The OSCAR l December 2019 Page 1 THE OSCAR www.BankDentistry.com 613.241.1010 The South Community Association Review l The Community Voice Year 47, No. 11 December 2019

Why is retail struggling in OOS? See story on page 6

PHOTO BY BRENDAN MCCOY

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Breakfast Sun, Dec. 1, 16:00 Advent Carol Service with the Trinity Anglican Church Choir With Santa Wed, Dec. 4, 12:00 Doors Open for Music - Celebrating Clara We will have free pancakes for the Wieck Schumann, Southminster United first 150 people! There will also be Sat, Dec. 7, 10:00 - 15:00 MAC Fair, Immaculata High School face-painting, cookie decorating, crafts and...of course, a visit from Sat, Dec. 7, 13:00-15:00 Holiday Skate, Ice Santa! FREE House ADMISSION! Representatives from the Ottawa Food Bank will Sat, Dec. 7, 16:30 Music at Trinity: Sing Me Christmas, with be present and collecting donations. We ask that, baritone Luc Lalonde, Trinity Anglican if possible, you make a monetary donation to the Sat, Dec. 7, 19:00 Piano and Cello Concert Benefit for Food Bank in lieu of an admission fee for the Polaris Waldorf School, Southminster breakfast. Sun, Dec. 8, 10:30 Scandinavian Santa Lucia Procession, Sunday, December 8, 2019 Southminster United 10:30AM-12:30PM at the Firehall (260 Sunnyside Ave.) Sun, Dec. 8, 10:30-12:30 OSCA Breakfast with Santa, The Firehall Sun, Dec. 8, 14:30 Fall Choral Workshop Presents J.S. Bach, Southminster United Sun, Dec, 8. 14:00-17:00 Write for Rights, Southminster United Winter Program Sun, Dec. 8, 16:00 Christmas Offering with Hypatia’s Voice Women’s Choir, Trinity Anglican Wed, Dec. 11, 12:00 Doors Open for Music - Peter And The Registration Wolf, Southminster United Preschool, child, and youth registration opens Fri, Dec. 13, 12:00-2:00 OSCA Afternoon Tea Party December 4th at NOON in-person and online Sat, Dec. 14, 16:30 Christmas Concert with The Glebelles, Adult registration opens December 5th at Trinity Anglican NOON in-person and online Sat, Dec. 14, 19:30 Stairwell Carollers “An a capella Christmas,” Southminster United Check out our 2020 Wed, Dec. 18, 10:00-12:00 OSCA Adult Music Jam, The Firehall Winter Guide for program listings! Wed, Dec. 18, 12:00 Doors Open for Music Vivaldi’s Magnificat, Southminster United Sun, Dec. 22, 16:00 Christmas with the Caelis Academy Ensemble, Trinity Anglican Sun, Dec. 22, 19:00 Miracle on Benefit Concert, Mayfair Theatre www.oldottawasouth.ca To see the latest listings, go to the online events calendar at www.oldottawasouth.ca Page 2 The OSCAR l December 2019

BUSINESS BEAT

Anniversaries & a Pomelo Hat PHOTOS BY BRENDAN MCCOY We don’t have a lot of items that recently that it became clear what is need dry-cleaning, but the few going in. As of this writing, a small times that we have brought stuff in, sign has gone up in the window service has always been great. And I announcing the imminent opening especially love the additional service of Pomelo Hat, a juice bar and cafe. of alterations and repairs that they offer According to the sign, they will also be in-house. With 3 kids, this is a service serving sandwiches. we actually use quite frequently and The pomelo is a large citrus fruit the staff that do the repairs always do a native to South and Southeast Asia. great job. Intrigued by the name, I did a little bit of googling and discovered that a

By Erik van der Torre This month is my last chance to highlight two anniversaries that were A relatively short Business Beat this brought to my attention at some point month, as there is not a ton to report earlier in the year. And if you want to regarding OOS businesses. That, and include the fact that Alteriors has been I have been a little bit preoccupied in business for exactly 10 years this with my new part-time role as OSCA’s year, albeit not all 10 in OOS, I guess it Douvris - 35 Years “pomelo hat” is in fact just that: a hat Communications and Marketing would be 3 anniversaries... Exactly half as old as Hillary’s is made out of a pomelo. Apparently Coordinator. I am pretty excited about Douvris, the Karate & Fitness dojo this is a common tradition during the taking on this new challenge and one Hillary’s - 70 Years right across the street. From the Taiwanese Moon Festival, during of my (many) goals is to continue to You read that correctly: Hillary’s website: “DOUVRIS Bank Street is which pomelos are abundant and strengthen the relationship between our Drycleaners was founded way back owned and operated by brothers, karate frequently consumed. And wearing the “regular” community and the business in 1949! Founded by Fraser Hillary, champions, and Master Senseis John rind as a hat has become something of community. And continuing to write the current company has had several and Peter Douvris. Together, they have a tradition. If anything, it makes me the BB for the OSCAR is definitely locations throughout Ottawa, and been sharing their passion for karate that much more curious about what the part of that plan. is an institution in the city and our neighbourhood. with their Ottawa community since place will be like, and what if any, food opening their first DOUVRIS location and cultural inspirations they will be in 1984.” drawing from. Douvris is one of those community hubs. Although our one kid who Business Beat is a monthly feature joined karate about a year ago is old that highlights new and existing enough to go to and from the dojo by businesses in . himself, the few times that I have gone Opinions are my own. If you know in to watch, I tend to run into half the of any new businesses opening up or neighbourhood. And it’s easy to see want to share your thoughts about why as our experience has been that existing businesses, send a note to: Douvris really does instill a great sense [email protected]. of confidence and focus, and provides an excellent outlet for excess energy! Erik van der Torre has lived in Old Pomelo Hat - Juice Bar Ottawa South with his wife and Not an anniversary, but some new three sons for over 10 years. He is business news! I had noticed that the a member of Hopewell Avenue PS’ “for lease” sign at 1196 Bank Street Parent Council and OSCA’s Traffic (right next to Planet of Sound) had & Safety Committee, and is OSCA’s been gone for a while, but it was only Communications and Marketing Coordinator.

CENTRETOWN'S 37 FLORA AT BANK NEIGHBOURHOOD BREWERY & KITCHEN FLORAHALLBREWING.CA The OSCAR l December 2019 Page 3

NEWS Another miracle coming to the Mayfair Many people coming from miles around To hear you play your music when the sun go down Maybe someday your name will be in lights Saying “Johnny B. Goode tonight” - Chuck Berry By Ian Mortimer event for us, with father-son, brother- brother, brother-sister and mother-son The idea for our annual show started combinations all taking the stage for with Chuck Berry shaping my dream of performances through the first two years seeing my name in lights, specifically of the show. in this case on the marquee billboard Our band line up for this year’s outside the grand old cornerstone of our Miracle On Bank Street 3 (December stretch of Bank, the Mayfair Theatre. 22nd) will be led by Erik Lind (Erik The romantic idea of a light snow Lind and the Orchard) on lead vocals falling outside, while family and friends and guitar, Ryan Tansley (Little Stella) rocked out and celebrated the holidays on Vocals and Drums, Brian Tansley with us inside the theatre, had sat in my (Carleton U) on sax, Zach Legerwood mind for many years before I floated it (Little Stella) on bass, Diana Derek to good pal Erik Lind a few years back. (Reform) on vocals, Nick Deek (U Luckily, a shared cultural diet of Ottawa) on keys, with myself on guitar Capra’s George Bailey running down and vocals as well as special guests. the boulevard of Bedford Falls and All are welcome to join for the show, Scorsese’s Last Waltz, meant Erik December 22 at 7pm. Drinks will be basically said, “Yes, let’s do it,” before available for purchase, as well as snacks I could get the whole idea out of my and popcorn. All proceeds from the mouth. show go to motionball Ottawa which Out of this conversation the annual raises money for Special Olympics “Miracle on Bank Street” was born in Canada, a charity to which I have a 2017, a show raising funds for Special close and long attachment. Olympics which brings together a one- On the 22nd, if you are up for some night-only band to the Mayfair Theater. cheer and a great night spent in our The sets are filled with a variety of iconic Old Ottawa South theatre, look Christmas, Canadiana and rock classics for our name in lights and join us for as well as some other Mayfair-rocking another Miracle on Bank Street. anthems close to our hearts. Tickets available at the door We intentionally have scheduled for $20 or online at: www. the Miracle every year right-close to miracleonbankstreet3.eventbrite.ca Christmas to fully embrace the special time of year, with the hope that friends Ian Mortimer is the Director of and strangers can enjoy the great Development at Canoe Kayak theatre, music, warm company and Canada, the former Director and a few drinks to toast the heart of the founder of motionball Ottawa and holiday season. It is also a big family resident of Old Ottawa South.

City’s Urban Design Awards Recognizes the Flora Footbridge

At the 2019 Ottawa Urban Design Awards a jury of three independent experts assessed submissions in six categories and bestowed two (of eight) Awards of Excellence to the Flora Footbridge in the categories of “Urban Elements” and “Public Places & Civic Spaces.” PHOTO BY BRENDAN MCCOY Page 4 The OSCAR l December 2019

NEWS A fresh start for Capital Daycare By Gabriela Perdomo and activities. This service will also allow Capital to switch from using January will mark the beginning of paper towels to wash cloths. In terms a new era for Capital Daycare, as of programming, AFCS is planning the former cooperative officially to train Capital’s staff in outdoor amalgamates with Andrew Fleck educational experiences, and is looking Children Services (AFCS). The for opportunities for nature exploration merger of our local daycare – which with the children in nearby green has been operating for over 45 years spaces. in the basement of Trinity Anglican The decision to amalgamate with Church – and the largest non-profit AFCS was not an easy one for the childcare provider in the Capital Daycare community. The bodes well for the future of one of elected Board of Directors and staff our neighbourhood’s most cherished agonized over hours of discussions, institutions. many of them emotional and difficult, Since parents and staff voted in for well over two years. The final favour of amalgamation last May, Potential renovations at the Capital Day Care Centre at Trinity Anglican decision to go with AFCS came AFCS has been actively involved in Church at Bank St. and Cameron Ave. ILLUSTRATION BY CSV ARCHITECTS with some hard compromises. Yet upgrading the centre and sketching harmonious relationship ever since. Capital one of few centres in Ottawa as the date of official amalgamation Capital’s future in consultation with AFCS and Trinity have wasted offering much-needed infant care. approaches, there is no question that Trinity. Under the leadership of no time planning for their future In the meantime the toddler and AFCS is committed to Capital’s long- Reverend Arran Thorpe, the Church partnership. The two are currently in pre-school programs have already term health. Some in the community has renewed its commitment to conversations with CSV Architects received new carpets, tables and might have seen the decision to join maintaining Capital Daycare in the to renovate the daycare space, toddler couches, electronic tablets, AFCS as a capitulation in the face of building and is working closely with playground, and shared spaces. The and a fresh coat of paint. New blinds adversity and an abandonment of the AFCS. Although Capital Daycare plans include moving the daycare now hang from the large windows, cooperative model and its values. The operates independently, the centre’s from the large room where it currently which has made naptime a bit easier truth is that the daycare cooperative origin story is linked to Trinity. The operates into a series of adjacent for preschoolers and educators alike. model has been unravelling for well daycare was originally founded by rooms currently underused by the The children’s bathrooms have been over a decade in our city, and only the Church in 1973 as a response Church. The renovated space would recently upgraded, and new gates were a handful of centres are now able to shifting societal needs, as more fit the existing toddler and preschool installed outside, effectively increasing to survive under this ideal. This women in the neighbourhood joined programs, and there are plans to the outdoor play area and creating two became painfully clear as the Ottawa the workforce and more families create an additional infant program by separate spaces so that both toddlers Federation of Child Care Centres, looked for quality childcare in the involving the community and the city and preschoolers can now enjoy fresh a coalition of cooperative daycares area. The two organizations have had a in this initiative – this would make air in the afternoon, instead of taking that had sustained several centres in turns. In addition, the Church has been Ottawa dissolved earlier this year, replacing all of its roofs, and Capital leaving each centre to deal with has applied for city funding to fully heavy administrative duties and staff renovate the centre’s kitchen. taking on more work that they could Those familiar with the daycare will possibly bear, with no clear path for perhaps remember the large hockey their future. AFCS’s interest in Capital bag carrying soiled linen and kitchen Daycare arrived at a crucial time towels that parents had to wash as part when the future of our daycare was of their co-op duties. Through an AFCS in danger. This partnership ensures connection, laundry service is now that Capital’s outstanding staff, in done off site by students attending the coordination with Trinity and the Community Living (developmentally surrounding community, will continue disabled) Class ‘Sunny Room 13’ to provide quality childcare care in at Public School. our neighbourhood for many years to Capital pays the students for their come. service and the students use the money for special outings and activities. Gabriela Perdomo is an Old Ottawa The initiative is a win-win, as South resident and former member the class is contributing and in turn of Capital Daycare’s Board of earning money for special lunches Directors. . o l d t a w s u h c w The OSCAR l December 2019 Page 5

NEWS OSEG wants all of By John Dance “confusion.” Under the OSEG proposal the private The Ottawa Sports and Entertainment firm would set rental rates and fees for Group (OSEG) seeks control over all the City-owned facilities but the City of the Lansdowne Park site in addition would continue to be responsible for to the western half with the stadium, all capital and maintenance costs. The arena, offices and stores that it already City’s “baseline expense for ongoing controls but residents, Councillor [park] operations will, generally, be the and local community current cost to the City of maintaining associations are pushing back. and programming …,” the OSEG Currently, City staff manage the proposal says although if there are green eastern half of the site with its incremental revenues there is the two heritage buildings, Aberdeen potential of a reduction of the City’s Councillor Shawn Menard addressed a rally in front of City Hall, demanding Square, the play and skateboard operating costs. full consultation on OSEG’s proposed takeover of the City’s programming of areas, the orchard, the “great lawn,” As a result of the amended FEDCO the Lansdowne urban park. PHOTO BY JOHN DANCE and the outdoor rink and basketball recommendation, key protections of court. OSEG now wants overall site criticizing the proposed transfer, the stadium and the arena, additional the Ottawa Farmers’ Market and some programming responsibility for this “couldn’t get over how many people retail construction costs and higher community and non-profit use of the area. are still fighting the Lansdowne than anticipated start-up costs, OSEG urban park will be ensured regardless OSEG’s request was sent to City redevelopment deal,” the Ottawa will not receive repayment of $102 of the fate of OSEG’s proposal. manager Steve Kanellakos in late Citizen reported. “These are like the million that it has contributed. Given Included in what OSEG wants September and his office responded same people that are probably fighting current attendance, the City will get as “broader, more diversified and by drafting a report recommending the metric system,” Watson said after none of the $60 million that it was to amplified programming,” are that the City manager be delegated the the meeting. receive for its investment. “Octoberfest, Scarefest, [and] authority to negotiate the requested This comment prompted Mount To increase revenues, OSEG wants the possible return of the Ottawa transfer. This recommendation was to Pleasant Avenue residents Alan and to attract a million more visitors to Exhibition.” be considered on November 5 by the Janet Barnes to write to him noting, Lansdowne each year and argues that The FEDCO report noted that there Finance and Economic Development “Your suggestion that those who its takeover of the programming of the were no environmental implications Committee (FEDCO), chaired by question the OSEG bid to take over City’s side of the park would allow associated with OSEG’s taking over Mayor Watson, and the next day be the programing of the City portion of this. Specifically, OSEG says its much programming responsibilities but at considered by full City council. the park are ‘the same people that are larger staff (140 versus the City’s 3) the public meeting residents said an Upon learning of this plan, on probably fighting the metric system’ and their expertise will lead to better extra million people will affect nearby October 22 Menard hastily convened is unworthy of a person in your office. overall management of the park. Also, neighbourhoods. a meeting of the Lansdowne Denigrating and dismissing those who OESG argues that having just one party Community Consultation Group, might disagree with you is not what we managing the whole site will eliminate John Dance is a resident of Old with representation from OSEG and expect from the Mayor of Ottawa.” Ottawa East. the three neighbouring community “The recommendation by City staff associations, to understand what was that Council authorize negotiations Full Service Real Estate being proposed and its rationale. with OSEG to turn over programing OSEG had not previously raised the was grossly premature,” wrote Alan proposed takeover with this group nor and Janet Barnes. “Whether intended Barry Humphrey had it previously discussed changes or not, such a move would create Sales Representative to Aberdeen Square – such as its strong pressure for Council to approve renaming to Casino Lac-Leamy Plaza whatever agreement was negotiated. PROFESSIONAL SERVICE – that were announced by the City in If this course had been followed, the DOESN’T HAVE TO BE EXPENSIVE! Listing September. OSEG bid would have had the effect Following the consultation group’s of pre-empting the public discussion of Full Service Includes: ® meeting, Community the future of Lansdowne programing ✔ Local MLS and Realtor.ca Websites Commission% ✔ Professional Photos ✔ Personal Website 1 Association with the support of the Old that was just getting underway.” ✔ ✔ Ottawa South and East associations As outlined in OSEG’s letter Open Houses Lawn Signs ✔ Advertising ✔ Staging ✔ Market Updates quickly organized a public meeting requesting the transfer of all held in the Horticulture Building on programming, the part of the park October 28 where OSEG presented that it manages is not generating the its proposal and about 500 attendees revenues that OSEG anticipated and, voiced their concerns about the coupled with additional expenses proposal and the lack of consultation. OSEG incurred for enhancements to This led to the FEDCO meeting on November 5 when 41 public JUST SOLD JUST SOLD delegations provided their perspectives MOONEY’S BAY on the proposed transfer. Only two of Seller Saved* Over $20,000 Seller Saved* Over $10,000 the delegations spoke in favour of the proposition. WOW! At the initiation of Menard, who Just look at the Savings.* like all other urban councillors, is not When you list with Barry you a member of FEDCO, an amended receive Complete Full Service recommendation was proposed to and and Save* Thousands of $$$$ approved by the committee. City staff JUST SOLD in Commission Fees. will now be obliged to consult with GLEBE PENTHOUSE Why are you paying more ? Seller Saved* Over $40,000 the community, no longer will have delegated authority to negotiate the transfer with OSEG and a report based on the “exploratory discussions and [email protected] consultations” is to be brought back to View My Website: FEDCO by next June. 613.230.8888 613.296.6060 Direct www.BarryHumphrey.ca Mayor Jim Watson, who chairs FEDCO and who left council chambers Over 30 Years of Experience and Knowledge while most of the delegations were Not intended to solicit Sellers or Buyers on contract. *Savings based on paying a hypothetical 5% commission. Page 6 The OSCAR l December 2019

Why is retail struggling in OOS? By Laura Byrne Paquet lip balm. That foot traffic is key for many It’s hard to miss them as you walk small businesses, especially those along Bank Street between the that can’t afford much advertising. and the Rideau River: Someone might not realize they need a a worrying number of “for lease” and scarf, book or picture frame until they “vacant” signs in storefronts large and see one in a window as they’re walking small. Like missing teeth in a smile, by. they make the whole feel incomplete. Restaurants, service businesses So why are so many retail spaces and public institutions can also becoming vacant in Old Ottawa South generate foot traffic. Coffee shops, the and remaining empty for so long? No Sunnyside branch of the Ottawa Public one has the one magical answer, but Library, banks, churches and health- after doing some research, I’ve come care offices draw pedestrians onto up with a few theories. Bank Street quite regularly, too. A few more “anchor businesses” Internet shopping would be handy, but there are several According to a 2019 study by obstacles to attracting one. First, such eMarketer, Canadians are expected stores often require a large building or to spend $64.56 billion on online building site, and OOS doesn’t have shopping this year. That’s a 21.1 many of those. And second, adjacent percent jump from 2018. The study’s neighbourhoods already have many authors predict e-commerce will of the sorts of businesses we lack, account for 10 percent of all retail sales such as hardware stores and large in Canada this year. Brick-and-mortar supermarkets, and retailers are usually stores of all sizes across the country wary of trying to carve out a place in a are feeling the impact of those lost market that’s already fairly well served. customers. Brian Montgomery, owner of Oat Couture Oatmeal Café/Montgomery Anchor stores Scotch Lounge, says an initial step Thank goodness for Cedars & could be to poll OOS residents to find Company and Shoppers Drug Mart. out what sorts of stores they want PHOTO BY BRENDAN MCCOY Those two stores, at opposite ends of to see in the neighbourhood. With that information, he says, it might be our retail strip, draw people out day property owners received a 30-percent possible to work with the city to entice after day in search of necessities, from Population break on their taxes if parts of their such businesses to consider setting up onions and tomatoes to Band-Aids and “Population density” is a dirty buildings were vacant for longer than shop in Old Ottawa South. phrase in many urban neighbourhoods, 90 consecutive days. Now that the conjuring up images of massive program has ended, property owners apartment blocks and disappearing across the city may be more eager to greenspace. However, when it comes lease out empty space. to supporting retail, it’s a good thing. councillor Shawn The optimal population for a store Menard applauds the end of the rebate, varies by the type of business. As a but he believes there is more the city sunnysidemusicschool.com very general rule of thumb, the more can do to encourage landlords to lease niche the business and the more their spaces. In fact, during the 2018 expensive its product or service, election campaign, he held a rally in the higher the number of potential front of the boarded-up property at customers it will need to draw on to 1123 Bank Street, which once housed THE PERFECT GIFT survive. West Coast Video and Elée Spa but has FOR THE This clearly isn’t the entire issue been empty since a 2009 fire. in OOS, where a mass-market coffee “I also talked about at that rally that shop (Starbucks) and an inexpensive we need a bylaw review for vacant MUSIC LOVER fast-food outlet (Subway) are among and boarded-up buildings that imposes the businesses that have shuttered their increasing fines, year after year,” he doors in recent months. However, says. Council recently voted to do such population density and total population a review. Buy them a do go some way toward explaining 10 lesson how our neighbours to the north in Building types the Glebe can support a wide range OOS doesn’t have many commercial gift certificate of specialty stores, and why empty property types. Most of the stores storefronts there rarely remain empty are small, which limits the types YOU ONLY PAY FOR 9! for long. According to the 2016 census, of businesses that can move in. In lesson ! there were 11,559 people in the Glebe addition, many properties have steps that's a free and 8,638 in Old Ottawa South (which leading up to the entrance, which Just use Promo Code OSCAR 1219 to get this great offer is probably a little high as the census discourages visitors with mobility tract put the border at Clegg in Old issues and those pushing strollers. E LESSON Ottawa East), and our neighbours to In addition, there is very little office OR S the north were clustered together a bit space, and what little office space there M and get more tightly: there were 4,527.3 people is (such as that above the Shoppers R per square kilometre in the Glebe, Drug Mart) is unoccupied. Offices O 30% off compared to 4,249.3 here. Simply can provide foot traffic during the day 0 any instrument 1 613-730-2887 rental or put: The Glebe has more people on weekdays, as office workers run

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1111C BANK STREET N G Leaving buildings vacant I IN OLD OTTAWA SOUTH S Under a rebate program that the City of Ottawa recently phased out, Continued on pg. 7 The OSCAR l December 2019 Page 7

Promotion feel that their businesses already have a community branding exercise might Cont. from pg. 6 And, yes, here’s the moment I know enough customers, or that they are address that issue. Residents and you’ve been waiting for: a discussion unlikely to attract new customers from business owners could define what of Old Ottawa South’s lack of a outside the neighbourhood, might not image they want the neighbourhood business improvement area (BIA). see the value in paying those fees. to promote, and perhaps even give Parking There are currently 19 BIAs in Ottawa, So how much are those fees? It OOS a catchier name. “Once you Love them or loathe them, cars in areas as diverse as Westboro, depends. have branded it…then you can and the customers they carry are , Vanier and the Carp Road “The fee, or levy, is based upon the maybe do some external outreach and critical to the success of most shops industrial corridor. budget that the BIA has agreed to; each advertising,” he says. and restaurants. They bring people BIA must vote on what they want their The next step could be to visually from outside the neighbourhood, and budget to be. In Ottawa, we have BIAs distinguish OOS so that visitors know allow those people to transport heavy “Several OOS with budgets as low as $13,000 and they’ve arrived. That could involve products home easily. some over $1,000,000,” explains Brian something as simple as streetlight However, OOS has few parking business owners say Simpson, an economic development banners or something more ambitions, lots and, unlike neighbourhoods such officer with the City of Ottawa, in an such as the gateways built in recent as the Glebe and Westboro, we have a BIA could be a email. He adds that the BIA and its years at the entrances to Chinatown no public covered parking structures. members, not the city, decide how and Little Italy. Also, parking restrictions are strictly valuable asset to the to spend the money they collect. enforced on both Bank Street and side neighbourhood.” Possibilities might include anything Read more streets. from buying advertising to creating a One of the most useful studies I music festival. read while researching this article Destination businesses As OOS is one of the few central Several OOS business owners say was Ten Principles for Rebuilding A “destination business” neighbourhoods in the city without a BIA could be a valuable asset to the Neighborhood Retail by the Urban draws customers from beyond a a BIA, it’s often touted as the magic neighbourhood. For one thing, it would Land Institute (ULI.org). Yes, it’s neighbourhood’s boundaries – think solution to our retail woes. reduce duplication of effort among American and it came out in 2003, of the Mountain Equipment Co-op in But is it? And, if so, why don’t we businesses, says Kerry Duffy, owner but it’s packed with clearly written Westboro, Whole Foods Market in have one? of Life of Pie bakery. Promotions are summaries of the problems confronting the Glebe or the Nordstrom store at To set up a BIA with the city, “being done a dozen times, instead of urban retail streets across North the . Such businesses a majority of a neighbourhood’s one time,” she notes. In addition, she America. You can download it for can help a retail strip overcome the commercial tenants have to agree says, “business owners don’t have time free from the Urban Land Institute handicap of a small surrounding to establish one. However, once the to do things that will attract people to web page (ULI.org) using http://bit. population. BIA is up and running, all businesses the whole neighbourhood.” ly/32RNZ4d. In OOS, we do have one-of-a-kind that own or lease commercial space – Part of the problem is that many places, including C.A. Paradis/The whether they voted for the BIA or not – people outside OOS haven’t heard Chef’s Paradise, Oat Couture and the must pay BIA fees. And since the main of the neighbourhood or don’t know Laura Byrne Paquet is a writer and Mayfair Theatre. However, for people purpose of a BIA is to promote the where it is. “People keep thinking OOS resident. from outside the neighbourhood to visit area to customers inside and outside we’re the Glebe,” she laments. them, they first have to know they are the neighbourhood, entrepreneurs who Montgomery of Oat Couture believes here. And that brings us to promotion.

Haven Books & Café is owned by the Carleton University Students’ Association

Book your event Upcoming at CUSA Study Snacks - DEC 2019

with us today! CUSA Elections - JAN 2020

Email Refresher Week - JAN 2020 [email protected] Sustainability Month - FEB 2020 to learn more B„ack History Month - FEB 2020 Projector and sound Groups up to 40 people Drinks and snacks available | Wi Follow us to stay cnected 43 Seneca Street @cusaonline Page 8 The OSCAR l December 2019

CHRISTY’S CORNER What is OSCA? By Christy Savage, OSCA that is so important to working you live in Old Ottawa South. Executive Director parents. As a non-profit organization, • Offering social events to we require membership in our strengthen community bonds and association. While we do not charge What is OSCA? help neighbours get to know each for membership, and members do The Old Ottawa South Community other. not receive discounts in programs, Association (OSCA) comprises of • Working actively to promote membership does entitle you to be a board of 18 volunteers from the and protect the interests of actively involved in our organization community, our staff, and over 40 the community with regard to and all we do. You can attend OSCA’s volunteers on a variety of committees planning and future development AGM in May each year; vote on key such as: Communications, Finance, in and around Old Ottawa South. issues that affect programming, as well about our committees’ goals and Planning, Programming, Traffic & • Ensuring that the community’s as the community; vote on the budget accomplishments, we present our Safety, and SWOOS (Senior Watch interests are effectively and finances; join the Board; have a say finances, and we hold our annual Board Old Ottawa South). Our goal is to communicated to the public, City in our operations and procedures; and elections. contribute to what makes Old Ottawa of Ottawa, and other governments much more. Each year in December, the OSCA South a pleasant, fulfilling, and and agencies whose activities As a non-profit community Board formalizes its Nominations meaningful place to live. may affect Old Ottawa South, association, we want to ensure our Committee whose mandate it is to OSCA operates out of the Ottawa including issues surrounding vision and mission are in line with survey the current Board, assess South Community Centre, also known traffic and safety. the needs of the community. We rely organizational needs, and recruit as “The Firehall,” at 260 Sunnyside • Keeping the community informed on membership as one way to do so. candidates for the upcoming elections. Ave. where we hold most of our about activities and opportunities Please sign up if you have not already What you need is an interest in programs, various community and of interest. done so. giving back to the community and a committee meetings, monthly board • Initiating new programs and passion for the work we do with our meetings, and our Annual General policies from time to time to How to sign up for an OSCA various committees and groups. You’ll Meeting. benefit the community. membership meet with a Board member who will

To become an OSCA member, go outline the roles of the committee What we do Join OSCA to oldottawasouth.ca. Look for the members, Board members, and help OSCA strives to improve the quality Sign up for a membership in the “Become an OSCA Member” box on you find a fit. That Board member of life of those in the community and Community Association. If you are a the left side of the home page. Do you will also answer practical questions beyond in a variety of ways, including: resident of Old Ottawa South, please have any questions? Are you unsure such as “What exactly does a Board • Providing educational, sports, consider supporting your Community of whether you’ve already signed up member do?”, “How much work will fitness, and recreational Association by signing up for a as an OSCA member or not? Feel be required of me?”, “How often are programming, including the membership with OSCA. It’s free for free to contact us at oscaprograms@ meetings?”, and more. enriching after-school program OOS residents and lasts for as long as oldottawasouth.ca.

To learn more, please email Join the OSCA Board! [email protected] This is a call for OSCA Board or Christy Savage, OSCA Executive members for the upcoming 2020- Director, at OSCA@oldottawasouth. 2021 year. Every May, OSCA holds ca. its Annual General Meeting (AGM). At that meeting, we discuss the business of the organization, we talk

Want to join the OSCA Board? If you have an interest and may have the skills needed, contact the Nomination Committee at OSCA nominations@ oldottawasouth.caBoard The OSCAR l December 2019 Page 9

OSCA PRESIDENT’S REPORT Traction… lots of traction By Richard Slowikowski, Community Associations in our Intergenerational Day; OSCA President ward, the all candidates debate for • Started an intergenerational the federal election; walking group which meets • Started a review of OSCA’s Tuesdays for an hour-long stroll in As September approached, I found records and filing system, Old Ottawa South; myself anxious to get started. There thanks to a new volunteer with • Worked with the Glebe, Old was lots on OSCA’s agenda. Zoom, significant experience in records Ottawa East and our Councillor to zoom, zoom and it is now December management; change the City’s approach (now and I am looking back at a remarkable • Conducted a review of OSCA’s to include Public consultations) autumn. Progress has been made on so program registration system; to negotiating the OSEG (Ottawa many fronts. Here is a sample: the work our local volunteers and staff • Revamped the policies and Sports and Entertainment Group) are doing, I am left thinking: awesome, procedures related to recruiting proposal to take over the City’s simply awesome. • Launched our registered charity, new Board members; responsibility to manage the the Community Fund, which As you can see from the • Made huge progress on the public park portion of Lansdowne; accomplishments over the last few offers the opportunity for people development of a communications • Developed a proposal to renovate to donate to OSCA and receive a months, OSCA is a busy place with plan for OSCA and hired a new the Fieldhouse in Windsor Park a large variety of things on the go, tax deduction; part-time staff person to help and began public consultations; • Launched a fundraising drive to something for every palate. OSCA implement the plan; • Continued with all of the regular needs you. We need your ideas and raise money for refurbishing The • Organized a number of successful work such as: Programing; Senior Firehall’s kitchen; we need your help to build even a events such as the annual Fall Fest Watch (SWOOS); Traffic and better community. If you want to • Completed a review of all the celebration in Windsor Park for Safety; Planning and Zoning; The by-laws by which OSCA governs get involved, please contact Christy the community; OSCAR; the Between the Bridges Savage, OSCA’s Executive Director at itself in preparation for the new • Installed a new bench on Bank newsletter; and …. rules governing not-for- [email protected]. Street at Hopewell School in I hope you have a great day. profits coming in 2020; recognition of Ottawa’s inaugural Whenever I stop to think about all of • Organized, with the other

Winter at the Firehall – It’s snow joke! By Sarah Cybulski, skating season, which is incredible. Winter programs programs include an intergenerational OSCA’s Program Director However, OSCA is currently looking Don’t forget to look for our 2020 walking group, a photography club, a for more volunteers to assist in Winter Program Guide in this issue of book club, a cards club, a musical jam maintaining the Windsor rink this The OSCAR. It’s also available online group, and a crafting group. Please note We have so many things planned for year. It’s a big job to maintain the rink at www.oldottawasouth.ca. We hope that the Shutterbug Photography Club, this winter at the Firehall, it’s going to properly, so we need all of the help we you enjoy our program lineup and Book Club, Musical Jam, and Cards be snow much fun! From Breakfast can get. some of the new things we’ve come Club have rotating dates so you’ll want with Santa to our Winter 2020 A volunteer’s duties would include up with – we think there is a little to check out the guide for details. programs, we’re hoping this is the best helping to build the snow base, something for everyone! We cannot wait for all of these new winter yet at OSCA! flooding the rink a couple of times One thing you’ll want to check out programs to launch and hope you’re over the season, and snow-blowing is our “Try-It-Free” week running excited about them too! Breakfast with Santa the rink during heavy snowfalls. If January 6-12th. During that week, Our annual Breakfast with Santa you’re interested or would like more we’ve asked instructors to offer a Winter registration is coming up on December 8th at information, contact Darcy Middaugh class that our clients can drop into Registration will open the first week the Firehall (260 Sunnyside Ave.). It at [email protected]. completely free of charge. The idea is of December for our Winter 2020 runs from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. We for clients to get a chance to try some Programs. Please note that we do two will have free pancakes for the first Empathy House food drive classes that they’re curious about but a waves of registrations when we launch 150 people. There will also be face- We are participating in a food drive bit nervous to commit to until they try our programs in order to prevent painting, cookie decorating, crafts, and for Empathy House of Recovery here it. There is a complete schedule in our system overload. – of course – a visit from Santa! in Old Ottawa South. Each year, we winter guide so you can see what we’re Registration for preschool, child, and We ask that, if possible, you make a participate in their annual food drive offering. youth programs opens December 4th monetary donation to the Food Bank because we feel that it’s such a good We also have a plethora of new at noon. You can register online or in- in lieu of an admission fee for the cause since it provides such a vital programs we’ve scheduled in the person at the Firehall. breakfast. Representatives from the service for women in our community. winter such as: Swans in Sneakers, Registration for adult programs and Ottawa Food Bank will be present and We’re asking you to drop by the Tai Chi Yoga Fusion, Mental Health pottery studio memberships opens collecting donations. Firehall and bring items to donate First Aid, Fall Prevention, Stop, Drop, December 5th at noon. You can register Finally, since this is a breakfast, to the Empathy House donation box & Play, Core 360, Sportball Soccer, online or in-person at the Firehall. wearing your pajamas is encouraged! located in the lobby. Highest demand Youth Basketball, NERF, Board Game If you require any registration We hope to see you there. items include coffee, tea, hot chocolate, Design, Friday Night Adult Volleyball, assistance, the best way to reach nutritious snacks, granola bars, healthy Prenatal Yoga, The 5 Keys to Living us is by email at oscaprograms@ Windsor Rink breakfast cereals, mayonnaise, toilet a More Fulfilled Life Over 60, and oldottawasouth.ca but you can also call My favourite childhood memories paper, facial tissue, sugar, salad Vitality Plus for 55+. us at 613-247-4946 between 9am-4pm. come from my time spent at the dressings, and gift cards for grocery Finally, we’re offering a set of See you at the Firehall for some outdoor rink in my hometown. From stores. new, free programs and clubs for you winter fun! playing shinny with my friends to You may also make a cash donation to enjoy during the daytime. These sipping hot chocolate inside the warm and receive an income tax receipt. shack, I had some of my best times Online donations can be made at at my local rink. I have no doubt that www.empathyhouseofrecovery.org. people in Old Ottawa South feel the Alternatively, you can send a cheque or Windsor Rink Volunteers Needed! same way about the Windsor Park money order payable to: Rink. OSCA is looking for volunteers to assist in maintaining the outdoor Empathy House The Windsor Park Rink is a special rink at Windsor Park. Your duties would include helping to build 360 Sunnyside Ave. rink. It’s always one of the first rinks the base, flooding the rink a couple of times over the season, and Ottawa, Ontario K1S 0S4 open in the winter and it’s because of snow blowing the rink occasionally during heavy snowfall. If you’re our amazing team of volunteers. We interested or would like more information, contact Darcy Middaugh Help make this a special holiday have roughly 25-30 people who lend at OSCA at time of year for the women at Empathy a helping hand over the course of the [email protected] House! Page 10 The OSCAR l December 2019

THE OSCAR 260 Sunnyside Ave, Ottawa Ontario, K1S 0R7 NEXT DEADLINE: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13 www.oldottawasouth.ca/oscar ISSN: 0715-5476 The OSCAR is published eleven times per year. Upcoming deadlines: December 13 (January issue); January 17 (February [email protected] issue); February 14 (March issue); March 20 (April issue); April 17 (May issue); May 15 (June issue); June 12 (July/August issue); August 14 Editor: Brendan McCoy [email protected] (September issue) Layout and Design: Bess Fraser Business Manager: Susanne Ledbetter [email protected] Advertising Manager: Gayle Weitzman [email protected] 613-730-1058 To book an OSCAR ad (not classy ads) call Gayle at 613-730-1058 Volunteer Proofreaders: Maura Giuliani, Mary Low, [email protected] Kathy Krywicki, Scott Valentine, Roger Williams The OSCAR is printed by Winchester Print. The Old Firehall Ottawa South Community Centre The OSCAR is a community paper paid for entirely by advertising. It is published by the Old Ottawa South Community Association Inc. (OSCA). 260 Sunnyside Ave, Ottawa Ontario, K1S 0R7 Distribution is free to all Old Ottawa South homes and businesses. It is also e-mail: [email protected] available at selected locations in Old Ottawa South and the Glebe. Opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily of The OSCAR or OSCA website: www.oldottawasouth.ca OSCA. Contributions should be in electronic format sent by e-mail to: PHONE 613-247-4946 [email protected]. All submissions will be acknowledged by Monday To Thursday 8:00 am - 9:00 pm e-mail. The Editor has the final say about style, format and content. The Friday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm OSCAR Editorial Policy, and Guidelines for Submissions, are available on the OSCA website. The OSCAR is available online at www.oldottawasouth. Saturday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm ca. Some articles will be posted on the OSCA website. Sunday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

WHAT’S THAT NUMBER? WHAT’S THAT NUMBER? FOR DISTRIBUTION INQUIRIES, E-MAIL: [email protected] Ottawa South Community Centre - The Old Firehall 613-247-4946 The OSCAR thanks the following people who Ottawa South Community Association (OSCA) 613-247-4872 613-580-2940 brought us to your door this month: Lyra Evans, English Public Board Trustee 613-913-1695 ([email protected]) Shelley Lawrence, Catholic Board Trustee 613-978-2644 ZONE A1: Kathy Krywicki (Coordinator), Mary Jo Lynch, Kim Barclay, Community Health Centre 613-233-4443 Élie Cantin Nantel, Carrol Robb, Becky Sasaki, Sam & Aila McNeill- CARLETON UNIVERSITY McKinnell, Christy Griffin, Rob Wong. ZONE B1: Ada Brzeski & Dave Drapeau (Coordinator), Zoe Walters, the CUSA (Carleton U Students Association) 613-520-6688 Montgomery family, Claire & Alex Gammon, D. Georgaras, Erika, Maria & Graduate Students Association 613-520-6616 Gabriela. Community Liaison 613-520-3660 ZONE B2: Craig Piche (Coordinator), Sandra Garland, Pat Eakins, Athletics 613-520-4480 Steve Mennill, Claire & Alex Gammon, Gillingham-Murray family, Leslie CITY HALL Roster, John Callan & Diana Carr, Esmé & Nora Perry. Shawn Menard, City Councillor 613-580-2487 ZONE C1: Laura Johnson (Coordinator), the Williams family, Josh Rahaman, ([email protected]) Jesper Lindeberg, Darcy McCoy, Bruce Grant, the Woroniuk-Ryan family, Main Number (24 hrs) for all departments 3-1-1 Bryan & Anneka Dallin O’Grady, David Fisher. Community Police - non-emergencies 613-236-1222 ZONE C2: Craig Piche (Coordinator), Steve Mennill, Alan McCullough, Emergencies only 9-1-1 Charles & Phillip Kijek, Michael Jenkin, Michel & Christina Bridgeman, Serious Crimes 613-230-6211 Melissa Johnson. Ottawa Hydro 613-738-6400 ZONE D1: Mike McKay (Coordinator), Stephen Merriam, Marianne Keys, Streetlight Problems (burned out, always on, flickering) 3-1-1 Gail Stewart, Gabe Teramura, Oliver & Claire Waddington, Brewer Pool 613-580-2090 the Sprott family, Milo Barnett. Brewer Arena 613-247-4917 ZONE D2: Dan Greco (Coordinator), Caitlin, Anna Chernushenko, City of Ottawa web site - www.city.ottawa.on.ca the Stewart family, Maya, Will Creaghan. ZONE E1: Brian Tansey (Coordinator), Karen Wolfe & Curt Labond, Norah Hutchinson, Steve Adamson & Nadine Dawson, Robert Trotter. INDEX ZONE E2: Kathy Stewart (Coordinator), Marianne & Jim Kent, the Brodkin-Haas family, Carolyn Inch, Chris Berry & Frida Kolster Berry, John Bell, Julie Stock, Joan Foster-Jones, Allan Paul. BUSINESS BEAT 2 ZONE F1: Carol & Ferg O’Connor (Coordinator), Jenny O’Brien, OSCA 8,9,11,13,28 Lyle Stern, Gerald Bailie, Paloma & Liliana Ruiz, Malachi Winter, the Goutte family (Joshua, Leo and Alina), Kai Bramley, Calla Rose & Justin Connolly COUNCILLOR’S REPORT 12 ZONE F2: Pierre Guevremont (Coordinator), Paulette Theriault, Alaster MUSIC 14-19 Ayson, Judy & Pierre Chamberland, Luc & Sydney Grenier, Mary Johnston, the Walker Family, the Polkinghorne Family, the Kushner Family. FILM REVIEW 22 ZONE G: Shehryar Sarwar (Coordinator), Caroline & Julia Twelves, Luke & Robin Eriksson, Joanne Monaghan, David Janssen, Chris & Andy FICTION 24-25 Anand-Danek, Allan Paul, Peluso-Pope Family. LIBRARY 34 Bank Street-Old Ottawa South: Tom Lawson, Paula Archer, Ross Imrie. MARKETPLACE & CLASSY ADS 35 Bank Street-Glebe: Brendan McCoy AROUND TOWN 36 GARDEN CLUB 40 The OSCAR l December 2019 Page 11

Planning and zoning in our community seeing what 2020 has in store for that continuing work on the new Official development. Plan for the City of Ottawa. With help A community meeting was also and support from the OSCA Board, our held for a proposal at 26 Aylmer. The President Richard Slowikowski and planner on that project, speaking on our Councillor Shawn Menard and his behalf of the developer, explained to team, we have forged ahead. those attending that the single family As you may know, the volunteer home (currently occupied by students) planning and zoning team is small will be the subject a minor zoning by- and the workload is heavy. Much of law amendment application to convert the work of building our community the building to a triplex. Given the is directly attributable to you, the history of issues with the property incredible residents of Old Ottawa as expressed by those attending the South who come together and make A rendering of the proposed Building at 1050-1060 Bank Street. consultation meeting, many neighbours things happen. Thank you. have shown a strong interest in this 2020, here we come! ILLUSTRATION COURTESY OF KWC ARCHITECTS INC. proposal. By Carol Brascoupe and case before. Our team at OSCA Planning and Carol Brascoupe and Laura Laura Urrechaga 2019 brought together neighbours Zoning has also worked behind the Urrechaga are the Co-Chairs of near the corner of Riverdale and scenes on many issues – from short the OSCA Planning and Zoning Avenue Road who worked very hard and long term rental housing – to the Committee. 2019 will soon be history, but your to keep a proposed development’s work in helping to build our city and height and volume compatible with our community will not be a thing those along Avenue Road. Neighbours of the past. Thanks to all of you who along Fulton also parsed through an initiated reviews, came out to meetings application on that street. and actively participated in the Old Many, many people worked very Ottawa South planning and zoning hard, donated funds and actually sat issues that were woven through the through two full days of an Local year. Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) The year began on a high note after hearing in support of our Heritage a win by neighbours along Belmont Overlay along Colonel By Drive. in November 2018 on an important This remarkable level of support and point. Thanks to them, a long-standing community unity is reflective of the Committee of Adjustment practice spirit of Old Ottawa South. allowing additional variances to be About 80 neighbours attended a tacked on to an existing application community consultation meeting to after it has been filed is no longer see what developers were proposing allowed. This change means that the for the corner of Bank and Aylmer, public must be informed in advance of providing them with useful feedback all the variances being sought by the and comments. We all look forward to developer. Incredibly, that was not the

Brokers Diane Allingham & Jennifer Stewart

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The OSCAR welcomes letters on subjects of interest to the community or in response On the to previous articles. All letters must disclose the name of the writer, as well as their ad- dress. Letters may be edited for length, clarity, and libelous statements. The opinions of the writers are not necessarily those of the newspaper or its editor. Email your letters to [email protected] Naughty list A heartfelt thank you to left speechless. Old Ottawa South I am grateful for the lessons my this year? children have learned over these past Sometimes, in life, you find yourself few weeks. The kindness of people. Naughty or nice, if you at a loss for words. This was certainly The generosity of a stranger. How to true for our family last month when ‘love thy neighbour.’ I began telling need to relocate in a loving family member was gravely the kids that the food fairies were 2020, we can help. injured in a boating accident. Despite about. all medical odds, and over -coming I know where some of the food massive trauma, the father of my donations came from, and a huge children survived. I am pleased to word of thanks to you all. However, announce a recovery is in full swing, there were days that I had no idea and outcomes look very positive. But who dropped off food; only that it that isn’t the story here. was there when we needed it. It is in The real story is how our the spirit of gratitude that I write this community rallied behind my article. I have no way of knowing family members and friends that who the food fairies were that flew in from out of town. Friends, brought my family provisions, but a Contact us to neighbours, strangers all pitched heartfelt thank you goes to everyone in and provided food, support and who did. Words cannot express my plan your next move accommodations. Each day, after gratitude and how loved we felt at exhausting trips to the hospital, I this terrible moment in time. We would arrive home and find a bag of pulled through, in part, because of Get your advice from the Top. groceries, pre-made meals, desserts, your efforts and generosity. Thank Top 1% across Canada for Royal Lepage and of course the odd bottle of wine. you. dianeandjen.com Each and every time I was given these gifts I was reduced to tears and Barbara Ann Vocisano [email protected] 613-725-1171 Page 12 The OSCAR l December 2019

COUNCILLOR’S REPORT Busy fall at City Hall By Shawn Menard, rallied. Five or six hundred people later than the end of Q2 2020. Councillor came out and let the city and OSEG There is a lot of work left to do in know that they didn’t want to see more the coming months, and make no public space given up. mistake, there is still a big push for full Lansdowne Park Community members continued their commercialization of the pubic side of A few weeks ago I was informed efforts by writing Councillors and the Lansdowne. You can read more about of a staff report that was coming to mayor, coming out to a rally our office this issue at shawnmenard.ca the City’s Finance and Economic hosted before the FEDCO meeting, Development Committee (FEDCO) and then speaking passionately and Transit problems about Lansdowne Park. It suggested thoughtfully about what Lansdowne The roll-out of Light Rail Transit that we give staff the delegated should be. Over 2500 people signed a (LRT) has not gone as the city had authority to strike a deal with The petition in less than a week. hoped. To add to the LRT struggles, Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Thankfully, after much work with we haven’t seen the promised implemented. We will now have a Group (OSEG) giving them control staff and councillors, we secured a improvements to bus service once full multi-use pathway (MUP) on over operations and programming of motion that revised the FEDCO report, LRT began. We have been pushing Isabella and Chamberlain connecting the public areas of Lansdowne Park. removed delegated authority for staff, hard on some issues with city staff – Percy to Elgin, connecting many Work began right away to counter what ensured that public consultation would working on improving the reliability important pedestrian and bicycling seemed like a fait accompli. occur before discussions begin with of the doors; adding carpets and better routes and improving the safety of the A public consultation had been OSEG and included an option to bring traction on the stairs to address slipping intersections along the way. organized by the community back a ‘no deal’ outcome. The motion hazards; and we are getting 40 more associations of , Old passed unanimously at FEDCO and buses back on the streets, some of The work won’t start for several Ottawa South and the Glebe. When we will be considered by city council on which will be added in Capital Ward to years but it’s great that we’ll be looking released the news about the planned November 27th. An outcome would routes 6, 7 and 55. forward to a safer, more inviting street change for Lansdowne, the community need to be brought back to Council no There remains a lot of work to be for everyone. done. I’ve expressed concerns with this from the start, signing P3’s (public- Seneca Street, Aylmer Avenue and private partnerships) is not in Ottawa’s Fulton Avenue update best interest and costs us transparency, A lot of work has been going on service and is normally worse for our around Seneca, Aylmer and Fulton. The bottom line. mainline sewer and water-main work In addition, I have called for a fare is complete and the water-mains are freeze in 2020. Fares are set to go up in service. The city is now switching on January 1, and that’s both unwise residents to the new water-main. and unfair. We can’t keep raising fares Road construction will continue once while service drops and satisfaction water is reconnected. The sidewalks is eroded. I was pleased when the and base course asphalt should be Mayor followed up on this call and completed this month. Landscaping announced a 3-month fare freeze with activities will progress (weather For a comprehensive overview, possible extensions depending on permitting) through to winter shut please visit our web site: service. We need to hold the line on down, with outstanding landscaping fares so that we don’t push even more completed next spring. www.sandyhill.ca or call people to abandoning transit. I will Nathan Gurnham at (613) 832-1717 continue working with staff and other New advanced pedestrian signal Councillors on this. Thanks to some good work by Erik GMSElemAdGR19BW.pdf 3 2019-10-18 3:52 PM Van Der Torre and the Traffic and Isabella-Chamberlain functional Safety Committee of OSCA, we will design improvements see an advance pedestrian signal at The city is in the process of a Belmont/Glen to improve safety for functional design study for Isabella people crossing Bank Street. This A Montessori Street, Chamberlain Avenue and should be implemented shortly. Catherine Street. After a lot of work classroom Shawn Menard is City Councillor with city staff and a community for Capital Ward. He can be reached stakeholder group, we can happily is where directly at Shawn.Menard@ottawa. announce that the changes ca the joy requested to the designs have been of learning

C comes M naturally Help with Snow Removal for Seniors Y and People with Disabilities CM

MY Toddler, The City of Ottawa funds two programs, Snow Go and Snow Go Assist, Preschool & Elementary which help seniors and people with disabilities with their snow removal. CY Grades 1-6 Bilingual Education The City partners with nine community agencies to run these two CMY programs. K The Snow Go program vets snow removal workers and matches them with seniors and people with disabilities to get their snow cleared. Residents pay the workers directly for their services. The Snow Go Assist program goes one step further and helps low-income seniors and people with disabilities with the cost of their snow removal. To 650 Lyon St. South be eligible for the Snow Go Assist program funding, applicants must: Ottawa, Ontario K1S 3Z7 1. Be a senior at least 60 years old or a person with a disability. Please contact us at: 2. Have a low-income and show proof of an annual income below $31,500 (613) 237-3824 if single and below $39,200 for a household of two persons or more. To apply, contact the partnering local agency in your area. For a list of www.glebemontessori.com these agencies, visit ottawa.ca/snowgo or call 3-1-1. The OSCAR l December 2019 Page 13

Pay attention - Reduced speed limit DID YOU KNOW? west of Bank! By Sue Neill

Old Ottawa South west of Bank Street has New Bike Lane hopefully become safer because of a municipal on Seneca initiative which designates certain neighbourhoods as 30 km/hr. gateway speed zones. This new speed As part of the City of Ottawa limit reduces the previous default speed limit of 40 infrastructure work in the northwestern or 50 km/hr. with a new default of 30 km/hr. area of the neighbourhood, a couple Signage such as that in the accompanying photo new bicycle lanes are being added to the is found at all entrances to the neighbourhood and road network. Now in place is the section a similar sign marks the exits. These signs are found designating an area from Colonel By Drive on Seneca Street, southbound, from south to the Rideau River and from Bank Street to Sunnyside to Cameron Avenue. Upon Bronson Avenue, but these arterial streets are not completion, this bike lane will connect included. There will be no speed limit signs inside the Rideau Canal pathway to Brewer the perimeter – drivers are expected to take note Park, via the proposed pedestrian/cycling of the speed limit as they enter a Gateway speed crossing of Colonel By Drive at Seneca. zone. Enforcement measures will undoubtedly be The fine for stopping in a reserved bike necessary to ensure the success of this initiative, lane is $125. especially in the early stages. The ability of a municipality to designate Submitted by the OSCA Traffic & Safety neighbourhood speed zones has resulted from a Committee 2018 change in provincial legislation. In August PHOTO BY KATHY KRYWICKI 2018, the Ottawa City Council approved funding hopeful that Old Ottawa South east of Bank will for one Gateway speed zone per ward. In Capital receive a Gateway Speed Zone designation in the Ward, Councillor Menard chose to fund a second near future. zone from his traffic and safety budget. Fortunately for us, he chose Old Ottawa South west of Bank Sue Neill is the Co-Chair of the OSCA along with the Glebe west of Bank Street. We are Traffic and Safety Committee. 50% OFF FEATURING LASER PERSONALIZED LASER LASER ETCHING ETCHING DEMOS, ETCHING ON WOOD PROMO SERVICES!* CRAFTS, FANCY HATS, HOME OR FREE! DECOR & THE

*With a maximum SMELL OF FRESHLY discount of $100, Sale for CUT WOOD *Some limits apply, inquire at [email protected] New advance pedestrian signal at orders taken in between December 1st and 15th Bank & Belmont @junctiongorelaser @re4mottawa By Erik van der Torre include the addition of an advance @avenuetwocanada pedestrian signal. When we asked Some Background the City to reconsider, they agreed DECEMBER 7TH & 8TH 2019 to do a new warrant count to see 11AM to 4PM BOTH DAYS If you have read some of our 136 BILLINGS AVE UNITS D & E earlier reports in the OSCAR, whether a change would be justified. you will be aware that the Traffic In early November we were told that & Safety Committee has been the intersection did NOT warrant a working on the pedestrian signals change. in OOS for some time. Our main Not discouraged by this “by the objective has been to increase numbers” City traffic engineer pedestrian safety by providing approach and decision, we followed consistency and predictability up and argued that this intersection with regard to pedestrian signals. is heavily used by children walking To this end, we requested that to and from Hopewell Avenue all east-west pedestrian signals PS and that we felt that if the be on an automatic cycle during intersections at Aylmer, Sunnyside, daytime hours and that the east-west and Cameron have an advance pedestrian signals would include pedestrian signal, then the one at an advance signal, meaning that Belmont should definitely have pedestrians get their walk sign a few one as well. And we are extremely seconds before cars get their green pleased to report that with the help signal. and support from our Councillor, our Back in the spring, the City request did not fall on deaf ears, and honoured most of our requests and the same day the request was made changed all east-west pedestrian we received a note from the City that signals along Bank Street – this intersection would in fact also except for the one at Riverdale get an advance pedestrian signal. By – to automatically change during the time of publication, that change daytime hours. In addition, the should have been made and the signals at Aylmer, Sunnyside, and intersection should be slightly safer Cameron also included an advance for pedestrians. signal for pedestrians. Erik van der Torre has lived in Old

Ottawa South with his wife and Advance Signals now at 4 three sons for over 10 years. He is Intersections a member of Hopewell Avenue PS’ While we were extremely happy Parent Council and OSCA’s Traffic with the outcome of our request, & Safety Committee, and is OSCA’s we were somewhat surprised and Communications and Marketing disappointed that the intersection Coordinator. at Bank and Belmont/Glen did not Page 14 The OSCAR l December 2019

Anglican Church’s 140th Anniversary By Doug Small the organ loft. Trinity needed more space, and a new organ to replace the Trinity Anglican Church in Old Ottawa one destroyed in the fire. Less than a South recently celebrated its 140th decade later, on its 80th anniversary, anniversary. Why? you ask. Why 140? the church precinct would expand “Why not?” says the Reverend to include a new Parish House, 12 Arran Thorpe, Trinity’s 40-year-old new rooms, and two new halls to priest and pastor. A number of his accommodate the social and other older parishioners might not be around activities of the parish and community another 10 years, to mark the more groups. By the early 1960s, the church customary 150 years. But more than added Michael Peers – he went on that, “it gives us a valid reason to invite to become an archbishop and the people back to Trinity, and to celebrate Anglican primate – to its clerical loving our neighbours as ourselves.” team to help meet Trinity’s large “Being here for any length of time is congregation’s spiritual needs, and to cause for celebration.” set up a chaplaincy at nearby Carleton To that end, then, members University. And it bought its most of Trinity’s now modest regular expensive furnishing, a new $16,900 congregation of 72 or so gathered Casavant organ built in Ste. Hyacinthe, under the able wing of parishioner Que. Lindsay Whillans to spend six months Paradoxically, that organ, along with planning a get-together with our friends spectacular new stained glass windows and neighbours. Former priests – Chris other rich furnishings, would mark Dunn and Paul Blunt – and former what in hindsight would be Trinity’s parishioner, now Dean Sean Parker, all zenith. The church began losing made it, as did former organist Morley families to other places of worship Paget – along with past and present closer to their homes in the suburbs. congregants. And profound societal changes were The crowd of 135 was a far cry from afoot, with more women joining the Trinity’s 1,728 members – the same workforce and spending weekends number as there were pipes in its new catching up on jobs at home and leisure activities. That led inevitably to the end organ ­– back in the church’s heyday in Storyteller Simon Brascoupé. the early 1960s. of the Lord’s Day Act and the advent But after greetings by drummer of Sunday shopping. And that in turn Melissa Hamell and Algonquin artist/ by horse and buggy through swamps rebuilding plan, and 18 months later led to an increase in Sunday sporting elder Simon Brascoupé – the church and over crude dirt roads. – 18 uncomfortable months when the events for school-age kids with parents is on traditional Algonquin territory Ten years later, however, Trinity congregation met in the cold, leaky free to drive them to games. – those attending the anniversary had its first stained glass window, and basement hall left unscathed by the fire Rectors at Trinity came and went, service last October 19th were treated its formidable Ladies Guild was soon – the church was ready to reopen. each applying his or her particular to an ambitious program of narratives busy raising money with bazaars, It was an exciting time of rebirth talents in attempts to staunch the reflecting historical church events sleigh rides, fashion shows and and revitalization. Sunday School congregational decline. Harvey interspersed by a rich and carefully concerts. By the end of World War I, enrolment was so high classes were selected list of musical offerings from the congregation had grown by leaps held in every nook and cranny of the Continued on pg.15 organist and music director Fabien and bounds, and first an addition and church, including the kitchen and Tousignant and his accomplished then a whole new church was built and 13-person choir. opened on Easter Sunday in 1926, with The narrations by congregants seating for 600, up from the original Judy Richardson, myself and my 125. daughter Jennifer Small and the Rev. That church burned to the ground Thorpe described the ups and downs on March 19th, 1947. Phoenix-like, of a church of humble beginnings it would rise again. Fuelled by a post- back in 1876, when the current site Second-World-War baby boom that was considered ‘wilderness’ on the saw the mums and dads of all those outskirts of Ottawa proper. It was a kids raring to rebuild their lives, hard place to get to, this ‘handsome communities and institutions, churches little brick edifice of Gothic design,’ as were again packed to the gills. Three parishioners made their way to church weeks after the fire, Trinity had a The OSCAR l December 2019 Page 15

existence” as its congregation and Cont. from pg. 14 finances dwindle. He felt a sense of responsibility to those who ministered Southcott expanded the role of at Trinity before him – “I stand on the women in the parish and, recognizing shoulders of giants– and those who the growing influence of television, will follow, and he recalled, as he was expanded the church’s reach with offered the rector’s job six years ago, a weekly interview program on the how Bishop John had warned him popular local CJOH TV station. And good-naturedly: “Don’t screw it up.” to satisfy the needs of working mums To help see that he didn’t, Rev. for more child care services, he saw Thorpe said he put his trust in the to the conversion of Turley Hall and church community. its kitchen into the Capital Day Care “We trusted each other when we Centre. didn’t quite know what the future Paul Blunt had a particular penchant would hold for us.” for engaging young people in the life That trust was rewarded by large, of the church, and led one memorable striking murals painted on the rehabilitation project that saw young exterior Bank Street walls of the big offenders at the Ottawa Carleton church hall, the first by marginalized Regional Detention Centre paint young street people, its successor by Bender Hall and other areas of the accomplished Indigenous artists on the church. theme of ‘Telling the truth: A shared The kindly and much loved Chris journey toward Reconciliation, Healing Julian Grant and Heidi Grant dressed in period costumes for the and Hope.’ Dunn reinforced Trinity’s sense of celebration. family with his inventive use of That same trust has helped the puppets to tell Bible stories that won grownups alike. He marked Trinity’s church serve refugees from countries the hearts of parish children and 125th anniversary with an illustrated as disparate as Vietnam, El Salvador, parish directory that included a Afghanistan, Sudan, Rwanda, foreword lauding the “heritage of hard Burundi and Syria. work, devoted faith and very strong “I don’t know what the future holds,” sense of community” passed down by he says. “But I do know God is his predecessors. faithful. God is good. And the people That heritage continues to guide the of Trinity are amazing.” church today. In an interview, Rev. Thorpe noted Doug Small is a longtime Trinity that Trinity recently has been going Anglican parishioner. through a time of “turmoil about its

Drummer Melissa Hammell. PHOTOS BY ROBERT TAYLOR Page 16 The OSCAR l December 2019

The Ottawa Grassroots line-up is guaranteed to get you groovin’ and movin’ down to Ottawa Centre in 2020 By Grace Smith First Nation and Fort Frances, will open for the multi-award-winning band, Twin Ottawa Grassroots Festival (OGF) is Flames. This Indigenous husband and wife duo is made up of Chelsey June HABITAT X-MAS TREES thrilled to announce the evening line- up for the 9th edition of this musical and Jaaji. Jaaji is Inuk and Mohawk gem. Local favourites shine in this from Nunavik, and Chelsey June is CHRISTMAS TREES gender-balanced headliner roster which Métis (Algonquin Cree) from Ottawa. includes Kristine St-Pierre, Jessica Twin Flames push the boundaries of Pearson and The East Wind (April 23), “Contemporary Folk”, with songs that Legendary Habitat for Humanity The Vanier Playboys (April 24) and incorporate Western and traditional Twin Flames (April 25). It all happens instruments. X-Mas Trees for Sale! April 23-26, 2020 at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 82 Kent Street, We are located at the Ottawa centrally located with and ample free Tennis Club parking lot, parking. The festival was held at Southminster 176 Cameron, adjacent to United Church, in Old Ottawa South, for the last four years. “It was Brewer Park. a great location for us,” says Bob Nesbitt, OGF’s Festival Founder and Producer. “The staff at Southminster FRESH LOCALLY GROWN ONTARIO TREES: were wonderful to work with. Their renovation project will result in the BALSAM FIR & FRASER FIR demolition of the adjacent building where most of the festival workshops were held. I considered a few venues, OPEN and St. Andrew’s fulfilled the majority of our needs. We made a lot of friends Dec. 1 to 24 during our time in Old Ottawa South Canadian Folk Music Award winner and we hope they will bring their smiles Kristine St-Pierre. PHOTO BY SEAN SISK Mon - Fri: 1:30 pm - 9:00 pm to our new location.” Sat & Sun: 9:00 am - 9:00 pm Opening night (April 23) will start with Newfoundland’s Quote the Raven. “Grassroots fans will find Jordan Coaker and Kirsten Rodden- Francophone artists woven throughout (176 Cameron Ave) Clarke are firing far beyond their artistic the 4-day festival programming,” said age. Their complexities and depth are Nesbitt. “I’m still committed to bringing complemented by effortless syncing of the two music solitudes together.” The Drop by and see styles and personalities. Bob Nesbitt has full daytime roster will be revealed at Pipes & Eddy programmed local favourites Jessica the festival launch in February 2020. Pearson and the East Wind, along with Online tickets and festival passes for friendly, Kristine St-Pierre and her full band in for Ottawa Grassroots evening a double-bill evening. Both acts have performances will be available on the expert advice new releases to share with their fans. festival website before Christmas. OGF St-Pierre’s soul-searching ballads and a continues to keep its pricing affordable rollicking bluesy flair, along with blends for families. Early-bird pricing for of folk, roots and East Coast bluegrass the festival pass is $55, increasing to by Pearson will make for a delicious $60, Feb. 1 2020. Ticket prices for palate of folk flavours certain to get the individual nights are: $25-Thurs., $20- audience moving. Fri. and $35-Sat. Daytime programming Celebrating If you love moving, Grassroots 2020 on Saturday and Sunday is free for promises to get their Friday audience everyone! 25 years dancing. “Participation is key at The Grassroots Festival is a family- of amazing Grassroots and the Vanier Playboys are friendly gathering of folk music, Customer up for the task. The audience will learn dance and spoken word. This not-for- dance steps, then put them to practice,” profit organization prides itself on the serviCe beams Nesbitt. “It will be a heap of participatory workshops it provides, fun.” The Vanier Playboys is the only cultivating community and nurturing Zydeco band in Ottawa – made up of inclusivity and diversity in fun and Ball & Chain and The Wreckers, plus friendly ways. Ottawa Grassroots is Antoine Larocque, a great accordion made possible by the dedication of over player from Montreal. This evening 100 volunteers working together to opens with Maria Hawkins, who bring visitors a really special musical 613-738-3721 combines Roots, Blues, R&B and Funk, experience. If you are interested in Merry Christmas! and radiates energy and confidence with volunteering with this group, visit songs that are sometimes funny and the website in the new year – www. ALSO AVAILABLE - DELIVERY AND always heartfelt. ottawagrassrootsfestival.com. SET UP SERVICE FOR YOUR TREE. This year, Indigenous performances With Christmas just around the will fill the sanctuary on the Saturday corner, festival passes would make great WOW! evening. Albert Dumont, Algonquin stocking stuffers for the music lovers on Spiritual Advisor, returns to Ottawa your list. Happy Ho-ho-holidays! Grassroots and will share poetry and an opening prayer. The folk-inspired Grace Smith is a member of the sounds and social justice issues sung by Ottawa Grassroots Festival Board of Larissa Desrosier, an Anishinaabekwe Directors singer/songwriter from Couchiching The OSCAR l December 2019 Page 17

MUSIC Fall Choral Workshop sings Bach for the second annual family Christmas offering By Roland Graham keyboards for this, the second annual strings as per Bach’s original score. 26, 2020, under the baton of Kevin choral workshop Christmas concert. The Supplementing the Cantata will be Mallon, conductor of Ottawa’s As if there isn’t enough to choose from music is challenging, but participants a selection of shorter choral works 13 Strings Orchestra. Contact to scratch your holiday musical itch, have been working very hard to master including Darke’s In the Bleak [email protected] for believing that too much music in the it, developing new skills and a greater Midwinter, Franz Biebl’s Ave Maria, details. community isn’t a thing, the Fall Choral appreciation of music along the way. Philip Stopford’s Lully, Lulla, Lullay, Workshop is putting the final touches on Appearing alongside the choir, and Leontovych’s Carol of the Bells, Roland Graham is a conductor, teacher its 2019 Family Christmas Concert, to furnishing Bach’s splendid solos and along with familiar hymns and carols for and producer. be held Sunday, December 8 at 2:30 pm duets (Wann kommst du? and Mein the audience to sing. at Southminster United Church, at Bank Freund ist mein!) will be soprano Ania Described by one participant as Street and the Rideau Canal. Hejnar and baritone Geoffroy Salva, “stirring, contemplative, and nostalgic,” An educational program for choral acclaimed professional singers from the program perfectly sets the mood J. S. Bach’s singers in the community seeking to the Canadian opera and oratorio scene for Advent and Christmas, and “to be advance their musicianship, my popular making their debuts at Southminster singing it is a gift.” So will it be to hear. Wachet auf choral workshops develop the music through this special event. Tickets for the 90-minute event Cantata & cognitive abilities and singing technique Another remarkable soloist, sixteen- are $25 for general admission, $5 of its participants over a twelve-week year-old pianist Jeremy Hare-Chang, for children 16 and under, $15 for Keyboard workshop, leading to a concert that will open the concert playing Bach’s students (up to age 24), and $45 for showcases the group’s accomplishments Keyboard Concerto in D major, BWV families consisting of up to 2 adults Concerto in D in a live public performance of the 1054. Originally a violin concerto (the and 4 children, and can be purchased in Featuring participants of studied works. well-known E major, BWV 1042), advance through eventbrite.ca (search Roland Graham’s Fall Bach adapted the work, along with for “FCW 2019 Christmas Concert” in The Fall 2019 workshop has been Choral Workshop, learning J. S. Bach’s Advent cantata, a handful of others, to be played on Ottawa) and at the door of the concert. Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme the harpsichord. Jeremy, who is in Five dollars from every ticket sold, Sunday, December 8 at (‘Sleepers Wake’), BWV 140, which grade 10 at Glebe Collegiate, will along with general proceeds from the 2:30 pm it will perform with a professional play the concerto on Southminster’s 9’ concert, will be donated to CHEO Southminster United orchestra of strings, winds, brass and Heintzman grand piano supported by the Foundation, which supports the work of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Church Ontario. For tickets on Eventbrite. ca search “FCW 2019 A follow-up choral workshop will Music at Trinity in December begin on January 22, focusing on Christmas Concert” By Joanne McCracken Christmas Concert with The Mozart’s Requiem, which participants Glebelles, directed by Maeve will perform in concert on April This month, take some time out for Weddle Music at Trinity. • December 22nd at 4 pm, December is generally a pretty hectic Christmas with Caelis with the month for people, what with Christmas Caelis Academy Ensemble, and other celebrations approaching, directed by Matthew Larkin school terms ending, the winter setting in, and so on. So why not take a restful Don’t miss these opportunities to and restorative break from all the relieve the stress and strain of December hubbub by dropping in to Trinity for by enjoying some of the loveliest music one of their musical celebrations? These you can expect to hear performed in events are held on the weekend, later the superb setting of Trinity Anglican in the afternoon, feature marvellous Church, located at the corner of Bank music performed by masterful and Cameron. musicians, last an hour or so, and are See you there! generally followed by a serving of treats – and also an opportunity to meet the musicians and other music lovers, Joanne McCracken, an almost should that tickle your fancy. retired freelance translator and Admission is free of charge, though, editor, lives in OOS. if you wish to help support these events, we very much appreciate any donation you may make on your arrival or departure. Trinity Anglican Church Here’s a list of the five events featured Choir this month: December 1 at 4 pm

• December 1st at 4 pm, an Advent Music at Trinity: Sing Me Carol Service with the Trinity Christmas Anglican Church Choir, directed BROKER|SALES REPRESENTATIVES by Fabien Tousignant. Come and December 7 at 4:30 pm sing along to all those old familiar tunes! Hypatia’s Voice Women’s • December 7th at 4:30 pm, Music Choir at Trinity: Sing Me Christmas, December 8 at 4 pm with baritone Luc Lalonde, pianist 25 YEARS OF FOCUSED Fabien Tousignant and special Concert with The Glebelles EXCELLENCE IN REAL ESTATE guest, composer Peter Willsher December 14 at 4:30 pm • December 8th at 4 pm, an Advent

and Christmas Musical Offering * Christmas with Caelis TOP 1% FOR ROYAL LEPAGE IN CANADA with Hypatia’s Voice Women’s with the Caelis Academy Choir, directed by Deirdre | MARLAND Kellerman Ensemble 613.238.2801 robmarland.com 165 Pretoria Ave. Ottawa, ON K1S 1X1 TEAM December 22 at 4 pm Based on closed and collected earnings • December 14th at 4:30 pm, a * Page 18 The OSCAR l December 2019

MUSIC Stairwell Carollers to feature composer quartet at December 14th concert! By Katie Stewart composer quartet! The program And, if you’re looking for that includes two brand new carols: perfect Xmas gift, the choir’s CDs will My name is Katie Stewart and I am Christmas is… by bass Terry Brynaert be on sale too. Proceeds from tickets, a member of the Stairwell Carollers. and Mary’s Lullaby by alto Lyndsay CDs and product sales are used to help I have lived in Old Ottawa South my Bolden. The choir is also singing local organizations. Since 1997 the whole life and I am a former student an arrangement of Es ist ein Ros choir has donated over $140,000 to from Glebe Collegiate Institute. I first enstsprungen by tenor David Rain, as local charities and scholarships. sang with this amazing choir in May well as The Stairwell Carol and many Tickets are $20 at the door, or $15 2017, as a member of the Glebe choir other carols by tenor and director in advance at Compact Music, 206 when we performed together with the Pierre Massie. & 785 1/2 Bank Street, or online at Stairwell Carollers. Being a part of the Stairwell stairwellcarollers.com. Hope to see you I fell in love with the music they Carollers has been a real treat and an there on December 14th! sang and had never seen a choir quite amazing experience for me. We really like them before. After I graduated hope to see you at our concert, An a NB: if you can’t make it to from high school in 2018, I had the capella Christmas, at Southminster Southminster, you can still hear the courage to sign up for an audition, and United Church, 15 Aylmer Ave at Bank Stairwell Carollers on Wednesday am so glad that I was accepted. St, Saturday, December 14th, 7:30pm. December 18th at St Columba Church, This award-winning choir is directed Come celebrate and enjoy carols 24 Sandridge Road, 7:30pm. by Pierre Massie, a former music with us and hear a capella singing at its Katie Stewart is an Old Ottawa teacher from Glebe Collegiate Institute, finest! The Carollers are also pleased South resident who sings soprano in as well as my former music teacher. He to be presenting a $2,000 donation to the Stairwell Carollers. has put together an amazing Christmas the Cornerstone Housing for Women at program for our concerts this year. this concert. With the many a capella pieces I have sung, either in the Glebe choirs or with the Stairwell Carollers, I promise An a capella Christmas that this season’s pieces are some of The Stairwell Carollers the best. Stairwell Carollers soprano Katie Included in this program are unique Southminster United Church Stewart. arrangements and compositions by four choir members, our very own Saturday, December 14th, 7:30pm

A Child’s Christmas in Wales and John Rutter’s Gloria at St. Matthew’s By Valerie Needham Adsett, St. Matthew’s Director of Music, has made Valerie Needham is a St. Matthew’s parishioner choral selections that he says “evoke the general and member of its Communications Committee. St. Matthew’s Anglican Church in the Glebe will mood of the poetry and the season and support the present a dramatic reading of A Child’s Christmas in telling of this magical story.” Wales by the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas on Saturday, The major choral offering will be Gloria by December 14 at 7:30 pm. Former CBC radio host the noted English composer and conductor John Rob Clipperton, and St. Matthew’s parishioner Mary Rutter. The work is orchestrated for four trumpets, Glen, will share in bringing this much-loved work to three trombones, tuba, organ, timpani and two life. percussionists. To match the bravura of the brass, the Poet Dylan Thomas was born in the southern choir of St. Matthew’s will join forces with members Welsh seaport city of Swansea in 1914. This of the Ottawa chamber ensemble Seventeen Voyces autobiographical story vividly recalls his memories and other invited singers. of Christmas as a child, packed with details that allow Mr. Adsett says Gloria is a technically challenging the listener to enter into the world of the mid 1920s. “tour-de-force” work in three contrasting movements. The story is peopled with friends and relations from The text is from the Ordinary of the Mass in Latin, his childhood, and although his family itself was “Gloria in excelsis Deo” (“Glory to God in the not poor (his father was a Grammar School English Highest”), the words the angels were said to have teacher), Thomas witnessed the poverty around them sung at the birth of Jesus. as he grew up. The choir will also sing two other selections The work is masterful in its conjuring up of by Rutter, The Very Best Time of the Year and his nostalgic feelings of a much simpler time when arrangement of We Wish You a Merry Christmas. “even the snow was better” and Thomas’s use of The audience will also have an opportunity to sing exaggerated characters for comedic effect supports four traditional carols that would have been known to this idyllic childhood Christmas story. Welsh audiences between the two World Wars. Music is a powerful force in Welsh culture, with “In planning this concert,” Mr. Adsett says, “my the valleys and towns of Wales boasting famous intent is to offer a gift to the wider community, choirs whose singing captures their depth of feeling particularly families who might appreciate its brevity and sense of community. To complement this (just over 60 minutes) and its free-will offering rendering of A Child’s Christmas in Wales, Kirkland format.” Afterwards the audience will be invited to remain for a reception which will round out the evening and capture the sense of joy of Illustration by Trina Schart Hyman, from the book Quality childcare in Old Ottawa East the music and community fellowship. of “A Child’s Christmas in Wales”. ure &N urtu Outdoor exploration, community Nat re connection, gardening, creative play, in a safe, fun, loving atmosphere. Registered Early Childhood Educator A Child’s Christmas in Wales (R.E.C.E) with 21 years working with Saturday, December 14 at 7:30 pm children in a variety of capacities. St. Matthew’s Anglican Church Home Playcare Spots available for children aged 1-4. 130 Glebe Avenue (just west of Bank St.) Lilia Fick • 613-567-5150 • [email protected] www.stmatthewsottawa.ca The OSCAR l December 2019 Page 19

MUSIC Just Voices: A cause for singing By Eva Schacherl

Ottawa is a great city for choirs. They come in many varieties, from classical to blues, from a capella to funk. But the Just Voices choir, founded in 2004, is unique. Like other choirs, it offers fellowship and the joy of singing together. But its purpose is also to showcase and support social and environmental justice, equality and inclusion. The name Just Voices refers to that concern with justice – although it’s also true that the choir sings many songs without accompaniment. These include the handclapping, foot- stomping songs that come from South Africa, South America and other parts of the world that have inspired hymns of freedom and struggle. Several residents of Old Ottawa South are members of the choir, transform ourselves and the world. Just Voices Choir at their summer solstice concert, June 2019. including Joerg Esleben and Chris The choir’s repertoire of songs is Rosene. Rosene was drawn to the eclectic – in all styles and from many choir because of its values. “My wife parts of the world. They have adapted and I heard about Just Voices from a well-known tunes with original words Just Voices’ 15th Annual friend. We had no previous experience about sustainability, the joys of biking, except for a period in Mozambique or the threat of climate change. Recent Winter Solstice Concert when we both taught in a language concerts have featured spirituals, folk With guest artist Doreen Stevens institute and sang liberation songs. We tunes, and songs by Joni Mitchell, Friday, December 13th liked the idea of a choir dedicated to Neil Young, Oscar Peterson and social and environmental justice.” Garth Brooks, as well as Hymne à la At the Church of the Ascension, 253 Echo Drive. Some of the choir’s 25 members beauté du monde by Quebec artist Luc Doors open at 6:30 pm and the concert is from 7 to 9 pm have belonged for 10 to 15 years. But Plamondon. Admission is $5 to $15 new members join every year, are The choir has grown over the years, welcome at all levels of ability, and says long-term member Rob Ryan, but do not need to know how to sight- has also kept continuity. “The people read. Instead of an audition, anyone have changed, and we don’t sing as interested is invited to drop in at a many songs about cycling as we used weekly practice and see what it’s to. But the commitment remains the like. The choir meets on Wednesday same to singing songs from all over evenings from 7 pm to 9 pm at the the world that support and encourage Bronson Centre, from September to many social justice, environmental mid-December, and from January to and peace movements. I appreciate mid-June. Each session ends with a the enthusiasm, the love of singing winter or summer solstice concert. The and the sense of humour of the choir next concert is on December 13. members.” “Our weekly rehearsals are All are welcome to Just Voices’ something we really look forward to. 15th annual winter solstice concert on There’s the joy of singing beautiful Friday, December 13 at the Church songs in harmony with the other of the Ascension, 253 Echo Drive. FOR The choir will welcome special guest ALE SOLD choir members – many of whom S . have become close friends,” says Ella artist Doreen Stevens, an Algonquin Heyder. “We laugh a lot and often artist and singer-songwriter from get up to dance, especially when Kitiganzibi, Quebec. singing African songs like Ke Arona Doors open at 6:30 pm and the (from the struggle against apartheid). concert is from 7 to 9 pm. The sliding- It’s also really rewarding to sing at scale admission is $5 to $15, and environmental and social justice proceeds will support the Odawa events to lend our voices to the cause.” Native Friendship Centre’s 510 Those events have included protests Rideau Drop-in Centre. Homemade on for human rights treats will be served. and climate justice; performing at To find out more about upcoming Gil’s Hootenanny, an annual May 1 events, joining the choir, or inviting workers’ celebration; the Women’s Just Voices to an event, visit March; the Riversong concert at justvoices.ca. Westboro Beach, highlighting nuclear waste concerns on the ; Eva Schacherl is a long-time and a recent appearance at an Odawa member of Just Voices. Native Friendship Centre fundraiser. Just Voices’ current choir director, Jean Winter, has over 30 years’ experience as a high school music educator and in using music and art to help people explore their sense of self. She believes in the power of song to ©2019 Engel & Völkers Ottawa Central, Brokerage. Each brokerage independently owned & operated. Dominique Milne, Broker. Lyne Burton, Sales Representative. Page 20 The OSCAR l December 2019

SIPS FROM THE POETRY CAFE The Little Witch Press 10th anniversary party was a huge success! By Susan J. Atkinson As is tradition with the ending of all great parties it’s time for The Little By the time this issue of the OSCAR Witches to say a few HUGE and arrives at your front doorstep it will be heartfelt thanks. Beyond the party, the about 6 weeks since the Little Witches face paint, the cupcakes, the readings of Little Witch Press fame celebrated and the festivities, the celebration for the 10-year anniversary of their Old The Little Witches was really about Ottawa South-inspired children’s book, community, neighbours and support. What Do Witches Do? The celebration One of the highlights of the afternoon might very well be in the past, but the was the wonderful selection of door Little Witches are still glowing from prizes and giveaways that had been its success and they are still profusely donated by local Old Ottawa South thanking all the people that not only businesses. In fact, the support for the contributed to the success, but also to celebration was quite astounding and family and friends who made the event really a testament to the incredible possible. neighbourhood we are lucky enough to The party was two hours of non-stop call home. fun and frivolity and of course, as is For The Little Witches all that’s customary with the Little Witches, the left to do is to send a big shout-out, afternoon held a few surprises for their a big thank you and a big show of young audience. One such surprise was Susan and Elizabeth handing out door prizes from local businesses at the appreciation for our local merchants. a drop-in visit by Miss Aurora from Little Witch Press 10th Anniversary party. PHOTO BY AARON DOYLE Thank you to The Clothes Secret, The Mud Oven, Life of Pie, Cedars Makin’ Moves Dance Studio. With a and Co, Makin’ Moves, The Mayfair, Pied-Piper-kind-of-charm, Miss Aurora Corona Gymnastics, Douvris Martial gathered the children for an impromptu Arts Studio, Where I Thrive Cycle Halloween dance lesson – truthfully, and Barre Studio, Martha Tobin, even some of the older members of the Ada Brezki Pottery and Black audience enjoyed following along to Squirrel Books. Your generosity not some ‘Thriller’ moves! only provided a lot of fun crowd Amongst other treats and activities participation, as door prize ticket there was face painting, a mini pop- numbers were announced, but it made up photo booth, colouring, guessing a lot of people very happy! the number of jellybeans in a jar and Halloween may be over but book naturally there were books! Oh, and sales are still going strong and orders costumes – lots of costumes! For many can be placed through the website of the youngsters the celebration was www.littlewitchpress.com or by a chance to have a test run of their visiting the Facebook page and sending Halloween costumes. Needless to say, a message. Don’t forget the Little there was a wide variety of fun and Witches also have a new collection of creative costumes from Super Marios poems, holiday cards, pins and stickers, to princesses, super heroes to ninjas which all make great stocking stuffers and of course there were witches. not to mention great Christmas gifts for There was even a mini-Pansy Witch your favourite teacher! look-alike complete with a purpley- blue face. Susan J. Atkinson is a poet, children’s Not to be out-shone by the fun author and educator. She lives in Old of games and activities, the author- Ottawa South. illustrator team of the Little Witch books, Elizabeth Todd Doyle and I performed two separate readings. One, a rollicking rendition of poems from their new chapbook of poems, Little Poems for Little Hands. (This snow wraps small collection made its debut launch at the event and was published to soft blankets commemorate the success of the press). The second reading was a lively around hedgerows version of What Do Witches Do? which delighted the youngsters as they made tucking fall into bed connections to favourite and familiar haunts from the neighbourhood.

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OTTAWA SOUTH REFUGEE COMMITTEE New life, new debts, the behind the scenes costs of funding refugees By Karan Smith familiar with: rent, food, clothing transportation costs. This financial credential, including translation of a and furniture, but other costs that add contribution was only possible credential, notarization, assessment Airports can be a place of to newcomers’ bills and can leave because of the financial donations and evaluation are all costs which homecoming, but the site of new them with debts before they even get to the Ottawa South Committee for the newcomer must pay,” says beginnings too. In recent years, five started. Refugee Support.” Bev Davis, co-chair of the refugee refugee families have descended the committee. “Any additional training escalator at the Ottawa International Here’s a look at three behind the Dental expenses or post-secondary education costs are Airport into a new life here through scenes costs new refugees face. Healthy Smiles, a program of the also borne by the newcomer.” the assistance of the Ottawa South Ontario government, provides dental It’s already a daunting challenge Committee for Refugee Support, No free flights care for children and youth under requalifying professional skills in key partners and donors in this Refugees are required to pay 17 years of age, along with a year Canada, and such debts add to that community. back the cost of their airfare. The of basic dental care for adults. For stress. The first, the Alsebaee family of federal Immigration Loans Program adults especially, expensive dental six from Syria, arrived three days provides funds for transportation care including crowns and root canals Want to help? before Christmas in 2015. The most costs to Canada. Refugees are given is often necessary, yet not covered. Please let the Ottawa South recent, another refugee family of six a grace period of one year before a “The committee’s experience Refugee Committee know if you who arrived from the United Arab no-interest loan repayment schedule is that refugee families have had can help through donations or Emirates last July. kicks in. extremely limited dental care,” says volunteering. The Committee can These new starts have all been Nonpayment of the transportation Mills. “As a result, especially for be reached by email at osrefugee@ made possible through generous costs could jeopardize a refugee’s adult family members, the committee gmail.com. Tax deductible financial donors and hard-working volunteers ability to gain citizenship, says has helped pay for thousands of donations can be made by cheque who do everything from filling in Kevin Mills, co-chair of the refugee dollars of dental costs.” payable to Trinity Anglican Church crucial paperwork to setting up committee, noting that the tickets are with “Refugee Sponsorship” first accommodations and helping often booked last-minute once travel Foreign Credential Assessment indicated on the cheque’s memo families learn transit routes. The documents are issued. Tickets can While there are language training line. Trinity’s address is 1230 Bank backing of the Anglican Diocese cost between $1,000 and $1,500 per and professional support available Street, Ottawa ON K1S 3Y3. Its of Ottawa and partnerships with person. for new arrivals, this help doesn’t office is open from 10 am to 2 pm on Mennonites have also been key. “One of our recent refugee families extend to the assessment of foreign Wednesday and Friday. But the need for funds continues has received a bill of approximately credentials. These costs can add up to (and it’s a good time to donate with $6,500,” says Mills. “As one can a few thousand dollars. Karan Smith is a resident of Old the year-end tax receipt deadline imagine, this is a hardship given “For a foreign-trained professional, Ottawa South. around the corner.) It’s not only their limited income. We have such as the parent of one of our the basic expenses that we’re all attempted to blunt the impact with a families [a surgeon from Syria], small lump sum contribution to their the assessment of a professional

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FILM REVIEW

The Irishman and Margaret Atwood The Irishman is screening at the Mayfair Theatre starting the week of November 29. The film was also released on Netflix on November 27. Filmed on location in New York City (where else?). Its theatrical release (prior to December 31) makes the film eligible for consideration for Oscar awards in the New Year.

Margaret Atwood: A Word after a Word after a Word is Power The renowned American film director Martin traditional feature film. Having said that, I did not find Margaret Atwood is an iconic Canadian author. It Scorsese’s latest film The Irishman is being released it dragged. Nor did I find the violence to be excessive is no surprise that a crowd of 400 turned out to see a on Netflix this month following its world premiere at or gratuitous. Rather, it was a slow moving, superbly special Ottawa preview of a documentary film about the New York Film Festival in September and a limited crafted film which tells an entertaining story about an her life, as part of the One World Arts Film Festival. theatrical run. important part of American history. The festival invited the co-directors, Peter Raymont The Irishman is a tour de force and perhaps Scorsese is an acclaimed seventy-seven-year-old and Nancy Lang, to attend and answer questions from Scorsese’s best film. The film tells the story of the life American director. His films include Taxi Driver in the audience. and disappearance of real life Teamster union leader 1976, Gangs of New York in 2002, The Wolf of Wall The film, Margaret Atwood: A Word after a Word and mob boss Jimmy Hoffa. The Irishman features a Street in 2013, and most recently Rolling Thunder after a Word is Power, opens with Margaret (now star-studded cast – led by Robert de Niro and includes Review in 2019, a documentary about the life of Bob 80) talking about the fact she was born in Ottawa, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci. Dylan. which is a nice touch. The film relies extensively on The script is based on the 2016 book I Heard You The release of The Irishman rekindled a debate in archival footage to follow her life including her studies Paint Houses by Charles Brandt. The book is about Hollywood about theatrical releases. How is it that in Harvard during the Vietnam War, and through Hoffa’s disappearance in 1975 and – ultimately – who Scorsese’s signature film is distributed via Netflix? interviews with her friends and associates. We discover pulled the trigger. Also, since Scorsese is Italian-American much has that while she can be very funny, Margaret does not As the film opens, an elderly Frank Sheeran (Robert been made of The Irishman being a signature film and suffer fools gladly. The most poignant parts in the film De Niro) reflects on his life from the comfort of a possibly his last? This turns out to be much ado about stem from her time in Iceland with her late husband, nursing home. His life story unfolds through a series nothing, with more Scorsese films in production. Graeme Gibson – whom Margaret made extraordinary of flashbacks and a drive he made from New York to efforts to include in her activities. Gibson, also an Detroit with Russell Rufalino (Joe Pesci) and their author, died earlier this year and the film is dedicated spouses. Why did they drive? Russell does not like to him. to fly (and also hates it when anyone smokes in his Atwood is perhaps best known for her novel, The car). Turns out Frank was a truck driver and leader of Handmaid’s Tale, which has been made into a series Teamsters Local 326, installed by the Mafia. Frank and starring Elizabeth Moss (now streaming on Crave), but Russell are associates of Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino). the celebrated author has written 62 books, including That’s how a short trip became a two-day drive with 17 books of poetry. frequent stops, to attend the wedding of a son of a The documentary was made as the author worked fellow mob boss. on her latest novel, The Testaments. The voice-over Much has been made of the fact that Scorsese used narration is by Tatiana Maslany, a Regina born actress digital de-aging technology, so we see these characters and the star of Orphan Black. The world is her stage, over time. In my view, the new technology worked as we see Atwood (and Gibson) traveling to Wales, well. Nothing controversial here. Amsterdam, Boston, Berlin, Vancouver, New York and The running time of The Irishman is over three circumnavigating Iceland. hours. This is more than double the length of a I found the film very informative and entertaining. For many Canadians, Margaret Atwood is an enigma and this film helps capture her essence. The film is just 92 minutes long and screened on CBC’s Documentary Channel in November, I anticipate future broadcasts on the doc channel in December.

Tony Wohlfarth is an Ottawa-based freelance film writer.

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FICTION A Child’s Christmas in Rideauville (remembering a 20th century Christmas) By Tom Sherwood smiling, the faces of the people who were so tall when I was six, so perfect, When Dylan Thomas remembered the so solid, keeping the world together for holiday experiences of his upbringing, us kids, though we took it for granted he called them A Child’s Christmas in of course. And it always snowed in Wales. What if we looked back, as he Rideauville for Christmas, so we did, and found the words to tell our worshipped a perfect newborn God in children and grandchildren about the a perfect, newborn white world. We world that grew us up. Imagine one of took that for granted too: white snow, a our neighbours – about 40 years old clean world. now – who was a child in Old Ottawa But I can never remember now South in the 1980s, looking back on whether it snowed for six days and the holidays of his or her childhood. six nights when I was twelve, or for Imagine A Child’s Christmas in twelve days and twelve nights when I Rideauville. was six. All the Christmases roll down One Christmas was so much like the days together toward my own another in those years – around the children’s childhood now. We tried to century’s corner now and out of all make them alike. Traditional family sound except the distant speaking of rituals stretched from December 1st voices I sometimes hear a moment to New Year’s Day in the high holy before I sleep. The faces I sometimes season of a child’s spiritual year: one see as I begin to dream, secure and long feast of joy with strict liturgical

INSPIRING GIRLS

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observances not to be reformed – no life, but it all made sense to us. One WE ARE EXPERTS IN HOW GIRLS liberal, progressive theology here, Christmas Eve the star was right there LEARN, LEAD AND SUCCEED. thank you, no changes, no thanks. It in church, about two meters across, had to be done right. So we insisted to held high on a stick by a friend of At Elmwood, each girl is encouraged to challenge herself our parents the correct performance mine. She carried it all around the to excel in the classroom, develop confi dence and lead with of Christmas rites as if we had a church and people followed it. They strength. Here, girls learn to be the best students, leaders, prayer book in our hand: lights, were pretending to be shepherds and candles, carols, cards, concerts, star, Magi, sheep and camels. Finally they and global citizens they can be. stories, Santa, secrets, baking, turkey, found Jesus right at the front of the shopping, presents, pageants… each church in a manger in a stable. Only Learn more about our innovative approach to girls’ education act of unwrapping Christmas duly done it wasn’t really a stable. And it wasn’t and book a personal tour at elmwood.ca in proper order. We insisted, as children really Jesus. It was Chelsea Tronsgard do. But our parents were receptive who went to school with my sister. She servants of December’s Order of was four months old that Christmas, Service. They were seeking to preserve and her parents were Joseph and Mary. a past they treasured and wished for us. And while we all knew that Chelsea We always went to church in wasn’t really Jesus, she was love and December, even when we didn’t hope and, that night at least, she was usually go. And Christmas Eve we peace because she fell asleep during sang the old, old carols. The grown- • All Girls BOOK YOUR TOUR ups told us the old, old story full of • Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12 love and glory, full of shepherds and Continued on pg. 25 (613) 744-7783 • International Baccalaureate angels which we never saw in ordinary World School elmwood.ca/tour

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FICTION Longing for a sense of direction a Cont. from pg. 24 compass could not give. Another successful Pumpkin Alley! Longing for a light where nights the pageant, which was called Follow are long, we looked and found idols the Star. and Billy Idol and idleness. But we The joy of a child’s Christmas in never really found ourselves until we Rideauville back then was the way looked down and realized our roots. our parents tried to guide us to choose We found our way when the things the right star to follow. that had been really important to our parents and grandparents became important to us too. The one word “The trouble was love, I guess. And one by one, my friends and I as children and with growing up teenagers, in our twenties and in our marriages, many of us after years of in Rideauville searching for that star, found it when we realized the presence of the sacred back then was in our deepest human relationships and best human expressions. And that there were sometimes we found that truth by remembering experiences we’d only so many stars to half understood as children. follow.” As children we couldn’t go out after supper in winter in Rideauville: too dark, too dangerous. But staying Greed was a bright and shiny star, in was good when the light of love easy to see. Materialism glittered like glowed in our homes. Outside the gold. Cynicism was sometimes so world snowed. Inside love reigned. bright you couldn’t see the other stars. On Christmas Eve, after church, Light pollution. Some nights you Mom and Dad would put me to couldn’t see real stars because of the bed and go downstairs. I’d get up glow of Rideauville streetlights. Some and go to the window to look at the This year’s Halloween pumpkin extravaganza was a great, if one day days you couldn’t see real values moonlight and starlight, the lights late, success. 400 pumpkins were gutted, carved and put on display along because of the glare of the bargains. of neighbours’ windows and the Woodbine Place and into Percy Taverner Park the day after Halloween. The Those were the days when you Christmas lights, brightly coloured. display was a day late because of rain and high winds on Halloween night. couldn’t see Mary for Madonna, who With Mom and Dad both safely home The display also went on despite the fact that many local roads are, for the sold millions and made millions. below and the God of my childhood second year, still messy muddy tracks because of ongoing water and sewer Sports stars didn’t lead well either. a certain safeguard above and the replacement. To help support the annual effort, go to https://www.gofundme. They didn’t so much shed light as world smiling brightly all around, com/f/pumpkin-alley-2019 make money. It was the time of I’d get back into the warm bed, say agents and free agents, who were some words to my Divine Friend in actually expensive, and went where the close and holy stillness, and then the money was. One terrible season I slept. Ben Johnson got caught cheating and Wayne Gretzky went to the United States. These stars did not last. They Tom Sherwood is a retired United were tempting like some Christmas Church minister who lives in Old presents that looked good in the stores Ottawa South. He was Carleton but would run down quickly or break University chaplain for many down. And yet when we were young years, and he still supervises we kept looking for a star to follow. graduate students and leads fitness Like the Magi in The Story, we classes at Carleton. His story “The were looking up for guidance or a Rideauville Thanksgiving Mystery” was published in the October issue guide. Not that we were wise men or 743 Eastbourne Ave. - $1,429,000 153 Barrdon Road. - $1, 295,000 of The OSCAR. women or wise girls and boys. Just Manor Park Carp human. Just longing. Hungry for a fulfillment food could not provide. Considering the sale of your home? not sure what improvements to make? Don’t wait until the last minute! Discover how working with Ottawa’s Best gets the most out of your home. ‘Tis the season! Contact Sezlik.com today! “Wowing them” over cocktails, or hosting a cozy Open House... get dressed for less.

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Project Ploughshares guest speaker at Southminster United on Sunday, December 15th By Rev. Dr. Steven Moore activist and a survivor of the Hiroshima security and disarmament issues atomic bomb in August 1945, was regularly consult Project Ploughshares Southminster United Church is pleased the co-recipient of the Nobel in Oslo and Cesar Jaramillo. Rev. Dr. Steven Moore to announce that Cesar Jaramillo, in December of 2017. Governments, Cesar will be familiar to many began as his position as Executive Director of Project the United Nations, NGO’s, religious through his numerous media minister at Southminster communities and media on peace, appearances, published articles and Ploughshares will be a guest speaker United Church on October on December 15th during the 10:30 am speaking engagements from coast-to- worship service. coast-to-coast. He has been named one 1, 2019. Rev. Moore served Project Ploughshares is the Peace of the ten most influential Hispanic as chaplain in the Canadian Research Institute of the Canadian Canadians. Armed Forces for 22 years Council of Churches, founded in 1976 Accompanying Cesar will be Peter by Mennonite Ernie Regehr and the Noteboom, General Secretary of the where he developed the late Quaker activist Murray Thompson. Canadian Council of Churches. He role of chaplains engaging Ploughshares is among the leading will bring greetings from the CCC, local religious leaders in peace research entities in the world. this their 75th Anniversary year. Peter, an environment of conflict. Internationally recognized for its a member of the Christian Reformed annual Armed Conflict Inventory, it Church in America, has been with the Since his retirement from maintains active and comprehensive Council in various capacities since the Forces in 2012, Rev. files on nuclear disarmament, the arms 1999. Steve has been engaged We look forward to hearing from trade, autonomous weapons platforms in congregational ministry (“killer robots”), forced migration, and both Cesar and Peter about where space security. In this last category, their ministries are taking them in the as transitional minister at Ploughshares developed the Space challenging times in which we live. The Bethel-St. Andrew’s United Security Index, a monitoring report service will be followed by a time of in Fitzroy, in various roles prepared and published annually in fellowship and refreshment. As always, collaboration with an international all are welcome. with the Ottawa Presbytery, panel of space security experts. and most recently, as supply Project Ploughshares is a member (Note that the Scandinavian Santa minister at Emmanuel organization of ICAN, the International Lucia Procession at Southminster United. Campaign to Abolish Nuclear United Church will be held on Weapons. ICAN’s work led directly to Sunday, December 8th.) the 2017 international treaty to abolish Cesar Jaramillo, Executive Director nuclear weapons, and in consequence, Rev. Dr. Steven Moore is the Minister at of Project Ploughshares. ICAN received the 2017 Nobel Peace Southminster United Church. Prize. Setsuko Thurlow, a Ploughshares PHOTO FROM PROJECT PLOUGHSHARES

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GRC trip to Saunders Farm By Jason Roberts any case, the children seemed blissfully unaware of the ominously creepy shacks On the day before Halloween, all and rows of corn that in a few short the children from the Glebe Reggio hours, would have ghoulish creatures Centre Sunnyside Footsteps (located on leaping out along the tour route. For Sunnyside Ave near the Firehall) – and parents, perhaps, the scariest proposition many lucky parents – got to leave the was the prospect of the children falling confines of Old Ottawa South for the into one of the many muddy puddles left wide-open spaces where Saunders Farm behind after recent rain. After wandering can be found. With impressive logistical around the Farm and wolfing down the planning and precision car-pooling, aforementioned delicious lunch in the the school efficiently transported itself lovely, rustic, dining hall, the children (even including Chris the cook and his returned back to their little corner of amazingly mobile healthy lunch for Sunnyside and Bank shortly after noon, all) to the Farm for a variety of pre- exhausted but happy. Halloween festivities. For me, a relative Obviously, ensuring the children had a newcomer to Ottawa, I was amused to fun day out was of primary importance. see the farm was in an area call Munster But getting the children out for the day (thinking of a 60’s TV show!) located was also a wonderful opportunity for just south of Goulbourn. For all I know, Glebe Reggio Centre families (both perhaps this faintly amusing geography present and even future) to bond and PHOTO BY AURORA ROOS-PAUL was no coincidence. really get to meet the “friends from Arriving mid-morning, the children school” we hear about at home. The and the children have one another but and all was certainly palpable on this (ranging 1-4 years in age) huddled Centre places great emphasis on a also, even if they don’t know it, the wonderful day. I’m already marking in together under appropriately gloomy sense of the school, the children and healthy respect the children have for my calendar when and where the next skies to first enjoy a haunted hayride. the parents coalescing to become, in a one another, something that clearly the excursion will take place. Luckily, as it was still early in the day, sense, an extended family and not solely team at Glebe Reggio has taken care all the scariest of surprises Saunders a place to drop your child off during the to cultivate. Field trips are, of course, Farm offers were safely hidden away. In day. It was also heartwarming to see a common phenomenon but the effort Jason Roberts is a GRC Parent. both the mutual affection the educators Glebe Reggio put in to including one

rains are looming and the temperature the continued enjoyment of admiring Painting my front balcony is dropping. my work (I’m big on self-praise, as you Actually, it was such a lot of fun can see). working outside and talking with neighbours and curious passersby. Susan Brousseau is in good health People asked why I didn’t hire and is pleased with her newly painted someone. Well, if I had, I wouldn’t get balcony, railing and garage door.

Footsteps

Susan at work. PHOTO BY IRENA BELL

By Susan Brousseau I might add – so I had it wrapped in tarps that were styled in a camouflage I created quite a stir in the motif. The postman wouldn’t deliver neighbourhood this fall while painting my mail for several days, until he my front balcony, railing and garage received clearance from my neighbour. door. I wore the hazmat suit (ear I suppose he was worried there might muffs not shown) as per the directions be toxic waste behind the tarps (or that came with my steel brushes. perhaps a hunter with a shotgun at the The brushes were used on my drill ready). to remove the rust on the railing and A couple of evenings – 10:30 at garage door. night, to be exact – I was on my ladder Not only was I encased in protective which I had lashed to the railing (I’m clothing, so was my balcony. Its four big on self-preservation, as you can support columns needed to dry out see). I added a headlamp to my hazmat before holes at its base were repaired gear so as to shine the way for my paint and the columns painted – all by me, brush. One gets desperate when the Page 28 The OSCAR l December 2019

SENIOR WATCH OLD OTTAWA SOUTH

By Technology:Anna Cuylits Can it help us navigate our winter sidewalks?

Snow has arrived again and with it the daily questions: “How should I manage the sidewalks today and what route should I take?” I’m a senior with enough metal in my body to get the extra scans at airports. Of course I don’t want more falls with the risk of breaking more bones, so what’s the smart thing to do? I follow the Council On Aging “Tips for Winter Walking.” I wear ice grippers and use urban walking poles, I’m extra careful on sloping sidewalks, I practice the Penguin Shuffle and stay on maintained routes. But still I’m nervous because I have no idea in what condition my standard routes are, until I try to navigate them. Clearly I’m not the only senior with these concerns in the winter. The SWOOS members Anna and Peter with the Tech Team members Aarthi, Gabrielle, Gui, Phil, Hari, Adam, Nick Snow Birds go south to avoid the and Tamimi who are working on the winter walkability project. PHOTO BY BRENDON BRULE winter altogether. Others have stopped walking in winter time. They will only Participating volunteer pedestrians fill course for people who depend on creative thinkers and technologists drive or depend on others to give them these out on their own, or join a group mobility aids, such as canes, walkers for a weekend of finding technology a ride. audit in their neighbourhood. Last year and wheelchairs. The COA collects all solutions for not-for-profit two such audits were conducted in Old audits and uses the data to advocate organizations. What can we do to improve winter Ottawa South (OOS). They identified and inform the City of ways that Peter’s app concept was accepted walkability? a number of hazards consisting of winter walkability can and should be for the October Hackathon. Over the The Council On Aging (COA) slippery conditions and snow banks improved. weekend, eight volunteer developers decided on an advocacy strategy. at street crossings and bus stops. It After participating in an OOS spent 18+ intense hours to develop They developed a Snow Mole audit became obvious that these conditions Snow Mole audit, Peter Wells, a local a prototype that served to define the questionnaire that tabulates factual also created difficulty for caregivers resident came up with a mobile device network, software and user interface information on the walking conditions of young children, dogwalkers, approach. His idea was essentially a issues more clearly. of the sidewalks at a specific time. anybody who uses the bus and of “Waze for Walking” which collects Fortunately for us, “our” team crowd sourced information on both the of techies has not given up and CANADA’S ONLY OATMEAL CAFE general safety and particular hazards on will continue to work on a winter local sidewalks. After doing research walkability project that will eventually on current applications and other give communities timely and relevant monitoring programs, he realized that walkability information and, if the there is currently nothing available, and City will co-operate, more effective hence his project to develop an app for mitigation of hazardous conditions. mobile phones – GettingOUT!– was In the meantime, we’ll continue to started. use Snow Mole audits to let the City know, in hindsight, how effective they What could we do without funding? were. In consultation with Senior Watch Please stay tuned for more Old Ottawa South (SWOOS), and information on OSCA’s Snow Mole after sharing the concept with the audits in January and February 2020. transportation representative of the SWOOS welcomes your comments Fashionable COA, the next step was presenting and suggestions at swoos2018@gmail. the concept to Random Hacks of com Oatmeal Kindness Ottawa (RHoK). This organization is part of a global Anna Cuylits is a member of SWOOS Open 365 days a year 7am-4pm movement of organizing hackathons and also an OSCA Board member. that bring together problem solvers, 1154 BANK STREET @ GLEN

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ARTS AND CULTURE

Boston Ballet: A dancers perspective artist James Blake. We all knew the name sounded familiar, but couldn’t place it. I checked out the music I had on my phone, and it turns out that I had choreographed a piece for the girls in 2017 to Fall Creek Boys Choir by James Blake and Bon Iver! His music has such a unique sound that as soon as we heard the first few bars we instantly recognized it. In this piece, the dancers moved so beautifully and effortlessly across the stage, it took several minutes to realize that they were dancing en pointe. The girls laughed as they remembered their own beginner pointe class, and how you could always tell that they were wearing their pointe shoes from the sound alone! The Boston Ballet presented a beautiful performance of three very unique works. We were inspired by the bold choreography, the familiar music, and breathtaking dancers. The experience of going to see professional ballet is a crucial part of Makin’ Moves dancers and teachers ready to watch a performance by the Boston Ballet: (from left to right) Kiran dance training. It exposes the dancers Nandi, Sadie House, Frances Denny, Ms. Aurora, Anna-Jean Ferguson and Lara Collins. PHOTO BY M. MCCONKEY to advanced technical movement and artistry and inspires and enriches their study and performance of the By Aurora Roos-Paul required to execute such an advanced female soloist who danced in and out art form. As a choreographer and technical movement! of sync with the men. At times she teacher, I too am inspired in my On Thursday, November 7th the Paulo Arrias’ ELA Rhapsody in Blue was lifted and partnered by different creation and performance! The dance Makin’ Moves Aspiring Artist ballet was a particularly exciting piece for men; at other times dressed in white, world is constantly expanding, and class got ready for a night on the the girls. In 2016, they had danced in she joined the corps, dancing in at Makin’ Moves Children’s Dance town! The girls donned their dresses, Gershwin: A Choreographic Offering the centre surrounded by 15 men Theatre we want our dancers to heels and jewels and headed down (watch it on the Makin’ Moves all dancing in black. Watching experience it all, from technique to to the National Arts Centre for a Children’s Dance Theatre YouTube two dance pieces with strong male performance. spectacular performance by the channel). Seeing a professional dancers made the girls wish for some Boston Ballet. The company was set company’s interpretation of music older boys at our studio in order to do Aurora Roos-Paul is Assistant to perform 3 ballet pieces: Fancy they had danced to was such a treat. some partnering and lifts! Artistic Director at Makin’ Moves Free, ELA Rhapsody in Blue, and The choreography focused on one The final piece,Blake Works 1 was Children’s Dance Theatre in OOS. Blake Works 1. central female dancer surrounded by set to music by Grammy-nominated The first piece began with an a corps de ballet of men. energetic explosion! Three sailors Typically a corps de ballet burst onto the stage, jumping and is made up of women spinning with excitement. Jerome who focus on more subtle Robbins’ Fancy Free is a story of steps dancing in absolute sailors on a break from the sea in precision. The choice of New York City. As we watched, a male corps de ballet we were all so fascinated by the was a welcome surprise! energy and athleticism of all of It highlighted the men’s the dancers. The men could jump athletic ability with many unbelievably high, soaring through jumps and turns while the air effortlessly. At one point, one dramatically contrasting the of the sailors executed a tour en l’air landing in the splits! (This is LOVE TO LEARN? a difficult movement requiring intense strength, flexibility and Learn about propaganda, history, precision). You could Buddhism, memoir writing & more, hear gasps from the on main campus or in the audience, especially Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre. from the dancers sitting next to me. Offer a loved one a gift certificate for They understood the affordable, engaging non-credit true technical mastery lectures & workshops. and years of practice

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The Learning in Retirement program is open to adults of all ages.

carleton.ca/linr 613-520-3699 Page 30 The OSCAR l December 2019

MAYOR’S REPORT Taking care of our most vulnerable residents during the holidays By Jim Watson, Mayor unprecedented investment allowed us Saturday, December 7 to approve the building of 266 new • CBC’s Project Give on Friday, The holiday season is an occasion affordable units. I am pleased that we December 13 to reflect on the past year, take a will be repeating this investment with moment to count our blessings and Budget 2020 by investing an additional In addition to these food drives, you find opportunities to help those less $15 million into affordable housing. can fill donation boxes with canned fortunate than us. Further to securing safe and and non-perishable items at several affordable housing, many families are City of Ottawa facilities, local schools, But the holidays can also be a hard distribute hundreds of thousands of also struggling to make ends meet and workplaces or community centres, time for those living in poverty, in food and non-perishable items and to put food on their tables, particularly or make a monetary donation to the temporary housing and shelters or even thousands in cash and food vouchers during this time of year. In Ottawa Ottawa Food Bank by visiting www. on our streets. Like many Canadian to those in need during the holiday alone, more than 39,000 people visit an ottawafoodbank.ca/donate. I invite you cities, Ottawa has been experiencing a season. Together, let’s try to make an emergency food bank program every to support the various food drives in high demand for emergency housing. even bigger impact this year. month. This holiday season, I urge you our city by donating non-perishable Our local shelters are struggling, and I am proud to support the Ottawa to lend a helping hand to those less items such as peanut butter, pasta, rice, the low vacancy rate of under 1.6% Food Bank each year and hope that you fortunate in our city. tomato sauce, canned and packaged makes it hard for individuals and will join the City in spreading a little Each year, several Food Drives are soups, any canned food items, baby families to find adequate housing. bit of holiday spirit. Every donation, organized across the city in support of food and formula and diapers. Visit City Council is committed to helping whether big or small, goes a long way the Ottawa Food Bank, including: www.OttawaFoodBank.ca to consult our most vulnerable residents, and to in helping the most vulnerable in our • The CTV Morning Live’s Holiday the Ottawa Food Bank’s calendar of providing safe and affordable housing community. Helpers Food Drive on Thursday, events and find out where you can for all. Last year, we invested $15 I wish you all a safe and happy December 5 donate. million to build new affordable housing Christmas and Holiday Season. in Ottawa, the first investment of this • My 19th Annual Christmas Last year, your generosity helped magnitude in the City’s history. This Celebration at City Hall on the Ottawa Food Bank collect and

ROADS AND SIDEWALKS Winter is here and the City is ready to respond! By Laila Gibbons, residents to know what to expect blades will be available to our staff to Director – Roads and during a snow event, and in what order treat sidewalks. roads and sidewalks will be cleared. As always, our Roads staff are Parking Services Major roadways that carry heavy traffic committed to supporting a safe travel moving at high speeds are cleared first, environment for all residents. This It’s the time of year we love to hate… followed by the roadways that support winter, you will know we are out winter! For some, it’s the time to cozy bus routes and throughway traffic. working in your community when you up at home and hibernate until spring Residential roads are cleared based see our blue lights flashing. comes. For others, it’s time to strap on on the amount of snow received, and your skis or take a skate on the canal. within 10 hours of the last snowflake For our City’s Roads team, this is falling. their busiest season. More than 510 This year, there is an increased focus staff are assigned to winter operations, on sidewalk maintenance. We have and they spend every day ensuring the changed our staffing model so staff are City’s sidewalks and roadways are safe available to respond around the clock for all residents. Since last winter, they when weather conditions require it. At have been preparing the more than 595 five centimeters of snow, our teams pieces of equipment and snow clearing will be deployed to clear the sidewalks, machines that you will see in your with a goal of having them entirely community. cleared 16 hours after the snow ends. Roads and sidewalks are cleared We are also using new technology on based on Council approved standards, our sidewalks to reduce the amount called Maintenance Quality Standards. of ice and build-up. An icebreaking These standards allow staff and machine and new sidewalk machine

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The OSCAR l December 2019 Page 31

MPP’S REPORT Addressing the opioid crisis demands compassion and evidence-based policy By Joel Harden, MPP declaring it a public health emergency. a concept that I spoke about in the It’s absolutely crucial that we mobilize legislature last month. The holiday season is a time of resources on a scale required to I was struck by the consensus compassion, when we turn our address the crisis. But this provincial articulated at the community meeting attention to the most marginalized in government is doing the opposite, by by public health officials, police our community and think about how closing supervised consumption sites officials and city councillors that the we can support them. Lately, I’ve been across Ontario, and refusing to declare key issue is the toxic illicit drug supply thinking a lot about people who are a public health emergency. that is poisoning users. A serious and addicted to drugs and the impact that When our province has faced other effective response to the opioid crisis the opioid crisis is having on them and public health crises, including the needs to reckon with this reality. has dramatically reduced drug-related their loved ones. listeriosis outbreak of 2008 resulting We could start by following the deaths. In Portugal, there are 3 drug I recently had an opportunity to in tainted meat, immediate action was lead of British Columbia, where a overdose deaths for every million attend a community meeting regarding taken. There is no excuse for failing pilot project supplying safe opioid citizens compared to an EU average of the supervised injection site at the to act with similar urgency to save the pills to a group of 50 users has been 17.3 per million. Somerset West Community Health lives of people who are being poisoned implemented. London, Ontario has a Let’s remember that people who use Centre, which opened in the spring by a toxic drug supply. similar program called “Emergency drugs are our neighbours, our friends, of 2018. The site is located in an area At Queen’s Park, we’re debating a Safer Supply” where doctors prescribe our loved ones – they are not an alien that has the second highest rate of drug Bill that would allow the government opioids to users who might otherwise species. We need a humane drug overdoses in the city. to take legal action against opioid buy deadly, toxic drugs on the black policy that treats addiction as a public The impact of the opioid crisis on manufacturers in order to recover market. health issue, not a criminal offence. Ottawa has been devastating, with 94 healthcare related costs due to opioid- We can also look to the example I’ll continue speaking up on this issue deaths being recorded in our health related injury or death. I support the of Portugal, a country that had the at the legislature, and doing whatever region this year alone, compared to 49 Bill, but it does nothing to address the courage to decriminalize all drugs in I can to support community health in 2016. issue of unsafe drug supply. It’s also 2001 when this was seen as a radical workers and grassroots advocates who We need to treat the opioid crisis time for us to seriously consider the idea. The evidence is overwhelming are working to save lives every day. with the urgency it deserves by idea of “safe supply” as a means to that investing in prevention and stop people dying from tainted drugs, treatment rather than incarceration

MP’S REPORT Thank you, Ottawa Centre By Catherine McKenna, MP transpo fleet. time in our community office. • We need to expand Bayview Yards As we move forward, there are a We are moving into the winter here, and make Ottawa a global clean- couple changes to note happening and as we inch closer to the end of tech hub to create even more good in our community office. Monica the year, I am truly humbled that the jobs. Fathallah will take on the role of Office people of Ottawa Centre chose to put • We need to build more affordable Director, and Ashley Gammie will be their trust in me as their MP once more. housing. transitioning to Casework Manager. Again, I made the decision to run a • We need to respect and support We are committed to continue working local campaign on issues that matter our public servants. hard for all of you, listening and to all of us. I delivered on the local • We need to eliminate single use helping with your concerns. promises that I made in 2015. But plastics, and plant thousands of As I prepare to join my colleagues priority. If you have challenges I believe that there is a lot more trees, in Ottawa Centre. back on Parliament Hill, I will be a resolving a Phoenix pay issue please to do to create a more sustainable, voice for all of you in Ottawa Centre, contact our office and a member of our prosperous and inclusive Ottawa I promised to do all these things and and do my best to represent you team will assist you. Centre. I will work every day to deliver them while continuing to work hard for our for you. community. • We need to restore the Prince of We had a very busy and productive Note: Our office will be closed Wales Bridge for cyclists and summer this year and our summer Phoenix pay system December 20, 2019 and we will re- pedestrians. volunteers Aliya and Liam provided Resolving the ongoing public service open January 6, 2020. • We need electric buses in the OC some amazing assistance during their pay problem is our government’s HAPPY HOLIDAY Beautiful living naturally SEASON Bloomfields Flowers from 783 Bank Street | 613-230-6434 1280 Wellington St. West | 613-695-6434 The www.bloomfields.ca OSCAR staff Page 32 The OSCAR l December 2019

FINANCIAL PLANNING Become familiar with wealth transfer strategies By Bob Jamieson, CFP lower probate, executor and legal Beneficiary designations complex. Consequently, you’ll need to fees. Be careful when gifting property Many of your financial assets — consult with your tax and legal advisors To retire comfortably, you need to (including cash and securities) to a including life insurance policies, regarding your particular situation. save and invest regularly using an spouse or minor child, as income RRSP/RRIFs and TFSAs — allow effective savings and investment attribution rules may apply, causing you to name a beneficiary, and the Permanent Life Insurance strategy. Maximizing RRSPs or other income earned on the gifted property to option of contingent beneficiaries. When building an estate for your retirement accounts will likely be be taxed in your hands. Upon your death, your beneficiary heirs, you have typically considered essential to realizing your retirement If you donate securities with a capital will automatically receive these both registered and unregistered goals. Once you retire, you’ll need to gain to a registered Canadian charity assets, avoiding the sometimes time- investment accounts as your principal “switch gears” somewhat and begin then there is no tax payable on the consuming, expensive (and public) sources of accumulating wealth. considering wealth transfer strategies. capital gain, and you get full credit process of probate. It is essential Permanent life insurance can be used An effective wealth transfer strategy for the donation, up to the standard that you periodically review these to pay taxes on the estate, but also to can help you accomplish a variety of charitable deduction limit. designations to make sure they reflect effectively accumulate wealth and pass goals, such as distributing your assets your current wishes and that they do it along to children or grandchildren, the way you choose, avoiding probate Will not conflict with the terms of your will. typically in a very tax-efficient manner. fees and reducing estate taxes. You can A will is simply a plan for explore a variety of wealth transfer distributing your assets to family Trusts All the wealth transfer techniques tools, including the following: members and other beneficiaries. If you Different trusts can help you we’ve looked at will require some were to die intestate (without a will), accomplish a variety of wealth transfer careful thought and preparation on Gifting provincial laws would determine how and estate planning goals. For example, your part — so don’t wait too long Gifting your assets to your adult your assets should be distributed — an inter vivos trust can help you leave before getting started. Time has a way children can help minimize the size of and there’s no guarantee that the end assets to your heirs without going of sneaking up on all of us — but your estate, reducing the tax burden result would be what you would have through probate. You can also structure it’s especially sneaky when we’re at death. This could also potentially chosen. the trust to stagger payments over unprepared. a number of years, rather than all at

www.edwardjones.com once, or include other restrictions or incentives. If you would to discuss the above WEALTH MANAGEMENT As you can see, trusts are versatile strategies in more detail, please give instruments — but they are also me a call at 613-526-3030.

CARLETON CORNER As we welcome the holiday season, Competitive Club begins Carleton University invites everyone to at 3 pm Beginners are invited to an open special events throughout December. skate in Rink B from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm As always, we invite you to check out Admission is free, but all participants courses available in the new year. We are encouraged to bring a non-perishable wish you and yours a very happy and safe food item for the Carleton Food Bank. holiday season. Please register at events.carleton.ca/ holiday-skate-2019/ Holiday Skate Helping you make sense of Staff, faculty, students and alumni are Carleton Holiday Concert invited to celebrate the holidays as a The university’s holiday concert will be wealth management strategies community on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019 at held at the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers the Carleton University Ice House. An Centre on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019 at In your neighbourhood intermediate open skate will take place 355 Cooper Street. The concert begins Call or visit your local Edward Jones advisor to help you in Rink A from 1 pm to 3 pm A one-hour at 7:30 pm. This is a special holiday determine the appropriate wealth management solutions skating show presented by the Carleton concert, starring Carleton alumni in for your family: the performing arts. To register, kindly visit: bit.ly/HolidayConcertCU. For Wealth Preservation r more information, please contact the r Business Succession Planning Department of University Advancement r Charitable Giving at 613-520-3636 or email advancement@ carleton.ca. r Estate Planning r Investment Management Sprott School of Business Professional r And more MBA Program The Sprott Professional MBA program Edward Jones, its employees and Edward Jones advisors do not provide tax or legal is designed for working professionals advice. You should also consult a qualified tax specialist or lawyer for professional advice regarding your specific situation. with a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience who wish to continue in their careers while completing their MBA. The Professional  MBA is cohort-based and structured in  an intensive executive format over 16   months. Courses are delivered every  second Friday and Saturday, allowing  time for team projects and coursework.  For additional details and webinar dates, we welcome you to visit sprott.carleton. ca/mba.

Member – Canadian Continued on pg. 33 MKT-7690-C-AD Investor Protection Fund The OSCAR l December 2019 Page 33

COMPUTER TRICKS AND TIPS Printing – Why stop with only 2D? Malcolm and John Harding, to [email protected] or convenient features later, but you might Go to compu-home.com/blog for an of Compu-Home call 613-580-2940 and ask for Imagine save yourself some time and grief by archive of our columns (including Space. Parents, are you getting the hint buying something that comes with this one) and lots more tech-related for a wintertime activity here? You’re some helpful enhancements already articles. There is a space right after We have lamented repeatedly in this welcome! built in. The web sites ca.bestreviews. each item for you to make comments space about the problems associated guide and www.tomsguide.com have and suggestions, and ask questions. with printing: It is wasteful. Printers Making your own project sections of reviews of 3D printers You can even sign up for automatic are constantly breaking down and they Once you are certified, (and now and you should read everything you updates. Have a look at compu-home. have the lifespan of a gnat. Cartridges you really are a maker) you may can get your hands on before making com/blog soon or call us at 613- are hideously expensive. And so on. book time to work on your own any choices of hardware or software. 731-5954 to share your opinions and You might be wondering why we project. The only cost is for the plastic The machine you buy will dictate the suggest subjects for future columns. would be exploring today the subject “filament” with which the 3D product form of the plastic filament that will Our email address is info@compu- of 3D printing that is considerably is created. Apparently, the average be used to create your product and so home.com more complex than just printing on cost of materials for a user’s project is that is another important factor in your paper and where the machinery and the approximately $3.00. decision. materials are more expensive, not to You may wish to create your Have fun! mention the steeper learning curve. projects from scratch but actually The answer is “because it is fun you don’t have to be that ambitious and useful” and also because, believe in the beginning stages. Quite often it or not, it has become considerably the instructions and programming for easier in the past couple of years than various designs are available online, it used to be. You will almost certainly inexpensive or free, and many people be surprised at how painless it is to have found that this is an effective way get started (in the 3D world you will to get familiar with what to expect. become a person called a “maker”) and If any of the above generates a if you decide to really get involved the glimmer of interest in you, you might expense is not as prohibitive as you wish to have a look at some samples of probably feared. easy and interesting projects to get you started. A Google search of “Sample Learning 3D Printing Projects” will show you A logical first step, which we highly more than 100 terrific examples, all recommend, is to sign up for the free within the first three search results. course at Imagine Space, at the Nepean Branch of the Ottawa 3D printer Public Library. This course is usually In case you might carry this interest 1 – 2 hours, and is offered a few to the next step and think about starting times in most weeks. In addition to an up at home, it will probably surprise introduction to “Inkscape” which is a you just how inexpensive an entry- very popular 3D design software title, level 3D printer can be. Here is where you will become familiar and certified the most important (and trickiest) in the use of the 3D lab equipment. step in the whole process occurs: Probably most important is an the research you should do to get set GMSOlderOpenGROscarNov19.pdf 1 2019-10-18 4:08 PM overview of just what 3D printing and up. The printers themselves start at related laser cutting can and cannot do, less than $300, but that is for a which will lead you to ideas you would pretty bare bones machine. You like to take on. All of this is offered at can always upgrade with little no charge. For more information write Visitors’ Information Night January 28th 6:00 -7:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale now for Cont. from pg. 32 the classic Carleton-uOttawa basketball game on Friday, Feb. Lifelong Learning 7, 2020. They are available at Carleton is offering an tdplace.ca. exciting winter 2020 selection of affordable, non-credit lecture University Closure series and workshops. On our Carleton University will closeC main campus, learn about the from Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2019 toM global history of oil, logical Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020 inclusiveY fallacies, famous artists of the and will re-open on Friday, Jan. CM Renaissance, and much more. 3, 2020. For variations on this At the downtown Carleton closure, visit carleton.ca. MY Dominion-Chalmers Centre, CY explore truth and propaganda, Carleton Corner is written byCMY Buddhism, grief and loss, history Carleton University’s Department K of the guitar, and more. Both of University Communications. locations offer Italian language As your community university, Bilingual Toddler, Preschool, & Elementary Learning Programs and memoir writing workshops. Carleton has many exciting events Register, join the mailing list and of interest to Old Ottawa South. A Montessori education For more information about buy gift certificates through the Glebe is more relevant today than ever! Learning in Retirement program upcoming events, please go to Montessori (open to all adults) at carleton.ca/ carleton.ca/events. ~ Creativity ~ Critical thinking ~ Organizational skills ~ Independence & self-motivation ~ A love of learning linr, or call 613-520-3699. School

Capital Hoops Classic Please contact us at: (613) 237-3824 | 650 Lyon St. South Ottawa, ON K1S 327 (Glebe St. James United Church) The hottest basketball rivalry in the capital tips off in February! www.glebemontessori.com Page 34 The OSCAR l December 2019

SUNNYSIDE LIBRARY PROGRAMS Sunnyside Branch puppets, crafts, building blocks, and are beginning to read independently. Wednesdays, 11:30 am – 2:30 pm Ottawa Public Library more! /Un programme porte-ouverte Join us on the first Saturday of every December 11 1049 Bank Street, Ottawa pour les enfants d’âge préscolaire! month to chat about the book, do a InfoService 613-580-2940 Jouez avec des marionnettes et des fun activity and share some ideas Conversations Among Canadians blocs, bricolez, et plus encore! about what to read next. Parents Sharing, in community, our CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS Drop-in/ Programme portes ouvertes. and / or caregivers must accompany experiences, knowledge, reflections Wednesdays, 10 am – 11 am / their child. Ages 5-7. Registration and ideas about life in Canada and Maker Mondays / Lundi Créatifs Mercredi, 10h – 11h required. our situation in the larger world, past, Play, build, create, cut, fold, knit, November 6 - December 4 / 6 Saturdays, 2:00 pm (45 minutes) present and future. Drop-In program. draw and so much more with our novembre - 4 décembre December 7: Harold and the Purple Wednesdays, 2:00 – 4:00 pm low-tech mobile maker station! Ages Crayon by Crockett Johnson September 11– December 18 8 and up / Joue, construis, crée, Family Storytime découpe, plie, tricote, dessine et Stories, rhymes and songs for ADULT BOOK CLUBS French Conversation Group pratique une foule d’autres activités children of all ages and a parent or Améliorez votre français parlé avec notre nouveau poste mobile de caregiver. Drop-in. Second Friday Adult Book Club et rencontrez des gens dans une création à faible technicité! 8 ans et Thursdays / 10:15 am (30 min.) Meet new people and join in ambiance décontractée et conviviale. plus. November 7 – December 5 stimulating discussions on selected Niveau intermédiaire. Programme Drop-in/ Programme portes ouvertes titles in a friendly and relaxed portes ouvertes / Practice your Mondays, 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm / Les Lego Block Party / Ça dé “bloc” atmosphere every second Friday of French language conversation lundis, 15h30 – 17h00 Drop by and take part in a different the month. Newcomers are welcome. skills and meet new friends in a September 9 – December 2/ 9 activity each week! / Prenez part Drop-in program. relaxed and friendly environment. septembre – 2 décembre à une nouvelle activité à chaque Friday, 2:00 – 3:00 pm Intermediate level. Drop-in program. semaine! Drop-in / Programme December 13 Les jeudis, 18h30 / Thursdays, 6:30 Homework Help / Aide aux Devoirs portes ouvertes December Title: The Reluctant pm (60 min.) Come get help with reading, math, Fridays, 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm / Les Fundamentalist by Hamid Mohsin 12 septembre – 19 décembre/ science, French, English, etc. Led by vendredis, 15h30 – 17h00 September 12 – December 19 Frontier College. Ages 6 -10 / Reçois September 13 – December 13 / 13 Ottawa ComicBook Club de l’aide avec la lecture, les maths, septembre – 13 décembre The Ottawa ComicBook Club Conversations about Community les sciences, le français, l’anglais, is a small group of ComicBook Convened in an extended sense of etc. Avec des bénévoles de Frontier Play Day! / Au jeu! enthusiasts who meet once a month community, topics of conversation College. 6-10 ans Drop in preschool fun! Play with to discuss a graphic novel. For teens range from the local to the global. Drop-in/ Programme portes ouvertes. puppets, crafts, building blocks, and and adults. Drop-in program. Drop-in program. Mondays, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm / les more! / Un programme porte-ouverte Monday, 7:00 - 8:30 pm Saturdays, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm lundis, 16h – 17h pour les enfants d’âge préscolaire! December 9 September 14 – December 14 September 9 – December 2 / 9 Jouez avec des marionnettes et des December title: Crawl Space by Jesse septembre – 2 décembre blocs, bricolez, et plus encore! Jacobs A Word in Arabic Drop-in / Programme portes ouvertes Learn a few words in Arabic. Drop-in Babytime Saturdays, 10:15 am – 11:15 am /Les ADULT PROGRAMS program. For babies and their parents or samedis, 10h15 – 11h15 Wednesdays, 4:30 – 6:30 pm caregiver with stories, rhymes, songs September 14 – December 14 / 14 The Writing Workshop September 11 – December 18 and games. 0-18 months. Drop-in septembre – 14 décembre An opportunity for writers of fiction, Tuesdays, 2:15 pm (30 min.) non-fiction, poetry, and experimental Conversations about Earth and Us November 5 – December 3 CHILDREN’S BOOK CLUBS forms to gather. Our emphasis will Conversations, in community, be on developing works-in-progress exploring ways to experience and Family Storytime (Bilingual) / Bookworms Book Club for publication. The workshop will understand our environment not as Contes en Famille (bilingue) Come share the enjoyment of reading provide writers with encouragement “out there” but ourselves as insiders, Stories, rhymes and songs for books with other kids ages 8 and and constructive criticism from their participating in Earth’s ecosphere. children of all ages and a parent or up. Parents and/or caregivers are peers. Drop-in program. With such a glimpse of broadened caregiver. / Contes, comptines et encouraged to accompany their child. Monday, 6:00 - 8:00 pm new perspectives and possibilities, chansons pour les enfants de tout âge Titles for this club are decided by December 2 a pleasantly accelerated response to et un parent ou gardien. book battle! Come to a meeting to climate change might, it is hoped, Drop-in/ Programme portes ouvertes. participate and to help choose the Knit & Knatter also emerge. Drop-in program. Tuesdays, 10:15 am / Mardi / 10h15 next title. Registration required. Have you always wanted to learn Thursdays, 2:00 pm– 4:00 pm (30 min.) Mondays, 6:30 pm (60 min.) to knit, crochet or improve your September 12 – December 19 November 5 – December 3 / 5 December 16 skills? Come to Sunnyside and bring novembre – 3 decembre your knitting needles and yarn to ADULT SPECIAL PROGRAMS Eager Readers Book Club (5-7 begin or share your project. Enjoy Wee Wednesdays! / Mercredi Mini! years) conversation and a cup of tea while No Special programs for December. Drop in preschool fun! Play with A children’s book club for kids who you knit! Drop-in program.

The Homework Club Affordable, Quality, After-School Care A Girls Homework, Play & Arts Club 3:30-5:30 pm * Grades 1-8 Research Projects * Dioramas * Presentation Practice Our office is here for you with: Daily Fr & Eng Reading Out Loud for Younger Students Monthly Town Halls Slide presentations * Posters * Study & Editing skills Canvasses Tutoring for Math/French/English Literacy Community Organizing Help Accessing Government On the Sunny 2nd floor of Southminster United Church Services (such as housing, Supervised Pick up available from Hopewell ODSP/OW, healthcare, OSAP etc.) Call 613-818-3006 And more! 18 Yrs Academic Support & Quality After-School Care P: 613-722-6414 Excellent Local References 109 Catherine St. / rue Catherine E: [email protected] MPP / Député provincial, Ottawa, ON K2P 0P4 Ottawa Centre www.joelharden.ca The OSCAR l December 2019 Page 35

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CLASSY ADS CLASSY ADS are free for Old Ottawa South residents (except for businesses or for business activity) and must be submitted by email to [email protected]. The editor retains the right to edit or exclude submissions. The OSCAR takes no responsibility for items, services or accuracy.

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For Rent: Two-bedroom bright For Sale: TREK road bike with Looking for a nanny share. We are Parent Helper Available. A fun 5th- basement apartment in OOS home, a phone holder, rear carrier and seeking a nanny share for our one grade girl who loves kids can play available immediately. $1,500 side pack sack, distance and speed child, starting in February 2020, with your children while you do monthly – includes utilities, Internet, calibrator, helmet, thick wire lock when she is 12 months old. Start other things in the house. She can laundry facilities, driveway for and key. $200. Contact Larry at 613- date is flexible. We are able to host, also walk children from Hopewell one car. For inquiries, email: 327-9080. and are located close to the Firehall School to after-school activities or [email protected] ------Community Center. Looking for home to a waiting guardian. Willa ------regular business hours, Monday to has completed the Home Alone and Seeking roommate for townhouse Friday. We do not currently have Kid Sitters Canada courses. $3/hr for in OOS near Bank and Sunnyside. I a nanny. We are open to joining one child; $5/hr for two. References have a large spare room with private an existing nanny share or finding available. You can reach Willa and adjacent bathroom. Shared kitchen, a nanny together. If you are also her parents at 613-897-7664 (text) or living and dining rooms. Young seeking a nanny share, please contact [email protected]. female owner; working professional. us via email at justin.connolly@ Asking $1000 per month all utilities gmail.com included. Email shadai522@hotmail. ------com Looking for a short-term rental or ------house-sit (+/- your pet, if you have one!) for 1-3 months this winter while our home is being renovated. Please contact Dara at 613-897-7664 or [email protected]. ------

There are a number of new FREE programs for adults starting at the Firehall! These programs include an intergenerational walking group, a photography club, a book club, a cards club, a musical jam group, and a crafting group. Go to https://oldottawasouth.ca for more information. Page 36 The OSCAR l December 2019

AROUND TOWN Army Cadets Seeking 12-18 Year Olds: Cadets take part in a diverse Meals on Wheels needs volunteers! One of the goals of the City’s Age- program including marksmanship, biathlon, orienteering, trekking and Friendly Ottawa initiative is for seniors to live at home safely with health and camping, training in survival skills, team sports, first aid, and leadership community support services to meet their needs. Meals on Wheels is a critical skills. Come join the Governor General Foot Guards Army Cadet Corps. part of that age-friendly plan and has been serving the Ottawa community for There is no cost for the program. If interested, please check us out any over 50 years. Last year, Meals on Wheels delivered almost 115,000 meals Wednesday night at 6:15 pm at Cartier Square Drill Hall (2 Queen to 1,672 clients. How is this done? With the help of a dedicated team of over Elizabeth Dr.), email us at [email protected], or visit our website at 400 delivery volunteers. At the moment though, we are experiencing a critical www.2784ggfg.com. shortage of volunteers and need to recruit more to remain able to continue to do our work in the community. Please consider joining their team this fall. Voices celebrates its 20th year of choral singing! Our winter The program is very flexible, able to accommodate volunteers’ schedules and concert, “Ring the Bells in Celebration,” will be a lively salute to the holiday availability. Each delivery route only takes two hours to complete but makes season as well as to the enjoyment of singing. Over 60 male and female a world of difference for every one of the clients. If you would like to become voices and violinist Eric Johnson will be ready to entertain you under the one of those friendly delivery volunteers brightening the day of an Ottawa musical leadership of Joan Fearnley and accompanist Carla Klassen. Join senior, or if you or someone you know would benefit from receiving Meals on us on Sunday, December 8th at 3 pm in St Basil’s Church, 940 Rex Ave. Wheels, please call Meals on Wheels at 613-233-2424. off Maitland north of the Queensway. Tickets in advance $18 from choir members or at Leading Note, 370 Elgin. At the door $20. Children 12 and The Ontario Health Coalition and the Ottawa Health Coalition are under free. Information: bytownvoices.com having a large regional public event to save our health care services from cuts, closures and mergers. There will be live music, speakers, noisemakers, Canadian Martyrs Catholic Church, at 100 Main St. in Old Ottawa East, visual presentations, hot chocolate, snacks and more! The rally is on Saturday has Mass at 5:00 pm on Saturdays, 10:00 am on Sundays, and at 11:30 am December 7 at 11:00 am at the TD Place Arena in Lansdowne Park. Tuesday to Friday. Ottawa Newcomers Club. Our club is a non-profit, social organization Bénévolat: Accompagner un enfant en lecture, c’est lui donner le goût for women who have recently moved to this area (and those who have d’apprendre! Le Centre de services à la famille vous offre l’occasion de experienced a significant life change), and would like to meet new people of devenir bénévole une heure par semaine et d’accompagner un enfant dans similar interests by joining our many group activities. More information about l’apprentissage de la lecture en français aux écoles Gabrielle-Roy, Marius- us and what we do can be found on our website at: ottawanewcomersclub.ca Barbeau et tant d’autres. Veuillez communiquer avec Roxanne au 613 854- or by contacting [email protected] 7010 ou par courriel: [email protected] Ottawa Quakers hold a largely silent Meeting for Worship, Sunday mornings PAND is a non-profit settlement service organization. We strive to provide at 10:30 am, 91A Fourth Avenue in the Glebe. Newcomers welcome! settlement, training, support services and programs to bridge the gap between newcomers and society. We organize ongoing workshop and classes for ProBus Club of Ottawa - Alta Vista. Are you looking for an interesting and newcomers to Ottawa. We have free English conversation group sessions stimulating activity? ProBus is a non-profit, non-sectarian and non-political for students and newcomers on Mondays 5:30 pm – 7 pm at the McNabb organization typically comprising retired or semi-retired professional and Community Center (180 Percy Street). Since these sessions are free of charge business persons, although there are no restrictions on who can join. ProBus and open to the public, we are in need of volunteers who are fluent in English is affiliated with the Rotary. The Alta Vista ProBus Club meets on the fourth and can have one on one, or group conversation, with participants every Wednesday of each month at Gloucester Presbyterian Church, 91 Pike Street Monday. For more information go to: www.pandsettlement.ca in Conroy & area. The next session will be on December 11. The gatherings open around 9:30 am for coffee and socializing, followed by a The Glebe Centre Community Programs at Abbotsford is looking for speaker with a questions and answers session starting at 10:00 for about volunteers to support the new Caregiver program. We need volunteers one hour, with more time for socializing after that. Our monthly speakers to help on Sunday afternoons 1- 4 pm for a drop-in program for caregivers. are knowledgeable individuals across a very diverse range of topics. This Volunteers would help with set up, serving coffee, tea, drinks etc. and wide range of topics encourages questions and spirited discussions. The help with clean up. Volunteers would also support the program by helping Club always welcomes guests at the monthly meetings, at no cost. For more with crafts, hosting a book club, photo club or history club. If interested information please call Colin Galigan at 613-730 7649 – or just drop by the please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 613 238-2727 ext. 353 or email next meeting of the club. [email protected]. Mature high school students needing their 40 hours would be welcome. Come and join the Pacesetters Walking Club at Billings Bridge Shopping Mall. Activities include walking with your friends, social gathering, knitting La Leche League Canada has a group in OOS. Are you breastfeeding/ for charities, puzzles, library. Located in the basement of the Tower at the chestfeeding your baby? Are you pregnant and planning to breastfeed? A La northwest corner of the Mall. Open from 7:30 to 10 am. Low cost of $10 Leche League meeting is a relaxed, supportive and non-judgmental place per year covers our expenses. Call 613-521-6740 during open hours for where you can meet other parents, learn about nursing your baby and ask information. questions. Meetings every second Tuesday of the month from 7:00 to 8:30 pm at 36 Glen Ave. Next meeting is December 10th. For more information call 613-238-5919 or go to www.lllc.ca

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TASTY TIDBITS FROM TRILLIUM BAKERY Stretching a day’s work…as far you can By Jocelyn LeRoy steamroller, all on our little quiet cul- of manpower, excessive equipment, Burnin’ Hot de-sac. Four workers plus two drivers just like the little patch they fixed last When they return, three of them take We are peacefully sipping early get out and survey the necessary week down the street. turns shoveling the steaming black tar morning coffee, watching the sky roadwork assigned for the morning. It is very hot. I too would be moving into the shallow hole, and another sets scape, and enjoying the ambiance of slowly down there. to work, driving the roller back and the warm rays of the sun. It is heating Flow time At work in the bakery, we don’t have forth after performing a few wheelies. up fast on this lovely autumn day. They put up signs, “No Traffic.” the luxury of moving slowly no matter He is the only one looking like he is A heavy rumble begins ten storeys The equipment needs unloading. One how hot it is in the kitchen. The bread enjoying his work, and is clearly a pro down from our condominium worker does that while others watch. must exit the oven pronto! And, when at evening out the edges. “Bungalow in the sky.” The caravan After a brief scurry of activity, moving a customer rings the bell out front we We feel so blessed sitting here on arrives far below our balcony jungle all the machinery about, we watch the better sprint. Bell ringers are usually in our shaded perch while the road fixers of flowers and veggies, herbs, and a high-hoe dig into the road, removing a hurry and want immediate attention. swelter amidst their hot machinery, few rescued orphan mystery plants. We the twenty by twenty foot square, An hour passes, the longest I have sat wearing hard hats and stifling jackets peer between the foliage. swinging the waste into a twenty cubic watching drama down below. with the big orange x’s on them. Three big dump trucks arrive; a yard dump truck – far exceeding the Very slowly, they pack up the twenty-yard double, one empty truck, demands of the job. Break Time shovels and equipment. My husband and another with a half load of hot While this is happening, the other We can’t hear voices, but it looks again pretends he is one of the guys. black asphalt, and the spreader. The workers lean on their shovels and like one of the workers needs to use a “Hey where is the nearest bar? We still empty truck is pulling a trailer that watch. One steps forward with a washroom. “Where is the porta-potty?” have time for a beer!” The men are has a mini high-hoe, and a small broom, nonchalantly flicking little We imagine him saying, gesturing looking at their watches. They must gravel bits into the new hole. Oodles towards the big loader. “We don’t be thinking of cold beer for real. Oh! have one today.” We imagine another They are pointing towards the pub that or in a sauce pan on medium heat, worker shouting back who waves his is two minutes away from their job Recipe stirring constantly for ten to fifteen arms back at the one we think has to site. And appear to be discussing their minutes. When it bubbles up and go. “You’ve got to do two patches to possibilities. begins to thicken remove it from the get a porta-potty! This is only a one So far at Trillium, we have never Lemon Butter heat. patch job, like last week’s down the ducked out to the pub for a beer on Ingredents: Pour into hot sterilized jars. street.” company time. Not yet, anyways… • 3 lemons, juiced, and the peel Keep in the fridge for a month. “Well I have to go!” The look on his face says, as he dances around in finely grated Jocelyn LeRoy is the owner/manager • half a cup of butter, melted A beautiful hostess gift or Christmas obvious discomfort. “Now!” The other fellows shift uneasily. One shouts, of Trillium Bakery in Old Ottawa • 1 cup of sugar offering for lemon fans, it is over South since 1980. • 3 eggs, beaten the top delicious on crackers, toast, “Time for a Tim’s break!” We can hear yoghurt, cookies, or just on a spoon. that. The washroom-wishing lad is first Directions: And even on a slice of Christmas into the truck. They all disappear, their Mix well together with a whisk. You cake. shovels propped against the spreader. can cook it on top of a heavy boiler

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HEALTH AND WELLNESS Healthy holiday survival guide By Dr. Nardine Bekhit and oftentimes they feel comfortable Christmas Lights Across Canada at your skin is breathable. Stay hydrated when trying them on in the store, but Parliament Hill even if you don’t feel thirsty or don’t It’s the most wonderful time of the can make our feet quite sore the first The Holidays is a season of light. We feel like you’ve been sweating. The year! Ottawa is a particularly incredible time we wear them in. Here are some are particularly lucky in Ottawa to have sweat during intense winter activity place to experience the magic of the tips to help you select the right boots: many of our downtown streets decked evaporates quickly because of the season. While you’re out and about 1. Go shopping at the end of the out in lights, with Parliament Hill being lower humidity levels, leading to not spreading Christmas cheer in the city, day. This is when your feet are at the key showstopper. If you’re going to feeling like you’ve perspired and be sure to plan ahead so it is not taxing their largest. be exploring the city by foot, be sure to perhaps not thinking that you need to on your body. Here are 3 favourite 2. Wear the same type of socks you wear reflective clothing items so you drink water. local activities along with our tips to would normally wear with the are seen as you’re walking at night. stay healthy while enjoying all this boots. Watch for ice! Keep your hands out of No matter where you find yourself season has to offer: 3. Look for a boot with smooth your pockets while walking so you can celebrating this winter, remember to lining inside (no rough edges or stay balanced in case you hit a slippery be present – enjoy this time and all this Christmas Market at Lansdowne stitching). patch. Consider adding ice grippers on season has to offer. Happy Holidays! Ottawa is launching its first ever 4. Stand on your toes while trying your boots for extra traction. Christmas market right here in our on the boots. There should be no Dr. Nardine Bekhit is a chiropractor neighbourhood! While you’re visiting movement of the heel counter Skating on the Canal at CURAVITA Health Group - Glebe different vendors and searching for the (the hard piece in the back of Ottawa’s favourite winter activity: Location, formerly known as Glebe perfect Instagram photo, make sure the shoe that controls the foot’s eating a Beavertail while skating Chiropractic Clinic + Massage your footwear is giving you the support motion from side-to-side) against on the world’s largest skating rink! Therapy Centre. You can reach the you need. Comfortable winter boots the back of your heel. While our winters here can be bitterly Clinic at 613-237-9000 or at www. can be tricky to find. Typically we 5. Custom foot orthotics can help cold, skating can be an intense CURAVITA.com. prioritize waterproof and warmth when provide better support. cardiovascular activity. Wear layers, it comes to shopping for winter boots, and make sure the fabric closest to

ABBOTSFORD AT THE GLEBE CENTRE Working it out at Abbotsford By Pat Goyeche fitness but we are “Working it Out at try our popular Broadway dance class, what is new and exciting. Abbotsford” and so can you! Belly Dance with us and/or challenge As our 44th Annual Fundraising It isn’t winter yet but we are sure At Abbotsford we offer comfortable your core muscles with Stretch, Bazaar comes to a close we would feeling winterish, with these cold temperatures and fun fitness workouts Balance and Strength classes. We also like to thank our community sponsors temperatures and early snow. This whatever the weather. Dance to a Latin offer Hatha Yoga, Restorative Yoga and big and small for their contributions. time of year can challenge our level of beat in one of our Zumba Gold classes, Yoga for Stress Relief. In short, there is Glebe Metro, TD Bank and Ottawa something for everyone, at every level. Sports & Entertainment Group have Tried and true, and always-popular, all contributed to the success of this Grade A weekly Muscle Toning and Aerobics volunteer-driven fundraiser. So many workouts are also always in the mix. friends, members and volunteers and Turkey Our dynamic team of fitness businesses have contributed things, Happy Planet Soup Variety of Sizes instructors will be changing it up a time and /or sponsorship to the “Best Louisiana Corn bit as we expand and welcome new Bazaar in the City” and we are truly Chowder 650 ml 99 instructors. Some of our longtime thankful for the ongoing support of the Ibs. instructors are lessening their loads community. 1 in pursuit of life balance. We are so Our Winter Program Guide will 79 39 grateful for the tremendous dedication be coming out the second week of ea. kg and care that our instructors have December. Drop in and pick up a copy, 6 4 brought to their work, and for the take out a yearly membership and join new generation of instructors who in! It will also be posted on the Glebe are taking on the exciting challenge Centre website under Community of leading fitness classes for our Programming by mid- December. Call Soup Mixes members. us if you have questions at 613-230- Mayo Hill Garlic Lentil, Lentil & Barley, There is lots more on offer. 5730. Rustic Split Pea & Assorted Varieties Brown Rice, Indian Challenge your brain with classes Last but not least, please join us No Chemicals 227g Spicy, 200g in Bridge, Device Training, for our New Year celebration on Conversational Spanish, Memoir Friday January 3rd at 1:30 pm as we 99 99 Writing (advanced), as well as weekly celebrate new beginnings, new and old ea. ea. stimulating presentations as part of our friends and community. It is a great 9 6 Learn & Explore ‘Speakers Series.’ chance to mix and mingle, learn about Our Watercolour and Mixed Media Abbotsford and be entertained too! Art classes continue to flourish along with Painting for Calligraphers, Stained Glass and Ukrainian Egg making Find out more about our services workshops. by dropping by 950 Bank Street (the old stone house), telephoning 613- Schar Breads & Buns Clubs keep us singing, talking about books, playing pool, crafting, 230-5730 or by checking out all practicing Tai Chi, making teddy bears, of the Glebe Centre facilities and Gluten playing ping pong and even getting community programs on our website Free! 99 www.glebecentre.ca ea. together with others who are facing the 8 challenges of being a caregiver. 754 Bank Street The cold months are also prime time for warm kitchens, cooking delicious Patricia Goyeche is the Coordinator (613) 232-9466 Monday to Friday 8:00am - 10:00pm food and sharing it with others. Check of Community Programs at Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm out our pop-up cooking workshops Abbotsford. Sunday 9:00am - 8:00pm on our website under community www.metroglebe.com programming, or just drop in to see The OSCAR l December 2019 Page 39

ARTS AND CULTURE The idea of home, new exhibitions at the SPAO Centre and Life of Pie cafe By Maureen Korp for Sunlight,” 2019, could be a neighbour’s deck somewhere out Where is home? Where did you grow back. Its windows are open. Upon the up? deck...? A tiger prowls. What’s the For many of us, these are not easy story here? Similarly, “Queen of all she questions to answer. Our memories surveys” is a painting of a very large of what was or could have been cat watching a house. Is the creature are bracketed by old newspaper domesticated? Or, feral? Who knows? headlines, arguments of time, place, All four exhibitions may remind and expectation. More than half of viewers of stories told, events half- Ottawa’s population comes from remembered, names forgotten. Such somewhere else, and many of us were is often the case at year’s end. born outside of Canada. In a quiet, indirect, and courteous manner, four Maureen Korp, independent critic, new exhibitions in Ottawa address curator, and historian, has lived long these questions – three at the SPAO The painting “Searching for Sunlight” 2019 by Dave Nicholson. in Ottawa. Centre off Preston Avenue, and one at Life of Pie cafe on Bank Street. We start with photography at the SPAO Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan. Dave Nicholson paintings at Life of Centre, formerly known as the School “The Grey Zone” is an exhibition Pie O Human Child: Vera Saltzman, of the Photographic Arts: Ottawa. of the work of second-year students Not too far away on Bank Street, The Grey Zone: Second-year at the SPAO Centre ­– thirteen colour south of Sunnyside, is the beloved Life students, SPAO Centre photographs in all. It is a fascinating of Pie cafe. Home: First-year students, The SPAO Centre’s recent open series, each photograph teasing out Dave Nicholson has chosen its walls SPAO Centre, 77 Pamilla Street house featured the opening of three a tension between word and image. for his first solo exhibition of acrylic Continuing until mid-December exhibitions – two displaying the work Oliver Brown’s photograph “Atlantis,” paintings. All are for sale, just in time Open Wed-Sat, noon to 5 pm and of current students, and one that of 2019, for example, shows us exactly for the holidays. by appointment. 613-562-3824 Vera Saltzman, a 2012 alumna of the what held our eye in many a film noir For this exhibition, Nicholson has Fully accessible and free Centre’s portfolio program. screening. No one forgets the gun chosen 14 works to display. Most Vera Saltzman’s solo exhibition is a shoved into the waistband of the tough are Ottawa streetscapes, familiar Dave Nicholson: Paintings study of portraiture entitled “O Human guy, the one with the fat belly. corners and long distance views. Life of Pie, 1134 Bank Street Child.” In each of the 18 black-and- In its own way, however, Almost always the sky is blue. Two Continuing until mid-December white portraits displayed, the subject the streetscape Lex captures in of the Nicholson paintings, however, Open daily “Domicile,” 2019, is just as violent, hold the eye longer. In both, there are is a child, a child who looks directly at Fully accessible and free the viewer. No “pretty smiles for the given the powers of big development other creatures to be seen. “Searching camera, please, ” among this crowd. corporations today. “Nathan,” 2015, holds a soccer ball; Upstairs at SPAO, a number of “Jacob,” 2016, his hockey stick. first-year photography students have “Ivan,” 2016, wears a t-shirt bearing hung an exhibition of their lens-based the tag “AWESOME.” work in colour and black-and-white. All but one of the 18 photographs All of the photographs displayed are are of individual children. ”Dominique studies exploring the idea of “Home.” & Emora,” 2015, is the exception. “Unsold,” 2019, by Danielle Labonete, In this photograph, we see two girls for example, is a carefully composed sitting on a bench beside a free-book study of an old sink. The sink has but library stand. The older girl holds the one faucet, a fixture held together with hand of the younger. Are they sisters? wire. Where the hot water faucet might Could be. Is this their favourite “go-to” have been is a black hole. bench? Could be. Victoria Laube photographed a Every one of Saltzman’s portraits bird’s nest. Inside the nest is a broken presents us with an image of a serious, eggshell. Did baby bird fly off happily? thoughtful individual, of someone with Maybe not. Lying beside the nest is one a story to tell. All are children growing dead chickadee. Laube’s photograph is up today in rural Saskatchewan. entitled Home, 2019. Vera Saltzman was born and raised in Cape Breton. She has lived and worked in Nunavut, Ottawa, and now lives in

Lex “Domicile,” 2019. From the exhibition “The Grey Zone: Second -Year students.” Page 40 The OSCAR l December 2019

NOTES FROM THE GARDEN CLUB Insects in the garden By Marilyn Whitaker One which is available free online is https://phytopath.ca/publications/ On a snowy evening, people gathered diseases-of-vegetable-crops-in- to hear Dr. Hume Douglas discuss: Canada/. Insects in the Garden – Do It Yourself Insect Identification for Gardeners. Online resources Hume has worked as a diagnostic Hume then discussed the utility of entomologist and is currently a several online resources. Some are research scientist at Agriculture and designed to let users submit photos Agri-Food Canada, as well as an editor for identification from skilled online for the scientific journal Zookeys. volunteers. Two examples are: While his fieldwork has taken him to www.bugguide.net which covers many parts of the world, Hume is a all arthropods (invertebrates such resident and gardener in Old Ottawa as insects, spiders or crustaceans) South. in Canada and the United States; Hume’s presentation provided people and the free app, iNaturalist which with tools for casual identification of covers plants, animals and fungi. insects feeding on garden plants so Many governments and universities the insects could be better managed, have agricultural extension services, if not enjoyed. At the outset, there with websites which offer photos was recognition that some insects are and text for recognition of particular beneficial, such as pollinators, which insect pests, along with their hosts, should not be inadvertently harmed. To life cycle, and control methods. The help with insect identification, several Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food tools were mentioned. To observe and Rural Affairs, for example, has insects closely, Hume recommended a website www.omafra.gov.on.ca using a vial or jar to contain them, plus where farmers and gardeners can get a hand lens, or a camera/cell phone to helpful information on plants, pests record their appearance and activity. and suggested management techniques. Sites maintained by nearby government Books agencies and universities are most To help recognize particular insects, relevant. their life stages and host plants as well as major groups of non-insect pests, Google image search Hume recommended several books. Hume showed how gardeners can The blue caterpillar on roses is a sawfly larva which feasts on loosestrife and other plants. PHOTO BY HUME DOUGLAS

use Google image search to match Hume who are willing to share their specimens with online images by knowledge. entering a search, including: insect colour; taxonomic order, e.g. beetle, December 1, 2019 there will be a caterpillar, fly etc.; host plant; and, Holiday Floral Decorating Workshop geographic location, e.g. Ontario. at the Firehall. Amber Tiede of Images can be reviewed to make a Riverwood Gardens will provide Quality probable species identification, along fresh evergreens and instructions for with further biological information, making wreaths or urn bouquets. of such as its habits. For the remainder of $25 registration should be made by Life the evening, Hume demonstrated how November 30th via oldottawasouth.ca to use this online search method. In one or 613-247-4946. case, a search for “blue caterpillar, on The OOSGC will meet on roses or loosestrife, Ontario” resulted January13/20 for an Armchair Guide in detailed information about the larvae to Costa Rica by Christine Libon. stage of a sawfly. This insect was the ([email protected]). Her When four-year-old Cameron Lavier’s life culprit damaging a Club member’s stunning photos will reveal some of on earth ended, his parents could have roses and loosestrife. Costa Rica’s varied and amazing plant You can ensure CHEO hidden from the world. Instead, they are life. building a legacy for this extraordinary boy is here for families People were pleased to see how Marilyn Whitaker grew up in Old who made friends with one smile. now, and forever, information on insect pests is readily Ottawa South. She now operates through monthly available, useable and helpful, thanks in part to new information sources Oasescapes Inc. eir investment in a CHEO endowment donations, legacy fund keeps Cameron’s loving nature alive and technology, and to people like gifts, endowment and helps others by funding research and funds and other  nancial assistance. CHEO families will charitable options. have this support for generations, it is Cameron’s legacy of love.

For more information contact Megan Doyle Ray Be part of CHEO’s life-saving [email protected] 613-738-3694 work today and tomorrow. The OSCAR l December 2019 Page 41

ARTS AND CULTURE Pottery is the thing By Amy Bell Linda Takahashi Linda focuses on wheel thrown The ancient art of pottery is on a pottery, with some hand building. worldwide rise in popularity, and Old Her pots have lovely surface Ottawa South is part of the trend. decoration, using traditional and Pottery classes at the Firehall and modern techniques. across Ottawa sell out quickly, and the city’s pottery scene is vibrant. Bilgin Buberoglu Pottery birthday parties for children Bilgin joined the Firehall Studio and workshops for adults are popular in 2013 and has been enjoying as well. You can find the work of making pots ever since. Bilgin’s neighbourhood potters in galleries pottery changes with his inspirations, and shops around Ottawa. Many sometimes with textures and other people treasure the feel of a bowl, times with colours added from cup or jug that is made by hand, and underglazing or sgraffito. enjoy the connection with the earth. (Above left) Ada, Bilgin and Amy. There are a number of potters active All of these potters are part of the (Below) An award winning black and white vase by Jocelyn Jenkins. in teaching and creating pottery in Ottawa Guild of Potters. Ada and Jocelyn are active volunteers with PHOTOS BY ELIZABETH DAVIES, BARBARA Old Ottawa South. MINISH & JOCELYN JENKINS the group, including supporting Ada Brzeski the Guild’s annual fundraiser for Ada’s work includes traditional the Ottawa Food Bank, called designs from her Polish heritage with Great Bowls of Fire. You can find modern updates. these potters, and many others, at the Ottawa Guild of Potters’ Ottawa Guild of Jocelyn Jenkins Holiday Sale December 13-15 at the Jocelyn is a ceramic artist who Horticulture Building at Lansdowne. Potters’ Holiday specializes in intricately decorated Keep an eye out in the spring for the Sale functional and sculptural works. Guild’s Spring Pottery Festival! You will see whales, puffins and December 13-15 other birds and their habitat on her Amy Bell teaches adult and child work. She divides her time between Horticulture pottery classes and serves as the teaching, mentoring and providing Guild’s President. Her work includes Building at technical support to the Firehall motifs from nature as well as Studio, and making her own pottery Lansdowne traditional maritime crafts. in her home studio.

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DESIGN DILEMMAS Paint groups By Vanessa Riddell If you would like to find out more about paint colours, check out the Every year various paint companies, fantastic Benjamin Moore web site at and the colour company Pantone, come www.benjaminmoore.com. You will out with their “colour of the year” find information on colour palettes, announcements. These “reveals” are colour insights, information on a hyped and ridiculously over the top but particular colour, product catalogs, how- it’s fun to see what different companies to advice, inspiration photos and where think will be hot for the upcoming year, to find the closest paint store that stock or where colour trends are going and Benjamin Moore paint. In Old Ottawa why. • Ironic & Iconic - Bright optimistic austere, a less is more approach South that would be Bonds Decor. According to Benjamin Moore, colours influenced by pop art with strong but simple colours, Have a happy and colourful holiday 2019’s colour of the year was Night and the way digital lifestyles are promoting health and calm and season! Watch PPG1145-7 (a dark green). For influencing real life. grounded-ness. 2020, the colour is First Light 2102-70 • Redefining Luxury - Subdued • Shifting intentions - The world Vanessa Riddell, lives in OOS and (a light pink). Benjamin Moore also and sophisticated colours is changing; smaller and more is the owner of SACHI (Staging and thinks colour trends are moving from because luxury brands seem to be diverse cohorts, more spirituality Creative Home Interiors) www.sachi. the individual experience to a more redefining themselves, creating yet less religion, these colours ca, 613-866-6604. collective one. For both the 2019/2020 more conscious ideas of luxe, work well with earthier and years, they group colours into 4 becoming more service oriented, natural landscapes and a sense of categories. These categories are: and being less showy. community. • Quietly Powerful - Simple and

THE CREATIVE CURRENT Creative problem solving...when you have great ideas but have completely run out of time By Vanessa Coplan Back to the creative problem at hand, that being problem solving, and So I will open this piece of writing up my problem to be exact. Here’s what with an apology. This is not a typical happened. I mismanaged my time. I got contribution to The Creative Current. so excited and got so caught up in the But I think it does value the many interview process that I did not leave different flavours, colours and fluency enough time for the processing, sifting of creativity and how it affects people through words, thoughts, interactions in our community. This piece of writing and then putting all that together in an is in fact where the heart of my interests organized and coherent piece of writing. lie; in the creative process, the different Oh sure, I thought about pulling late paths one can take on that journey, nights, burning the midnight oil to crank that it can manifest in different ways. out this article and make it work, but Not just in producing art work, but in when push came to shove I just couldn’t relationship to how people interact with do it. Not because I am too old to act one another and the world. like a teenager, but because it would Firstly, given the fact that this will be not do justice to the wealth, breadth and the last OSCAR of the year, I will give riches of information I have learned you a preview of what’s coming up in from my interviewees this month. So. some of the future Creative Currents I thought it best, and much more adult of 2020. Rob Cowan’s approach to of me to value what they and I have to embracing a socialistically creative say by holding off to write when I have way of life, Leslie Reid’s art practice more time and space in my head and in as it relates to the internal and external my life. landscapes we inhabit, Jeff Adrianne’s When the light bulb turned on and I hopes for Sheridan College, Harry realized that I would have to completely Loop/El deVille and more... shift gears to make this writing deadline, I realized that I was actively definition is the magic, the mystery, the and spontaneously engaging in what I unknown. Maybe it is because much find so exciting about creative acts. That of these processes can also happen is the moment when the idea translates unconsciously, while dreaming, driving, into reality, when intention is made exercising or even cleaning the house. manifest and when frustration gives way Much can be said for the important and Helping you with the holidays, to movement. It turns out this process organic effects of time, space and letting has a name: creative problem solving. things percolate, bubble up from the Tourtiere, Mince Tarts, Fruit According to Creativity Tools From depths of slumber, distraction, memory Cake, Gingerbread, Squares, MindTools.com “Creative problem and mood in moving one from a place Cookies, Turkey Dinner Pie, solving (CPS) is a way of solving of questioning and process, to one of Duck with Port & Fig Pie and problems or identifying opportunities answers and action. many more of your favourites when conventional thinking has Then the next step, of course, is taking failed. It encourages you to find my own good advice and being more Always made in house, fresh perspectives and come up with prepared next month. by hand, from scratch innovative solutions, so that you can Wishing you the best of the holiday formulate a plan to overcome obstacles season and hoping your new year is Happy Holidays from and reach your goals.” filled with creative currency. I don’t believe all problem solving everyone at Life of Pie is the same. Just as all creative Vanessa Coplan is an artist, art thoughts and actions are different, so teacher, creative coach and a resident 1134 Bank Street 613-693-1853 are the paths to getting there. What of OOS. www.lifeofpie.ca [email protected] seems to be missing for me from this The OSCAR l December 2019 Page 43

ROAD TRIPS see a multimedia installation exploring the influence of Indigenous thinking and Five December road trips within an spirituality on architecture at Unceded: hour of Old Ottawa South Voices of the Land. And at the National Gallery of Canada, you can see a new show that’s been garnering lots of positive reviews ­– Àbadakone: Continuous Fire –­ showcases contemporary works by more than 70 Indigenous artists from around the world.

Enjoy a small-town Christmas festival Travel writer and OOS resident Many people crave small-town Laura Byrne Paquet runs charm during the holidays. Maybe it’s OttawaRoadTrips.com, which all those Hallmark Christmas movies; offers tips on day trips and weekend after all, an astonishing number of them getaways from Ottawa. You can are filmed in Eastern Ontario. If you’re see an expanded version of this looking for some homespun holiday article there, with links, at http://bit. fun this year, you could check out two ly/371BSEN. nearby festivals: Christmas in the Village in Osgoode (December 6 to 8) or A Kintail Country Christmas in Almonte (Saturday, December 14).

To mark the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, the Canadian Museum of Nature has installed a seven-metre-wide moon sculpture by U.K. artist Luke Jerram. PHOTO BY MARTIN LIPMAN By Laura Byrne Paquet moment you get your OSCAR (and why wouldn’t you?), you still have time Let’s face it, in December, many of us to see the Carleton University Ravens don’t want to stray too far from home women’s team face off against the unless we’re planning a long trip to see Concordia Stingers at the Ice House at family and friends for the holidays. So, Carleton on Sunday, December 1 at 3 this month, I’m focusing on quick day pm. trips you can take from Old Ottawa South – whether you want to revel in all Take a festive house tour If you go to Perth for the homes tour, leave time to see the statue of local things Christmas or not. If you’re seeking inspiration for your Christmas decorating, a holiday home equestrian star Ian Millar and his horse, Big Ben, at Stewart Park. Take the kids to a Santa Claus parade tour may be just the ticket. The CFUW PHOTO BY LAURA BYRNE PAQUET Ottawa’s big Santa parade happened in Heritage Perth Christmas House Tour November, but it’s not too late to wave is taking place this year on December to Saint Nick as he goes by on a festively 7 and 8, and features eight homes in decorated float. Nearby options include and around Perth, all decorated by local parades on December 6 in Osgoode designers and florists. (7pm); December 7 in Merrickville (11am), Pakenham (1pm), Perth (5pm), Explore a museum Richmond (5:30 pm) and Limoges (6:30 Museums and galleries are the pm); December 8 in Almonte (5 pm); ideal destinations when the weather and December 14 in Carp (12 pm). is blustery. Inside, you can immerse yourself in ancient history, fascinating Take in a hockey game animal stories and more. Every local hockey fan knows about This December at the Canadian the Sens of course, but there are lots of Museum of Nature, you can delve into other ways to see a hockey game at a the relationship between the Inuit of fraction of the price. For instance, you the western Arctic and beluga whales at could walk up Bank Street to catch the Qilalukkat! You can also wander through Ottawa ‘67s against local rivals the a warm enclosure filled with free-flying Olympiques at TD Place on butterflies at Butterflies in Flight. And Sunday, December 8. You could also on December 20, the museum will open catch the first game of the two-game a new show, Me and My Microbes: The series (known as the Cross River Cup) Zoo Inside You. at the in Gatineau At the Canadian Museum of History on Friday, December 6. in Gatineau, you can learn about And, if you’re reading this the prehistoric humans at Neanderthal and

To our readers from The OSCAR staff and all our advertisers. “HAPPY HOLIDAYS” For your holiday gift giving please support our local businesses. Page 44 The OSCAR l December 2019

To All Our Loyal Clients and Friends, At this festive time of year when we gather with Family and Friends, Tracy and her Team at Arnett Realty Ltd. would like to thank you for all of your support and contributions to our community throughout the past year.

We wish you and your families a very Happy Holiday Season and prosperity in the coming year.

ARNETT REALTY LTD., BROKERAGE. 613-233-4488 | www.tracyarnett.com