HOURS PHONE 613 247-4946 ZONE A1: Kathy Krywicki (Coordinator), Mary Jo Lynch, Brian Eames MONDAY TO THURSDAY 9 AM TO 9 PM and Kim Barclay, Wendy Robbins, Jim and Carrol Robb, Terri-Lee Lefebvre, Kevin and Stephanie Williams. FRIDAY 9 AM TO 6 PM ZONE B1: Ross Imrie (Coordinator), Family Gref- Innes, Gabriela SATURDAY 9 AM TO 1 PM* Gref-Innes and Fiona Fagan, the Montgomery family, Laurie Morrison, SUNDAY CLOSED Stephanie and Kulani de Larrinaga. *Open only when programs are operating, please call first. ZONE B2: Craig Piche (Coordinator), Pat Eakins, Laine Mow, Hayley Atkinson, Leslie Roster, Kathy Krywicki. ZONE C1: Laura Johnson (Coordinator), the Williams family, Josh Rahaman, Lynne Myers, Jeff Pouw, Curt LaBond, Brendan McCoy, the WHAT’S THAT NUMBER? Woroniuk-Ryan family. ZONE C2: Craig Piche (Coordinator), Alan McCullough, Arthur Taylor, Curt LaBond, Charles and Phillip Kijek, Sam & Avery Piche, Kit Jenkin, Ottawa South Community Centre - The Old Firehall 247-4946 Michel and Christina Bridgeman. Ottawa South Community Association (OSCA) 247-4872 ZONE D1: Bert Hopkins (Coordinator), Emily Keys, the Lascelles family, Ottawa Public Library - South Branch 730-1082 Gail Stewart, Mary Jane Jones, the Sprott family. Rob Campbell - [email protected] 730-8128 ZONE D2: Janet Drysdale (Coordinator), The Adriaanse Family, Gaia Kathy Ablett, Catholic Board Trustee 526-9512 Chernushenko, The Rand family, Aidan and Willem Ray, the Stewart family. Centretown Community Health Centre 233-5430 ZONE E1:Brian Tansey(Coordinator) , Wendy Johnson, John Sutherland, the CARLETON UNIVERSITY Rae Brown-Clarke Family, Anna Cuylits,Mary O’Neill. ZONE E2: Chris Berry (Coordinator), Mary-Ann Kent, Glen Elder and CUSA (Carleton U Students Association) 520-6688 Graduate Students Association 520-6616 Lorraine Stewart, the Hunter family, Brodkin-Haas family, Allan Paul, Community Liaison 520-3660 Christina Bradley, Larry Ostler. ZONE F1: Carol and Ferg O’Connor (Coordinator), Jenny O’Brien, the Mediation Centre 520-5765 Stern family, T. Liston, Ellen Bailie, Dante and Bianca Ruiz, Wendy Kemp, Athletics 520-4480 Kelly Haggart and Taiyan Roberts, Walter and Robbie Engert. CITY HALL ZONE F2: Bea Bol (Coordinator), the Tubman family, Paulette Theriault, Clive Doucet, City Councillor ([email protected]) 580-2487 Ryan Zurakowsky, Susan McMaster, Cheryl Hyslop. Main Number(24 hrs) for all departments 3-1-1 ZONE G: Bernie Zeisig(Coordinator), Claudia and Estelle Bourlon- Community Police - non-emergencies 236-1222 Albarracin, David Lum, Cindy MacLoghlin, Hannah and Emily Blackwell, Emergencies only 9-1-1 the al-Asad family, Katya and Mikka Zeisig. Serious Crimes 230-6211 Echo Drive: Alex Bissel. Ottawa Hydro 738-6400 Bank Street-Ottawa South: Rob Cook, Tom Lawson, Paula Archer. Streetlight Problems (burned out, always on, flickering) 3-1-1 Bank Street-Glebe: Larry Ostler. Brewer Pool 247-4938 Ottawa East: Brian Lowley, Dave White. Brewer Arena 247-4917 City of Ottawa web site - www.city.ottawa.on.ca JAN 2010 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR Page 3

waiting on the opening date but offering a Merry Holiday to all having an exotic restaurant will on the street. Where did he leave be tantalizing for our taste buds Rudolph do you think? and will continue to add a unique blend in our neighbourhood. Well that is all for now from 2009 to 2010 we are pleased to keep I have heard a wonderful buzz you in the “buzz”. that we will see another Fruit and From our businesses to all of you Veggie Grocery store, but don’t we hope you spent your holiday have all the details yet…will keep season with love and joy and we you posted. look forward to sharing 2010 with you. opening a tapinade/restaurant We are sad to see that our Veggie Thank you as always for your on our little corner of OOS. Restaurant Sacred Garden left us continued support off the OOS Welcome to We haven’t heard of the name sometime in November. We wish businesses! or the menu, but we are sure them well. 2010 excited to welcome him to the neighbourhood. He is a Pro- Rudolph & Santa Vista OOS in What is the buzz for this year you local owner and OOS is all about November ask… staying local, so lets welcome him The Holiday season was a with a warm and friendly OOS buzz in the neighbourhood in Lets discuss the comings and HOO WAA! November. The local businesses goings in the hood….. PS – the opening will be ran a Rudolph Reindeer Special sometime in the spring of 2010. of 20% off most items in their OOS welcomes new additions: boutiques. Apparently the news Many have been asking and now Well, not only do we have our is we can thank our loyal patrons we have the answer, the Second little nook welcoming John, but as we all felt the evening was a Cup space has been filled and here have you heard we also will have great success. It was fun to see is the scoop: an African style Restaurant where everyone out and about and we John Taylor of Domus will be Casa Luna once lived? We are even had a Santa running around

To book an OSCAR ad Christmas Mystery... Cont’d from page 1 call Gayle 730-1058 blood curdling scream came from the kitchen! Marilyn Monroe’s [email protected] body was discovered and the search for a motive and killer became paramount. Guests were asked by Ava to remain calm and try to help solve the mystery of Marilyn’s death before it became a three ring media circus. The famous guests were key suspects as their tumultuous relationships and liaisons became fodder for the motive of murder. The patched quilt of “volunteered” actors who took on the key roles of the famous outdid themselves in keeping the evening fun and entertaining. The guests themselves were very helpful and eked out a confession from the remorseful and obsessive “Marling Brando” as performed by Alex Neve. The Abbotsford staff also performed a key role as servers much to the delight of the guests. One only can imagine what next year’s Christmas dinner entertainment might entail…

Abbotsford Annual Bazaar

A cold, bright Saturday in late November proved to be the perfect day for the annual Abbotsford @ The Glebe Centre’s Bazaar. This year’s target for fundraising was met and surpassed as goods were readily bought up from the throngs of folks who waited patiently for the doors to open at 10 am. Abbotsford would like to thank the almost 100 volunteers who worked tirelessly prior to and the day of the Bazaar to make this such a successful event. This volunteer driven event also depends upon the goodwill of our local merchants and businesses that generously support us by donating items for our Silent Auction table. ‘Tis the season to be thankful’…. and we are….thank you all for your support of Abbotsford @ The Glebe Centre.

OSCAR Needs Volunteers For Monthly Distribution in OOS Page 4 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR JAN 2010 Brief Notes From the Firehall

It Is A Wonderful Life And Community

OSCA Winter Carnival By Brenda Lee you also must go out to those who helped to make this event the magical experience Approaching! am sitting at home and writing this that it was. By Brenda Lee article a few scant hours after the Thanks to Quinn’s Ale House, Wag OSCA Christmas Movies at the and Starbucks for offering 10% off meals I and beverages for ticket holders. Thanks to he OSCA Special Events Committee is once again pleased Mayfair event. The Christmas movie Dollar It (a singing Santa), Janine Adamyk to announce the imminent arrival of the OSCA Winter junkie in me is feeling truly in touch with (beautiful earrings), Soul Matters (karma Carnival. Jimmy Stewart’s character, George Bailey, T in “It’s a Wonderful Life.” bracelet, bodhi box and glass perfume On Sunday, Feb. 7, between 11 and 2, Windsor Park will once bottle), Ten Thousand Villages (25 dollar again be filled with crowds who love winter (or at least can fake George has a moment at the end of the gift certificate), Dairy Queen (free ice cream it well) and want to celebrate the season with their neighbours. movie where the entire community comes coupons), Fatia from Modern Hairstyling Participants will again be treated to the joys of a winter BBQ, out in force to support him and his family, (free hair cut), Lai Ling Lee (Starbucks horse drawn sleigh rides (courtesy of Tracy Arnett), games for the and that has happened today for OSCA’s coffee mugs), Clive Doucet (three of his children (organized by the ever energetic Firehall Team), raffles, Special Events Committee. I have been novels), Linda Lee, (hand made mittens snow shoeing and of course the infamous TURKEY TOSS! Yes, so worried in the weeks preceding the and hats) Curves (a package with t-shirt, that is correct For the 10 year, participants will have the chance event that I had made a mistake, that I had water bottle and wiper), Yummy Cookies to hurl a frozen turkey across the ice, hoping to be the closest to committed OSCA to something that was (four delicious boxes of cookies) and Life the curling button! A definite must see and a quirky neighbourhood not going to be well attended, that I had of Pie( 2 gift certificates for a free pie) tradition that I love. made a very big error in judgment about for donating door prizes for the event. If The Winter Carnival is also known for it’s array of free chili and how many people really did share my love you were not one of the lucky winners, or it’s neighbourhood chili contest. Last year we had a small showing, of a good Christmas movie. Then the doors you were and are curious as to what others but we are sure that this year will not be the same. We encourage opened and families, friends and fellow items you might find, then drop in and visit the neighbourhood to pull out some good chili recipes and heat up junkies came pouring through. Watching one of the local shops and have a browse. the stove, as well as our palates. Wonderful prizes will be awarded children wide eyed with wonder as Santa I am sure you will find some great things. to best meat chili, best vegetarian chili, and this year the addition handed out candy canes and listened And a very special thank you to Kevin of a new category, best SPICIEST CHILI! Not only are prizes to their Christmas wishes, hearing the Wennekes who got in touch with Santa at to be won, but also some bragging rights amoungst your friends laughter of people as Buddy the Elf capered the last minute and convinced him to make and neighbours. For those willing to share, a recipe credit in the on the screen, and suddenly realizing that some time for the good girls and boys in Oscar as well! If you are making a pot for Super Bowl Sunday that small pockets of the theatre were singing Old Ottawa South. evening, why not make two? Please bring your pot clearly labeled along to White Christmas …..I swear I Tonight I watched Bing Crosby and to the park. Judging will be at 1p.m. could hear Jimmy Stewart drawling in my Rosemary Clooney sing: This is the event that I hold close to my heart, as it was the first ear “It’s a wonderful life Brenda Lee, a “When I’m worried and I can’t sleep, I event that Anne Marie Corbett and I ran when we first joined the wonderful life I tell you!” Add to that the count my blessings instead of sheep, and I OSCA board and the Special Events Committee. It was the first fact that I was able to share all of that with fall asleep counting my blessings” OSCA event I helped to organize and I was quickly addicted to my Mom….bliss. I’ll be doing that tonight as well….and the feeling of community and the memories that each event has to We live in an amazing, close for many many days to come. Thank you offer. I hope to see you there, to create even more memories and to knit, caring, sentimental and involved once again, to all those who were a part of celebrate the winter season and our community. community. The sense of community spirit this day. I hope that you too will be going Look for more details in the Feb. issue of the OSCAR! The that I was lucky enough to be a part of to sleep, as I am, counting today as one of Special Events Committee might have a few more surprises up our today will be a memory that I will cherish your blessings. sleeves! forever. Thank you! A personal and community wide thank

Farewell To Familiar Faces of 7-11

When 7-11 shut down at the end of November, the neighbourhood lost some familiar faces. (left to right) Manoj Joshi, Meseret, Sajid Mahmood and Rose Orach say goodbye.

Photo by Tracy Morey JAN 2010 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR Page 5

OSCA PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2010 - The Year Ahead

By Michael Jenkin be reluctant for the same reasons intentions and stake out their positions study for Sunnyside Avenue will be to schedule adult and children’s on major municipal issues. It is likely going ahead in 2010 now that there he year 2010 promises to be a programming simultaneously. Now, that two big issues will dominate the are staff available to conduct it. The busy year for OSCA. The big with multipurpose program rooms agenda during at least the first half of community will be engaged on the event will, of course, be the that will be better equipped and have the year: putting the funding together development of the study and its T access to appropriate storage space to launch a new light rail system implementation, so we should have a move into our renovated community centre which should take place at the for equipment we can use all the in the City and the final vote on the meaningful opportunity to make our beginning of the summer. But before floor space that is available and we Lansdowne Park redevelopment. The views known. The safety study will that happens we have a lot of planning will be able to set up and take down first issue is getting off to a good start then form the basis for developing to do and not just to organize the big for program sessions much more with the Province’s announcement proposals for traffic calming and the bash to celebrate the opening of the effectively and quickly. of $600 million in funding, although physical redevelopment of the street. new Old Firehall. One of our biggest A new kitchen and a much larger there will be challenges in designing This will be critically important as challenges will be to design the new community hall also mean that larger a system that will meet the available Sunnyside is one of the principal suite of programs that will be offered community events and dinners and resources. But it is the Lansdowne collectors in our neighbourhood and to the community once we move in. other catered events can be scheduled issue that will continue to be a the main link east to west between The renovated community centre that were not possible in the past. negative one for our community. Bank and Bronson. Bank and will present a whole host of new All this means new programming It is still very unclear exactly what Bronson are two of the very few opportunities for us. While we will possibilities, new opportunities to the shape of the final development will north-south arterial roads serving the have greater programming space schedule programs at different times take and how effective the supposed rapidly growing south end of the City available to us in the new facility, what and breaking old habits of assuming fixes will be. The major concerns and are therefore subject to growing is even more important is the greater we can’t do things because we either remain the impact of the huge shopping commuter traffic volumes and are, flexibility we will have in running didn’t have the space or the facilities mall proposed for the site on our local in turn, putting Sunnyside under programming. In the past we were to do something different. Our merchants, and the ability of Bank increasing traffic pressure. often significantly constrained in what Program Committee will be hard at Street to handle the additional traffic Finally, in addition to the Firehall, we could do in the centre because work pondering these questions in generated by all the new facilities (the we should see another public facility each of the programming spaces was January and will be holding a strategic mall, the football stadium, the hockey re-opening in the late spring/early not effectively isolated from the other planning session on January 26 to arena, the multiplex cinema, the hotel, summer and that will be the renovated and often program participants had start the process of designing a new the new residential developments Sunnyside Branch of the public to go through one programming area suite of programs for the community. and the offices). Make no mistake library. With new activity rooms, simply to get to the program in which If you have ideas about what you about it; the consequences of this a redesigned circulation area and they were participating, disturbing would like to see in the way of new development for our community are new self-serve equipment and more the other participants, and this often programming opportunities, given very significant and potentially very attractive facilities generally, this will happened several times during a the new facilities we will have at our negative. Engaging with the City over be a huge plus for the community. session. Needless to say in such disposal, you can send your ideas the next several months of studies and In short, 2010 is shaping up to be a an environment controlling noise in to Deirdre McMullan at osca@ planning will be a major job for us, banner year for new public facilities spilling over from one area to the next oldottawasouth.ca. but the degree to which our concerns in Old Ottawa South which should was a real issue. Often the result of 2010 will be a municipal election have been listened to up to now does help make our community a better such problems were that we could not year in Ottawa, so we can expect to not give me a great deal of confidence and more attractive place in which use the centre’s space to full capacity see the political temperature rise at that the outcome will be a positive to live. Now, if we can only fix this in order to ensure effective isolation City Hall as potential candidates for one for our community. Lansdowne problem . . . from the few program activities that both the Mayor’s chair and ward On a more positive note it has were taking place. We would also councillor’s seats declare their been confirmed that the traffic safety

OSCA ANNUAL WINTER CARNIVAL - Sunday, February 7, 2010 - 11 am to 2 pm in Windsor Park

***ANNUAL CHILI CONTEST*** Join your neighbours by entering the annual chili contest – just bring your chili to Windsor Park before noon.

SUPER PRIZES for 2 contests 1. Vegetarian Chili 2. Meat Chili

AND...... all the usual, Games, Sleigh Ride, Food, Skating etc. Page 6 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR JAN 2010

The distribution routes for which OSCAR requires volunteers: Take a visual walk along Hopewell Ave, on the North side starting at Sloan Avenue Street, heading east and ending at 1) East side of Fulton from Woodbine Place to Aylmer/south side of Aylmer from Bank Street. Fulton to Carlyle/west side of Carlyle from Aylmer to Woodbine Place (40 papers) Tom Alfoldi has taken photos of every building along 2) North side of Aylmer from Roslyn to Seneca/east side of Seneca from Aylmer to Hopewell-- North and South, and provided OSCAR with the Col. By Drive/Col. By Drive from Seneca to Roslyn (47 papers) photos. (See OSCAR previous issues for other street photos) 3) The triangle bounded by Warrington, Harvard and Raleigh and the five-sided section bounded by Wendover, Warrington, Raleigh, Harvard and Chesley (26 papers) The photos continue from this page, starting at Sloan Avenue, 4) South side of Cameron from Bank to Riverdale/west side of Riverdale from continues to page 12. The visual walk continues along South Cameron to Bank (25 papers) Hopewell on page 27, and ends at Bank Street on page 32 5) South side of Riverdale from Avenue to Glenview (39 papers) Join us again when we visually walk with Tom’s Camera. 6) South side of Avenue from Bristol to the point where Avenue meets Glenview (17 Thank you Tom! papers)

Contact Larry Ostler, Distribution Manager at 613-327-9080 for more information.

Phone Numbers for Police Services

911 Life Threatening Emergency or Crime in Progress 613-230-6211 Other Emergencies 613-236-1222 – 0 General Police Inquiries 613-236-1222 – ext. 7300 Call centre for crime reports (not for crimes in progress) 613-236-1222 – ext. 5804 Constable Hoedeman at the Somerset Community Police Centre (e-mail: [email protected]) 613-233-TIPS (8477) Crime Stoppers & Gun Crime Stoppers 311 By-Law Enforcement 613-580-2424 ext. 23653 City of Ottawa Needle Removal Program 613-236-1222 - ext. 5766 D-23 Central West Neighbourhood Police Officers

The Many Ways to Contact the Mayor and Councillors Mayor Larry O’Brien Ward 5 - West Carleton- Ward 10 - Gloucester- Ward 15 - Kitchissippi Ward 20 - Osgoode Phone 613-580-2496 March Southgate Councillor Christine Councillor Doug Thompson Fax 613-580-2509 Councillor Eli El-Chantiry Councillor Diane Deans Leadman 613-580-2490 Address 110 Laurier AveWest 613-580-2475 613-580-2480 613-580-2485 [email protected] Ottawa, Ontario K1P 1J1 [email protected] [email protected] Christine.Leadman@ottawa. [email protected] ca Ward 21 – Rideau-Goulbourn Ward 6 – Stittsville-Kanata Ward 11 - Beacon Hill- Councillor Glenn Brooks Ward 1 - Orléans West Cyrville Ward 16 - River 613-580-2491 Councillor Bob Monette Councillor Shad Qadri Councillor Michel Bellemare Councillor Maria McRae [email protected] 613-580-2471 613-580-2476 613-580-2481 613-580-2486 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Ward 22 - Gloucester-South Nepean Ward 2 - Innes Ward 7 - Bay Ward 12 - Rideau-Vanier Ward 17 - Capital Councillor Steve Desroches Councillor Rainer Bloess Councillor Alex Cullen Councillor Georges Bédard Councillor Clive Doucet 613-580-2751 613-580-2472 613-580-2477 613-580-2482 613-580-2487 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Ward 23 - Kanata South Ward 3 - Barrhaven Ward 8 - College Ward 13 - Rideau-Rockcliffe Ward 18 - Alta Vista Councillor Peggy Feltmate Councillor Jan Harder Councillor Rick Chiarelli Councillor Jacques Legendre Councillor Peter Hume 613-580-2752 613-580-2473 613-580-2478 613-580-2483 613-580-2488 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Ward 4 - Kanata North Ward 14 - Somerset Ward 19 - Cumberland Councillor Marianne Ward 9 - Knoxdale-Merivale Councillor Diane Holmes Councillor Rob Jellett Wilkinson Councillor Gord Hunter 613-580-2484 613-580-2489 613-580-2474 613-580-2479 [email protected] [email protected] Marianne.Wilkinson@ [email protected] ottawa.ca JAN 2010 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR Page 7

CITY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT 2010 Draft Budget and Lansdowne

Dear OSCAR Readers: years. And there’s the $6 million defend. There is just over $200,000 effectively subsidize this shopping lost in last year’s transit strike too. worth of repairs going into facilities at mall. Copenhagen In short, a legacy of bad decisions in Brewer Park. Likewise the Windsor What’s next? It is very hard to this term of council is forcing us to Park water play area will get about say what our options are at this point. The rivers of the earth cut services while increasing taxes. $260,000 worth of repairs. Area So far a majority (15 to 9) on Council our arteries, This is the elephant in the room that Traffic Management, which is where support the mall. All the councillors the oceans and lakes needs to be recognized. I refuse to traffic calming and safety measures inside the greenbelt except for 2 voted our life cut services to pay for these costly, come from, should have half a million against it, all the councillors outside yet we treat them destructive decisions. dollars city-wide. This will be critical the greenbelt except for 1 voted for it. as if they belonged to someone else The most serious cuts proposed for things like the Sunnyside area How will we get 3 or more of those as if we were parasites. so far include getting rid of Crime traffic study about to begin. folks furthest from the old City of Prevention Ottawa and reduced bus More long term financial trouble Ottawa to change their minds? The The 2010 Draft Budget routes while imposing a 7.5% increase will come from the budget plan to revised Lansdowne plans won’t be in fares. Cutting Crime Prevention fund infrastructure projects with debt back at Council before May at the he 2010 budget is upon us. I Ottawa is about as short sighted and because the draft budget cut the 2% earliest. We have until then to regroup will be co-hosting with a few of fiscally irresponsible as you can get. infrastructure levy we had last year to and find a way for sanity to prevail. my colleagues an information I will be fighting that cut. Likewise cover these costs – just pay as you go. T it makes no sense to be increasing Amongst the things to consider will Coffee with Clive session at City Hall on January 20 at 7:00PM. Public delegations to bus fares so far beyond the cost of be postponing, if possible, very large Council and deliberations will begin living while reducing the bus service. infrastructure projects. Coffee with Clive happens in Old in the last week of January. This is as unreasonable as the overall Ottawa South at Bridgehead, 1176 budget situation: making people pay a Lansdowne Bank Street, on the second Thursday Here’s a brief view of what’s in and lot more while giving them less. of the month from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. what’s out. On the capital infrastructure In spite of having more design projects front there is some good emphasis to some aspects of the plan, All the best, Overall, the proposed tax increase news. Here are some of the projects I the fundamentals haven’t changed is 3.9% and there are many proposed am glad to see included for next year. and this plan remains unacceptable. Clive Doucet service cuts too. Why are we raising The McIlraith Bridge that links Main Public land will be handed over to City of Ottawa and Smyth will be rehabilitated and taxes and cutting services at the same private interests so they can build 110 Laurier Avenue West, will get a bicycle lane added to in the a shopping mall and the City will time? This is the year when many Ottawa, ON K1P 1J1 of the mayor’s mistakes are coming process. I am happy to see the money spend $120 million to provide those tel.: (613) 580-2487 home to roost. The $37 million legal in the budget to do the preliminary same private interests with a new settlement for the cancelled light rail study for the pedestrian/cycling bridge stadium. The property taxes collected fax: (613) 580-2527 project accounts for 3.7%! This is across the Canal between Pretoria and on the shopping mall won’t cover [email protected] also the year the debt comes due on the Bank. It is good to finally see some city services like everybody else’s www.clivedoucet.com City’s contribution to the province’s improvement to cycling infrastructure taxes do, those taxes will go toward Convention Centre and that will cost like this and there are other examples the City’s dept on that $120 million in order of $2 million a year for 20 in ward and in the City that I will stadium. All city tax payers will Rideau Canal Skateway

he National Capital official opening is announced. the Skateway is safe to open to the see some of Ottawa’s attractions, or Commission (NCC) is getting It must be taken into account that public. Please keep in mind that the quickly commute to work or school. Tready to celebrate a new 14 days of cold weather, with daily presence of maintenance crews on The Skateway is equivalent to over Rideau Canal Skateway season. The average temperatures between -15°C the ice surface does not indicate that 100 hockey rinks end-to-end, is Skateway is presently closed and and -20°C, excluding the windchill the Rideau Canal Skateway is open. accessed by almost 40 stairs along its it is dangerous to venture onto the factor, are required to obtain a safe The NCC will officially launch the length. partially frozen surface. The layer of ice surface for skaters. However, 40th skating season once the ice A red flag flying over the canal ice that has formed on the surface of snow precipitation can slow down the conditions are safe and weather means it is closed to skating; a some areas is very thin and may not be process since a blanket of snow on permits. yellow flag means the conditions able to support the weight of a person. the Skateway will act as an insulator. Since the winter of 1971, the are fair to good and a green flag The water level underneath the ice Once the ice thickness has reached National Capital Commission has means very good to excellent. For surface varies from approximately 20cm, skateway maintenance crews maintained the ice surface of the ice conditions, call (613) 239-5234 1 metre to 4.3 metres along the will begin clearing the snow on the Rideau Canal making it into the (recorded message is updated daily at length of the Rideau Canal between Skateway in order to maximise the longest skating rink in the world. The 9 a.m.) or toll-free 1-800-465-1867. downtown Ottawa and Dows Lake. ice growth. Other factors such as 7.8-kilometre stretch of “Skateway” Skating on the Canal is free however, The NCC urges everyone to keep above 0°C temperatures or rain will winds through downtown Ottawa and donations for its upkeep are welcome. personal safety in mind and to stay off also affect the ice growth. When an handles an average of one million Dogs, bicycles and hockey sticks are the Rideau Canal Skateway until the ice thickness of 30 cm is reached, skaters per season. It’s a great way to not allowed on the Skateway. Page 8 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR JAN 2010

The Grosvenor Avenue Gastronomic Society “Life is too short to eat disappointing food.” “Nice View, Mediocre Food, Poor Service”

ur intentions were good. We were pleased orders were taken together. It was difficult for salad. The lasagne was quite good – served hot with our idea. We thought that Malone’s our server to remember the many beers on tap with a tangy tomato sauce and smothered in a Oat the Dows Lake Pavilion would be a nice (which turned out to be primarily large Canadian blanket of melted mozzarella cheese. destination for Old Ottawa South-ers who may be brewers), although we were happy to hear that a Once we’d finished our meals, our server was out enjoying a leisurely skate on the canal. It can “black and tan” is an option. We tried that layered quick to clear our plates but then went missing also be easily accessed from our neighbourhood blend of Guiness on lager, a standard draft, and in action for nearly 30 minutes. After a visual via car (free parking if you bring in your parking two different slushy summertime drinks, garnished prompt, our server brought us our bill – but stub), bike, foot, and pretty much any other mode with fruit and paper umbrellas. without having offering dessert or coffee, both of of transportation you’d like to try. They are open To start, we ordered the Soup of the Day, which were on the menu in a variety of choices. for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They even have a the French Onion soup, and a tomato salad. The Unfortunately, we didn’t have the best kid’s menu should you require one. Alas, we were tomato salad was good and was made with goat experience at Malone’s. Perhaps they offer a more disappointed. Heck, if we’re being totally honest cheese rather than the standard mozzarella, which pleasant outing for breakfast, lunch, or post-game – we were appalled. was a nice surprise, although it could have used a beer and wings – and the lasagne after a winter We were greeted by a friendly hostess who bit more balsamic vinegar. The French Onion soup skate on the canal would likely be well-received. selected us a window seat and with the nice view was palatable but nothing to get excited about. We should note that although they have a kid’s we settled in for what we assumed would be a As we hinted above, the Cream of Broccoli was menu, the vegetarian options are limited. This lovely evening out. We were wrong. Now before terrible. It couldn’t be finished; it was lukewarm, location has a lot of potential, however our visit you jump to conclusions and assume we are snotty, flavourless, and had a lumpy, disturbing texture. left much to be desired. picky folks, hear us out because as you’ll learn as In an unorthodox twist on standard restaurant Malone’s Lakeside Bar and Grill you read on, the window seat was the best part of service, our drinks arrived half way through our 1001 Queen Elizabeth Drive, Ottawa our night – although some of the dishes were fair first course. 613-567-2254 enough. For the main course, two of the tasters ordered www.malonesgrill.ca Our server brought us menus and with some from the Greek portion of the menu (we tried the prompting divulged that the Soup of the Day was pork souvlaki and the shrimp brochette platters) as Appetisers: $4 - $16 a Cream of Broccoli. Thinking back, we should per our server’s recommendation. Oddly, these Sandwiches and Wraps: $11 - $15 have taken more note of our server’s hesitance two main dishes arrived before the other people Main Dishes: up to $28 on that topic. After having plenty of time to sift in our group were finished their appetisers - yet through the very extensive, bilingual menu, our they were still not warm. Both platters featured As always, please feel free to contact us at opportunity to order arrived – drink and food a Greek salad, rice, and roasted potatoes along [email protected] to pass along with their meat selections. Neither was your feedback or suggestions for restaurants you’d particularly impressive, although the portions like us to review. were huge. In addition to the platters, we also ordered the ‘Big Tex’ burger platter Cheers, and the homemade lasagne with garlic The Grosvenor Avenue Gastronomic Society bread. The burger was juicy despite being apparently based on a premade patty, and was accompanied by crispy fries and a Greek

Recipe for Spicy Chai To book an 7 cups water Bring water and spices to boil, 1 tbs fennel seeds simmer 20 minutes. OSCAR ad 1 tbs cardemon pods Add tea leaves, remove from 6 whole cloves heat, and cover. Steep 3 to 5 call Gayle 6 whole black peppercorns minutes. 730-1058 1 tab dried licorice root chopped Mix in honey and milk. 1 tbs grated fresh ginger Strain and pour. oscarads@old- 1 cinnamon stick Enjoy ottawasouth.ca 2 star anise 2 tsp loose black tea 4 tbs sweetener 2 cups almond milk JAN 2010 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR Page 9

Ring Them Bells By Arthur McGregor of a set of bells, like those in a cathedral or other church, to communicate specific bits of news to the wrote this article for the now-passed holidays people within earshot. Births, deaths, wars, peace, but the subject rings in my mind. Bells. I think weddings, were all communicated to the population, that we take bells for granted, kind of like often by using fairly complex “changes”. “The I idea is to ring a set of tuned bells in a series of vowels! I did a little bit of research that led to some interesting finds. mathematical patterns called “changes” which Bells are considered a percussion instrument comprise an enormous variety of sequences, but do and are often tuned when they’re cast. The metal not produce a conventional tune.” From Wikipedia used in the castings is usually bronze, a tin/copper “What Musick is there that compar’d may alloy (the same stuff that banjo tone rings are be To well-tun’d Bells enchanting melody!” From made of). Some smaller bells are made of glass or TINTINNALOGIA: OR, THE ART OF RINGING. ceramic. Bells have been made in sizes from little London, 1671. jingly things you could sew into your clothes to fine bell that was eventually replaced by big loud We sell bells in a variety of forms. We have bells that weighed up to 300 tons and could be heard speakers blasting a recording of bells. In Cork, cowbells, handbell sets, gongs, tambourines (the many kilometres away. There are Tibetan tingsha, Ireland, Wendy and I played O Canada on the ‘rines’ are bells), xylophones, Tibetan handbells, two small cymbal-shaped bells joined by a chain bells of Shandon in the Church of St. Anne. Last triangles and tuning forks. We should all try to or leather, the huge Japanese temple bells, and the Sunday, we were on the corner of Sussex and St. be more aware of bells around us. Now there’s a bells like Big Ben that rings across London. Patrick here in Ottawa when the bells of Notre- ringing endorsement! Bells have and continue to be a big sound in Dame Cathedral started pealing. The word ‘peal’ my musical world. The church I grew up in had a can mean both a loud sound like bells and the use Sting Advances To International Championship

By Don Cummer

ocal players from Ottawa Sting will travel to Port Huron, LMichigan, later this month to vie for one of the most prized hockey trophies in North America – the “Silver Stick.” The tournament will pit Ottawa Sting Peewee B against teams from as a far away as Alabama. “We’re really excited about going!” said Hopewell student Eli Ferguson. “This is the first tournament we’ve won as a team – and it turns out to be one of the biggest.” “This is a really big deal in the minor hockey world,” said Sting coach, Tony Hickey. “The North American champions will have their team’s name inscribed in the Hockey Hall of Fame.” Tony himself went to the Silver Stick champion as an Atom player. “It’s been a lifelong dream to come back to the tournament again as a coach,” he said. The Sting battled their way In the finals against the Renfrew Only eight seconds remained in The first ever Silver Stick to a berth in the North American Timberwolves, Renfrew scored in the overtime when the Sting’s Liam Kelly tournament was organized by Jack championship after being seeded as first period and shut out Sting until deked out the Wolves’ goalie for the Kinsella of Ottawa in 1957. The silver the last Wild Card in the regional the last 15 seconds, when a goal by 2-1 victory. hockey stick that goes to the winner Silver Stick tournament, held in Liam Richard put the game – and the Eli’s mom, Michelle McConkey was first donated by the Ottawa Pembroke in November. regional championship – into three- of Grove Avenue, said that she’s Citizen. Since 1963, Port Huron, In the Pembroke quarter-finals, on-three overtime. looking forward to taking the whole Michigan, has been home to the Sting surprised the Nepean Raiders “We had to find extra reserves of family to watch Eli play in Port international finals. with a 5-1 blowout. The semi-finals energy,” says Eli. “It was our third Huron, “But these trips are expensive. Generations after the silver stick against the Russell River Rats saw a game that day, and the Timberwolves The team has some ambitious plans left Ottawa for Michigan, the Sting back-and-forth battle that Sting won were much fresher. But we dug deep for fundraising, including a bottle hope to bring it back home. 3-2. and out-played them.” drive here in the neighbourhood.” Page 10 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR JAN 2010

SOUTHMINSTER HAPPENINGS Southminster Writes For Rights n the afternoon of Sunday concerning tax and employment December 6, people from regulations for small businesses, and OSouthminster, OOS and as Konstantina Kuneva, a migrant far away as Wakefield got together to worker in Athens active in trade union “write for rights” at Southminster’s activities who was attacked on 22 fourth annual Amnesty December 2008 by a man who threw International Writeathon event. sulphuric acid in her face. Unfortunately, many of the names Although the cases we wrote in the cases were familiar ones from about were bleak, the mood in previous years, such as the brave the room was upbeat. More than members of WOZA (Women two dozen adults wrote letters in of Zimbabwe Arise) who face support of human rights defenders imprisonment and persecution by and urging governments to respect their government for taking part in human rights. They were joined peaceful demonstrations against the by a dozen children and teenagers social, economic and human rights who wrote letters and created art to situation in Zimbabwe, the Lubicon send to prisoners of conscience and Southminster from providing healthy Larkin (Christ Church Cathedral, Cree still waiting to negotiate others targeted for their human rights snacks such as muffins, bagels, fruit, Ottawa) as an organist, choir member an agreement with the federal and work. Fortified by coffee, tea and cheese, cold drinks, and coffee to and co-founder of the youth choir provincial governments over the hot chocolate kindly donated by the help them through their ordeal. The Euphonia. His most recent position ownership and management of local Bridgehead at Bank and Grove students were most appreciative and was as interim organist and choir their lands and resources, and the and baking donated by members thanked us profusely. director at St. Clement’s Anglican Peace Community in Colombia of Southminster, participants wrote The Pause Table will be in Church in Verdun, QC where Roland whose members are attacked by the steadily from 2:00 to 4:30. Once operation every day that exams are produced a series of 31 concerts as an government, its paramilitary allies again we bettered the previous year’s taking place. Different churches outreach strategy for the church. and guerrilla groups for their refusal number of letters, this year writing ‘adopt’ a table each day. Our best to bear arms or provide information 113 letters. A big thank you goes out wishes to the students. Bazaar Update and logistical support to any of the to all the writers, artists, Bridgehead warring parties. Participants also and Southminster bakers who made A New Music Director The annual Snowflake Bazaar wrote letters to and on behalf of this event such a success. raised over $6,000 which will go many other human rights defenders, Southminster welcomes Roland towards the continuing ministry including Rita Mahato, a health Southmister Hosts The Pause Graham as our Interim Director of of Southminster United Church. advisor who has been threatened for Table Again Music for a three-month contract. Many thanks to area merchants who the work she does with the Women’s Roland is a skilled organist and supported the Silent Auction table Rehabilitation Centre in Nepal’s A snowy and blustery day – the pianist, composer, and teacher of which raised over $700: The Barley Siraha District. Artsyom Dubski, who first of the season – coincided with piano. He has a Masters in Music Mow, The Mayfair Theatre, Roy in July 2009 was sentenced in Belarus the first day of exams at Carleton from the Université de Montreal and Barber Services, Kailedscope Books, to a year’s imprisonment, after University. That didn’t keep over an undergraduate degree in Music Tim Horton’s, Bridgehead, Patty’s peacefully exercising his rights to 300 tired, hungry students from the from the University of Ottawa. He Pub, Hulse, Playfaig and McGarry, freedom of expression and assembly Pause Table or the volunteers from has worked extensively with Matthew Makin’ Moves, Hillary’s Cleaners and to protest against a presidential decree Ten Thousand Villages. Area Church Service Times

Sunnyside Wesleyan Chuch St Margaret Mary’s Parish 58 Grosvenor Avenue (at Sunnyside) 7 Fairbairn (corner of Sunnyside) Sunday Worship Service at 9am & 11am Sunday Liturgies : 9:30am and 11:30am Children’s program offered during both Christian Meditation: Mondays at worship services. 7:30 pm. Evening Prayer: Tuesday at 7 p.m. Trinity Anglican Church 1230 Bank Street (at Cameron Avenue) Sunday Services Southminster United Church 9.30 am -- sung eucharist (summer 15 Aylmer Avenue schedule June 14 to August 30) 10:30 a.m.: Worship and Sunday School - Regular 8.30 eucharist , and 10 am sung September through June eucharist with church school and nursery, resume Sundays, starting September 6) Thursdays 10 am – Eucharist or Morning Prayer in Chapel JAN 2010 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR Page 11

BACKYARD NATURALIST Ravens Make a Comeback

such as roadkill or garbage, which are than a few seconds at a time without more abundant around the city. They flapping. are scavengers, and will eat just about I often feel that Ravens are like anything. messengers. Perhaps it’s their voices, Sometimes I notice Ravens which seem almost human at times. because the Crows are chasing them, Whenever I see or hear a Raven in the and their calls make a racket. At these city, I feel as if I’ve had a brush with times, the caws of the Crows are very the wilderness. It takes me back to distinct from the deep, throaty croaks memories of canoe trips or camping of the Ravens. By sight they can be in Algonquin Park. I’m happy that tricky to tell from Crows. They are Ravens are once again making a home both big black birds (that’s your first among us. Their increased presence clue). But Ravens are bigger and can gives me hope that for one species at do some things that Crows can’t do. least, things are looking up. For instance, if you see a big black bird soaring on outstretched wings Linda Burr lives in Old Ottawa for longer than a few seconds, that’s South and is a biologist and avid a Raven. Crows can’t soar more backyard naturalist.

by Linda Burr So Ravens became scarce in these parts, at least until recently. Once the et’s start the New Year off with poison baiting ceased, Ravens began a good news story. In the wake to bounce back. In 1985, the first of disappointment following ever Breeding Bird Atlas in Ontario L documented the nesting ranges of the climate change meetings in Copenhagen, we all need a little all the province’s birds. Back then, cheering up. Not all is doom and gloom there were no Ravens found nesting when it comes to the environment. in Ottawa. Twenty years later, the Here is one such example of the second Atlas was done, and Ravens recovery of a remarkable bird. were found to be nesting all over the Growing up in Toronto in the Ottawa region and eastern Ontario. 60s and 70s, I never saw Common They have continued to expand their Ravens. I saw them only on summer range south and east. holidays well north of the city. In my This is a good news conservation mind, Ravens came to symbolize all story. Sometimes, when we give that was wild and wonderful about nature half a chance, it has the nature... and all that was decidedly resiliency to bounce back. However, not Toronto. I always felt that we need to give some credit to ravens somehow “belonged” to the the Ravens as well. Ravens are wilderness. considered the most intelligent of Ravens were not always absent all the birds in the world. They from these parts; in fact they once can be found living in all kinds of ranged well into eastern and southern places, from forests to tundra, from Ontario. But early settlers cleared mountains to sea coasts. So if any the forests, and developed towns bird could figure out how to live with and cities where Ravens once lived, humans (when we’re not poisoning destroying their habitat. But the thing them or shooting them), Ravens that really did the Ravens in was more could do it. insidious. Poison baits were often I often see or hear Ravens flying used to kill unwanted predators such around Old Ottawa South in the as wolves and coyotes. The poison did winter. While Ravens can be found its work all too well, killing not only in Ottawa at any time of the year, it’s their intended victims, but the Ravens during the winter that I notice them that fed on the carcasses of poisoned more often. Perhaps they come into animals. the city in the winter seeking foods Page 12 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR JAN 2010

Squirrel Talk

Dreaming of Beauty

By Michaël and Tania food production methods on our points out “one acre of arable crops meatless day a week. Example benefits environment. Recently reported can produce enough food for up to as applied to our southern neighbour omme la neige a neigé… on the BBC, from http://www.bbc. 20 people. Turn that field over to are estimated here “If everyone in the Already, the snow has fallen, co.uk/blogs/ethicalman/ , agriculture beef production and it will feed just U.S. went vegetarian just for one day, and we are reminded of the is reckoned to account for 7% of all one person.” There’s also the water this would prevent 1.2 millions tons C greenhouse gas emissions - about the issue (particularly in countries other of CO2 equivalent Greenhouse gas beautiful poem by the Quebec author Émile Nelligan (1879-1941). Here is same as aviation. However according than fresh-water rich Canada !) - for emissions (as much as produced by the first stanza: to the Wordwatch Institute http:// example “one pound of beef requires all of France) + 3 million tons of soil www.worldwatch.org/node/6294 “the 2500 gallons of water, whereas a erosion + 100 billion gallons of water Ah! comme la neige a neigé! environmental impact of the lifecycle pound of soy requires 250 gallons (enough to supply New England for 4 Ma vitre est un jardin de givre. and supply chain of animals raised for of water and a pound of wheat only months) + 70 million gallons of gas Ah! comme la neige a neigé! food has been vastly underestimated, 25 gallons.” The issues are very (enough to fuel all the cars of Canada Qu’est-ce que le spasme de vivre and in fact accounts for at least half complex, ranging from very large and Mexico combined) + 3 million Ô la douleur que j’ai, que j’ai! of all human-caused greenhouse masses of the Amazon forest to being acres of land + 33 tons of antibiotics,” gases (GHGs) or 32.6 billion tons.” cut down to feed beef, to huge agro- and the list goes on. Such beautiful words, they let us The point here is not to agree on a industry related poverty in developing Would you consider trying dream of the beauty of winter, with specific scientific number, instead we countries, and so many many more. meatless one day a week ? We think crisp snow and a beautiful sun. can simply agree that modern factory So what can we do about all this that’s a fantastic and easy idea – it’s This month’s thought revolves farming methods and the increase in other than forcing our politicians also an invitation to explore new around ecology, as Copenhagen is meat consumption around the world to change the world? We can take recipes: there are so many good ones. fresh in our minds. Specifically, is creating a non-sustainable future some matters in our own hands. For Many of our friends and family do we think about the impact of for our next generations. The BBC example, we can shop local - a simple a few meatless days a week - it’s example is that we like to buy healthy and it’s a very important step Ontario apples rather than apples for our environment. transported literally halfway across We are the sum of all our actions the earth. It creates local jobs, meets and the sum of all our actions is the Canadian pesticide standards, does footprint we create. We can choose to not exploit poor people, is fresh, better the world and our community and has less environmental impact. by positive individual actions. We like to buy from local farms, Have you seen the squirrels in and from local stores, and most of their little flying sleighs? We’re sure the time we like to walk to do our you have, with their little red tuques. shopping. It’s healthy and relaxing Have a Wonderful Holiday Season. ! Write us at [email protected]. One other interesting idea that is being brought up more and more as a healthy idea for our health and for our environment is to have one

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To book an OSCAR ad call Gayle 730-1058 [email protected] JAN 2010 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR Page 13 THE BIG PICTURE New Year’s Resolution: To Spend An Evening With A Good Canadian Film

By Michael Dobbin otherwise wonderful film. Set in India, comedy set in Anglophone Montreal, before taking his own life. it’s story of a poor but honest rickshaw directed by Jacob Tierney called The Also a favourite at Cannes in anadian films becoming more driver who stands to inherit millions. Trotsky has been well received. The 2009, Cherien Dabis’ Amreeka, a popular than ever before. A It should be noted that this film film stars Ottawa’s own Jay Baruchel, co production between Canada and recap of last year’s highlights: actually beat out Slumdog Millionaire as well as Colm Feore, Saul Rubinek, Kuwait, is the bittersweet story of a C at virtually every film festival where and another up-and-coming Ottawa Palestinian single mother who one Over the past year, Canadian movies have won international awards and the two movies competed and was actor Dan Beirne. day receives a letter that her family gained enthusiastic audiences the produced first. Defendor, stars Woody Harrelson has received a U.S. green card, and world over. With most 2009 titles now This past December saw the as a delusional man who is convinced decides to leave the West Bank to start in theatres or available on DVD and theatrical launch of Jean-Marc he’s a superhero, playing opposite a new life with her teenage son. Blu-ray, there’s never been a better Vallée’s Young Victoria. The star- Sandra Oh and Kat Dennings was More titles to watch for way to ease into the awards season of studded biopic starring Emily Blunt, directed by first-timer Peter Stebbings. include Sherry White’s Crackie, a 2010. Rupert Friend, Paul Bettany, Miranda Other titles to watch include Newfoundland film about teenage At the Canadian Academy Awards Richardson and Jim Broadbent about Xavier Dolan’s J’ai Tué Ma Mère girl who abandons her harsh-tongued in May of last year, Best Motion the 19th century monarch, (and which is Canada’s official submission Gran in search of her long-lost mother. Picture went to Paul Gross’s epic war Canada’s first queen) is seemingly an for the foreign language Oscar in Simon Lavoie’s Second World War story, Passchendaele, as did Genies for unlikely second feature for the director 2010. “I KILLED MY MOTHER” story The Deserter, Patrice Sauvé’s Best Art Direction, Costume Design, best known for the internationally tells the story of a teenage boy who story of a sorcerer called The Master Sound Design, Sound Editing, the successful C.R.A.Z.Y. is troubled by his growing hatred for Key Ken Scott’s crime story Sticky Golden Reel Award for Box Office The long-awaited and disaster his mother, and tries to rekindle the Fingers and David Bezmozgis’ 1980s Performance. If you haven’t seen plagued production The Imaginarium relationship they used to have. teen angst story Victoria Day all had this one yet, you should put it off of Dr. Parnassus, directed by Terry Brigitte Berman’s Hefner: a strong international showing along no longer. Grab your popcorn and Gilliam (an alumnus of Monty Playboy, Activist and Rebel, Ruba with Gary Yates’ heist movie High a box of tissues – this one hold its Python) is now on the big screen for Nadda’s Cairo Time with Patricia Life. own against any other film of this Canadian audiences. A fantastical Clarkson, and Rob Stefaniuk’s Keep in mind that this list is by genre. At an estimated $20 million to tale about Dr. Parnassus’ race to save musical vampire romp Suck, starring no means exhaustive – but only a few produce, it is also the biggest budget his daughter against the backdrop of Malcolm McDowell, Dave Foley and highlights to revisit before 2010’s Canadian film of all time. a surreal universe. The film, which cameos by no less than music icons crop of top quality, home grown At the same awards ceremony, is a Canadian co-production stars Alice Cooper and Iggy Pop. entertainment takes the spotlight. Benoit Pilon took home the Genie Christopher Plummer, Jude Law, Denis Villeneuve’s Polytechnique as Best Director for The Necessities Colin Farrell, Johnny Depp and the continued to stir controversy in [Old Ottawa South resident of Life, a charming “fish out of late Heath Ledger in his last on-screen Cannes in 2009. It’s based on the real Michael Dobbin is a movie producer water” tale of an Inuit man taken performance. The film was part of the events of December 6, 1989 when a and consultant with Quiet Revolution to 1950s Quebec City for medical Official Competition at Cannes in deranged man entered Montreal’s Pictures] qrpictures.com treatment. The film’s star, Natar 2009. Terry Gilliam is also known Polytechnic School with the goal of Ungalaaq who had his breakout role for films like 12 Monkeys, Fear and killing as many women as possible in Atanarjuat, The Fast Runner took Loathing in Las Vegas and his early home the award for Best Actor. The career as a member of the legendary film also took home a Genie for Best Monty Python comedy-troop, where Editing and Best Original Screenplay he created the now iconic animated for writer Bernard Émond. The film sequences that branded their absurdist was a contender for Best Foreign humour. Language Film at the Oscars and Ivan Reitman and Atom Egoyan’s worth a visit. Chloe is a film about trust in a troubled The Best Documentary Genie marriage stars Julianne Moore, Liam went to Up the Yangtze which a Neeson and Amanda Seyfried, and beautiful and bittersweet look at the is an English language remake of the impact of the construction of the 2003 French film Nathalie. Three Gorges Dam in China as told Cooking with Stella stars Don through the eyes of a family whose McKellar, Seema Biswas and Maury home will soon disappear beneath the Chaykin and is directed by Dilip rising waters. Mehta and is a story about a long Amal took Best Original Song serving cook at the Canadian High which is a consolation prize for an Commission in Delhi. The much anticipated student

A scene from The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus, directed by Terry Gilliam Page 14 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR JAN 2010 TRINITY ANGLICAN CHURCH Trinity Children’s Pageant A Hit With Parents, Grandparents By Jim Robb At Trinity Anglican Church that reminder came Sunday, here’s nothing quite like the December 13 when the children church school pageant to staged their annual interpretation remind you that December of the Christmas story. T Led by pageant director 25 is imminent.

Trinity’s shepherds made sure their sheep showed up on stage. They carried them. (Photo by Robert Taylor)

Jennifer Small and Trinity music They were backed by more than director Victoria Scott, the boys 20 shepherds, wisemen, angels and and girls worked their way through farm animals. the adapted script of Once Upon Parents and grandparents were a Starry Night by composers Ruth suitably impressed. Elaine Schram and John Jacobson. The event was followed by The children narrated and another Trinity Christmas tradition sang songs about the wisemen, the -- the annual potluck lunch, where shepherds and the little sheep. And there is always more than enough they were joined by Trinity’s choir food for seconds. in a joyous rendition of Joy To the Anthony Taylor serves his grandmother Sue at the potluck World. *Trinity Anglican Church is luncheon. (Photo by Robert Taylor) Laura Burgham played at 1230 Bank Street, corner of Mary, Kilby Baron was Cameron Avenue. Main door is on Joseph and Sadie Gorber Cameron. portrayed Baby Jesus.

A small angel waits for her cue at Trinity’s children’s pageant. (Photo by Robert Taylor) JAN 2010 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR Page 15

A HARD DAY’S PLAY Time for a Career Change? By Mary P. week, and Lord only knows that if exchange she doesn’t even wince. my purse and am considering going I wait until the end of January, the She just smiles and wiggles her outside to check the basket at the begin my life of crime. stores will be filled with nothing but fingers at the cashier. I must have back of the stroller, when I am hit I took the tots to Billings Bridge sandals and cruise wear.. that conversation fifty times a by a thought. I last week. One day I will have a Just TRY buying a child’s winter month. It’s a hazard of the job, but “Emma. Do you remember me hidden camera trail me, just so you coat in this city in December. In a how can I complain? Babies do that paying for these things?” can experience what it’s like to walk mind-boggling display of denial and to people. She stares at me. behind my four-seater stroller. wish fulfillment, the depleted racks As we leave the store, the “You know what? I don’t think People stop dead in their tracks. of winter outerwear will be gone, to security sensors bleep at us. We you did.” People do double takes that must be replaced by “we-wish-it-were- pause and look back at the cashier, Nope. The nice cashier lady hurt. Old men on benches punch summer” wear. While I can’t argue who grins at the waving Nissa once took my purchases, played with the each other and laugh as we pass. the sentiment, it is no help at all to more and waves us through. babies, put my stuff in a bag, and Little kids shriek. Grandma types the last-minute mother desperately Off we go to the first shoe store chatted with me before waving me come over to coo. Mothers either seeking to clothe her offspring. In where, Emma being her mother’s (the woman working on mindless laugh or groan or simply grow pale. attire that will not attract the notice daughter, we buy the second pair she autopilot with her four adorable Very few people ignore us. of the CAS. tries on. It’s not that we don’t enjoy distractions) through the frantically “Mommy! Mommy, lookit all So. Off to the mall for boots. shopping, but when you know what beeping security gate. the babies!!! A quick stop at the pharmacy you want and you see what you like I look at my loot: a tub of diaper “Are they all yours?” for a few small things before we – there! Done! Besides, with four cream, a pack of vinyl-covered baby “I’ll bet they keep you busy!” hit the shoe stores. I pass my items tots four and under, it’s the ONLY spoons and a couple of bibs. Total “Oh, my God.” to the cashier. “Oh, LOOK at all of way to shop. We don’t indulge in value, approximately $12.95. All “Holy f*&ing sh*t. Er, sorry, them!” The cashier peers over the recreational shopping during my mine, for the price of an invigorating babies.” counter. Nissa waves, Tyler beams, business hours… walk to the mall and a few friendly “What a lovely little family!” Noah and Emily stare solemnly. “Hi And then home. We unpack exchanges. I only go to the mall when babies! Hello, hello!” She slips my the babies from the stroller, the A life of crime beckons. I’m feeling particularly sociable, purchases into a babies from their snowsuits, and (In case you are wondering, I because there’s no evading it. Today, “Oh, gracious no.” I point to the purchases from the bags. Bah. did in fact return to the store and pay Emma needed boots. Winter has Emma, loitering in the door a few There is no receipt in the bag from for my ill-gotten gains) arrived, and the girl has no boots. feet away. “That big one is my the pharmacy. Those were business It does not pay to wait. There will baby.” expenses. I need that receipt. be nothing but dregs in another Emma (16) is so used to this I’ve scoured my pockets and Page 16 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR JAN 2010

AFTER THOUGHTS

Fire and Blood from Richard Ostrofsky history? Almost the opposite is true crueler than those of the Old World; Considering that of Second Thoughts of Mexico: It’s still a big and varied they demanded human sacrifice on from the time of Cortés, the Church Bookstore (now closed) country, but history and anthropology a large scale just to keep the rains – with some conspicuous exceptions, www.secthoughts.com are the real reasons to come here. coming and the seasons turning and some important ameliorating [email protected] Two thousand years ago there was properly. Like the Egyptians they influence – has been more allied than a civilization that can be usefully built pyramids and were magnificent not with the oppressing chingones, compared with ancient Sumer and scultors of stone; but in Egytian art the loyalty of modern Mexicans to everal people have asked me Egypt. The Museo Anthropologico in there’s an incipient humanism that Church attendance and to its customs what I like about Mexico – Mexico City is a world-class museum was quite absent here. In both regions, and general attitudes, if not always what it is that keeps me coming covering the numerous cultures men bowed down to semi-divine to its doctrines and commandments, S that once flourished here, some of kings, and saw themselves as slaves remains astonishing. From what I back here, in six-month stretches, for the third time now. I want to take this which remain extant: Olmec, Toltec, of the gods. But in the Old World they read, the use of birth control methods column to try to answer. Zapotec, Mayan, Mexica (aka Aztec) had kindlier and more predictable is very much on the rise now, even Let me dispose of the trivial and many more. Teotihuacan, in its masters. in rural areas; and women whose up front: Mexico is considerably time, was one of the largest cities in Then the white men came. In mothers had a dozen children are now cheaper than Canada, and between the world. Palenque was one of the most parts of the Americas, the native having only three or four. November and May it’s a lot warmer. most sophisticated. The comparison populations and their cultures were I am currently reading a superb For a senior on a pension those are between New World and Old has crushed. In a few places – Costa Rica, history of Mexico by T.R. Fehrenbach two good reasons. Like so many a lot to teach about the causes and for example – they were obliterated. with the title Fire and Blood (1973, Canadians at my age, I’ve discovered course of the agricultural revolutions But in Mexico, probably because 1995). That title is so apt that I have my inner Snow Bird. But if that were on both land masses – all the more it was already civilized, the native all, there might be even cheaper and because they seem to have happened population could be enslaved, where balmier choices for those winter independently. elsewhere it was more feasible to months: Cuba say, or the Dominican Especially considering their import blacks from Africa. Another Republic, though I have no first-hand fragile ecological base and limited difference was that the Spaniards knowledge of either. What I can say technologies (with neither metal tools came with a heavy agenda of religious is that Mexico has more to offer than nor draught animals nor wheels) – and conversion that was much weaker for warmth and sunshine and a favorable still more so in comparison with the the British. Also, British imperialism, exchange rate. hunting-and-gathering cultures up much more than the Spanish, had Remember that crack about north – the indigenous civilizations strong elements of racism everywhere Canada – that we are a country with of ancient Meso-America are worth it went. The Spaniards coveted native too much geography and not enough contemplating. Their gods were much women, and often married them. British colonists despised this practice and preferred to bring their own. (The French, in these respects, seem to have been somewhere in between.) The outcome in Mexico today is a mestizo population that mostly speaks Spanish, worships ardently in Catholic churches, and follows a European and modern lifestyle to the extent that income permits, but that looks more cribbed it for this column. While aboriginal than European, names its history has in general been kind to banks and airlines and soccer teams Canadians of European descent, after the Aztecs, and identifies more living as we have under the wings of with ‘los chingados’ than with the two mostly clement empires, it has European and American chingones. been notably cruel to Mexicans. No The modern society as a whole is still one down here speaks nostalgically polarized along lines of chingación of Spain as “the Mother Country.” to a considerable extent. (For further Under Spanish rule, exploitation of reading, look up the verb chingar the colonies was brutal and rapacious, at www.urbandictionary.com, and and corruption became a way of life. Google a famous essay by Octavio Until recently, politics too was brutal Paz called The Sons of La Malinche. and often bloody. It is still more bitter The role and current standing of and divisive than we Canadians are Catholicism in Mexican history is used to, though much more stable another fascinating topic. I am looking now than formerly. (In my view, the for, but have not yet found a balanced current drug wars have little to do treatment of this subject; but I am with Mexican politics – or even with not holding my breath, for it remains Mexico as a whole. They result mostly highly controversial. My impression from insane drug laws, policies and is that modern Mexico (I have little attitudes in the United States.) contact with the anti-modern part) is All in all, more than staid, aging going through its own version of a and somewhat complacent Canada, Quiet Revolution, as Quebec did fifty Mexico is a wonderful place to years ago, and is becoming a post- think about history and politics, and Catholic society. At least from the observe the human animal doing its time of the Ley Juárez (Juárez’s Law) thing. Subject to constraints from the in 1855, some Mexican governments rest of my life, I’m making a serious have struggled to free themselves effort to get to know it. from clerical influence while others have moved in the opposite direction. The issue is still very much alive. JAN 2010 Page 17 History of Snow

By Anna Redman

ovember 2009 was a historical month for Toronto. It was the first November since 1937 that the city did not receive a snowfall. NOttawa itself only had a sprinkling of the white flakes which are such an infamous part of Canadian winters. As a part of the Christmas season, snow has inspired songs, it completes the Christmas mood, and is so much more than a form of weather. It has become a global icon, and for so many reasons. On January 11, 2008 another historical day was marked by snow. Baghdad received a falling of “snow-rain” according to Fox News. This was the first reported “snowfall” since the 1940s, when a similar “snow- rain” occurred. Obviously some regions are more conducive to snowfall than others. Snowfall tends to be found in regions which have air moving in an upward motion around a low pressure system, formally known as an extratropical cyclone. As all Ottawa residents know, our city has a high susceptibility to snow, to put it lightly. Ottawa receives approximately 235cm of snow annually. The largest daily snowfall ever recorded was in the first week of March 1947, receiving 73cm of snow in just 2 days. The snow season varies widely from year to year. Sometimes there is no snow until after Christmas, however, the snow season normally begins as of mid-December and stays until late March or early April. Two years ago Ottawa received 432.7 cm of snow placing it within 10cm of the record set in 1970-1971 which was 444.1cm. With the first snowfall comes a new season and a new lifestyle that is reserved specially for winter. There are the obvious chores of shovelling the driveway, scraping off the car, and salting the front steps. But there are many other fun sports and activities to make the most of the weather. Skiing, snowboarding, hockey, snowshoeing, sledding and snowmobiling are but a few, and sledding is probably the most family friendly with many participating on local hills. Ottawa adds its own unique touch to sledding with the annual Winterlude and the “Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom.” Here, the fantastic giant snow slides offer the thrill of sledding, but with a twist. In fact, the entire Winterlude festival here in Ottawa is created around snow. More than 650,000 people participate in the annual celebration. The ice and snow sculptures demonstrate the beauty of the white fluffy stuff, while the snow slides and Rideau Canal Skateway demonstrate the fun that can be had in sub zero temperatures. There are also the delicious treats of hot chocolate and Beaver Tails which can be enjoyed all year round, but never taste as good as they do when accompanied by snow. Snow also brings some more universal enjoyment such as snowball fights and building snowmen. These activities have been enjoyed through the ages and are now commonly associated with the not only the winter season but the Christmas season as well. This association is strong in many favourite Christmas carols such as “Walking in a Winter Wonderland,” and “Dreaming of a White Christmas,” among others. The latter depicts snow’s most dominant feature; its whiteness. The white, winter wonderland creates the atmosphere of winter, and is often missed when experiencing a tropical Christmas. But the actual whiteness of snow is due to the direct influence of sunlight. The majority of natural materials absorb certain amounts of sunlight which provides them with their colour. Contrarily, snow reflects most of the sunlight, directing heat back into the atmosphere, and away from the surface, leading to further cooling. The structure of snow creates numerous miniscule surfaces that reflect light efficiently, therefore resulting in snow’s picturesque colour. Snow is an essential component of an Ottawa winter, and it is unlikely that anyone here could imagine winter without it. It brings a sense of awe to those who do not often experience it, and a unique sense of joy to those who do. For those few months of the year, activities and sports can be enjoyed before being packed away to be relished once again the following year, with the always exciting first annual snowfall.

OSCAR Needs Volunteers For Monthly Distribution in Old Ottawa South th Page 18 The OSCAR - OUR 37 YEAR JAN 2010 OTTAWA SOUTH HISTORY PROJECT Slattery’s Field in Old Ottawa South: Ottawa’s First Accidental Airfield

By Cornelius von Baeyer & Kathy Krywicki

t the corner of Riverdale Avenue and Main Street, Alies a field that was once part of the extensive pasturage of William Slattery and his son Bernard, prosperous local farmers and butchers. Their lands extended into what we now call Rideau Gardens, Old Ottawa East and beyond. In fact, nearby Elliot Avenue was once called Slattery. The first airplane take-offs and landings in this region took place here, not because it was a designated airfield, but because of its proximity to Lansdowne Park. In 1911, and again in 1913, pilots tried to land at the LAC PA - 165978 - William C. Robinson, pilot, in the cockpit of his Lillie biplane during his Montreal- Central Canada Exhibition to show Ottawa flight, Caledonia Springs, Ontario. off their new-fangled contraptions, but were unable to because of large crowds. Each time, they found the Today, the field is occupied by a The First Flight between Two flight over Ottawa but for undisclosed nearby field on the Slattery property. Hydro Ottawa substation. Beside the Canadian Cities and Two reasons then returned to Montreal Presumably, it was safer to land door of the substation building at 39 Canadian Provinces with his plane on the train. among some cows and horses than Riverdale Avenue, there is a plaque The Montreal Daily Mail By coincidence, two other flights among the many people at the Ex, commemorating this history. (See sponsored the 1913 flight by William had landed at Slattery’s Field two although there was at least one near photo) Robinson from Snowdon Junction years earlier. In 1911, because of miss with a horse. in Montreal West to the Lansdowne crowding at the Exhibition grounds, Park exhibition grounds in Ottawa, both Lee Hammond flying a Baldwin following the CPR tracks at a height Red Devil biplane, and Georges of about 1500 feet. Refuelling stops Mestache flying a Borel Morane were set up for the Vought/Lillie monoplane, had landed there. biplane at St. Anne de Bellevue, In later years there were other Choisy, Caledonia Springs and occasional landing fields around Leonard Station, including a farmer’s Ottawa, for example near the field marked with a 20-yard white Rockliffe Rifle Range, and near the cotton cross at each stop. There was Ottawa Hunt and Golf Course. But it an emergency stop near Lachine to was not until 1920 that the Air Board fix a leaky fuel pipe, but then all went built an aerodrome at Rockliffe, and well until Ottawa. There, the crowds 1929 that the Department of National at Lansdowne Park forced the pilot to Defence formally declared the airfield turn towards the nearby field owned operated by the Ottawa Flying Club by Bernard Slattery, where after as Uplands Aerodrome. (Information narrowly avoiding a horse, he landed drawn from Peter Pigott’s On safely. He was driven to the Chateau Canadian Wings: A Century of Flight, Laurier and described his flight to the Dundurn Press, 2005.) media. A week later he made another

Slattery’s Field Today JAN 2010 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR Page 19 Slattery’s Field in Old Ottawa South: Ottawa’s First Accidental Airfield - Cont’d

on or moved to other parts of the city. (The Slattery story was assembled from Rick Wallace’s A History of Ottawa East, 2004; Bruce Elliott’s The City Beyond, 1991; City directories; and www.ancestry.ca)

The Hydro Substation The station at 39 Riverdale Avenue was built in 1945 and renovated in 1991. It is owned by Hydro Ottawa, but much of the space is leased to Hydro One (Ontario’s electricity delivery company). The station is remotely controlled from headquarters at Albion Road and transforms electricity, which comes in from the Hawthorne Road station, from 115kV to lower voltages. This power is then distributed to 12,000 customers in the area including Carleton University, parts of Alta Vista, Old Ottawa South, Old Ottawa East, and parts of Sandy Hill. (Based on James Hunter’s detailed description in the June 2005 OSCAR.) Contact the Ottawa South History Project at HistoryProject@ COA - CA 2954 - Slattery Homestead formerly 40 Riverdale Ave sometime after 1911, OldOttawaSouth.ca or visit us online at www.OldOttawaSouth.ca/ HistoryProject. The Slattery Family through the Ottawa East community had passed to his widow Catherine. William Slattery emigrated from and across a bridge connecting to By 1957, son William’s property had Ireland and married Honora McGrath Argyle Street. In 1879 he married passed to his widow Theresa. By in 1850. They had two children, but Annie Kennedy (1862-1932). Living 1962, there were no Slatterys left on then Honora died. William married at 40 Riverdale, they raised five sons this part of Riverdale – all had passed Margaret Hendrick, also from Ireland, and three daughters. Bernard also in 1858 and they had four children. helped establish the Catholic church His first landholding in the area was and school in the village, supported in 1872 when he purchased property the Conservative Party, and served on in Concession D, Lot K. Then in the Ottawa Improvement Commission 1877 he bought the site that was then (later the NCC) for many years. 40 Riverdale Avenue and built a home Bernard died October 10, 1922, called Mount Pleasant. The wide and his widow lived on in the home veranda was added in 1911 – it was for a decade. The house was vacant designed by architect Moses C. Edey for many years after that, and then who created the Aberdeen Pavilion. passed on into other hands. In 1948 William was one of the first importers the Chinese Military Attaché lived of western beef, and helped advance there. In 1993, the Slattery homestead animal husbandry in the area. He was destroyed by fire. The site now became wealthy as a farmer and a includes two homes with addresses on butcher. Mount Pleasant Avenue and a triplex William and Honora’s son, and single along Riverdale. Bernard, was born in 1852 and took up From early in the 1900s, three his father’s trade with great success. of Bernard Slattery’s sons lived in Barney, as he was known, acquired distinctive red-brick homes nearby: additional lands in the area, and first John J. at 66 Riverdale, and then specialized in raising beef. On market son Bernard at 64, and son William day, he would sometimes drive cattle at 68. By 1931, son Bernard’s house decorated with banners and bells was sold. By 1948, John’s property

Slattery Sheep Page 20 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR JAN 2010

BOOK REVIEW Theodore Odrach: Wave of Terror. Theodore Odrach: Wave of Terror. Odrach takes the historical facts onto a very chilling scenes is Marusia’s reaction to receiving a Published by: Academy Chicago personal and intricate level, building empathy and beautiful winter coat as a gift - and discovering the understanding in the reader who is captivated early label in its collar. Publishers (January 1, 2008) 380 pp. on and will remain engaged until the end of the The brutal occupation of the Pinsk Marshes, Reviewed by: Friederike Knabe novel and beyond. so empathically evoked by Odrach, has to be Odrach’s characters are lively and personable, understood against the historical context and its “First the Red Army is sent to intimidate realistically captured in their daily lives and their unique geographic characteristics. A strategically the villagers, then bands of agitators follow… new, at times conflicting, emotions. Many are important region for the Soviet Union, it had been calling themselves long-awaited liberators. Like torn between willingness to collaborate with the under Polish control until its annexation by the Red swarms of locusts, they seep through the smallest occupiers, anticipating personal advantage within a Army in September 1939. Its deep forests, broken cracks and infest villages and settlements.” Soviet system, or maintaining a more or less neutral up by farmland and pastures with isolated villages attitude, risking being labelled nationalist or even scattered in the landscape and, most importantly, the traitor, thereby endangering their livelihood and river, with its large flood plains, had provided natural even survival. As the harassment and brutal attacks barriers from unwanted intruders. Culturally, the multiply, and random arrests, disappearances population’s identity was rooted in their Ukrainian and arbitrary killings are witnessed increasingly language. As Odrach expertly illustrates, the region’s frequently, ignoring reality is almost impossible. “integration” into Byelorussia meant much more for Propaganda and reality could not be further apart. the villagers than the compulsory introduction of the Even those, like Ivan Kulik, who are trying to Byelorussian and Russian languages: it represented maintain some level of normalcy in the school the denigration of their own language and culture and the village, have to fear being called for “an and a rejection of their important role in the wider interview” at the notorious Zovty prison of the Russian and Slavic historical context. I found it NKVD [the Soviet Secret Police], in Pinsk. Ivan, fascinating how Odrach uses the language conflict who is as much chronicler of the events as active also as an illustration of social tensions within the participant, has to confront his own suspicions: community. Some characters, such as the Russian- can he trust even his few friends like Sergei? Is the speaking apparatchiks, when irritated or angry, slip chatty neighbour or colleague an agent provocateur back into their native Ukrainian without noticing, waiting to report him? Will his faultless “proletarian thereby losing more than their argument. credentials” protect him from disappearing in Zovty There is little doubt that WAVE OF TERROR is prison or being sent to a concentration camp in closely based on the author’s personal experiences. Siberia? Odrach has beautifully fictionalized what he For the young women in particular, embracing knew and lived through and presented it in a way the “modern” Russian way can lead to unforeseen that readers from everywhere can relate to the ith this description, young Ivan consequences. Clearly exploiting the benefits of individuals, their lives, hopes and struggles. He Kulik, newly appointed village school the new system is Dounia Avdeevna. While her has done even more than that. With his nuanced Wheadmaster, introduces the events of machinations read like light relief, the author’s approach he has brought to light a mostly unknown 1939 in Hlaby, his village in the Pinsk Marshes message is serious. The primary female character, tragedy of communities of a specific cultural region – a wetland region straddling the border between however, is Marusia, the girl who raises romantic that stand representative for the many, many victims Ukraine in the south and Byelorussia in the north. feelings in Ivan. She rejects any advances by of Stalin’s Sovjetization campaign with the reign What follows is an extraordinary story, a social him, this ‘moujik’ (peasant) who prefers to speak of terror suffered by communities with different portrait of a community struggling to survive in Ukrainian rather than Russian (which he speaks cultural and linguistic identities. the face of constantly mounting and increasingly more fluently than she does). He is also better Theodore Odrach escaped from the Soviet aggressive and violent Soviet interference in the educated than she is. Odrach conveys the conflicts in Union and eventually immigrated to Canada in lives of the villagers. By focusing on one village the girl’s mind admirably, and, mostly, with a lovely 1953. Since then, until his untimely death in 1964, and a limited group of primary characters, Theodore ironic touch. Nonetheless, for me, one of the most he used every spare moment to write - not only this novel but a substantial body of works. Without doubt Odrach’s writing stands on its own and does not need any suggestions for literary influences. However, I did find important parallels in terms of theme and approach between Odrach’s novel and 2009 Nobel laureate Herta Müller. Both authors have fictionalized the personally experienced terror regimes seen from the perspective of a specific linguistic background. WAVE OF TERROR was published in Ukrainian in 1973 and has only recently become available in English thanks to the great efforts of his daughter Erma, who had to enter the depth of the Ukrainian language and culture to convey her father’s words and meaning. She has done so beautifully and convincingly. [Friederike Knabe]

OSCAR Needs Volunteers For Monthly Distribution in OOS JAN 2010 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR Page 21 Email Interview With Erma Odrach, Translator of WAVE OF TERROR by Theodore Odrach by Friederike Knabe for (then a part of Czarist Russia). simple, unadorned prose. I have to OSCAR There were no surviving family say the most fun was working with members, as all had been killed the characters and bringing them to during the Second World War, at life. Wave of Terror has many and 1. Your father died when you were least that’s what I had been told. they are very colourful. still very young. What are your When I visited Pinsk a few years strongest memories of him? ago, I discovered over forty people 6. Given his various drafts of the claiming to be long-lost relatives. novel and other materials he left My father was on the quiet side, a It was quite unreal. Some had behind, how closely, do you think, bit of a loner, yet with a good sense copies of one of my father’s books is the central character of “Wave of of humour. He loved being a father, (originally published in Winnipeg), Terror” based on an your father’s and when he found the time, he others had a photograph when he own experiences? enjoyed taking my sister and me was 19, and still others spoke of an on excursions. The park (especially aunt who had helped him escape Yes, Wave of Terror loosely follows High Park), the library, the museum, from the Reds. Also, none of them my father’s life and many of the art galleries, and the opera were spoke Ukrainian but rather Russian events are eye-witness accounts. among his favourite places. He was or Belarusian, and they all seemed When my father wrote it in the early also an avid fisherman, and with his to insist that my father was not 1960’s, it was meant as an exposé rod and tackle in hand, would often Ukrainian but Belarusian. Other on Soviet oppression; he wanted take the streetcar to the docks and information started to come up such to make known the horrors in his board a ferry to the Toronto Islands. as from the age of 9 my father had part of the world during that awful Normally, he would spend the night spent considerable years in a reform time. But being a writer living in there, sitting over one of the canals, school in Vilnius; during the war Canada and writing in Ukrainian not really fishing but just staring at years he was editor of underground made things pretty hopeless for him. the water. He appreciated the quiet. anti-communist newspapers… I His books were banned in the Soviet have some people both in Ukraine Union, and in Canada his readership 2. You said in your introduction and Belarus going through archives, was limited to a very small number to your father’s novel that he was trying to dig up more information of Ukrainian-speaking immigrants. a mystery to you. Can you briefly He found himself trapped within describe why you felt that way? 4. How important was it for you his own language -- it was a sort of

as the custodian of your father’s an instant death for him. My father My father always seemed work to travel to his birthplace knew his only way out was through preoccupied, as if his mind was and research his background translation. But during his lifetime someplace else. I really didn’t know among people who knew him or of that was a very remote possibility. what to make of him, and as much him? What are some of your most as I tried, I just couldn’t figure him important findings? 7. Will you publish more of your out. By day he worked in a printing father’s work? Some of his short company and by night came home Traveling to Pinsk was quite a stories are already in print *), but and retreated to his office, which surreal experience. The town itself what about his other longer fiction? was at the front of our house. He was very familiar to me through would remain there for hours on my father’s writings. I knew, for Yes, I’m finishing off a novel right end, and all I could hear was the example, where certain streets now. Again, it’s set in Europe but sound of his typewriter. From a were, where the parks were, the this time toward the end of the child’s viewpoint, I never fully train station, numerous buildings, war. Actually, it’s just after the understood what he was doing in churches and so on. But it was also Yalta conference when parts of there; it all seemed rather strange. eerie because I knew it only from a eastern Europe are being handed It’s silly when I think back on it 1939 perspective when Bolshevik back to Stalin. There is great panic now, but I started to create these troops were invading and when there everywhere and a feeling of betrayal ridiculous scenarios, and they ended were posters of Stalin everywhere. among the people. It sounds heavy, up causing me considerable anxiety: In 2007 it was quite a different place but it also has its funny moments. As I thought that maybe he wasn’t with stylish people walking around for my father’s short stories, many really my real father but some with cell phones. have been published over the years mysterious tenant or maybe he was in literary magazines in Canada and an impostor or worse, a wanted man. 5. Being brought up in Toronto, the U.S.: Antigonish Review, The But my father’s head wasn’t always how did you prepare yourself for New Quarterly, Connecticut Review in the clouds, and when he did snap translating your father’s novel from to mention a few. out of it, I just couldn’t help remain Ukrainian, written in Cyrillic? How Also, on another note, I’m happy suspicious of him. My father didn’t closely were you able to stay within to say with the fall of communism, understand my peculiar behaviour as his style and imagery? my father’s books are finding their much as I didn’t understand his, and way into Ukraine and Belarus, and I learned years later from my mother I didn’t prepare at all, there is growing interest in his life that he agonized over it as much as I just started translating. My and works there. My father died I did. Ukrainian isn’t the best, so once I in Toronto in 1964. Were he able 3. In the Globe & Mail of 16 March fully grasped the text, which took to see all the interest in his work 2006, Michael Posner published a while, I took pen to paper. But today, he would have truly been an in depth portrait of your father it was all a learning experience. I overwhelmed. under the title “Unsung writer, studied up on the geography and unknown identity”. Can you explain history of the region as I went along. Thank you. briefly the mystery of your father’s My mother was also a great help identity? because my father had read her all his manuscripts and she knew the *) “The Night Before Christmas” in: I never really knew much about my work inside out; I don’t know if I Penguin Book of Christmas stories, father and the little I knew came could have managed without her. ed. Alberto Manguel. 2007. from my mother. He was born Luckily, my father’s writing style Theodore Sholomitsky in 1912 of came very easily to me because I Ukrainian parents in Pinsk, Belarus have a preference for his kind of Page 22 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR JAN 2010

WINDSOR REDUX B PART 9 Swiftly Across The Ice

For nearly eight years, from ow is the winter of our rink almost every night. The Pup is longer uses those strap-ons. Your pup February 2000 to August 2008, content made even more the youngest whelp on the ice, and is getting old enough that maybe he OSCAR carried a monthly column. Nglorious with falling snow. he gets very frustrated when he can’t has a pair too. If we could combine The Windsor Chronicles, written by (1) I thought last winter was the best skate as fast as the others. He skates; the two pairs, we’d have enough for Zoscha the Wonder Dog. Zoscha ever, with temperatures cold enough he falls. He turns; he falls. He swings one of us to give it a try. I’m not became something of a celebrity to get us all racing. This winter is his hockey stick; he falls. Day by day sure yet how we’ll strap them to our in our neighbourhood, and her even better. The snow came earlier. he’s getting better – both at skating paws. We’ll worry about that after observations on the passing scene, It’s deeper. It sends Alpha out onto and at picking himself up from the we’ve figured out how to spirit away from a canine perspective, attracted the front steps with his shovel, flinging ice. But some days his temperament the blades. See what you can do. See her share of loyal readers as well as great powderbombs (2) into the yard. is not suited to this kind of growth by you at the park. critics. And I’m there to catch them, leaping error, and I find it best to hover in the OSCAR is reprinting some of at falling gobs of snow with my gob shadows of the trees. (3) With dreams of silver Zoscha’s musings from eight years wide open, and burying my snout into But most nights, I come out onto ago. The editors have annotated the drifts. the ice and under the night lamps, wings, where we feel that today’s readers This is a wonderful time of year and try to fathom the strange ways Zoscha may need to be informed of for powderhounds like us. We can run of humanoids. Perhaps you can tell references that may no longer be across the river, leaping and bounding me: why am I allowed to play on the remembered by readers today, or in snow up to our tails. I’m working rink that’s bound by the snow, but I (1) See Margaret Peplinski, where recent scholarship has shed hard to perfect my kangaroo leap. I get yelled at whenever I venture onto Shakespeare and Zoscha, An Emerging further light on the world described get as much vertical perspective as the ice that’s surrounded by boards? Poetic Sensibility, University of in the Windsor Chronicles.. possible -- all the better to see the tell- And why do they think it’s very funny Toronto Press, 2005. tale holes in the snow where Alpha to watch me scamper and slide after (2) Zoscha would later devise her has thrown a stick. pieces of snow slid across the ice, but own elaborate vocabulary for snow. But every season brings new I get yelled at whenever I grab one See Windsor Chronicles, Part 48, January, 2001 mysteries on the care and upbringing of those black things they’re forever December 2004. “Powderbombs,” Dear Boomer, of humanoids. This year, Alpha has shooting across the ice? (4) however, was not a term that she been taking the Pup out to the skating I wish we had the technology they used later. See From Pluff to Punder; do. I wish we had those things that Metalanguage in the Works of Zoscha they put on their feet and makes them the Wonderdog, Henry Purcell, go so fast and turn so quickly. Then unpublished Masters Thesis, Carleton we’d show them. No more laughing at University, 2008. us as we scamper and scurry, our paws (3) “The Pup” was approaching clawing and scraping, trying to get a his fourth birthday in January, 2001. hold as we slide past the snowball we Eight years later, he is playing hockey were so ardently chasing. No more with Ottawa Sting, and will compete fun at our expense when we try to bolt in the Silver Stick international after our prey, only to find our four tournament in Port Huron, Michigan. paws milling and whirling on the spot See article in this issue of OSCAR. as if we were the cartoon dogs the Pup (4) Like most Canadian watches on Saturday tv. With their community parks, Windsor has two technology and our athletic ability, ice skating rinks: a boarded rink for we’d show them who was king of hockey, and an open rink for family the ice. We’d be able to snatch those skating. black things, and they’d never be able to catch us. Hmm. Last winter, the Pup used to strap blades onto his boots. He no

Happy New Year A Gut Yohr Blwyddyn Newydd Dda З Новым Годам Šťastný Nový Rok Gelukkig Nieuwjaar Bonne Année Boldog Új Évet Felice Anno Nuovo, Buon Anno Felix Sit Annus Novus Szczęśliwego Nowego Roku Bliadhna Mhath Ur Sanad Wanagsan JAN 2010 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR Page 23 Water Polo In Old Ottawa South By Kevin Mills

o you’ve always thought that water polo (WP) was only played in exotic locales, Ssuch as Montenegro or the sunny climes of the US of A. It’s played right here right here at the Brewer Pool under the guidance of Ottawa Titans Water Polo Club. Kids under 12, play in the I Love Water Polo (ILWP) league to get acquainted with the game and develop basic skills. They practice once a week at one of 4 pools in Ottawa (Brewer, Orleans, Pine Crest or Walter Baker) and have weekly league games Sunday night at the Nepean Sportsplex with players from all pools. Yorek Hurrleman of 3rd Ave, playing U14 at the Brewer pool, played handball in Germany before coming to Ottawa and he finds the sports similar. “I like to do a lot of sports and water polo fills the bill. It’s great to build muscles and improves conditioning.” Yorek’s sentiments are echoed by U14 team-mate Filip Matic of 4th Ave who finds “WP develops me physically as an athlete in PJ Allin of Kilbarry and her team a fun and amusing way.” Yorek’s younger sister Lotte, also playing U14 at Brewer, explains “WP the Team Ontario U 16 Water polo team and trained Ottawa Titans will host its first ever Titans combines the fun of a great ball sport with my love and competed this summer in Montenegro. He says International Water Polo Festival on January 27 of swimming, plus the coaches are great”. Katie “the experience allowed me to train with top notch - 31 and February 4 -7 which will bring together Allerton of Flora Street is in her third year of WP water polo athletes from Ontario and with some of elite youth male and female water polo players having played U12 for the last year and a half and the best in Montenegro and Croatia. The highlight under the age of 18 years, including some Junior U14 for the other. “The teamwork and competition was the scrimmage against the Montenegrin Junior National Team members who play for Canada on make this a fun sport”. Her sister Claire who has National team” the world stage. also played three years likes the “contact with The Titan’s mandate is to build skills, develop Clubs from Brazil and Holland will face others. It’s not just swimming alone.” teamwork and have fun. It’s a philosophy based on off against the Ottawa Titans, as well as teams Brewer U14 and U12 coaches, Tommy Baker the concept of Long Term Athletic Development, or from Montreal, Gatineau, Calgary, and York. and Jacob Miller, co-operate closely in their LTAD for short, shared by the entire coaching staff. The Ottawa Titans Water Polo Club also has Saturday afternoon sessions and often get two The LTAD is complimented by the Long Term recreational WP for those who simply want to groups scrimmaging together in the last half-hour Coaching Development, LTCD, to ensure coaching enjoy the game for its own sake and the skills and which is a high-light of the session. Tommy and skills develop. Coaching is based on a set curriculum conditioning that come with it. If you are interested Jacob, who work under the guidance of a more that stresses the concept of LTPD and participation. in finding out more about WP in Ottawa check out experienced coach, are active competitive players Dave Hart, former head coach now consultant to the the website, www.titanswaterpolo.ca, or talk to any in the Club. Club and 4-time WP Canadian Olympian explains: of the players mentioned here. If you are under Simon Mills of Grove Avenue here in OOS is a “Our goal is to encourage a positive experience for 14 come out to the Brewer Pool some Saturday graduate of the ILWP program at Brewer pool and the kids. We stress teaching the fundamentals of afternoon for an acquaintance session, compliments continues to play competitive water polo with the the game, physical conditioning . Too many sports of the Titans. Titans. This past summer he was chosen to play with emphasize winning at the expense of fundamentals Lawyers Who Help People By William Burr Mohamed, a 25-year old autistic The clinic opened in the eighties, an apartment on their own. For the Canadian man, was stranded in funded by the department of the game, they get into teams, and, as ary Stein, executive director Kenya for three years because the Attorney General to meet the needs expected, spin the wheel. It will land of the South Ottawa government did not believe that he of those living below the poverty on a certain amount of points and then Community Legal Services, was who he said he was. The case line. Its lawyers are involved in they will be given a scenario and a G came to the clinic’s attention through much more than the type of issue question to answer. could probably make more money practicing a different type of law. an immigration services organization. Mohamed was dealing with. They Stein gave me an example. For Why does he choose to work at a Jean Lash, a lawyer with the clinic, help low-income people who have 200 points: “There’s a young woman community legal clinic? “You sort of tried repeatedly to prove Mohamed’s been denied disability benefits appeal with kids, a single mom, who hasn’t choose it and it sort of chooses you,” identity to the government. She their decisions, obtaining, last year, been able to afford her rent, and she’s he answers. “The type of people who offered to arrange for DNA testing. $418,000 in retroactive disability gone through the whole legal process do this type of work are people who “To be frank,” says Stein, “the benefits. They fight to maintain and she has lost and the landlord now feel like they want to try to make a government was dragging its feet.” benefits for low-income single wants to evict her, and it’s the middle difference. … We often feel like we Every time they submitted information parents. And they stop tenants from of the winter. Does the law allow the are the last resort for other people.” to the government, he says, there was a being evicted, preventing or delaying landlord to evict her?” He compares his desire to work in delay in the response. In the end, they 87 evictions in 2008. They also work “I don’t know the answer,” I legal aid to a “fire in the belly.” went to the media. CBC Radio’s “The to stop the unjust deportation of had to admit. The myth, says Stein, A big, affable man, Stein speaks Current” interviewed Lash, followed people from Canada. and the answer that he receives forthrightly about his clinic from an by various newspapers and television Through a completely different every time, is that the landlord is not office that is spacious and inviting. and radio programs. “Lo and behold, kind of work, the clinic can help you allowed to evict her. “But the law is Before becoming executive director, a solution was found,” says Stein. try your luck at something called the not that.” The law holds that she can when he had more free time, he wrote Mohamed recently returned home. Wheel of Justice. But there is no be evicted at any time of the year, if articles for this paper about its work “What sums it all up,” he Vanna White. The clinic runs a variety she has gone through the entire legal for several years. continues, “is when [Heartfield, in her of community development activities; process, culminating in the landlord To get an idea of what the Citizen editorial,] asks [Mohamed] this one teaches kids in foster homes tenant board ordering her to leave. legal clinic does, we need look no if there’s anything he wants to say to about housing law. Twice a year, “We are busting that myth,” further than a recent editorial in the his fellow Canadians, and this is what lawyers from the clinic visit 15 and affirms Stein. When the kids leave Ottawa Citizen. “A bureaucratic he says: ‘Thank you. Thank you so 16 year olds at the Children’s Aid the foster home and head out on their nightmare ends,” Kate Heartfield much for helping me come home. Society. These are kids who, by own, they will be that much better wrote on December 10th. Abdihakim That sums it up.” the age of 18, will be having to rent informed. Page 24 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR JAN 2010 Two Hopewell Kids on Sabbatical: Update In mid-August 2009, Old Ottawa meet up with us there. They had two stuffed with cotton, soaked in kerosene South residents Patti Ryan and Mark children, ages four and two. The four- and set on fire. The flaming wicks Newman left Canada for a 6.5-month year-old was named Taro and the two- create awesome patterns in the dark trip to Asia with their two children, year-old was Kiyoshi. Their parents as you swing them. We bought a set of Chloe, 9 and Ciaran, 7. They are were Audrey and Dave. We spent a lot regular poi for me to practice with. We backpacking their way around of time together, eating meals, playing were eating dinner nearly every night at southeast Asia and India. Chloe and at the pool, getting together for happy a restaurant that often had performers Ciaran, who are missing grades hour (no beer for the kids, but we did doing fire poi on the beach, and when 4 and 2 respectively, are sending watch movies on the laptop while the the owner, Mr. Noi, realized I was adults sat on our front deck). Ciaran interested in learning, he started giving monthly articles to the OSCAR with befriended Taro, and they played on the me free lessons. I was working up to fire descriptions and updates from their beach, while I befriended Kiyoshi. You poi, and Mr. Noi had said I could be in travels. Last month’s article was really couldn’t help but be his “friend,” one of his nightly shows once I became about northern Thailand and Laos. he was so cute. He had a really big head good enough. But in the end, we left This month, the focus is on southern and unblinking eyes—big and green— Koh Lanta before I had the chanc Thailand and Cambodia. even under water. He had spiky, staticky After several weeks on Koh Lanta, hair and was always wearing a little we wanted to see something different By Chloe Ryan sleeveless Bintang beer top. so we headed to nearby Railay, which One of the days that we were in is famous for its spectacular white- o here we are in Vietnam—we Koh Lanta, our family and Kiyoshi’s sand beaches and tall limestone rock just arrived about a week ago— went on a “four island” tour. We went formations. It’s a major rock-climbing snorkelling in two different places and destination, so that’s what we decided and by the time you read this, Chloe gets face-to-face with S swam 80 metres through a cave to a to try. Ciaran and I took a half-day we’ll probably be in India. Our trip has one of the many strange picked up a bit of momentum lately, spectacular little lagoon. The weather climbing course, which was fun and wasn’t very nice—it rained off and thrilling at the same time. Ciaran faces of the Bayon temple at with so much ground left to cover and Angkor, Cambodia time starting to run out. But my plan on for most of the day—and the water climbed higher than I did, maybe about for this month was to start where I left was cooler than we were used. But the 100 feet up. He was really fearless. structures and were dangling through off last time, so I’m going to catch you scenery was spectacular and it was a fun the cracking roofs. It was really cool. If up on our travels through southern day anyway. Cambodia: Angkor Ruins you’ve seen the movie Tomb Raider, Ta Thailand and Cambodia. One of the highlights for me on After a few days in Railay it was Prohm is where it was filmed. Koh Lanta was learning to use poi From northern Thailand, we flew to time to head back to Bangkok so we We spent two days going to several (pronounced “poy”). Poi is a type Krabi in the south and hopped on a ferry could make our way over to Cambodia. different temples and historical buildings of performance art involving balls to an island called Koh Lanta. It was so We got to Cambodia by taking a bus to in the Angkor area, which turned out to suspended from lengths of chain that nice there, we ended up spending nearly the Thai border, crossing the border on be quite large: Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, you hold in your hands and swing in three weeks. We settled into a hotel on foot, and getting a taxi on the other side Angkor Thom, where the Bayon temple rhythmic circular patterns. When you the beach called Summer Lanta House, to our hotel in Siem Reap, near Angkor was, and Banteay Sri. At Angkor Thom, get really good at it, you can graduate where we had a bungalow by the pool. Wat. we saw the grand pools that had once to “fire poi,” where instead of swinging Another Canadian family who had Of course the reason nearly belonged to the king. They were 100 balls, you swing wicks that are been following our blog decided to everyone goes to Siem Reap is to see by 45 metres in size. The Bayon temple Angkor, the ancient city. About 1,000 was probably the most interesting of years old, the temples are all made of all. It is 43 metres tall. It was unique sandstone, and are the remains of the because of the many giant, weird faces various capitals of the Khmer Empire carved into it on the upper level—more from the 9th to the 15th centuries. The than 200 of them. temples of Angkor are mostly famous It was cool to think that Angkor for their carvings, Sanskrit etchings and was there a thousand years ago and, in bas-reliefs depicting battle scenes, daily a way, is still there. I bet that when the life and Hindu mythology. Khmers were building it, they didn’t Some sections of the temples were realize what historical significance it blocked off to visitors because of the would have a thousand years later. danger of falling blocks or crumbling rocks. In one of my favourite temples, Battambang Ta Prohm, massive old trees were After Siem Reap, we travelled growing on top of the structures. Their to Battambang in Cambodia. It was a roots were crawling down the structures fairly small place by comparison. Our to the earth, with their looming branches hotel was nice, but the town wasn’t so shading the buildings. Big, mossy green pretty. It was busy, and quite stinky. sandstone blocks had fallen from the The market was a DISGRACE (in crumbling corridors. There were also my opinion). It was the smelliest, the big, bulging roots that had somehow grossest, the, well, I don’t know how crawled up on to the tops of the to describe it, it was so bad. The fruits

Ciaran on bamboo train -- Riding the bamboo train near Battambang, Cambodia JAN 2010 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR Page 25 Continued ...... Two Hopewell Kids on Sabbatical: Update

not to eat anymore meat or seafood in Cambodia.) The day after we arrived in Battambang, we hired a tuk-tuk driver, whose name was Irellen, to take us to most of the main sights over the next two days. There were many, including a bamboo train; a Khmer heritage home; a rice paper making “factory” (really just a home where the family made rice paper all day); a fish-sauce factory; Phnom Banan, a mountain with a temple at the top; a winery; and Phnom Sampeau, which was famous because of its “killing cave,” a cave where many Cambodians were tortured and killed during the Khmer Rouge genocide. (“Phnom” means hill in Khmer.) I could go on for paragraphs each of these things, but then this

Cont’d on page 26

Our bamboo house on stilts by the river in Kampot, Cambodia weren’t so bad. They were what crawling around in there with them, you’d expect for an Asian market, probably about to have his head and dozens of baskets of colourful fruits legs scraped out of his shell. There piled high. The meat and seafood was also chicken, pork, beef and sections, though, shocked me. There other kinds of meat. Slabs of the were live fish, but they were on the meat lay on platters in the hot sun, brink of death, lying in a bit of water unrefrigerated, with flies swarming in a box with no ice, with a live turtle all over it. It was gross. (I decided Page 26 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR JAN 2010

Two Hopewell Kids ..Cont’d from Page 25 article would get too long, so I’m going with skeletons. I will say, though, that to focus on what interested me the getting up to the top of the mountain by most: the bamboo train. A bamboo train motorbike was fun. basically consists of a set of wooden At Phnom Banan, the mountain slats measuring maybe five by seven with the temple on top, there were feet with strips of bamboo laid across supposed to be 358 steps to reach the them to create a platform that you sit on. top, but I counted 367. The walk up was This whole contraption sits on top of a exhausting. At school last year, one of set of wheels designed to roll down the my teachers used to make us run up train tracks, and it’s powered by a small and down the stairs from the basement engine. at Hopewell to the fourth floor, up and Real passenger trains have not run down and up and down, for exercise. in Cambodia for years and years, but Climbing Phnom Banan made me the tracks are all still there and local realize how luxurious that was by people have devised this way of using comparison. But when I finally reached them to travel short distances. They run the top, a group of five Asian girls (also in both directions down a single track, tourists) asked if I would pose with each so if you see one coming (or if you see of them for photos. I said okay, and they a real freight train), one of the drivers all took photos with their cell phones. I has to dismantle and remove the entire was the utterly famous Chloe that day! train from the tracks until the other one At the end of our first day around has passed. The rule is that whichever Battambang, we stopped by our tuk- bamboo train has fewer passengers on tuk driver’s house—if you could call Rock-climbing in Railay, Thailand, where Ciaran (pictured here with his it must get off the tracks. We rode the it a house—to visit his new, two-week- instructor, Ram) got nearly 100 feet up bamboo train from Battambang to a old baby. The house was really more small village about half an hour away, like a series of tarps strung across the station that Irellen had. Besides this, the place was super-duper and back again. It rolled along the tracks crumbling remains of an abandoned extraordinarily kid-friendly. There much more quickly than I’d expected, railway station. The skinny pillars Phnom Penh was a trampoline, a ping-pong table, and it felt and sounded like being on a holding up parts of the old brick structure After Battambang, we took a bus bicycles, big wooden swings hanging roller coaster. were so worn out that some didn’t even to Phnom Penh. We mainly went there from trees, a badminton net and rackets, Phnom Sampeau was more touch the ground anymore. The family because it had a lot of fascinating and even a tree house. The tree house interesting to my parents than it was had a dog that didn’t seem too friendly, history, much of which I didn’t actually was made of bamboo and seemed a to me because I didn’t want to go into and Irellen had a brother, mother and see because again it all related to the bit weathered, with a rusty, steep slide the killing cave. Apparently there were wife living with him as well. Most of Khmer Rouge and the genocide. For down from one end and a ladder up to it skeletons and bones inside, and to add the Asian countries and cultures we’ve example, my parents visited Tuol Sleng, on the other. There were more wooden to that, the story of what the Khmer experienced have been more or less the a high school that had been turned into a swings hanging down from it. The Rouge did is gruesome. Hearing about same in that view, with whole families prison camp by the Khmer Rouge in the restaurant area had a loft stocked with the killings was already going to give living together, grandparents, uncles, 1970s and is now the genocide museum. toys like Lego and board games, as well me nightmares for weeks. I decided I aunts, children, all in the same house, They took turns going in while we sat at as two computers with internet access. would rather not encourage that vision even if it was as scruffy as the old train a restaurant just across the street for a All of these toys and games in the loft really long lunch. were kept on shelves around a low The most exciting thing that coffee table with cushions on the floor happened in Phnom Penh was the day we to sit on. Quite relaxing, if you ask me! ran into a food stall along the riverfront There were kayaks to rent, which selling mainly fried insects, including we did once at sunset. I got into a water spiders, cockroaches, grasshoppers, fight with my Dad and we both ended snakes, beetles, chicks and other bugs. up soaked. We were driving along in our tuk-tuk I would say the highlight of our and we decided to ask the driver to stop. time in Kampot was playing with one We bought fried tarantulas—big, black, of the dogs, a puppy named Kmao. He hairy spiders—one for the driver and was black, with pointed ears, and short one for my Dad. These are supposed to cut fur. My skirt got holes in it because be some kind of delicacy in Cambodia. of that little naughty puppy. When My Dad ate most of it but I had a few he realized how friendly we were, he bites. The crunchy legs were the tastiest started coming to look for us all the part. I ate them just for the story, not time, and he would wrestle with us and because I thought they would taste any nip at our clothes and try to get into our good. But in the end they weren’t so room. He liked eating Lego. I really bad, just a little bit like really over-fried missed him when we left. strips of chicken. Oh, and by the way, After four days in Kampot, it was my mom and brother were too chicken time to leave Cambodia for Vietnam. Crossing that border is another story to take a bite. altogether—maybe I’ll have room for it in my next article. Kampot After Phnom Penh, we travelled to Kampot, a more rural area in the south Ciaran’s Highlights near the Vietnam border. When we arrived at our hotel, we couldn’t believe Q: What will you remember most our luck: our room was a little bamboo about your time in southern Thailand house on stilts by the river. There were and Cambodia? so many awesome things at this place A: I think there are three main that I’ll barely have room to list them things. One is George, a brown coconut all. that I found lying on the ground on Koh For one thing, the bamboo houses Lanta. Chloe helped me draw a face were scattered across a massive piece on him. He grew a new green shoot at of property. There were dogs, chickens, one end, and I thought of that as his ear. sheep, a cute little lamb, and a few After a little while, I was sleeping with times we actually saw half a dozen him every night. I didn’t want to leave cows grazing just in front of our house. him behind on Koh Lanta, so I brought him to Railay. Then I even brought him Cont’d on next page JAN 2010 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR Page 27

Hopewell Avenue North, continuing to Bank Street on page 32.

Two Hopewell Kids ..Cont’d from previous page To book an to Bangkok on the overnight bus. After OSCAR ad that, my parents convinced me that we should send him home to Canada instead call Gayle of carrying him from country to country. So we went to the post office and now 730-1058 he’s on his way. oscarads@ The second main highlight would oldottawasouth.ca be rock climbing in Railay. The best part was getting up so high that my Dad was scared and impressed at the same time. Everyone on the ground looked like ants! And the third would be playing with Kmao, the puppy we met in Kampot, Cambodia. I loved how after OSCAR we made friends with him, he would come leaping at us with his tail wagging. Needs Once, he leaped on me and knocked me Volunteers down, and I chipped my front tooth on the tile floor. I had to go see a dentist in For Monthly Saigon later on about that. Distribution in Kmao, the puppy we played with in Kampot, Cambodia OOS Sips from the Poetry Café Cheers To A New Year and A New Decade by: Susan J. Atkinson they really do stay the same. We may have some more ‘updated resolutions, anuary has arrived and for many hopes, dreams and goals, such as limit that often means new hopes, new time on the Blackberry, stay in touch dreams and new goals. For some more often, leave work at work, limit J time on the computer and limit time it’s a time of rejuvenation and for others it’s a time of change. Even if you’re not checking e-mails. But really these new one for New Year’s resolutions I think resolutions are very much like the old there’s something in our nature that leads as the desired effect is to improve the us to reflect about both the past and the quality of ones’ life. I would have as a future when one is at a crossroads, such guess that some of the ‘old-fashioned’ as the dawn of a new year. resolutions will still top the charts, like This New Year is perhaps more losing weight, joining a gym, quitting significant than those in the recent past smoking, being more patient and as it is also the beginning of a new complaining less. Or maybe with the decade. Not only is it hard for me to dawning of a new decade there will be a believe that it’s been 10 years since we little bit of both. worried about Y2K and stocked our Perhaps the key to this time of year shelves in case of technological disaster is that it does offer a sense of hope, a but what seems equally incredible is the sense that if there is something we are advancement of said technology over not happy with we can change it but the last 10 years. more than that there is a sense that we Since 1999 we’ve been introduced have the power to make those changes. to the I-Pod, the Blackberry, Blue Ray, Whatever your resolution (or hope, Blue Tooth, HDTV as a household option or goal, or dream) no matter how large or and it is rare that someone does not have small, here’s wishing you a happy new a computer with internet, e-mail and year and a successful, fulfilling 2010 now we not only communicate through – Cheers to the new decade, I wonder text message, via cell phone but also what it will bring! through Facebook and Twitter. At this point I stop because I’m not January sure where I’m going with what I’m writing and it strikes me, “what am I In the whisper really trying to say?” So I decide to re- of the moon read what I’ve written and that’s when it arrives it occurs to me that there is some rhyme the thin curve and reason (or whatever it is they say!) of an eyebrow to what I’m really getting at. And that silver slither is this… shining promise No matter how much things change th Page 28 The OSCAR - OUR 37 YEAR JAN 2010

Carleton U Sports

By Joe Scanlon star is 6’8” Kevin McCleery from Wilfrid Laurier, Waterloo, Lakehead Interuniversity Sport (CIS) record. Ottawa in his fifth and final year with and McMaster. They defeated The men are at home to Ottawa lthough for years Carleton U the team. Kevin is averaging more Queen’s in the first round of the on January 8. The women are on the has had a very limited sports than 18 points a game and scored playoffs the past two seasons, but lost road until January 24 when they, too, program – the province will 30 in the last game of the fall season after that. This year, the third year host Ottawa. The women host # 1 A against McMaster, ranked # 3 at the with Coach Taffe Charles, a former McGill January 30. That game might not fund athletics activities – the number of activities are rising and time. men’s associate coach, they hope to be a sell-out. now – for very little money – Ottawa Another exciting player is Tyson do better. The men ended their fall schedule South residents can walk to Carleton Hinz also from Ottawa. He is in his Both teams open their post- with an 8-0 win over Queen’s then and see men’s and women’s basketball first year with the team and joined Christmas schedule with double- a dramatic come-from-behind 3-2 and men’s and women’s hockey. the starting line-up in the last game headers on Friday, January 8 and overtime victory over Trois Rivieres. Most but not all games are played before Christmas. His eel-like moves Saturday, January 9. The visitors are The women had a good pre- on weekends, Friday and Saturday. towards the basket are enough to draw Laurentian and York. The women season with six consecutive wins Children are welcome and there are “oohs” from the crowd. play at 6 p.m., the men at 8. then – though they managed to defeat usually tickets available at the door For years, Carleton women The men’s and women’s hockey Ottawa U twice – ran into trouble except when the visiting team is struggled and it was only two teams play in the highly competitive against teams like McGill and the Ottawa U or when the playoffs start. seasons’ ago that the women finally Quebec region against men’s teams University of Montreal. The men’s basketball team is the made the basketball playoffs. This like McGill (5 in Canada) and Trois star attraction. The Ravens have won season however they finished their Rivieres (6 in Canada) and women’s (Joe Scanlon is a retired Carleton six National championships over the fall schedule with six wins and three teams like McGill, far and away the professor who once wrote sports past seven years and this season have losses, first in the East section of best university women’s team in the for the University of Toronto and won 13 games and lost only one. They Ontario University basketball. They country. McGill women have won Carleton student newspapers and are ranked second in Canada. Their won their last four games against 67 consecutive games, a Canadian covered university sports for CFRA.) One Paper, Three Ways

By Paige Raymond Kovach crafts cupboard is bare, these three are Jet Airplane Lay the paper along the long edge a snap -- All you need for each is an and fold it in half to make a long card. ow that the library is closed 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper. They are also Sneaky Trick: Do only one half of Open and fold one corner down to for renovations, and the simple enough for the kids to master the airplane so her little fingers can do meet the centre line. You should have weather is turning colder, alone once you show them, so you can the other side. Soon she’ll be making a triangle shape at the top of one side N work on something else. of the paper. Repeat on the other side. it’s time to get out the paper tricks to her own plane. help pass the time. Even if the arts and Grab the outer edge of one of these triangles and fold towards the centre line to make another triangle. Do the same on the other side. Now you have the nose of the aircraft. Fold in half along the centre line. Now it’s time to fold some trick wings. Take a wing and fold it down so that the wing tip meets with the bottom of the plane. Repeat on the other side. Suggest she make modifications on the wings and decorate it with insignias and windows. Have a flying contest.

Fortune Teller

Take the paper by a corner and fold it over to form a large triangle. Rip off or cut the part of the paper that is left over. Now you have a perfectly square piece of paper to work with. Take a corner and fold it into the centre of the folded line, making a triangle. Move around the square, folding in corners until all four corners all meet at the centre. You should now

Cont’d on next page JAN 2010 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR Page 29

WESTBORO ACADEMY

What’s New at Westboro Academy?

by Charlotte Gomery- their laps they did for their pledge Jenny, notre directrice ajointe, sont Scromeda and Alexandra forms back home. While the figures un appareil électronique pour faire aren’t back yet, we anticipate that the des « smoothies », et beaucoup de Allan. been teaching song, dance, and money raised will be significant. Aside chocolats et de bonbons. Chaque instrumental numbers to the school; from raising money, this activity also billet coûte 50 cents, mais on peut l’Académie Westboro, c’est scripted parts for our two grade-eight helped teach leadership skills to some avoir 5 billets pour 2 dollars. Le masters of ceremonies, and set up an facile de voir que c’est bientôt of our older students; grade seven and tirage prendra place le vendredi 18 noël; avec le patinage, des unforgettable concert, which both the A eights each took care of two to five décembre, après le concert de noël, audience and the children will love. tirages, et des concerts de Noël, nous grade one or twos. Those who did not par un membre de la faculté. Some of the songs include “Can’t Buy partageons l’esprit des fêtes dans tout skate supervised the arena and helped Finally, we have the Santa’s que nous faisons. Me Love”, “Stayin’ Alive”, and “Ella ease the falls. Breakfast, a yearly event in which Elle L’a”. We are very excited! The Skate-a-thon was a terrific Il y a aussi le tirage de Noël ici the whole school participates. On fundraiser for CHEO, both to raise Thank you for reading our column à l’Académie Westboro. Chaque December 18, 2009, all grades, from on Holiday Events at Westboro awareness and money for a hospital in année, les membres du conseil Kindergarten to grade eight, will need. On December 3, 2009, students Academy! Merry Christmas! Joyeux d’étudiants vendent des billets aux present the long-awaited Christmas noël! from Westboro Academy in grades autres élèves pour une collecte de concert, which promises to be one through eight skated around the fonds pour l’hôpital CHEO. Cette great fun! Since the beginning of Brewer Arena for two hours, counting année, les prix, achetés par Mme. the year, Mr. Jérémie Merrick has

One Paper, Three Ways... Cont’d from previous page have a smaller square. Flip the square over and fold each corner into the centre again, turning and folding each time. Now you should have an even smaller square. Turn the square over. On each of the four small squares write a number. Flip over. On each of the triangles, shade with a different colour. Open up each triangle and on each half of triangle write a “fortune”. Here’s the tricky part. Fold all the flaps back in, and fold it in half. Using both hands, tuck your thumb and pointer finger in each square. The fortune teller should fan out. Have one child ask the other to pick a number, opening and closing the fortune teller while counting out the number. Then ask him to pick a colour, opening and closing for every letter of the word. Finally he can pick another colour and have his fortune read.

Hopping frog

Fold the paper in half so you have two rectangles. Have her cut it in half along the fold. Give one rectangle to her and demonstrate the other, or if you have two kids, give one to each child. Take the rectangle and fold the top left corner to the opposite side making a large triangle. Repeat the same fold but this time from the top right corner. Undo the triangles so you can see an X on the top half of the paper. Holding the top edge of the paper, fold a line straight across the middle of the X and unfold it to see the creases. The folds should now look like a star. Turn the paper over. Tuck in the sides of the upper portion of the paper so that the top half now looks like a pyramid. This is the frog’s head. Now it’s time to make the frog’s front legs. Slip your fingers in between the top sides of the pyramid and fold each in half upwards. You should now have two front legs. Next make the frog narrower by folding his sides in on themselves twice. Now it’s time for the hopping back legs. Grasp the bottom part of the paper and fold it in on itself like a fan, the last fold should be a “foot”. Turn the frog over and press on the middle of his back and release. Your children should now have a hopping frog. Pass around the crayon box and get the kids to personalize them. Soon frogs should be hopping all over the house.

Now that the kids are amused, put on the kettle and make your escape. Page 30 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR JAN 2010

Under The Desk - Ees Tops Nur, Nur, Nur, Nur!

By Sheryl Bennett-Wilson insightful and often amusing story most common learning disability? Author Amanda Le Roux has told from Maria’s perspective by local Approximately 10% of the population dyslexia. She tries to adapt to a non- erplexed? Maria McDuff author Amanda Le Roux. The book is affected by some form of dyslexia. dyslexic world, but as she says, spends her days at school deals with her daily frustrations at Dyslexia has no effect on intelligence. “everyday life is exhausting.” Amanda being perplexed. Even the her new school. After a number of In fact, many children with dyslexia was 34 before being diagnosed at P incidents with her teacher, Maria finds have better than average intelligence. the Paul Menton Centre at Carleton simple sentence ‘See Spot Run, Run, Run, Run!’ might as well have been a perceptive and understanding ally, Famous dyslexics include Bill Gates, University. Unfortunately, she had a written in a foreign language. Maria who recognizes Maria’s problem. Einstein, Picasso and Agatha Christie. number of teachers like Mrs. Ford in has dyslexia. ‘Under the Desk’ is an Did you know that dyslexia is the Dyslexics are often better at creative the book throughout school. Amanda thinking, visual awareness and verbal was told she was ‘just lazy’ or making communication. Their brains process up excuses for not doing the work language differently. Statistically, correctly. Teachers ignored her pleas dyslexia seems to affect more boys. that she was different. Amanda says However, some experts argue that girls sometimes she feels ‘half-literate’. are just better at hiding their problems. She describes dyslexia as ‘reading Girls often have superior language blindness’. Amanda wrote ‘Under skills at an early age, compared to the Desk’ to increase awareness of boys. Maria creates her own strategy dyslexia for parents and teachers and for coping that involves her best to emphasize that it’s more common friend Sarah and lemon meringue pie. than you’d expect. But when Sarah moves away, Maria’s ‘Under the Desk’ is ideal for method of muddling through her daily parents to read with their child, school work falls apart. She is left to especially if they suspect problems. figure out what 3 x S is and all of her Children identify easily with Maria letter ‘O’s’ are outside the lines. “I can and will realize that their problem see the lines, but I just can’t make my isn’t their fault. Kindergarten and circles between them. It’s too hard.” early grade teachers will find this book Early diagnosis of dyslexia is very valuable in identifying a child with a important. Left undiagnosed a child potential problem. Amanda La Roux is will become more and more frustrated available to speak to teacher/parenting at school. In Kindergarten, clues that groups about dyslexia. She will be your child might have a problem doing a book signing at Kaleidoscope include; not remembering names and Books in January. ‘Under the Desk’ sounds of letters, difficulty naming is also available at Mother Tongue familiar objects and colours and not Books, Chapters Rideau, Collected knowing all the consonants by the end Works in Westboro, or order on-line of the year. By Grade One children at www.aaspirationspublishing.com. with dyslexia avoid reading, won’t Amanda can be contacted through her read out loud and don’t understand publisher Aaspirations Publishing - unknown words. [email protected].

OSCA ANNUAL WINTER CARNIVAL - Sunday, February 7, 2010 - 11 am to 2 pm in Windsor Park

***ANNUAL CHILI CONTEST*** Join your neighbours by entering the annual chili contest – just bring your chili to Windsor Park before noon.

SUPER PRIZES for 2 contests 1. Vegetarian Chili 2. Meat Chili

AND...... all the usual, Games, Sleigh Ride, Food, Skating etc. JAN 2010 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR Page 31

OCDSB TRUSTEE REPORT A Changed Transfer Policy and Community Schools

By Rob Campbell Fast forward to today and the which unavoidably also has had to be responsible for that. So a somewhat current Board is more focused on looked at in a general transformation more restrictive transfer policy based he Board has been looking seeking to improve every school. I of the District to more of a community on needs and not space makes sense to at its transfer policy for both endorse this direction within reason school model. Very likely the revised me and will have my support. By the elementary and secondary and have to say that I am proud of transfer policy we will see passed in same token, however, I don’t want to T some of the changes we have been the new year will no longer be based overly choke off transfers as one silver school students. This is the policy which determines when and on what making in this area. Two years ago the on space availability but will be lining is that they make us look at which basis students may attend an OCDSB Board approved, for instance, a major reoriented instead to be based on legit schools have challenges and then force school other than their designated policy framework for our high schools student needs. Greater discretion likely us to move. As a result for instance, school. We have now had almost two which places the community school at will be given to principals to determine I have not supported the proposed full evenings debating the new policy the foundation of our thinking while what legit student needs are and double signoff by both sending and clause by clause at the Committee still allowing for movement between greater coordination between sending receiving principals and prefer to leave table and look forward to another and schools where indicated along with and receiving principals will occur transfer application approval in the hopefully final one in early January. a limited number of by-application- than before. Ensuring consistency hands of the receiving school though All school boards have such only program schools. This stand with of practice by superintendents and now requiring consultation with the policies in place but they vary. Most respect to community schools was monitoring of it all by Trustees will be sending school. are quite restrictive including those of one important reason why the Board important. This will all hopefully have Assuming at the time of writing the other Boards in Ottawa. Several recently refused to close Rideau High the effect of ensuring that students that a transfer policy something more years ago the historically liberal policy School for instance. who will be better off transferring or less as described above passes in the at the OCDSB was liberalized yet The Board is seeking to improve schools for compassionate reasons new year, it will represent another step more allowing for transfers on any every school with new and better or for learning needs will absolutely towards a coherent new vision for the basis if there was space at the receiving instructional best practices and continue to be able to do so. The District. One focused somewhat more school. If there were more applications by special flying teams of student changes will over time however, let’s than previously on community, equity than space available then sorting success coaches into schools needing make no mistake about it, lead to fewer and excellence in learning. criteria were applied which were either a turn-around. And its working: our transfers over all. specific (eg. course packages) or wide- District EQAO has vaulted above I believe that this is an appropriate If you have a suggestion or a ranging (eg. ease of access). the provincial average the last two balance with respect to the transfer concern then please contact me via We have always had schools years and continues to improve while policy. We need to get away from boom [email protected] or at 323-7803. which were more desirable than our EQAO gaps between English or bust schools either overflowing Meeting and document info available others for one reason or another but and non-English or spec ed or non- or emptying out and need to refocus at www.ocdsb.ca previous Boards have been champions spec ed students diminishes and is on making every school an excellent of school choice and did not challenge also better than provincial average. school - and to hold ourselves themselves as much to focus on each There is a lot of work still to do here school, arguably leading over time to but it is happening. The focus on the an exacerbation of ‘have’ and ‘have- community school will loom large not’ schools. The open OCDSB for us as well when we debate the transfer policy provisions were one Board’s vision in the looming Schools part of a movement back then which for the Future initiative. This initiative included placing magnet programs at has the potential to set out the grade certain schools as well. Some of the configurations and program choices special programs put in place back in for all of our schools for several years those days were in some cases frankly to come, within reason and all things more about keeping schools open. being equal. The transfer policy is an instrument Chinese New Year Dragon ccording to tales and legends, child wearing red. The villagers then the beginning of Chinese understood that the Nien was afraid of ANew Year started with the the color red. Hence, every time when fight against a mythical beast called the New Year was about to come, the the Nien (Chinese: 年; pinyin: nián). villagers would hang red lanterns and Nien would come on the first day of red spring scrolls on windows and New Year to devour livestock, crops, doors. People also used firecrackers to and even villagers, especially children. frighten away the Nien. From then on, To protect themselves, the villagers Nien never came to the village again. would put food in front of their doors The Nien was eventually captured at the beginning of every year. It was by Hongjun Laozu, an ancient Taoist believed that after the Nien ate the food monk. The Nien became Hongjun they prepared, it wouldn’t attack any Laozu’s mount. more people. One time, people saw that the Nien was scared away by a little Page 32 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR JAN 2010

This is the end of our walk along until page 12. We picked up Hopewell again and the photos. Hopewell, on the North Side, having started on page 27 and have arrived at Bank Street. Join us another time to visually walk an- at Sloan Avenue on page 6 and continued Our thanks to Tom Alfoldi for the idea other street in Old Ottawa South.

Proposed Changes to CPP

by Rick Sutherland, CLU, CFP, FDS, R.F.P

elcome to 2010. With the New Year the government is expected to approve some proposals, that depending on your Wcircumstances may affect you. Decisions you make this year could impact your retirement income for the rest of your life. Last May 2009 the Department of Finance proposed changes for the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). These changes are intended to “modernize” the Plan to better reflect the different paths people can take into retirement. The changes are expected to be phased in from 2011 to 2016, so they will affect anyone planning to retire after 2010. These proposals must be approved by Parliament and the provinces before they can take effect.

Here are the Highlights:

Early retirement (after age 60 and before age 65) will result in lower income. CPP benefits will be reduced by 0.6% for each month, or 7.2% for each year of early retirement. Under the old rules the reduction was 0.5% per month or 6% per year. Under the new rules CPP beneficiaries who start collecting CPP at age 60, will receive 36% less than if you wait until age 65. Under the old rules the reduction was 30%. There will be no change for current CPP beneficiaries or for those taking their CPP benefit before these changes take effect. The early retirement changes will be phased in gradually over a five-year period from 2012. Late retirement (after age 65 but before age 71) will result in higher income. CPP benefits will be increased by 0.7% per month or 8.4% per year for those who defer collecting CPP benefits after age 65 and before age 71. The increase was 6% under the old rules. This means that if you wait until age 70 to take your CPP, the benefit payments will be 42% higher (30% under the old rules) than if you start at age 65. This change is to be phased in over three years beginning in 2011. Those who are still working, under age 65, will be able to collect CPP as early as age 60. If approved you may choose to receive CPP retirement benefits any time after age 60 regardless of your other employment income. Those who are still working, over age 65 and collecting CPP, will be able to make voluntary contributions into CPP and increase their benefits. The calculation for CPP will change as well. Currently the lowest 7 years of earnings are deleted from the calculation. Under the proposed changes, the lowest 8 years will be omitted so that the benefits are not weighed down by low earning years. For more information you should visit the Department of Finance Canada web site.

The foregoing is for general information purposes and is the opinion of the writer. This information is not intended to provide personal advice including, without limitation, investment, financial, legal, accounting or tax advice. Please call or write to Rick Sutherland CLU, CFP, FDS, R.F.P., to discuss your particular circumstances or suggest a topic for future articles at 613-798-2421 or E-mail [email protected]. Mutual Funds provided through FundEX Investments Inc.

To book an OSCAR ad call Gayle 730-1058 [email protected] JAN 2010 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR Page 33 Employment Contracts

By Anna Sundn It can be difficult to determine what of the company. It committed to to replace the one that was lost. Any is an appropriate notice period. The 36 months of employment and sums earned within the balance of the n a non-union workplace, notice period is less of a debatable benefits. Then a written proposal of contractual term must be deducted generally the employer can fire issue for an employee who has a employment was presented to Mr. from the money owed to him by his anyone at any time for any reason. written employment contract for a Stewart on the company’s letterhead employer, subject to the contract’s I specific term signed by the President. Mr. Stewart terms. Where the contract indicates Employees do not have the right to continued employment. However, In the case of Stewart v. signed it as well as the original offer. that earnings should not be deducted, employees do have the right to receive DIGI Canada, Doug Stewart was the The President was replaced a no deduction will be required. sufficient notice that they can find an Western Regional Manager of his few months later. The new President The judge found that Mr. Stewart equivalent job somewhere else if they employer, Digi Canada. He was 23 proposed that Mr. Stewart take a cut took exemplary steps to mitigate his have not breached the terms of their months into a 36 month employment in pay. When Mr. Stewart refused to damages. He ultimately found a job employment. Generally, the longer contract when he was fired. He was a accept any changes to his employment with a competitor after they had an the employee has been employed by 56-year-old salesman/middle manager contract, after obtaining legal advice, opening. This however did not occur the same employer and the higher his who had spent his working career the company fired him and offered during the run-out time of the contract. or her position is, the longer notice the marketing specialized equipment to him about four months salary as The court ordered the employer to employee is entitled to. retailers. His employer was one of severance pay. Mr. Stewart then sued pay him an amount equivalent to 13 The Ontario Employment very few recognized suppliers of this his former employee for all of the months salary, being the balance of Standards Act sets out some basic specialized equipment. He was fired money and benefits he would have the term of the contract. The severance notice periods. The courts have once before by the same employer and earned during the remainder of the pay that he already received and his interpreted these as minimum notice took a 26 week severance package. term of his contract. earnings during the remainder of the periods and not maximum notice The president of the company then The court held that there was contract period from a night job as periods. Instead of allowing an began negotiations to get him back. nothing in the written employment a stock boy in a grocery store were employee to work through the notice They discussed a five-year contract but agreement that was unambiguous. deducted from this. As well, he was period, the employer can pay the Mr. Stewart agreed to accept a three- The judge stated that a reasonable entitled to 13 months of lost benefits employee a sum equivalent to the year deal. A handwritten memo was statement of the law is that the including the company vehicle for a earnings and benefits he or she would made of the meeting where this was employee has a duty to mitigate his total of $93,896.53 plus interest and have earned during the notice period. discussed and signed by the president damages by attempting to obtain a job costs.

www.freecycle.org It’s About Time… Changing the world free & open to all Ottawa South Resident 24 hours a day, 365 days a year Launches New Carleton Course

By Nicole Findlay

he end of the first decade of this century and the beginning of another is a poignant reminder of the passage of time. T Students registered in Peter Watson’s new course, Time is Just a Four-letter Word, will spend a few months ruminating over the meaning of time. The new Carleton course is open to members of the public and is targeted at seniors. Watson, an Ottawa South resident and Carleton professor, says his course will examine how time is perceived, portrayed and measured. Students will analyze interpretations of the concept of time in TV, theatre, contemporary films such as Back to the Future and Sliding Doors; and classic literature including Slaughterhouse 5 and a Christmas Carol. The class will also examine time travel. “Is there something fundamental that forbids real time travel?” asks Watson. He notes that while the very idea seems fantastical, it was only 70 years ago that the idea of travel in space was scoffed at. “People have shown that in principle we could time travel; it’s just that we know that we cannot use those methods to do it in practice,” says Watson. “Even if we were able to, we immediately encounter deep paradoxes.” Watson teaches physics at Carleton. The Physics Department is renowned for its real-world research. The Department offers its students an opportunity to be involved with ATLAS in CERN, Switzerland as well as research at SNOLAB in Sudbury. Both of these amazing projects examine the nature of Guidance, Protection matter in the universe. Carleton is also a full partner in TRIUMF, Canada’s National Laboratory for Particle and Nuclear Physics. and Peace of Mind. Time is Just a Four-letter Word begins on Thursday, January 21, 2010 and Anna E. Sundin, Barrister & Solicitor concludes on February 25. It is part of the Centre for Initiatives in Education GEnErAl PrActicE includinG: (CIE) Learning in Retirement Series (LinR). Family Law, Wills, Real Estate, Incorporations, Litigation and Collaborative Family Law For more information on all of the courses in the LinR program – A Cooperative and Dignified Approach to Separation and Divorce.– visitcarleton.ca/cie/linr/courses.html

OSCAR Needs Volunteers For Monthly Distribution in OOS

Sundin-OSCAR-Ad-2006.indd 1 7/27/06 11:15:35 AM Page 34 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR JAN 2010

Local Veterinarian - Dr. Emily Black

Bringing In The New Year All Spick And Span!!

By Emily Black First lets start with the actual get out the very fine hair that lies close pets. Yep… sometimes they smell. to the skin (the undercoat!). I really thought to myself what am I going Most everyone is familiar with that like it for cats who matt. It’s shape to write about this New Year lovely perfume… eau de wet dog. can help you work through an existing and I thought renewal, rebirth… The smell is derived from a reaction matt and the removal of the undercoat I between the natural oils of the skin helps prevent future matts from cleaning??? Yes I know it’s a bit of a stretch but I have been told it’s and the water. It should only persist forming. A final option is to shave important (I myself am not a cleaner… as long as the dog is wet. If it persists your cat. In our house, my husband but I have consulted experts!) after this, then there is the possibility does the cleaning. He decided that normal for your cat to be urinating So…. Having pets means having of a bacterial infection being present our long haired cat just had too much outside of its litter box. It needs to more living organisms in your house. causing a prolonged musty smell like hair and so every couple of months we see a vet if this is happening. Right… Living organisms by their very a dirty dish cloth. Yep… at that point shave the man down. It’s called a lion so it has happened and you’ve sorted nature create waste. Simple effective you need to go to the vet. A good rule shave and he looks ever so handsome out the cause… now to clean up the cleaning methods can be used to make for washing your dog is once a month. once it’s finished. Although I was pee. The following instructions apply your house a much cleaner and better Always use dog shampoo as the skin against this at first… I must admit to both dog and cat urine. Firstly, if smelling place. of dogs is much thinner than our skin that Mr. Fair Dinkum loves it. He it is on hardwood. DO NOT wet it. so human shampoo can damage them. looks spectacular and guests make a If you wet the pee patch then it will This doesn’t hold to the dog that goes complete fuss over him. To be shaved soak into the wood and stay forever. out and rolls in the muck. Feel free to he doesn’t require sedation and most Using a dry paper towel clean it up wash them as often as you see fit. cat’s don’t.. just patience and lots and then place more dry paper towel Now cats… they are pretty self- of breaks. The same technique is over the affected area with something cleaning and bathing a cat isn’t frequently used with hair dogs in the heavy on top and let it sit. The heavy something that I generally recommend summer to let them be a bit cooler and thing will force the urine up from for convenience as well as safety I wouldn’t recommend this technique between the boards and help to soak sake, both for the owners and the pet! for dogs in the winter due to heat loss. it up. After that then wash it, using One option for a dirty cat is the dry Smelly house. Sometimes you soap that is safe for your hardwood. shampoo. This stuff you spray on go into a house and you can smell the Now for carpet. Pretty much the and leave in. The soap binds with pet. The number one reason for this is same thing applies. Dry paper towel dirt particles and falls off on its own the accumulation of hair and dander. to soak it up and then once it’s all accord. Easier on everyone. There are a couple of ways of helping soaked up place some paper towel Now hair. Some dogs shed, with this and all of them pretty much with something heavy on top (a box some dogs don’t, but in both cats and have to do with vacuuming. Firstly; of cat litter works great!). Leave that dogs there are a couple of ways you When you vacuum move the furniture, for at least 12 hours. The pressure can reduce shedding in your house. not only will you save yourself loads will bring the urine up from the under Firstly, by running a wet facecloth of money on cat toys, which you will layer and floor beneath through an over the dog you can help pull out find have magically reproduced in the osmotic gradient. Once this is done loose hair and decrease the amount dark crevices behind the tv stand and use an enzymatic cleaner and use it that falls uncontrolled in your house. the sofa, but also getting those hard liberally. Don’t skimp. It will say to This technique also works really well to reach hair balls will help decrease thoroughly soak the area and do that. for furniture by the way. You can use the overall hairy odour of your house. You have to get down to the base a moist sponge or even rubber gloves Secondarily, if you get a vacuum board. The enzymatic cleaner will to get all that pester sticky hair from which has a hepa filter, that will trap denature the protein in the urine and furniture. Another help is something the dander which is a big contributor make it not smell. called an undercoat rake. This is a to the smell. Yep, that’s what I got for you! specially designed comb where the The real nasty. I reserve this Happy clean and fresh new year bristles are wider at the base and category for pee, poo and vomit. everyone!! narrow at the top. This design pulls The old faithful of pet smell. Right. the hair out from the base and helps To start with let me say that it is not

Natural Ways to Unclog Drains www.freecycle.org Changing the world our 1 cup of baking soda down the drain followed by 1 cup of free & open to all vinegar. Wait 5 minutes before flushing the drain with 2 quarts of 24 hours a day, 365 days Phot water. You can repeat this process a few times if it is necessary. a year If this is the first time you have cleaned your drain in a long time it may be necessary to repeat the baking soda flush a couple of times. You can use baking soda that has been used in the refrigerator or freezer to help clean the drains and you’ll extend the use of something you otherwise would have just thrown away. Use the same ideas to clean and freshen your garbage disposal. You may be able to cut the required amounts of baking soda, water, and vinegar in 1/2 for use in your disposal. Try putting baking soda down the drain without rinsing when you are going on vacation or even just a weekend trip. It will help reduce odors that may develop while you are gone. Flush the baking soda out of the drain with hot water or hot vinegar followed by hot water when you return. Using Baking Soda to clean your drains and garbage disposal eliminates harsh chemicals that may leave odors and residue in your sinks. Using Baking Soda is environmentally friendly, which will help concerns about chemical contamination, or even the risk associated with having chemicals in a home with children. JAN 2010 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR Page 35

M.P.P. OTTAWA CENTRE Helping Ontario Families

By Yasir Naqvi, to support the shift to the new, you can use to buy a home, save for HST will be revenue neutral for the MPP Ottawa Centre harmonized sales tax system the future or invest in an education. vast majority of Ontarians and those beginning in June. Eligible families These income tax measures are with lower incomes will actually be anuary can be a difficult month for with an income of less than $160,000 one part of our three-pronged plan better off. many families, particularly when will receive three payments totalling to boost the economy. We are also That is because the impact of the the economy remains uncertain. $1,000, and eligible individuals who delivering $4.5 billion in business HST will be offset by supportive tax J earn less than $80,000 will get three tax relief over three years - important measures, such as the property and Our government recognizes this, and has put in place measures to ease the payments totalling $300. These tax measures that will attract new sales tax credits and a cut in income burden and ensure that families have payments will be received in June investment and create jobs - and, are taxes, mentioned above. This is in the resources they need to prosper. 2010, December 2010 and June 2011. improving our competitiveness by addition to the reduction in the cost of As of January 1, 2010 we have To qualify for these two benefits harmonizing the PST and GST. consumer goods that will result from permanently cut the tax rate for the a 2009 tax return must be filed, so Comprehensive tax reform is having a more efficient tax system. first income bracket, making it the remember to file your taxes this April! the single most important thing the We want to ensure that all lowest provincial tax rate in Canada. To further help families, as of July government can do to create jobs Ontarians have the opportunity This will result in savings for 93% of 2009 we nearly doubled the Ontario and position the economy for future to succeed. To do this, we must Ontario tax payers, and will mean that Child Benefit (OCB) from $600 to growth. These tax initiatives will encourage investment that creates 90,000 Ontarians will no longer be up to $1,100 per child annually. This ensure that more Ontarians have well- jobs for Ontarians. This economic paying tax at all. means almost 115,000 more families paying jobs, and that we continue activity ensures that we have the We have also introduced a new, were able to enrol their children in to provide the high-quality health, resources to provide the high-quality permanent Ontario Sales Tax Credit sports or music programs, or buy education and social services that our health, education and social services that will provide timely annual tax their children back to school clothes families rely on. that Ontarians deserve. By working relief of up to $260 for each adult because they are now receiving the Sadly, most attention has been together we can ensure that all of us and child in over 2.9 million low- and OCB. focused solely on one aspect of our succeed. middle-income families. The sales tax When we put all of these tax cuts comprehensive tax package - the HST For more information about these credit will work like the Goods and and credits together, they provide - and has ignored all of the important bold and comprehensive tax changes, Services Tax Credit - if you currently significant savings for most Ontarians. tax measures aimed at decreasing the please do not hesitate to contact me at receive a quarterly GST credit you These measures mean that a senior tax burden for low and middle-income 613-722-6414 or email me at ynaqvi. will also now receive an Ontario Tax living on a pension income of $20,000 Ontarians. [email protected]. I look Credit beginning in July. will save $170; a single parent earning The anxiety over the HST has forward to hearing from you. Also new this year, you will $35,000 would save $275; and a dual been wrongly placed. A recent report be receiving transitional payments income family with two children will released by the Canadian Centre for save $605. These are real savings that Policy Alternatives found that the

Coming Soon: Kids Yoga in Old Ottawa South To book an OSCAR Chill Out With WATERFALLYOGA ad call Gayle 730-1058 Soul Connection for Youths In addition to enhancing physical and mental well- oscarads@ being, kids learn to concentrate, release tension and develop inner qualities such as patience and insight. oldottawasouth.ca By Sally Waterfall With regular practice, they learn to increase their self- confidence and focus. ranquility, calm and stability are hard to find in I am excited to offer the kids in our community our hectic, modern world. Today’s youth face an opportunity to experience the wonderful joys of Ttremendous pressure from school, peers and yoga. Each class will offer a varied, energetic blend the media to conform and be the best at everything of poses. Students will learn the importance of the they do. It can difficult to be true to one’s self and the breath not only during yoga but also in their daily conflict often leads to stress. Yoga provides a peaceful lives as well, and will surrender to the wonderful joys opportunity to focus on self and shut out the rest. It of relaxation and meditation. I create a safe, unique enables emotional excesses to be channeled into very and nurturing environment where kids can leave their positive outcomes and offers benefits in amazing and worries behind and enter a world where their natural creative ways. beauty, strengths and potential are recognized and Yoga generates healing energy that calms the encouraged. My yoga classes bring out the laughter, anxiety our overloaded youths experience today. creativity and inner wisdom of the student. Come see Learning to coordinate ones breath with yoga postures how yoga can unlock the inner potential of our kids by calms the mind and allows the movements to release inspiring the magic within. tension within the body. Yoga practice teaches kids WATERFALLYOGA comes to Surround that no matter what issues they face, they have the Circle Yoga, located in Old Ottawa South (www. skills to turn things in their favor. Yoga is a way of surroundcircleyoga) in February. There will be two life that kids can easily adapt to their own needs. after school classes (10 week series) on Wednesdays Originated in India five thousand years ago, yoga for 8-12 year olds and 13-16 year olds. Registration has proven to build strength, endurance and flexibility and further details can be found at www.waterfallyoga. both inside and out, making the practice one of the com or call Sally Waterfall at 613-693-0630 most effective methods for maintaining a balance Sally Waterfall is a certified children’s yoga instructor. between mind and body. Yoga postures not only strengthen the physical body but calm the mind as well. This leads to a closer connection with the soul. Page 36 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR JAN 2010

l’Amicale francophone d’Ottawa - Cercle de Lecture To book an OSCAR ad call Gayle 730-1058 par Jean-Claude Dubé du Sénégal et de l’Erythrée. L’auteur expliquée, a été longuement discutée bouquiniste de New York par un [email protected] nous présente des anecdotes intimes par les membres, ainsi que le fatalisme professeur et historien d’Harvard bène, les aventures africaines et inusitées sur plusieurs chefs d’Etats et le penchant pour le rire de ces en l’an 2001. L’édition anglaise de Ryszard Kapuscinski, tels que Nkrumah, Idi Amin et Charles sociétés pourtant privées de nourriture portant le titre « The Bondwoman’s un journaliste itinérant Taylor. et de biens les plus essentiels. Ryszard Narrative » avait conservé les fautes E Kapuscinski nous renseigne aussi Kapuscinski est décédé en Pologne en d’orthographe et de grammaire ainsi polonais, n’est ni un roman, ni une étude politique et ni une dissertation sur la faune africaine. Les routines 2007. que les rayures de l’auteure. L’édition historique. Par contre, cet assemblage du lion chasseur, du lézard prédateur, La prochaine rencontre du française a rétabli ces fautes pour en de divers récits vécus par l’auteur du cobra meurtrier et de l’éléphant Cercle de lecture aura lieu le 12 faciliter la lecture. durant les quatre dernières décennies suicidaire nous sont décrites. On janvier 2010. La lecture choisie est L’Amicale francophone d’Ottawa du 20ième siècle dans l’Afrique apprend aussi beaucoup sur les « Autobiographie d’une esclave » de a relancé son site sur la Toile (web). noire équatorial est très instructif sur symptômes des maladies du milieu tel la main de Hannah Crafts. Ceci est Ceci nous permettra de diffuser en la quintessence de ces peuples peu que le paludisme et la tuberculose. une biographie écrite par une esclave temps plus opportun les annonces et connus et encore moins compris par Les membres de Cercle de lecture moire qui avait réussi à s’échapper faits divers touchant les francophones les Canadiens. ont constaté la très grande similitude de ses maîtres en Caroline du Nord. de nos quartiers. Un forum permet En débutant avec l’émancipation entre la structure des familles, L’auteure décrit l’esclavage au aussi l’échange d’idées aussi bien que des états africains à la suite de la clans et tribus africains et celle des quotidien d’une façon juste puisque le clavardage. Les scribes de notre Deuxième Guerre Mondiale, nous autochtones nord-américains. En c’est elle-même qui l’a vécu. Libre milieu sont invités à s’y inscrire et sommes transportés l’un après plus, la compassion que l’auteur porte et devenue institutrice dans une de faire valoir leurs talents. Le but de l’autre, dans les arrière-cours du envers ces peuples qui vivent dans communauté noire américaine du l’Amicale est d’encourager un bon Ghana, du Tanganyika, du Zanzibar, une détresse misérable à l’intérieur New Jersey, au milieu du 19ième usage du français, qu’il soit dit, lu ou de l’Ethiopie, de l’Ouganda, du d’un immense continent fragmenté siècle, elle écrivit sa biographie un écrit. Composez www.amicaleottawa. Rwanda, du Soudan, du Nigeria, de et diversifié est une des plus dignes peu romancée dans l’intimité de sa com et faites parti de notre groupe la Somalie, du Liberia, du Cameroun, et louables. La genèse du génocide chambre. Son manuscrit, qui ne fut d’internautes. rwandais, qui y est clairement pas publié, sera découvert chez un

To book an OSCAR ad Urban Assistant Can Help With call Gayle 730-1058 Almost Everything oscarads@ oldottawasouth.ca

By Donna Zimonjic January but she has already snagged some clients through simple word of mouth. f you’re a small business or household She relates a story about one of her first with a messy stack of unpaid bills clients, a businesswoman, who came to hanging over your head, or you’re Donna with two years of bills and invoices I in a box and the taxman breathing down her simply paying more for stuff than you should because your paper work is a mess, neck. then rest easy: help is at hand. “If she handed that box to her accountant A new concept in small-scale freelance and told him to sort it out she would have financial management is being pioneered paid through the nose,” Zimonjic says. “But by an entrepreneur in Ottawa and the within a few hours I had sorted that out and force behind Urban Assistant promises to developed a basic system for keeping her have the answers for anyone with a paper bills in order. Its simple really but its not skeleton in their closet. something everyone has time for.” “Most people don’t realize just how But Zimonjic says Urban Assistant is much money and time they lose because about more than simply keeping family or they aren’t organized,” says Donna company’s paperwork in order, which, she Zimonjic, founder of Urban Assistant. “Just says, is only where it starts. straightening out your bills, organizing Zimonjic offers an array of services your files and keeping things in order can that include costing out your household or save people more money than they realize.” business budget by looking at what you pay Zimonjic’s business launched in for everything from utilities, to insurance

Cont’d on next page JAN 2010 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR Page 37 COMPUTER TRICKS AND TIPS The Basics of Home Networks By Malcolm and John confusion of your signal with a and malfunction. Essentially, this unsatisfactory. Harding, neighbour. is a low-power radio wave. For the technically-minded there is an :File and Printer Sharing are great of Compu-Home :Ethernet Cables are the wires interesting article on WiFi devices spin-off conveniences of a home with plugs that look like oversized and the radiation they emit at http:// network. If the operating systems of Let’s explore some of the modular phone jacks. They connect web.princeton.edu/sites/ehs/radiation/ the computers are compatible, then equipment and terminology of the modem to the router, and also nirad.htm which essentially suggests files stored on one can be accessed home networks: the router to a computer that doesn’t that the radiation is insufficient to be and modified at the other. If a printer have wireless capability. These cable a concern, and that it is probably not is not able to be on the network :The High Speed Modem connects are inexpensive and available in necessary to shut down a wireless directly, then it may be possible to you to the Internet and thus the lengths from 1 to 50 metres or more, router when it is not in use. Wireless send print jobs to it via the computer outside world. Although you can buy and virtually their only limit is the platforms have evolved through it is attached to. In addition, there your own modem, it usually makes awkwardness of having them strung Wireless 802.11a, b, g and now n. are now peripheral devices like laser more sense to pay the few dollars per in unsightly and dangerous places in 802.11n currently gives the fastest, or multifunction printers or external month to rent it from your Internet the house. farthest and most powerful signal hard drives that can be connected Service Provider (ISP). Your modem but both the computer and the router directly to the router for universal should ideally be located less than 2 :There are three types of Wireless must be at that level, or the signal access. metres from the phone or cable outlet Adaptor. First is the device built will revert to the lowest common of your ISP. into all laptops sold since about denominator. Fortunately, all Sincere thanks to reader Arthur 2002. Another is a so-called NIC wireless routers and computers are Cordell for suggesting this issue’s :A Router is device that acts as the (network interface card) that can be backwards-compatible and so it’s not topic. Arthur is a winner of two traffic cop to direct the incoming installed in a desktop computer if it is necessary to upgrade all components hours of Compu-Home service for and outgoing signals when you have inaccessible with an Ethernet cable. when one new device is added. his suggestion. more than one computer and they The newest kind of network adaptor The wireless signal is impeded or communicate with one another or simply connects to any USB port, blocked altogether by various factors Malcolm and John Harding the Internet. The Internet signal either directly, or with an extension such as the thickness or composition are owners of Compu-Home, passes through the modem and then cable. These adaptors all function of walls, or competing electric wiring specializing in assisting home and to the router, which in turn connects in more or less the same way, or equipment in the path between small business computer users. to the computers. Most routers have allowing communication with the the router and the computer. It is not several ports for the Ethernet cable router and thus to other computers uncommon to find a strong signal Visit www.compu-home.com that runs to the network card in or the Internet. They must always in a far location on the property and and go to Suggested Websites to desktop computers and also antennae be enabled and on some computers more feeble results much closer. see a list of favourite useful and for communicating with computers the switch to disable them is poorly Sometimes a range expanding interesting websites. that have wireless capability. A designed and easy to activate device or bridge can overcome these Write to harding@compu-home. modem-router combination unit is accidentally. anomalies, but users often have com or phone 613-731-5954 to available, but we don’t think they to learn to adjust and accept that discuss computer issues, or to have significant advantages. Your :The Wireless Signal is the key certain locations in the house are suggest future columns. router should have security enabled ingredient in your network, and the to prevent deliberate or accidental most prone to misunderstanding

Urban Assistant ... Cont’d from previous page and renegotiating those bills or switching companies if she can save you money. “Often people stick with the same phone or internet provider because it’s too much hassle to change but what they don’t realize is that in some cases they can be paying two and three times what they need to,” says Zimonjic. “I take the hassle away and leave them the savings.” Those who are particularly vulnerable are seniors who may still be paying long-distance rates that were being charged a decade ago. Snowbirds, Zimonjic says, are also unaware that they can put their phone and other services on hold when they are enjoying the Florida sun rather than paying full whack for a phone that is gathering dust. To book an OSCAR ad And while money is precious so is time. Urban Assistant offers a Virtual Assistant service to help with a wide range of business tasks and even offers call Gayle 730-1058 a moving package for people who simply don’t have the time to do all the administration involved in moving a house or business. [email protected] “At Urban Assistant we can do everything from hiring your movers, to redirecting your mail, switching your bills over to a new address and shopping around for an improved home insurance package,” she says. “We even send change-of-address cards to people you know and have your fridge filled with food for your first night in the new place.” Zimonjic will also project manage everything from a renovation to small-scale conference. By now you may be asking why someone would want to do the jobs no one else does, but for Donna that is simple, she’s good at it. Zimonjic comes from a business background. She studied finance at Southampton University in England before working at investment banks in Australia, England and Canada. And it was in that high-pressure environment, where a missing piece of paper could mean missing a deal, she learned to stay on top of everything no matter how busy she was. “My mom always told me that if you want something done, ask a busy person,” says Zimonjic. “So taking that to the extreme, I thought, I’ll start my own business and be everyone’s busy person.” th Page 38 The OSCAR - OUR 37 YEAR JAN 2010 Red Apron Cooks 10 Years Into The New Millennium Already!

hese milestones always describe as Heritage. gras, slowly braised beef short ribs, whole grain and full of complexity provide an opportunity for Trend #2: A renewed interest briskets, BBQ pork shoulder and and taste. This trend has given rise to Treflection. in ancient, heritage and old breeds – much, much more…. This has lead some really faboulous local bakeries, We have seen many changes both animal and plant species. to an increased interest in cuts of including our new neighbour, True to the ‘food we eat’ during the last At the Red Apron we cook using meet that the butcher had a hard time Loaf, who specialize in whole grain 10 years. In my own family, we a number of heritage breeds of meat, selling 20 years ago. (wheat, kamut, spelt) and sourdough are eating differently today than we specifically pork. We have had the Trend #4: Fatty meat, preferably breads, that bear no resemblance were in 1999 . The last 10 years great pleasure of discovering the ‘on the bone’, tastes good, and can be to the fluffy white ‘Wonder-breads’ have provided our global community Berkshire and Tamworth breeds – enjoyed, like all things, in moderation. of 20 years ago. The availability with a heightened awareness of our both known to be rugged old breeds Of course, some of us are of these types of products allows us environmental footprint and this has that can survive our climate and thrive beginning to understand that to truly enjoy eating bread without had a tremendous influence on how on a variety of food, including acorns tampering with Nature in any compromising our health, or the we eat. & apples. way generally leads to bad things. environment. In the decades leading up to Y2K, We have also been encouraged Pesticides, herbicides, monocropping And this trend doesn’t only apply food producers focused most of their to question our understanding of - all this is bad. We understand to bread and flour. White sugar has efforts on maximizing production how fats, carbohydrates, and proteins now that it is not sustainable, and it been replaced by honey, maple syrup, abilities. I recall a trip to a country affect our weight and our health. For certainly isn’t healthy. and agave. Milk chocolate has been fair 15 years ago where I met a farmer decades we have been punishing our Trend #5: An increased interest in replaced with organic & fair-trade who bragged about the fact that his bodies with low fat, low carb, high consuming more Organically raised/ dark chocolate. White potatoes have milk production per cow had doubled carb, low fibre, high protien, low grown produce preferably sourced been replaced with heirloom blue & in the previous 10 years. Even protien diets - of every shape and from a local farmer or producer. red potatoes, or sweet potatoes and in 1995, something about this fact form. Meanwhile, North Americans What more evidence do we need squash. Corn puffs are replaced with deeply disturbed me. How did they continued to get fatter and developed of this trend but the fact that we now Kashi. get this creature to produce so much higher incidents of diabetes and heart have a real, truly local, Farmer’s Much of the consumer momentum more milk? Well, we all know the disease during this same period. market located in the heart of the city, driving these trends is the aging of answer; growth hormones, antibiotics, At the same time the French, and and many thriving small community the Boomers, or as they are now enhanced animal feed. And we those living in the Mediterranean farmer’s markets in surrounding towns sometimes called – the Zoomers also know that these ‘scientific’ Basin continue to experience lower and villages. The face of these markets (boomers with zip). We have an aging improvements have lead to a host cholesterol, lower blood pressure, has changed considerably. Alongside but active, healthy, well-educated, of other problems for human health, and lower incidents of cardiovascular people who have been farming the and somewhat affluent consumer who the health of the environment and the disease. land for generations, we see a new is willing to invest in ‘growing old health of the poor cow! Trend #3: Some fats are good for crop of farmers - fresh faced back with grace and dignity’. Trend #1: A move away from you! to the earth types - committed to an We hope these trends continue animal products that have been raised It turns out fat is not the culprit organic and/or biodynamic existence. and deepen during the next 10 years. with the use of hormones, antibiotics, we believed it to be but the type of fat And we now have organizations like We wish you and your family a and other production enhancing aids. we consume is really more important. Just Food and Savour Ottawa to Happy & Healthy New Year. We now gladly pay extra money In fact a diet full of good fats, healthy help facilitate relationships between Eat Well, Live Well. to purchase old-fashioned meat – amounts of protein, high fiber grains, local food establishments and local without the hormones. We have fresh fruits and lots of vegetables, producers. The Red Apron seen a new interest in grass-fed beef might be just what we need to keep us We are also seeing a move away www.redapron.ca with supporting research to suggest slim and healthy. from anything overly processed, that grain fed beef is not good for our Meanwhile fine dining restaurants refined and stripped of its nutrients. health. This trend has also lead to are unapologetically putting high fat Trend #6: If it’s white or an increased interest in animals that cuts of meat on the menu and patrons processed, don’t eat it! belong to a group that we lovingly are gobbling it up. Pork belly, fois Now, we can only enjoy it if it’s

Red Apron Recipess

o ring in the New Year we are providing some elegant, yet simple recipes for Tentertaining on a cold night. These dishes make use of some great local ingredients and are guaranteed to impress your dinner guests.

Orange Tarragon Pâté

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature 4 bacon slices, chopped 1 1/2 cups chopped onion 1 garlic clove, minced 12 oz chicken livers, trimmed 1 large Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored & cubed 1/4 cup chopped tarragon 2 Tbs orange zest 2 hard-boiled eggs, peeled, quartered 2 Tbs Cointreau

Cont’d on next page JAN 2010 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR Page 39

MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT OTTAWA CENTRE 2009 in Review

By Paul Dewar spring raised the profile of cycling mechanisms that protect workers dialogue brought together over 150 in our community and identified key against company bankruptcy. local artists and arts patrons who put hope that everyone had a chance investments for improving cycling Human Rights: forward creative ideas to improve to enjoy a well-deserved rest over and pedestrian infrastructure. I have One of the most exciting days arts and culture in our community. the holiday season and to spend also continued my work on preserving of the past year was when Canadian I have also initiated the creation I the Ottawa River, by calling for citizen Abousfian Abdelrazik was of an all-party parliamentary arts time with friends and family. The end of each year offers a chance to look strengthened regulations on tritium reunited with his family in Canada caucus as a platform for artists and back and reflect on our many hard levels in water. after being stranded for six years in parliamentarians to speak to each fought victories and achievements. I Protecting pensions and long- Sudan by two Canadian governments. other on an ongoing basis. would like to take this opportunity to term disability benefits: The resilience of Mr. Abdelrazik and In the year ahead we will continue share with you some of the highlights When Nortel Networks filed the tireless work of many volunteers to be faced with challenges in the from 2009: for bankruptcy, it forfeited on its and concerned citizens in Canada economy, pensions, and healthcare but Environment: commitments to its employees. This were truly inspiring. we will also be given the opportunity Knowing the importance of taking affected many people in Ottawa, and My work on the Foreign Affairs to make progressive and constructive global action against climate change, I it became increasingly apparent that committee has also recently been changes for the better. The New was invited to speak to the heads of the Conservative government was not focused on uncovering what actually Democratic Party will continue its European embassies in Ottawa to share going to stand up and defend the rights happened in what is now being called fight for fairness and equality. On ideas for cooperation in Copenhagen. of current and past Nortel employees. the Afghan detainee torture scandal. behalf of my party and my staff I However, while global action will be Therefore, I held a town-hall Parliament voted in support of my would like to wish everyone the best necessary to tackle climate change, meeting with more than one hundred motion to hold a public inquiry in for 2010. we must also advocate solutions for pensioners and long term disability the government cover-up of the issue local problems. I was pleased that recipients. From this meeting I took and I will continue to hold the Harper Paul Dewar, MP the government adopted my ideas their concerns to parliament and government to account and to clear www.pauldewar.ca for the protection of Gatineau Park. helped organize hearings on the issue the air on this issue. 613 946-8682 The Cycling Summit I hosted this and worked with my New Democrat Arts and Culture: colleagues in producing legislative My most recent community

Red Apron Recipes... Cont’d from previous page 1 1/4 teaspoons salt Melt 1/4 cup GREMOLATA: cheese mash potatoes with potato masher or butter in heavy large skillet over Grated rind of 1 lemon 6 medium potatoes (Yukon Gold or beat on low speed with hand mixer. medium-high heat. Add bacon and Grated rind of 1 orange Russet) peeled Slowly add warm cream and cheese sauté until translucent, about 3 2 garlic cloves, minced mixture until desired consistency is minutes. Add onion and sauté until 2 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley, Simmer potatoes on medium heat achieved. Season with salt & pepper pale golden, about 5 minutes. Add chopped until tender. Heat oil over medium to taste. garlic and stir 1 minute. Add chicken high heat. Add onions, and garlic livers, apple, and marjoram; sauté Dust the shanks lightly with flour. stirring constantly. Cook for about until livers are no longer pink inside Melt the butter in a large dutch oven 4 minutes. Add salt, pepper, herbs, and apple is soft, about 8 minutes. over medium to medium-high heat. and nutmeg. Add cream and cheese Transfer warm liver mixture to Add the shanks, and cook until cook until almost melted. Drain & processor. Add hard-boiled eggs, browned on the outside. Remove to a Cointreau, orange zest, tarragon and bowl, and keep warm. Add crushed salt; puree until smooth. Transfer garlic and onion and carrots; cook mixture to a bowl. If you are and stir until onion is tender. Deglaze looking to achieve a super smooth with wine. Pour in the tomatoes and consistency, use a sturdy rubber beef stock, and season with salt and spatula to press mixture through pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes. sieve into bowl. Mix in remaining 1/2 Return shanks to pan, cover and place cup of soft butter. Season pâté to taste in a 300 degree pre heated oven low with freshly ground pepper. heat for 2-3 hours, basting the shanks Transfer to small serving bowl. Cover occasionally. The meat should be and chill. tender, but not falling off the bone. Garnish pâté with parsley and serve In a small bowl, mix together the with crostini. gremolata ingredients and garnish shanks before serving. Osso Bucco Garlic Mashed Potatoes with 2 pounds Bison shanks, cut into short Ermite Cheese lengths (you can use veal shanks too) 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/4 cup Butter 4 garlic cloves minced 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 large onion, chopped 1/2 teaspoon fresh 1 large carrot, chopped herbs (rosemary, thyme, 2/3 cup dry Marsala or white wine parsley) 2/3 cup beef stock 1/4 teaspoon grated 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes nutmeg salt and pepper to taste 1/2 cup cream 1/2 lb blue Ermite Page 40 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR JAN 2010 Sunnyside Renovations FAQ -- Questions and Answers

Q1. When will renovations begin work space and how long will it take? New main entrance doors Renovations will begin November 24/7 book drop 30 and will continue until the spring Three self-checkout stations (two of 2010. in adult area, one in children’s) Q2. Why can’t you give me the Q4. What will the floor layouts exact reopening date? look like when the renovations are The renovations are extensive, done? so it’s difficult to know exactly when Please click on this link to see they will be finished. Like home coloured renderings of the new floor renovations, there may be unforeseen layouts for the basement and main delays. As soon as we know the exact floor. reopening date, we’ll advise the Q5. Will there be an alternate community. Please check back to this location during the closure? Web Site for updates. Yes. OPL will open a temporary Q3. Why will it take so long? library services depot, as a pilot The renovations are extensive. project, in The Coliseum Building These improvements will result, at Lansdowne Park, 1015 Bank in essence, in a new branch within Street (beside the Ottawa 67s ticket Pay overdue charges; and, the branch’s adult book clubs will the confines of the familiar building office) -- within walking distance of Friendly staff who will provide continue to meet in a rented room at we know and love. Improvements the Sunnyside branch -- where basic assistance with ordering library the Southminster Church -- across include: library services will be provided -- materials. the street from the branch. As well, New energy efficient lighting pick-up holds, return borrowed books, Q8. What are the hours of during the renovation, the branch’s system throughout the building borrow Express Reads, pay overdue operation? Children’s book clubs will continue Retrofitting washrooms to charges and access staff for assistance The temporary location will be to meet at Mutchmor Public School comply with the provincial legislation with ordering other library materials, open for service on the following days Q13. What’s in it for us? What (Accessibility for Ontarians with throughout the entire closure period. and at the times designated: do we end up with after this long Disability Act) Q6. When will the Sunnyside Library Mondays 1 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. renovation period? New community meeting rooms Depot open? Tuesdays 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Overall an increased amount of Increased children’s programming This temporary service location, Wednesdays 1p.m. to 8:30 p.m. public space space with direct access from Bank Street, Thursdays 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The library will be able to increase Renovation and expansion of the is scheduled to open on Wednesday, Fridays 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. the number of children’s programs children’s area December 2. Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. offered Changes to public service areas Q7. What services will this Q9. Will the location stay open For the first time the branch will for faster and more efficient service temporary location provide? after the Sunnyside branch re-opens? be able to offer meeting spaces for the Improved and centralized Internet It will provide to Sunnyside No. This is a temporary pilot community stations branch patrons a limited number of project. It will close once the The book drop will be open all the New public reading areas with basic library services. These are: Sunnyside branch re-opens. time new furniture Pick-up holds ; Q10. Why are you opening this Self-service options will reduce Improvements to the materials Return borrowed library temporary location when it has not line-ups at check-in and check-out processing area to increase efficiency materials; happened for other branches? A revitalized and attractive space Conversion of garage into staff Borrow Express Reads; We heard from the community which will provide a more enjoyable that they had concerns around lack of experience for our library patrons library services during the closure. We Q14. How much will all this cost took these comments very seriously and how is it being paid for? and responded. In anticipation of The total cost of this project will longer closures at other branches, be over one million dollars. Federal, we decided to conduct a temporary provincial and municipal governments service location pilot project for the will cover the costs. The federal Sunnyside patrons. We will monitor government’s Infrastructure Stimulus closely use of the location, as well Fund is a key element. We also as what works and what doesn’t. At received monies from the Friends of the end of the service operation we the Ottawa Public Library Association will make a decision on the merits which will be used to add furniture Need Renovations? of implementing the pilot at other to our newly renovated children’s locations. area (http://www.buildingcanada- Q11. Are there any special chantierscanada.gc.ca/creating- arrangements for holds, loans, book creation/isf-fsi-eng.html) drop I should know about? Q15. Where are the nearest The book drop will not be branches where I will be able to get accessible during the closure. There library service? will be no book drop at the Sunnyside A pilot temporary library services Library Depot. depot will be open in The Coliseum Three-week loans borrowed from Building at Lansdowne Park, 1015 Sunnyside after November 9 will be Bank Street (beside the Ottawa due on or after May 15, 2010. One- 67s ticket office) -- within walking week loans borrowed from Sunnyside distance of the Sunnyside branch after November 23 will be due on or -- where basic library services will Custom Designed Additions and after May 15, 2010. be provided -- pick-up holds, return Outstanding holds will borrowed books, borrow Express Major Renovations that respect the automatically be sent to the Sunnyside Reads, pay overdue charges and Library Depot. However, you can access staff for assistance with Craftsmanship and Architectural arrange to have your holds sent to any ordering other library materials, location. Just ask us. throughout the entire closure period. style of your older home. Q12. What about the adult and This service location will be referred children’s book clubs? Will they to as the Sunnyside Library Depot. 594-8888 operate during the closure? However, to access full library www.gordonmcgovern.com During the Sunnyside renovations, services you can go to the Alta Vista JAN 2010 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR Page 41

Sunnyside Renovations Cont’s -- Floor Plans -- Lower Level (Left) and Grpound Floor (below)

to Sunnyside’s hours after the branch if you are spending over a renovations? million dollars? Unfortunately, a lack of additional Building a library the size of funding make additional hours Sunnyside would cost considerably impossible at this time. more money than these renovations, Q21. Will the number of children’s and would entail a far more extensive programs be increased with this extra closure. The present branch serves space? the community well and after the Yes! We are very pleased that these renovations it will be even better. The renovations will allow us to expand proposed renovation is the fiscally this very popular programming option and environmentally responsible for families. There is great demand for thing to do. Following the renovations more children’s programs and now the Sunnyside branch will be for all children’s programmers will have intents and purposes a new branch. more space and greater flexibility to Q25. What about the proposed provide more hours of programming. high-rise development that had a Q22. How about more meeting library on the ground floor? rooms for the public? The developer did not pursue the The branch will have three project any further. Also, there was branch (2516 Alta Vista) and the Main returns can be made to the Sunnyside meeting rooms following the significant opposition to the project Library (120 Metcalfe St.). Library Depot during opening hours, renovations. The public will be able voiced in the community. Q16. Where can I pick up my or to any other OPL branch in the city. to rent them for meetings, etc. More Q26. Will the decline in activity holds? Q18. Why not put in a coffee bar? information on this will be made resulting from these renovations Outstanding holds will The limitations of the building do available prior to our reopening. give the City the excuse to close the automatically be sent to the Sunnyside not allow for a suitable location for Q23. Why not park the branch for good and sell the valuable Library Depot. However, you can a coffee bar. Bank Street is already Bookmobile at Sunnyside to maintain property it sits on? arrange to have your holds sent to any well served with coffee shops. service? No. The decline that will occur other OPL location. Just ask us. Q19. Why not move the children’s The bookmobile is not large in activity through this branch will Q17. Can I drop off my returns at area upstairs? enough for the volume of activity at obviously be due to the renovations. Sunnyside? We are adding a program room Sunnyside. The Bookmobile schedule We know that this community loves Unfortunately the book drop for the children’s department. There has been set for the year and it is fully its library and will return in even will not be available during the simply is not enough space on the booked. Other communities would greater numbers than before the renovations. The area surrounding main floor for this improvement. The have to lose service they depend on renovations. Besides, after investing the branch will be a construction site; children’s area in the lower level will to provide inadequate service for over a million dollars it would not therefore, having a book drop on the be expanded and refurbished. Sunnyside patrons. be fiscally responsible to close this property is a safety hazard. However, Q20. Will there be any change Q24. Why not build a whole new branch and sell the property. Page 42 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR JAN 2010 Changes to CBC News Ottawa

By Anna Redman the CBC in the foreseeable future. the communications industry. In order adults tend to develop habits that Lucy feels that “right now [they] to appeal to this market, companies they maintain throughout their adult week before Christmas, I are in a comfortable place,” indicating must determine what people want life and that they hope to make CBC headed over to the local that they wanted to get back to doing and how to give it to them. Currently, one of those habits. The main factor Starbucks for an interview a late night show as well as increasing people want “local news done well.” in the audience developing this habit A local content. She says that “[they] Lucy thinks that CBC’s package is down to who they would “trust to with Lucy van Oldenbarneveld and Adrian Harewood, co hosts of CBC like the idea of being on first” and that as a whole “is pretty impressive,” and tell the story in a fair and challenging News Ottawa at 5, 5:30 & 6. When the 90 minute show allows them to yes, she admits she’s biased. However, way, and ultimately is what [Adrian I arrived, their table was surrounded create a style that is more three mini she expands on why she feels this way and Lucy] want [their] reputation to by students from Hopewell Avenue newscasts rather than one massive with comments on how the journalists be and what they are targeting.” Public School, all in awe of their local one. This style benefits their audience involved have years of experience as As for competition in the celebrities. as “[they] can dip in and out” while well as developed investigative and coverage of local news, CBC seems Local news and a feeling of still feeling well-informed at the end storytelling skills, all of which are to be ahead of the game. CTV has a community have become recent goals of the show. being employed to benefit CBC’s on local newscast at the same time, and for the CBC and they have instigated Currently “the corporation is air newscasts. the A channel used to as well, but some big changes since September. redoubling its efforts to focus on the Another benefit to these televised the CBC “wants to be the best at it.” The show expanded to 90 minutes as local and to try to be as immersed in newscasts is the chemistry between They are “doing more of it, and want of the end of August and a late night all the different neighbourhoods and the co-hosts. Both Lucy and Adrian to do it best through stories that not show has also been added. However, communities in the city as possible.” had endless compliments about each everybody else is telling and having Lucy says “most excitingly, [she and “Where the news is dictates what other and the benefits that they each them on first.” “One of the things that Adrian] now co host the 90 minute [the] newscast looks like” but CBC bring to the show. Adrian’s main probably distinguishes CBC is the show from 5 to 6:30”, and that the now has “more satellite trucks and the point included Lucy being “a great resources,” as the CBC makes use of idea behind all of these changes is to ability to go out to where that news communicator,” which he feels is a their many different mediums, such as emphasize local coverage, as any time is which puts [their] reporters live, in rare asset as this is a skill that “is not radio and the internet to enhance their they have surveyed their audience it is the community, wherever that story necessarily something that you can stories on television. local content that people want. might be happening that day.” This teach.” As a newscaster “you have Both hosts clearly love their jobs Adrian is also experiencing a allows all communities in Ottawa to to be able to communicate a lot of and feel that the local show offers big personal change in the form of a feel part of the CBC coverage as the things in a short amount of time,” and some unique opportunities that have medium transition. Previously a radio news covered is not limited to central Lucy excels in her ability to do this. not been available in previous jobs. show host, he is enjoying the new Ottawa, but branches out to include Adrian also explains that storytelling Lucy says that local news “roots you television experience, but says that more remote communities. is about moods and that the audience in your community. You are reporting “it’s a challenge” and that it “requires The co-hosts are “always has to trust you as a newscaster when on the community but you are also different muscles.” committed to telling Ottawa’s stories, telling them stories and he feels that part of it, and personally that is a great On the topic of local coverage but there are also other stories, micro- his co-host offers their audience this place to be in”. Lucy talks about a ‘footprint’ (how stories within the larger story.” These comfort. Adrian enjoys the aspect of how much coverage is being offered) and micro-stories are the stories of the Lucy thinks that Adrian “brings the newscast affects people in the how this footprint has continued to communities and neighbourhoods a lot of credibility to the show,” community. He says that they are expand over the past year. Previously, which make up Ottawa as a whole. focusing on Adrian’s commitment “bringing people in touch with their only half an hour of local coverage was They feel that it is not just about to the community. She discussed neighbours, alerting them to some offered, but that has since increased to where the story comes from, but about his involvement in so many events of the kind of quirky, bizarre things an hour, then 90 minutes, and finally making it relatable to all citizens of annually and how this brings such a happening in the community and 90 minutes with an additional late Ottawa. positive dynamic to a local program, sometimes spurring them on into night show. As Adrian said “nothing CBC’s recent changes can be as people recognize Adrian and relate action.” is ever permanent” but increased local attributed to a renewed importance to him because of the time and effort In the competitive media industry content looks to be a steady fixture for in going back to local news. People he puts into the community. with many mediums all bringing the may be interested in worldwide Additionally, Lucy and Adrian same news it looks like the CBC news, which is also covered in the knew each other previously, having may have found an edge. With two CBC newscast, but Lucy feels that worked together in radio. This enthusiastic co-hosts and a connection they are most interested in “what previous association enhances their to the community they do seem like is happening next door, what is good rapport and Lucy says that she they are on the right track. Adrian happening down the street and why “was looking forward to working with says that the CBC attempts to do it is relevant to them.” [Adrian] specifically” when she found three things. “One is to enlighten, the With the ever expanding out that he would be joining the show. other is to educate and the third is to media forms, companies “have to When asked if a specific age range entertain,” and he thinks that they are become much more creative and is targeted, Lucy said that they have getting close to “meeting that range of much more responsive” to what “heard that women between the ages emotions”. With the co hosts’ rapport, people want. Adrian expands on the of 24-54” are their primary audience, their attitudes, and their involvement new availability of resources and but the hosts say that isn’t who they in the community, they seem to be mediums that were not previously are aiming for in particular, they just headed in the right direction. available and how this creates a want to capture the people of Ottawa. more competitive “market” within Adrian did comment on how young

OSCAR Needs Volunteers For Monthly Distribution in OOS To book an OSCAR ad call Gayle 730-1058 [email protected] JAN 2010 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR Page 43 Tasty Tidbits From Trillium Bakery The Bank Of Paper Bag, The Gold Dust Adventure, And The Key Lime Pie Caper

By Judy Caslor Zarowny off on the run around the side of the building, the two of us obediently in ut this in your mixing bowl: two pursuit crashing through tangles of mischievous getaway single tropical foliage and, undoubtedly, moms, a mysterious brown poisonous snakes. We arrived at the P back of the building out of breath, paper bag, sun shiny, beach grooving, star dancing, shrimp gorging, shell and were instructed to wait. He swimming fun, a millionaire and a disappeared into the kitchen, and key lime pie, and you have whipped burst out a moment later, with a tin up the ingredients for a delicious plate full of key lime pie. holiday adventure. “Here,” he said, thrusting it at us. Now, flash back to January 1982, “You can have it. The cash register’s and you will find Jocelyn LeRoy and I closed and we want to leave! Now, about to embark on this laughter filled don’t tell anybody I gave it to you.” trip to Captiva Island in Florida, a trip What hilarity it was, to sit in our that would earn us the name “gold rental car in the soft air of that Florida dust” twins because good things came trip. We’ll have to bring it with us.” The night of what came to be night, eating key lime pie with our to us unexpectedly. At that time, “No way. There must be a known as the “key lime pie caper,” hands. The restaurant closed. The Jocelyn’s Trillium Bakery was in its thousand dollars in that bag, plus cash we made a withdrawal from the Bag waiters and some kitchen staff piled infancy, serving up a yummy array register tapes!” in hopes that Captain Al’s eatery into a truck, and drove in a circle of whole grain breads and mouth “It’s ok,” she said. “No one will would accept Canadian money. It around the parking lot cheering and watering recipes for special needs guess what it is. It’s just a paper bag.” was almost ten o’clock when we whistling at us leaving the words “key customers. I was living in Point “The Bank of Paper Bag,” I said. arrived. The young waiter eyed my lime pie ladies” floating on the air as Claire Quebec, raising my two boys And so, the adventure began. The small plastic baggie of chamomile they rumbled off down the road. and studying fine art and acting. Bank of Paper Bag crossed the border flowers and wicker tea strainer with Back in the hotel, we removed On the night of our departure, with us, hiding out next to denim curiosity, as he politely informed us our makeshift withdrawal slip from Jocelyn arrived at my door, loaded shorts, sun block and summer sandals. that no more guests would be seated. the Bank of Paper Bag, and returned down with a huge suitcase, carry-on When we were settled in our hotel, “But there are customers still the very sticky money. bag, a purse and a crumpled paper it lounged casually on the dresser, here,” we pleaded. Jocelyn drew a face on the Bag bag. next to half finished bottles of Perrier “They are finishing their one night in red and blue felt pen. It “My kids packed for me,” she water, pulp fiction and discarded bags desserts,” he said. became our confidant, our silly friend said opening the suitcase. ”I didn’t from organic potato chips. “But we just want some tea and and partner in crime. I must say, it have time.” Inside was an array Every morning, it presided over key lime pie,” I said. “We’ve been got us out of a couple of jams, and of clothing fit for everything from what Jocelyn called the “paint by dreaming about key lime pie all day. accepted a few more withdrawal slips an Arctic expedition to a tropical number” ritual. We would line up We’ll sit at that table in the shadows before we left Florida. safari. We laughed our way through our bottles of sun block which ranged and we’ll eat fast. You do have key Flying back over the border, we the repacking of her bag, and finally from a number four to a number thirty, lime pie, don’t you?” imagined the Bank of Paper Bag our luggage was ready for the taxi. and assess which parts of us needed “Yes, but I can’t serve you. I’ll grinning conspiratorially between the “I hope you remembered your what number, and then proceed to get into trouble.” He lowered his frothy night gown and the Captain traveler’s cheques,” I said. With that, paint each other accordingly. voice, pointing at the bag. “Is that . Al’s tee shirt in Jocelyn’s luggage. No she grabbed the crumpled paper bag It sat between us as we fantasized . .” one stopped us at customs, and the and dumped its contents on the floor. meeting a millionaire who would take “It’s tea,” said Jocelyn, grabbing bag with its contents was deposited in Out tumbled a profusion of one dollar us out for dinner, and got sat on rather my baggie of chamomile flowers, and Jocelyn’s bank, giddy from the secret bills followed by twos, fives, tens, rudely by one of us in a laughing fit feigning indignation, no, righteous journey. Definitely laid back money, twenties and fifties. The bag was full when it actually happened, and we indignation bordering on tantrum. we agreed. to bulging with money. Canadian were escorted to the finest meal by the “Now, if you please, we’d like some When I visit Jocelyn in Ottawa, money. nicest of gentlemen. key lime pie!” The young man threw and we are sipping hot chocolate and “I didn’t have time to do the bank It never came to the beach with up his arms in frustration and said indulging in Trillium Chelsea buns, deposit either.” us or dancing, or to the swimming the S word. He then did something we remember our gold dust days. My mouth was agape. “This is pool, but sat perkily on the night stand unexpected. And we still laugh about our Florida Bakery money?” between our beds and listened to our He jumped off the porch, adventure and the Bank of Paper Bag. “Well, that, and some cash I laughter at the end of each day as we instructed us to managed to scratch together for the relived our adventures. follow him, and took

TRILLIUM RECIPES Florida Key Lime Pie Canadian Key Lime Pie

Have ready 1 baked pie shell. (OK to use regular limes or lemons) Then pre-heat oven to 350º F. Have a prepared baked pie shell ready. Mix together: 15 oz. sweetened condensed milk Combine: 1 tablespoon grated key lime rind 1 can sweetened condensed milk ½ cup key lime juice 1/3 cup lime or lemon juice ¼ teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon grated lime or lemon rind 2 slightly beaten egg yolks ¼ teaspoon salt

Whisk together until thickened. Stir until thick. Pour into pie shell. Pour into pie crust. Cover with meringue (two egg whites beaten Chill for 2 to 3 hours. until stiff; add two tablespoons of sugar) Garnish with whipped cream and more Bake until meringue is golden grated rind or a little shaved chocolate. (approximately 15 minutes Jocelyn LeRoy Page 44 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR JAN 2010 Do You Have A Financial Plan For 2010? By Bob Jamieson are appropriate for your needs and your full 2010 contribution into simple terms, an estate is everything risk tolerance, and that your portfolio your RRSP as early in the new year you own – including real estate, any people use the is properly diversified. Keep in mind, as possible, or finish off 2009 if you investments and other property, as opportunity of a new year though, that diversification does not haven’t already. If you can’t make a well as the debts you owe. An effective as a fresh start for various guarantee a profit or protect against large lump sump contribution at the estate plan will not only make it clear M loss. start of 2010, set up a periodic plan who gets what, but ensure that your aspects of their lives – one of the most common is starting a new fitness The set-backs of 2008 and recovery that allows you to contribute monthly. assets are distributed efficiently and as regimen. which has started in 2009 have shown If you have unused contribution room tax-effectively as possible. A financial When it comes to your financial health that, although we will always have from the past, formulate a plan to make advisor can help you create an estate it’s also a good idea to start quickly if unanticipated events in the stock up for those missed contributions in plan. Some specific expertise will also you want to be well positioned to take market, they should not interfere 2010. You’ll boost retirement savings be required from a lawyer and a tax advantage of what 2010 has to offer. with your longer-term planning. and reduce next year’s tax bill. Also professional. Your financial advisor The first step is to conduct a Having a sound long-term investment try to accelerate your Home Buyers can coordinate gathering their input thorough review of your financial strategy is critical. For example, all Plan repayments if you can. and incorporating it into your plan. life. Unless you know where you major asset classes should continue If you’re in a lower tax bracket, There may be more you can are today, you won’t be able to to be considered for your portfolio: or you can no longer contribute to an do today to get ready for 2010. map out a strategy for tomorrow. don’t just retreat to cash or GICs. RRSP, you should definitely consider Speak with your financial advisor You can start by making sure that Of course, you should invest every a Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA). to determine what actions you can your goals and objectives remain year to keep your portfolio growing. If you didn’t contribute in 2009 you take now to get yourself financially viable and realistic. And it’s very That means your spending, savings can put in up to $10,000 in 2010, and positioned as effectively as you can important to be clear on these, and borrowing should be under you can choose whatever investment for this year and beyond, or give me a ensuring they’re well-defined and in control. Examine your income you’re comfortable with and which call at 613-526-3030. line with your current circumstances and spending to see how you can provides you the maximum return (and ** RETIREMENT PLANNING in life. It’s especially important to divert more to investments in 2010 thus the most tax saved). A discussion SEMINAR - Jan28th. Please call to revisit your financial objectives if – there are some excellent buying you could have your financial advisor reserve a seat.** you’ve recently experienced major opportunities for 2010, but they may is whether – based on your personal developments in your life, such as not be exactly the same as a year ago. circumstances – you should contribute Bob Jamieson, CFP. marriage, a change in employment, Another action you can take early in to your TFSA, RRSP or both. Edward Jones, Member CIPF the birth of a child, or retirement. the new year is to make a Registered One last item to consider is your In trying to achieve your goals, you’ll Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) estate plan. Estate planning affects want to ensure that your investments contribution. Work on a plan to get everyone, regardless of wealth. In

Rehabilitation Work Along The Rideau Canal Pathway

he National Capital Commission (NCC), in collaboration with Parks Canada, wishes to advise the public of rehabilitation work on three Tdifferent sites along the Rideau Canal pathway. This work will begin immediately and run until end of May 2010. Motorists will not be affected by this work. Work will include repairs to the Canal walls, pathway reconstruction, replacement of railings and lampposts.

Site 1 – Colonel By Drive (South of Dow’s Lake)

The pathway located along this portion of the Canal will be closed to pathway users over a length of 40 metres. Signage will be in place to guide users through the detour located on the south side of Colonel By Drive. Work has already started and will last until end of May 2010.

Site 2 – Queen Elizabeth Drive (West of Bank Street Bridge)

The pathway segment along this section of the Canal will be closed to pathway users over a length of 950 metres and a detour will be in place on the existing sidewalk located north of Queen Elizabeth Drive, from west of Bank Street Bridge to east of Bronson Avenue Bridge. This work starts today and will end in May 2010.

Site 3 – Colonel By Drive (West of Bank Street Bridge)

A short detour will take pathway users around the construction area. The work will begin March 1, 2010 and will be completed end of April 2010.

Signage will be put up along the Rideau Canal pathway at the entrance of each site to direct and inform users of the work.

The NCC asks that pathway users exercise caution, obey the signs and take pathway detours during the work period. For more information, the public may contact the NCC at 613-239-5000, 1-800-465-1867, 613-239-5090 (TTY) or 1-866-661-3530 (toll-free TTY) or visit the NCC’s website at www.canadascapital.gc.ca. JAN 2010 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR Page 45

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE LIBRARIES Alta Vista Branch Library Alta Vista Library Adult yarn and good cheer. No need for Mondays, 6:00-7:30 p.m. 14 h (45 min.)* Programs expertise, we knit for the pleasure of Tuesdays, Beginner 1:00-2:00 p.m. Online registration begins Jan it. Intermediate 2:00-3:00 p.m. SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR 6, 2010: Saturday, Jan 2, 10:30 a.m. (1.5 hr.) CHILDREN www.biblioottawalibrary.ca Wednesday, Jan 13, 6:30 p.m.(1.5 hr.) Programs Offered At The Alta Vista Library Winter magic or call 613-737-2837 x28 French Conversation Group Programmes Offerts A La Make your own bird feeder and Improve your spoken French in a Bibliotheque Alta Vista warm up with winter songs and Book Banter relaxed setting. For those with an stories. All ages. Drop in to share the enjoyment of intermediate level of French. Pre-School/Prescolaire Saturday, January 23, 2 p.m. (45 good books in a relaxed atmosphere. Tuesdays, Jan 12 - May 18 min.)* Thursdays, 2:00 p.m. (1 hr.) 6:30 p.m. (1.5 hrs.) Babytime Jan 7: Ella Minnow Pea For babies and their parent or N.B. Registration for winter by Mark Dunn Advanced Spanish Conversation caregiver with stories, rhymes, songs programs starts on January 16./ Feb 4: The Hour I First Believed Practice your conversational Spanish and activities. Ages 0-18 months. L’inscription pour les programmes by Wally Lamb with other advanced learners. Wednesdays, January 20-February d’hiver commence le 16 janvier./ Alternate Wednesdays, Jan 13-May 24, April 14-May 19, 10:30 a.m. (30 Registration for March break Tuesday Book Group 19 min.)* programs starts on February 10./ Share the enjoyment of good books 6:30 p.m. (1 hr.) L’inscription pour les programmes in Toddlertime du congé d’hiver commence le 10 a relaxed atmosphere. Join us for a Computer Tutorials For toddlers and a parent or caregiver février./ Programs followed by an * discussion of the best in non-fiction. Gain computer skills and get answers with stories, rhymes, songs and require registration. / L’inscription Jan 12, 26, Feb 9, 23, March 9, 23, to your questions. This one-on-one activities. Ages 18-35 months. est requise pour les programmes April 6, 20, May 4, 18. session will help you learn to use Mondays, January 18-February 8, suivis d’un *. The address of the 7 p.m. (1.5 hrs.) the internet and send email. February 22, April 12-May 17, 10:30 Alta Vista Library is 2516 Alta Vista Alternate Thursdays, Jan 14-Apr 22 a.m. (30 min.)* and Drive, Ottawa and the phone number How to Start a Home-Based 10:30 – 11:00 a.m. Thursdays, January 21-February 25, of the Alta Vista Library 613-737- Business April 15-May 20, 10:30 a.m. (30 2837./ L’adresse de la bibliothèque Topics include registration and taxes, Library Online min.)* Alta Vista est le 2516, promenade marketing, and how to plan your Learn to use OPL’s online resources. Alta Vista, Ottawa et son numéro de business for success. Search for library material using Storytime téléphone est le 613-737-2837. Wednesdays, Jan 13 & Jan 20 BiblioCommons, find newspaper and Stories and rhymes for young 6:30 p.m. (1.5 hrs.) magazine articles in our databases, children-parents and caregivers are Program registration will be done and learn about our online welcome to join. Ages 3-6. on-line only. Ottawa Public Library Infusions littéraires audiobooks (Bilingual) Tuesdays, January cards are needed to register on- Partager une tasse de thé ou de and e-books. 19-Feburary 23-April 13-May 18, line. Children’s library cards tisane en discutant de livres. Alternate Thursdays, Jan 21 – Apr 29 10:30 a.m. (45 min.)* and are required for registration of Les mardis, 14 h (1 hr.) 10:30-11:00 a.m. (Bilingual) Wednesdays, January children’s programs. L’inscription 19 jan : La traversée de la ville 20-February 24, April 14-May 19, 2 des programmes est faite de Michel Tremblay Using Ancestry Library p.m. (45 min.)* seulement en ligne. Les cartes de Tips on the content and use of this Contes la bibliothèque publique d’Ottawa Alta Vista Sleuth Hounds popular genealogy database. Contes et rimes pour les enfants. sont requises pour l’inscription en Share the enjoyment of good Wednesday, Feb 3, 10:00 a.m. (2 Parents et fournisseurs de soins sont ligne des programmes et les cartes mysteries in a relaxed atmosphere. hrs.) les bienvenus. Pour les 3 à 6 ans. de bibliothèque des enfants sont Join us for a discussion! (Bilingue) Les mardis, 19 janvier-23 requises pour l’inscription aux Thursday, Jan 21, 6:30 p.m. (1.5 hrs) English Conversation Group février-13 avril-18 mai , 10 h 30 (45 programmes d’enfants. Improve your English and meet new min.)* et Knit 2 Together Friends. In partnership with (Bilingue) Les mercredis, 20 Love to knit? Bring your needles, Somali Family Services. janvier-24 février, 14 avril-19 mai,

Elmvale Acres Branch Library Elmvale Acres Branch of the with the Conseil économique et Jan. 19, 26 Game On Teens Ottawa Public Library - December social d’Ottawa-Carleton. Challenge your friends to get gaming and January Programs Registration. Toddlertime on the Wii for bragging rights 1910 St-Laurent Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. (90 min.) Wednesdays, 10:15 a.m. (30 min.) Ages 10-14 613-738-0619 December 2, 9, 16 December 2, 9, 16 Wednesday January 27, 4-5pm (1hr) January 6, 13, 20, 27 Jan. 20, 27 Adult programs: NEWCOMERS/ Learning to Love from Passion to Storytime NOUVEAUX English Conversation for Compassion Mondays, 10:15 a.m. (40 min.) ARRIVANTS Newcomers Attend this series of informal December 7, 14 Improve your English and meet new workshops that focus on Jan. 18, 25 How to Sponsor Your Family to friends in a relaxed setting. This compassionate communication by Come to Canada program is offered bringing together passionate love School Aged programs Learn how to sponsor a family in partnership with the Conseil (Eros) and spiritual love (Agape). member. économique et social d’Ottawa- Activities include guided meditation Frontier College Reading Circle Carleton. and creating rapport. Registration. Volunteers will help your child to How to Prepare for Your Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. (90 min.) Monday December 7, 6:30 p.m. (90 love books and become a better Canadian Citizenship December 1, 8 min.) reader through stories and games One-on-one help to prepare for the January 5, 12, 19, 26 Ages 6-8 citizenship test. These programs Early year programs for children: Saturdays, 2 p.m. (1hr) are offered in cooperation with FSL Conversation December 5, 12, 19 the Lebanese Arab Social Services Improve your French and meet new Babytime Jan. 23, 30 Agency. Call 613-286-9328 to book friends in a relaxed setting. This Tuesdays, 10:15 a.m. (30 min.) an appointment. program is offered in partnership December 1, 8, 15 Page 46 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR JAN 2010

CLASSY ADS

CLASSY ADS are free for Old Ottawa South residents (except for businesses or for business activity) and must be submitted in writing to: The OSCAR, at the Old Firehall, 260 Sunnyside, or sent by email to [email protected] by the deadline. Your name and contact information (phone number or email address) must be included. Only your contact info will appear unless you specify otherwise. The editor retains the right to edit or exclude submissions. The OSCAR takes no responsibility for items, services or accurary. For business advertising inquiries, call 730-1058.

Looking for furnished accommodation For Sale for two months - May 1 – June 30, Looking For I Clean Corners! Military 2010. Two professional women, non- wife with excellent references Selling: 24” white stove, spotless smokers, with small non-shedding and rates is a top-notch $250; ironing board with new cover Wanted: frig, to fit space 65” high and dog. We are residents of OOS (our 32” wide. (613) 730-4804 cleaner seeking new clients in Old $25 . (613) 730-4804 own house will be rented until end Ottawa South, Glebe, Sandy Hill area. ------of June 2010). References available. Help wanted with snow shoveling. I have my own transportation. Please Two palette knife oil paintings Contact: [email protected]. call or e-mail:Jamie Brandon, jamie. of fishing villages in Spain Please writefriedman145@hotmail. ------com. [email protected] or 613 (613) (Torremolinos) - 15 x 17 inches with House for Rent: Old Ottawa South, pickled pine frames. $15 each. Also, Found 1 block from the canal, 3 blocks To Give Away a two burner electric hot plate - just from Bank St. Lovely house with plug in and use. Great for a cottage or 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, finished 252-5081 during a kitchen renovation. Like new basement, garage,fenced backyard Child’s bike, yellow and blue frame - still in box. $20. Call 613-730-1163 with deck. Newly painted, with 6 Free Piano -- original Heintzman & after 5 p.m. (or see photo), was abandoned at appliances, high-effeciency gas Windsor Park for most of Nov. Co. upright, once had player piano ------heat, hardwood, tiles, and carpets. mechanism. Comes with interesting Four 205/60R16 snow tires, excellent Claimant to contact Brian at 613-730- Available Feb 1, 2010 for minimum 1 1234. (see photo below) folklore. You arrange and pay for condition, $250. 613-233-3729 year lease. $1900 + utilities. Call 613- move. Carrol or Jim Robb, 613-730- Accommodation 730-9986. Services 4013. Around Town Bicycle Found at Winter Propagation Workshop to Sunday after lunch. Leader: Attention: All Members Of Windsor Park February 23 from 7:00-9:00 The Rev. Glenda Meakin Place: The Adoption Community! p.m. we offer a hands-on Maison Notre-Dame-de-la- The next public information Fall 2009 workshop where you will Providence, 1754 St. Joseph meeting of Parent Finders learn how to take and care for Blvd, Orleans, Ontario Ottawa, a search and support winter (hardwood) cuttings of Cost: $185includes group for all members of the your favourite evergreen and accommodation, meals and adoption community will be deciduous shrubs. Starting trees retreat.Registration by: February held on Thursday January 14th, shrubs and perennials from seed 12. Contact: Reta Hamilton at 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at the Bronson will also demonstrated. The 613-838-2401 or meditation.r@ Centre (Formerly Immaculata lecture is presented by Robert gmail.com High School), 211 Bronson Glendenning of Agriculture Avenue, Ottawa. This location Agri-Food Canada and will Comhaltas (Ottawa) Irish Ceili is between Lisgar and Nepean, be held in Building 72, on the Dance - Saturday, January just north of Somerset Street. Central Experimental Farm just 16th, 8:00 - 11:30 p.m. Take OC Transpo bus #85. Free off the east exit of the Prince Blessed Sacrament Church Hall, parking in rear! of Wales traffic circle. Space 194 Fourth Ave., Ottawa. Dance Ontario’s new Adoption is limited. The cost is $12 or just listen to live traditional Disclosure Law now permits for FCEF members and $15 Irish music by the Ottawa adult adoptees and birth parents for non members. To register Ceili Band. Special guests to gain access to information or for information please call Sons of Scotland Pipe Major, about each other. To learn more, 613-230-3276 or email info@ Bethany Bisaillion and the plan to attend the meeting. friendsofthefarm.ca Comhaltas adult dancers from For more information call our ceili and solo programmes. 613-730-8305 or check www. Listening to the Daily News Singles welcome. Door prizes. parentfindersottawa.ca with a Contemplative Heart - a Refreshments. Information: 819- Silent Weekend Retreat: 684-3567. March 5-7, Friday 7:00 p.m. JAN 2010 The OSCAR - OUR 37th YEAR Page 47 YourMarketplace

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