April 2013
www.newedinburgh.ca Banner announcing the development at Beechwood and Mackay. Photo: Louise Imbeault Mayor Watson Talks Tough Public Meeting on Minto Redevelopment Project By Jane Heintzman already aware, having height allowed at nodes.” on Derelict Buildings On the evening of Tuesday, received the Staff Report and Staff rationale for its approv- March 19, a crowd of close to Recommendations on the al of the overall design of the By Jane Heintzman a whole, acting as a barrier to 150 area residents braved the Zoning By-law Amendment building referred specifically Application in advance, City to Section 2.5.1 of the Official Over the course of nearly two the growth of new businesses snowy weather to gather in and residential development to the St. Bartholomew’s Church planning staff recommend- Plan, addressing Urban Design decades, our community has ed approval of the by-law Compatibility. The section in become inured to the depressing enliven the Beechwood cor- Hall to take advantage of the ridor. last opportunity for general amendments requested by question describes compatible spectacle of a lengthy stretch of Minto on the basis that all development as building which vacant and now derelict build- After many years of looking public comment on Minto’s on helplessly as the situation Zoning By-law Amendment were in conformity with the is “not necessarily the same as, ings along Beechwood in the letter and spirit of the multi- or similar to, existing buildings heart of our shopping area. As continued to deteriorate and Application for the Beechwood local businesses struggled in site, prior to its consideration layered planning framework in the vicinity, (but) nonethe- the surrounding small business applying to the site, ranging less enhances an established operators know all too well, this unchanging commercial by City Council’s Planning wasteland, we were recently Committee on March 26 from the Planning Act and community and co-exists with this unsightly strip is not only Provincial Policy Statement at existing development without an ugly scar on the face of our heartened by the first signs and by full Council on April of hope when, thanks to the 10. The meeting was the first a macro-level to the Official causing undue adverse impact community’s “main street,” but Plan, the Zoning By-law, the on surrounding properties.” In also a major drain on the com- hard work of our Councillor official City-sponsored public consultation on the Minto proj- Urban Design Guidelines for supporting its conclusions with mercial health of the area as Continued on page 6 ect, two months after NECA’s Traditional Mainstreets and respect to the adequacy of the extremely successful public the Beechwood Community parking provisions in the Minto meeting on January 16. Design Plan (BCDP). Interested zoning amendment applica- PARK & RIVERBANK CLEANUP DAY In reporting on this lively readers will find the full Staff tion, the report emphasized the Sponsored by NECA, the Urban Rideau Conservationists forum, it’s worth noting at Report and Recommendations, City’s strong commitment to and the City of Ottawa the outset that when the pub- along with the rationale for the objective of encouraging lic consultation was sched- these recommendations, on the reduced dependence on private community website at www. cars, and promoting increased SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2012 (RAIN OR SHINE) uled, City planning staff had assumed that Minto’s Site Plan newedinburgh.ca. use of public transit, cycling Volunteers Needed!! Application would have been The bulk of the significant and walking. submitted in advance, thus amendments in Minto’s appli- Meeting Summary: Representing the City at the TIME: 10 am -1 pm allowing for public analysis cation related to building March 19 meeting were the PLACE: The Fieldhouse at 193 Stanley. and discussion of many of height, setbacks, and park- ing provisions. The report two hosts of the evening, CONTACT: Gemma Kerr [email protected] the detailed aspects of design, building materials, streetscape, found that the requested height Councillors Peter Clark and DRESS: It’s a mucky job, so dress for the occasion! increase to eight storeys, with Mathieu Fleury, supported We’ll supply garbage bags and equipment parking and transportation— which were of particular con- a partial ninth floor, was con- by City Planning staff Bliss cern to the community at the sistent with the objective of the Edwards and Josh White. Refreshments for Participants! initial NECA-sponsored gath- BCDP to “create a distinctive Minto’s team was headed by ering on January 16, and on node at the corner of MacKay Brent Strachan, Senior Vice- which many of the 40 subse- Street and Beechwood President Housing, accom- quent submissions to the City Avenue,” and directly reflected panied by project architect were focused. In any event, the language of the Beechwood Prishram Jain, of TACT Minto’s Site Plan Application Avenue Revitalization Project Architecture Inc.; Ron had not in fact been filed at of 2002 (a precursor to the Jack of Delcan transporta- the time of the meeting, so the BCDP) which called for tion consultants; and Miguel majority of the issues raised “intensification….in the range by participants in the discus- of 4 to 6 storeys, with greater Continued on page 16 sion will have to be revisited in greater depth by City staff Inside this edition... and the Urban Design Review Panel (UDRP) at a later stage Fréchette House Fire...... Page 4 in the process. Kavanaugh Update...... Page 7 Background: City Staff Airbase Project Open House ...... Page 7 Report and Reccomendations Burgh Business Briefs...... Page 10 to Planning Committee Travel Tales...... Page 20 As many of those in atten- Crichton Community Council...... Page 21 dance at the meeting were Flood Risk in the Burgh...... Page 24 Page 2 New Edinburgh News April 2013 Get Ready for an Escalation Report from NECA of "RUSH HOUR" on New Acting President Edinburgh Streets !! A Guest Editorial by There is an even greater con- David Sacks Crichton Street Resident cern for New Edinburgh resi- Larry Delaney dents. No doubt the St. Patrick The City of Ottawa has select- St. upgrade project will pro- Heritage homes and redevelop- public meeting of January zoning-relief requests will be ed St. Patrick Street (from ceed as planned... So, during 16 (where the building plans ment are two related issues that heard by Planning Committee King Edward Ave. to the the reconstruction, what will were unveiled to us), a second, have preoccupied the NECA of City Council on March 26; Vanier Parkway) as the sole be the City of Ottawa's plans board this winter. The March City-sponsored public meet- if passed (as seems likely), recipient for infrastructure to divert the out-of-province 15 fire damage to the beauti- ing was held on March 19 the requests will go before funding from the Province of ful 87 MacKay Street home of at St. Bartholomew’s Church. traffic that would normally use full Council in April. NECA Ontario for the coming year. If that street? Surely the City will Barbara Laskin and NECA The March meeting was meant is organizing several presenta- approved, reconstruction will board member Tim Plumptre to discuss the developer’s not allow additional traffic, tions to Planning Committee, commence in 2014. The formal to and from Quebec, to flow has meant not only a dire requests for relief from the zon- to object to aspects of the zon- announcement was confirmed personal loss for two people ing by-law—that is, (a) to pres- through New Edinburgh streets ing requests. recently by Mathieu Fleury, (mainly Crichton, Stanley and who are pillars of our com- ent the slightly revised building The second zoning-related City Councillor for Rideau- plans and (b) to explain those MacKay). There has for many munity, but a stark reminder of proposed building—much Vanier Ward. When contacted, aspects which exceed the zon- years been an excess amount how fragile New Edinburgh’s smaller than 19 Beechwood Peter Clark, City Councillor physical material can be. Our ing allowances and for which of this type of non-local traffic but in ways more troubling—is for Rideau-Rockcliffe Ward, hearts go out to Barbara, Tim, the developer must receive commented: “I believe that St. making use of these streets to and family—also to Stephen City Council approval. During at 61 Queen Victoria Street. commute back and forth from Please see the related article Patrick Street is in abominable and Judy Woollcombe, who the meeting’s generously allot- condition, and desperately in Quebec. This problem has have been displaced from their ted public-question period, by NECA’s Heritage and already reached dangerous lev- Development Chair Michael need of repair.” Makes you house next door on Union a number of local residents, wonder if he has never trav- els with Quebec licensed driv- Street since it was flooded by including some current and Histed on the important issues ers (easy to identify since they involved in this (to my mind) elled on the streets in his own the water used to fight the former NECA board members, ward. do not have plates on the front fire. We wish both families voiced concern over aspects unacceptable building propos- of their vehicles), speeding al. NECA is preparing presen- While most every street in Godspeed in making their of the plans that exceed the Ottawa requires and deserves through our streets and failing tation for May 14, when this recovery and in resettling, and zoning allowances, especially to be upgraded, one has to won- to make proper stops, etc. dur- we count our blessings that no the building’s height (27.3 and request goes before Planning der why a thoroughfare that ing their daily commute. The one was badly hurt. 24.3 metres, versus the zon- Committee. is used primarily by Quebec- commuter traffic from Quebec After the fire, the Burgh A strategic plan? ing’s maximum 20) and the based commuters as their main starts at 5 am on weekdays showed itself (as ever) a cohe- On other fronts, NECA’s board height of the Beechwood-and- route to and from their place of with return trips from 3:15 to sive and supportive place. intends some “housecleaning” MacKay street walls, which employment in Ottawa and the 6 pm. They really do put an NECA took initiative to contact this spring, seeking to devise for the major part are not set surrounding area, receives this exclamation mark on the term both families, as did NECTAR a NECA strategic plan that back until the fifth storey (ver- special attention. Not one of rush hour !! and the local “Moms” listserv might clarify our priorities sus the zoning’s required third these non-resident commuters Very little action has been and many other residents indi- and help address certain needs storey). In a replay of January pays one cent of property tax taken by the City of Ottawa vidually. Both families have (for example, board recruit- 16, more than one community in the City of Ottawa or is sub- to alleviate or eliminate this spoken gratefully of the offers ment). One discussion topic resident commented that the ject to taxation levied by the ongoing non-resident com- of help that immediately start- will be pros and cons of NECA Province of Ontario, other than proposed building would look muter traffic problem on New ed coming in. doing some fundraising—a any taxable purchases made fine at Tunney’s Pasture or on Edinburgh's streets... Will Twilight Zones region where NECA has not while in the city. There are few, NECA continues to be engaged Toronto’s Bloor Street but that the situation escalate further previously gone. Our thanks to if any, residential tax-paying with at least two important its height and showy use of with the planned St. Patrick board members Simon Ford, addresses on St. Patrick Street local development proposals, glass would put it out of place Street reconstruction in 2014? Tim Plumptre, and Paula (from King Edward to the which both involve rezoning in New Edinburgh. Other com- When contacted on the mat- Thompson, and to cherished Vanier Parkway) who will ben- requests. “19 Beechwood” is ments, not strictly related to ter, Councillor Fleury's office advisor Cindy Parkanyi, for efit from this proposed work. the name given by the devel- zoning, criticized the parking- commented: “...during con- spearheading this planning Quebec-based commuters will oper (Minto) for its planned and-driveway configuration as struction, a proper re-routing project. however be given a smoother 157-unit, nine-storey condo- likely to create traffic snarls. of traffic will take place.” From all of us on NECA’s ride for their daily journey. minium, with retail ground For fuller details, please see That, I am afraid, does not board, best wishes for a pleas- Beware of vehicles with no floor, at the Beechwood- Jane Heintzman’s report on license plates on their front sound too promising for New ant spring. May the snows of MacKay fire site. Following Page 1 of this issue. bumper!! Edinburgh residents. the NECA-sponsored, packed At this writing, Minto’s April weigh lightly on you. NECA MEETINGS: Your NECA Representatives 2012-2013 All Welcome Sarah Anson-Cartwright 745-4194 [email protected] The NECA board meets nine times a year, normally on the third Roslyn Butler 746-8037 [email protected] Secretary Monday of each month at 7:30 pm. No meetings in July, August, Simon Ford 301-7776 [email protected] Vice President or December. Michael Histed 741-1660 [email protected] Heritage & Development Catherine Lindquist 747-6009 [email protected] Our April and March meetings will be held at St. Bartholomew’s Tim Plumptre 852-6557 [email protected] Church at 125 MacKay Street, by kind permission of the church David Sacks 740-0650 [email protected] Acting President board and warden. Paula Thompson [email protected] Meetings are open to all New Edinburgh residents. Anyone wish- Jim Watson 745-7928 [email protected] Treasurer ing to make a presentation to the board should please contact David Carlo Zambri 744-0773 [email protected] Membership Sacks in advance to arrange scheduling. Our next meetings are: April 15, 2013, 7:30 pm, at St. Bartholomew’s Ex officio: May 13, 2013, 7:30 pm, at St. Bartholomew’s Mark Baker 746-9012 [email protected] Webmaster Cathy McConkey 746-0303 [email protected] Crichton Community Council PLEASE NOTE: May’s date comes earlier in the month due to the Victoria Day holiday. Any changes to this schedule would be posted Cindy Parkanyi 745-8734 [email protected] New Edinburgh News in advance on the New Edinburgh website, www.newedinburgh.ca. Marci Surkes [email protected] Friends of the Park April 2013 New Edinburgh News Page 3 city, it would appear, could not keep up with the snow removal along the lanes in particular. Of course, the lanes are no longer just used by residents. They are also used by city garbage trucks, Para-Transpo, courier companies, etc. They do an admirable job consider- ing the narrow conditions they are faced with. 61 Queen Victoria – Why All the Fuss? Adding parking and increased By Michael Histed recognized due to its signifi- traffic along the lanes just Chair, H&D Committee cant number of historic houses, doesn’t make sense, not to Originally built in 1873, the churches and other structures, mention the fact that it contra- yellow house at 61 Queen as well as its back lanes and venes the HCD. Victoria Street is a fine exam- impressive “streetscapes”. It The City Does Not Seem to 61 Queen Victoria. ple of an early New Edinburgh is really suggestive of a village Object, So Why Should We? with schools, shops, parks, tree- In closing, it was with great wise known as the Frêchette gable-end home, probably first The relationship with the City’s lined streets and children play- sadness that we watched House, have vowed to rebuild. used as a workman’s cottage Planning Department seems to ing in the lanes—and all this one of the true treasures of We wish them well on the during the industrial heyday be one of the most puzzling within earshot of Parliament the neighbourhood partially long road to reconstruction. of New Edinburgh. The back these days. First a couple of Hill. We do not have 20-storey destroyed by fire. The owners All the best to owners Tim and yard is L-shaped and exits onto facts: high rises, nor do we have the of 87 MacKay Street, other- Barbara. River Lane, which on paper is • The City of Ottawa designat- monotony of the real estate what has made this property ed parts of New Edinburgh typically found in modern attractive for developers. In as a Heritage Conservation developments in Orleans or 2012, the NECA Heritage and District in 2001. Barrhaven. I believe for most Development Committee was • Heritage is part of the plan- residents of New Edinburgh, sent a proposal to redevelop ning parameters within the ours is a way of life worth this site and many months of zoning and planning by- preserving. discussions with the city and laws of the city. Having said that, does this the developer (Doyle Homes) You would think life would mean we are against resi- followed. This property high- be simple. A resident or devel- dents expanding or renovating lights many of the challenges oper puts in an application to their homes? Absolutely not. our neighbourhood faces when renovate or add to their prop- Residents in the HCD must, dealing with development. erty to the City and it is then however, try to comply with In this article we will try to assessed against the respective certain rules as set out by the unravel some of these chal- city by-laws and zoning provi- city. In other words, additions lenges and why they are some- sions. The resident is advised must be scaled appropriately times confusing to residents of accordingly. Sadly this is not to both the existing home and New Edinburgh. how it actually works in real- surrounding homes, as well as ity. The Proposal respectful of the materials typi- One of the most confusing The existing yellow house at cally used in the neighbour- terms the city has right now is 61 Queen Victoria will remain. hood – no one expects a full one called “a minor variance”. In the heritage district it is not replica of a nineteenth century Before I became involved in permitted to demolish a home, home. so the developer proposes to the H&D Committee I would renovate and update the house, Why Can’t I Build on the have considered this no big but maintain its heritage look Lane? deal—must be something so and character. NECA fully sup- The lanes are an important part minor that it wasn’t worth even ports these efforts. The house of the historic fabric of New discussing. I have since found is worth preserving for future Edinburgh and were originally out that this term can mean generations to admire. used for horses, carts and cat- fairly major changes to the size The part to which both NECA tle. Since the 1800s, the lanes and mass of a proposed addi- and the immediate neighbours have obviously evolved for use tion that contravenes almost object is the proposed new by cars, bikes and foot traf- every by-law. home to be built facing River fic. They are, however, a very In the case of the proposed Lane. Doyle Homes propose fragile part of our neighbor- new home at 61 Queen Victoria, to build a three-storey modern hood. No doubt anyone living it would actually contravene so home with access off the lane. on the lane as I do experienced many clauses of the Heritage Supporters of the develop- the frustrations of winter this planning requirements (minor ment may suggest that NECA year with the larger and more variances), the developer has is opposed to development in frequent snow storms, the large requested a complete re-zoning general, fights intensification build up of ice and the reduced that would lift the Heritage at all cost, and is against any- sightlines backing out of our zoning completely. For some thing modern. Nothing could driveways and garages due strange reason, the city plan- be further from the truth; how- to the large snow piles. The ning department is supporting ever, it is important to under- this application. stand why we stand against NECA has formally objected this particular development to the new development at 61 and others like it. Queen Victoria. Beauty is in the eye of the Preserving the Heritage beholder, and I make no claim Conservation District (HCD) to be the arbiter of beauty. In 2001, the City of Ottawa However, history is part of the designated an area bounded fabric of this community and, by Stanley, Sussex, Dufferin whether you like older build- and MacKay a Heritage ings or not, they and the people Conservation District. It is an who lived in them through the area that has been specifically years should be treasured and Proposed River Lane infill. celebrated. Page 4 New Edinburgh News April 2013 gourmet food establishments Fréchette House Fire: A to provide some tasty prepared meals for Barbara and Tim, and for their immediate neigh- Neighbourhood Tragedy bours on Union Street, Judy By Jane Heintzman ing and enhancing its splen- and Stephen Woollcombe, Less than a week after fire did heritage character with who were also displaced by swept through a six-unit apart- immense care and devotion. the fire when the interior of ment on Barrette Street, a sec- In addition to its being their their home partially collapsed ond devastating blaze struck family hearth, Fréchette House due to water damage. the heart of our Heritage has been the home base of The NECA Board has collab- Conservation District in the both the Sylva Gelber Music orated with Tracey Black of early morning hours of March Foundation supporting the Epicuria to supply a generous 15, ravaging the roof and upper careers of talented young musi- gift certificate to Barbara and storey of the historic Fréchette cians, and Tim Plumptre and Tim, while Paula Thompson House at 87 MacKay Street. It Associates, Inc., a consulting and the Moms’ list network, plunged the lives of its own- firm specializing in public pol- along with several members ers, Barbara Laskin and Tim icy issues. of the NECTAR Centre Board, Plumptre, into a state of tur- Tim currently serves on the have made a similar arrange- March 15 fire at 87 MacKay Street. Photo: Elizabeth Jorgensen moil and profound sadness at Board of NECA, and Barbara ment with Susan Jessup of 42 the fire that morning and made dousing the flames, despite the loss of so many of their is a longstanding supporter Crichton to provide gift certif- clear the building’s importance the challenges posed by the treasured family possessions. of the work of the NECTAR icates for both displaced cou- from a city-wide heritage per- intense heat on the upper sto- Thankfully, Barbara and Tim Centre (formerly the CCCC) ples. The NECTAR Centre’s spective, lamenting the cata- rey, and the sturdy construction escaped the fire without injury, and an active contributor to its Melanie Davis was also quick strophic damage to its upper of the interior walls. and managed to rescue their ongoing fundraising efforts. In to offer temporary office facili- storeys, but expressing the Although the neighbouring two cats in the process. While response to the tragedy, many ties with an internet connection hope that it can eventually be house on Union Street was Ottawa Fire Services estimat- members of the community in one of the studios at New restored to its former glory. flooded in the process, caus- ed the damage to the house have chipped in to lend them a Edinburgh House. Both Ms. Maitland and Ottawa ing the partial collapse of the at a minimum $1 million, in hand as they get their bearings The Fréchette House is per- Fire Services spokesman Marc upper floor, the tenants, Judy fact the extent of the loss is and begin the monumental task haps the finest heritage build- Messier were reasonably con- and Stephen Woollcombe, incalculable, as the legacy of of recovery. ing in New Edinburgh, and fident that the house is sal- were thankfully unhurt, and personal memorabilia simply As the simple gift of food is greatly prized not only in vageable, despite the fact that it appears that most of their cannot be replaced. is among the time-honoured our immediate neighbourhood, the interior will need to be gut- possessions escaped serious Barbara and Tim are well expressions of care and con- but in the heritage conserva- ted due to massive fire, smoke, damage. The Woollcombes are known in our community, and solation in times of crisis, tion community throughout soot and water damage. While currently housed temporarily have lived in the house for arrangements have been made the city. The splendid Gothic Tim and Barbara are also com- in the nearby home of Ken and close to 25 years, maintain- with two of our wonderful local revival house was built in 1877 mitted to restoring their home Noreen Watson, which was and for 40 years, between 1881 if at all possible, at press time, formerly the New Edinburgh and 1921, it was home to one they were awaiting a report Bed and Breakfast. of Ottawa’s premier literary from the Office of the Fire The thoughts of our com- couples of the day, novelist Marshall before making defini- munity are with both couples and writer Annie Thomas tive plans. as they begin the long road to Howells and her husband While the cause of the fire recovery of their homes and Achille Fréchette, a poet and remained to be finally deter- their lives. Their heartbreaking translator for the House of mined when we went to press, loss is a great loss to us all, Commons. The house has spe- Ottawa Fire Services’ spokes- and we hope to find ways of cial significance in the history man Marc Messier reported supporting them through the of Ottawa’s francophone com- that his office had ruled it rebuilding process. We encour- munity, and we are pleased to accidental, quite possibly the age readers to keep an eye include in this edition a sepa- result of an ember from the on the community website at rate article on its importance in fireplace igniting a cedar shake www.newedinburgh.ca for this context. on the roof. Our community is further news of the aftermath Heritage Ottawa President extremely grateful to the fire of the fire, and ways to lend a Leslie Maitland was among crew, who did a masterful job hand in the recovery effort. the first to arrive at the scene of of containing the blaze and April 2013 New Edinburgh News Page 5 Le feu ravage la maison New Listserv for New Edinburgh! Encouraged by the success munity news, and be able to Subscribers need only sign patrimoniale Fréchette of the popular “Moms” and discuss these issues with their up to one listserv, whichever “Lindenlea” listservs, there neighbours. format and/or volume they Par Michel Prévost, archiv- Achille Fréchette have been a number of requests New Edinburgh Announce, prefer. Community announce- iste en chef de l’Université Cette maison patrimoniale that a new, general New or
Arturo’s and El Meson: André Cloutier, a two-horse rider as owner of the popu- lar eateries Arturo’s and El Meson, reports that chef Jamie Urie has recently become a partner in the ownership of André Cloutier and his wife, Arturo’s and will be taking Marla Tonon, overlooking over the bulk of the opera- Porto, Portugal, on their tions of the restaurant, leaving Spain/Portugal trip in March. Page 16 New Edinburgh News April 2013 Street/Beechwood corner is • Relief from by-law require- tion with the Urban Design at failure during rush hour, Minto Project... the intersection at MacKay Continued from page 1 given special prominence in ments for retail and visitor Review Panel, the latter the design; parking. group had strongly recom- and Beechwood provides “a Tremblay of Fotenn planning • Shoppers will have multiple In response to comments mended that building mate- good level of service”; consultants. entry points to retail outlets from participants at the public rials not be the same as or • Overall, the new project is Following Councillor Clark’s along Beechwood; consultation on January 16, similar to those of existing expected to add 3-4% to welcome and introduction, • Most of the MacKay Street Mr. Jain noted that Minto had buildings on Beechwood, the traffic volume at the Minto architect Prishram frontage will also be devot- adjusted its initial plans in a but rather should provide an Beechwood/ MacKay Jain gave a brief presenta- ed to retail outlets at ground number of respects: understated but complemen- intersection, and 1% to tion focusing on: Site Plan level; • Sidewalk width is to be tary contrast). Beechwood/Vanier Parkway Overview; Zoning Changes; • The garage ramp (and com- maintained and extended Delcan transportation con- intersection. and Minto’s Responses to at the Beechwood/MacKay sultant Ron Jack presented a mercial vehicle loading and Question and Answer Period Community Comments and unloading) is internal to the corner to maximize public brief overview of the Traffic Concerns. site; space around the project; and Parking considerations To the credit of the City orga- While the majority of par- • Minto will be working with • Ground floor commercial relating to Minto’s application, nizers, much of the meeting ticipants at the meeting were the City to create an attrac- entrances at street level will noting in particular that: was devoted to an open discus- familiar with the Site Plan as tive streetscape accented be slightly set back from • The site is favourably locat- sion, with City staff and Minto presented at the January 16 with urban furniture; and the sidewalk and defined ed on a major transporta- representatives responding to meeting, Mr. Jain reviewed a • Existing street trees on with awnings to create the tion corridor with excellent questions and comments from number of the highlights of the MacKay (with one excep- impression of multiple small bus connections, and within the public. As in the case of the current proposal: tion) will be preserved and shops; walking or cycling distance January 16 meeting, the latter • The height of the L-shaped new trees planted on the • The Beechwood/MacKay of shopping, recreational were primarily addressed to building is 8 storeys with a Beechwood frontage. corner is to be dedicated and other amenities; three broad topics: partial 9th mechanical floor; On the issue of Minto’s space for outdoor public • The planned retail space in • Building height and design • The building mass is ver- requested Zoning use, with a 560 square foot the Minto building is equiv- • Traffic and parking, and tically articulated as well Amendments for the site, Mr. patio, 6 or 7 tables and seat- alent to that of the previous • Retail mix at ground level. as horizontally divided, Jain summarized the most sig- ing for at least 25. The Patio development, and can be with changes in materi- nificant of these: will be directly linked to assumed to generate about Building Height and Design: als between the upper and • An increase of 4.3 metres in the adjacent interior retail the same traffic volume; There were a number of recur- lower storeys; building height based on the operation; and • The major change will be ring themes throughout the • The street level mate- “node” or “gateway” loca- • The building materials on the condominium develop- evening, and there appeared to rial is stone, followed by tion of the site, identified in the lower storeys have been ment, which, when added be a strong consensus among sandstone-coloured brick the planning framework as fine-tuned to reflect pub- to the anticipated retail traf- those present that the proposed (“Indiana limestone buff”) suitable for a mid-rise (5-9 lic concerns about a cold fic, is expected to generate height, mass and design of the for the next 4 storeys, with storey) structure; façade, with a rich, sand- about 60 vehicles per hour building in its present form are glass and metal on the top • An increase in the step-back stone-coloured brick for the at peak times in the morning at odds with the village-like floors; level along Beechwood and first 4 residential storeys and late afternoon; character of our community. At • In keeping with the guide- a portion of MacKay to 5 and stone at the street level. • While the Beechwood/ the same time, however, there lines for the MacKay Sector storeys from the required (Mr. Jain specifically noted Vanier Parkway intersec- was also evidence of support in the BCDP, the MacKay 3; and that in its initial consulta- tion is admittedly already for Minto’s proposal, subject April 2013 New Edinburgh News Page 17 to the fine-tuning necessary at the St. Patrick Street Bridge supported by the rationale buildings constructed over tions included the following: the Site Plan stage, and broad lacks detail in the existing provided by planning staff, time. • The traffic impact of the agreement, that the building models, and there is concern since significant intensifica- • None of Minto’s cur- impending Canada Lands design itself has merit, albeit that the building will pres- tion should be possible with- rent models show the new Development on the for- perhaps in another context. ent a faceless blank wall at in the 6-storey limit of the building in the context of mer Rockcliffe Air Base, In a nutshell, comments and the gateway to Beechwood. zoning by-law. Planner Bliss the existing streetscape on expected to involve a mas- responses were as follows: Architect Prishram Jain Edwards noted in response Beechwood and MacKay, sive intensification of thou- Nancy Hooper presented a is well aware of this con- that the BCDP allows for but rather set in isolation on sands of new area residents, Position Statement on behalf cern, and was confident that mid-rise (5-9 storey) build- an “island” unrelated to the has not been taken into of her fellow residents in the through the imaginative use ings at significant “nodes” community. Symbolically, account in Minto’s traffic Beechwood Village condomin- of materials, an interestingly such as the Beechwood/ at least, this is an important analysis. Delcan’s Ron Jack ium complex on Charlevoix articulated façade appro- MacKay corner. omission, and an impedi- acknowledged that the new Street, emphasizing that: priate to the location can • One resident questioned ment to an accurate assess- Canada Lands development • As the defining develop- be created at the Site Plan whether Section 37 of the ment of the building’s “fit” would have a traffic impact, ment at the Gateway to the stage. Planning Act might be appli- in the existing streetscape. but stressed that the whole Beechwood Corridor, the • Dale Smith, a BVA Steering cable to Minto, should the • The ground level com- point of intensification was proposed building is out of Committee member and requested height increase be mercial frontage appears to reduce dependence on the step with the village-like long-time resident and busi- approved by Council. This cold and poorly differenti- private automobile and cre- character of the surrounding ness owner in the commu- section may be triggered in ated, and in general, there ate self-sufficient, sustain- communities; nity, expressed support for some cases, when increas- is too much glass on the able communities. He noted • The structure is too tall, cold Minto’s design plans, and es above by-law limits in Beechwood/MacKay cor- that with the city’s popu- and formal; is out of scale was encouraged by the com- the height and/or density of ner by the outdoor patio. lation approaching the one with the existing streetscape; pany’s attempt to respond a development, entail the Minto’s Brent Strachan million mark, the overall looms over the street; and is to a number of the commu- compensatory provision of stressed that these details traffic situation will, in any lacking in the casual, low nity concerns voiced at the “community benefits” by the would be addressed at Site event, almost certainly get profile, neighbourly feel of January meeting. While rec- developer to specific capital Plan stage, and that indi- worse, not better. the traditional Beechwood ognizing that the scale and facilities in the community vidual retailers would them- • Minto’s requested zoning shopping area; design of the project marks of the project. In response, selves supply the warmth by-law amendments relating • Step-backs to the upper a departure from the char- Bliss Edwards indicated that and character to the building to both visitor and retail storeys are too narrow, and acter of Beechwood as we the section would not apply façade conveying commu- parking spaces would should be at least 3 metres; have known it, she felt that in this case, as the requested nity atmosphere. involve significant reduc- • The tall, 15-foot ceilings in time, the community will height increase falls below Traffic and Parking: Not tions in both categories at ground level are likely adjust to the new building, the 25% threshold. surprisingly given the scale of which could have a major to attract large-scale retail and expressed the hope that • The façade facing the residential intensification impact on the area, and operations, as opposed to Minto would take seriously Beechwood might be made proposed by Minto, with 157 put added pressure on the the small businesses valued its pivotal role in creating to appear less homogenous condominium units replacing already inadequate supply by the community; a model for future develop- and urban cookie-cutter a handful of modest apart- of on-street parking avail- • The outdoor corner café is ment along Beechwood. by retaining the two small ments in the pre-fire develop- able on Beechwood and unlikely to have the light • The requested height buildings which housed ment, the traffic and parking MacKay. Whatever the mer- and sunshine needed to be a increase for which City staff Hamie’s Diner and Bread impact issues of the project its of encouraging the use of really people-friendly envi- is recommending approval and Roses Bakery as part were a major concern of meet- other transportation modes, ronment; and will set a precedent for all of the new development, ing participants. climate considerations and • While admittedly elegant, future developments along giving it added character Specific comments and ques- Continued on page 18 the building would be Beechwood, effectively and continuity with the past. more suitably located in establishing a 9-storey • More effort should be made downtown Toronto or in a floor for prospective new to design a vertically articu- high rise complex such as buildings. It is unclear that lated façade that creates the Tunney’s Pasture. the increase is adequately impression of a series of Many of Nancy’s comments were echoed by other partici- pants. In particular, the “ele- gant but alien” theme applying to the building design. • Step-backs on Beechwood and MacKay should be at the 3rd storey, as opposed to the proposed 5th story level, to create a more “human scale” of development. In response, architect Prishram Jain argued that from a design perspective, the 3rd storey step-back would cre- ate a far more awkward, top-heavy appearance in the building, with very limited benefit from a pedestrian perspective, and no benefit in terms of additional light gained at the sidewalk level. He expressed the view that on the whole, pedestrians and shoppers engage with only the ground level of a building, and seemed con- fident that at the Site Plan stage, measures could be taken to warm up and enliv- en the building frontage at street level. • The West Façade facing Page 18 New Edinburgh News April 2013 Minto Project... ed out that the width of this is standard practice in at Beechwood and MacKay, fic and parking impact will be the entry/exit point on the commercial buildings. and making it safer for given further analysis by plan- Continued from Page 17 driveway is in fact fully in Retail: pedestrians. ning staff and presented to the demographic factors dictate compliance with the by-law At the January 16 meeting, NECA Board member Urban Design Review Panel that a major portion of the (6.7 metres), Delcan’s Ron the community was absolutely Catherine Lindquist endorsed (UDRP) for detailed consider- shopping public will contin- Jack acknowledged that clear, specific, and virtually Tobi’s comments, and stressed ation. As Bliss Edwards high- ue to be in cars. In response, routine violations of City unanimous in its preferences the need to create the verti- lighted at the meeting, UDRP Minto noted that based on rules about the proximity with respect to the kind and cal distinctions in the design sessions are open to the pub- past experience, most new of parked cars to driveways number of retailers engaged of the façade that will attract lic, and she encouraged inter- developments have scaled and entrance ways may be to occupy the nearly 17,000 small, village-style stores, and ested community members to back visitor parking, and creating a serious visibility square feet of commercial re-establish “the finer grain of attend the discussions. Meeting the City may be reassess- problem at that location. space on the ground floor of notices will be sent electroni- retail” that was lost in the fire. cally to those attending the • A resident of the townhouse the new development—as The “Lane”: ing its requirements in this development on MacKay many as possible; small inde- January and March consulta- category. Several of the meeting partici- tions, but if you weren’t able Street next door to the Minto pendents; and suppliers of pants expressed concern about • The City needs to address project expressed concern goods, services and amenities to be present at either one, you the intersection at MacKay the fate of the unofficial “lane” can keep up to date by check- about the potential parking of the kind available before between the former Hamie’s and Beechwood where the and traffic impact of the the fire, such as hardware, dry ing the community website at absence of a left-turning Diner and the New Edinburgh www.newedinburgh.ca where new development, noting cleaning and baked goods. At Pharmacy building—a pas- lane already leads to signifi- that exiting her driveway is the March meeting, BVA lead- you will find public meeting cant back-ups, existing prior sage which has long served schedules, along with other already a treacherous busi- er Tobi Nussbaum reinforced as an access from the street to to the introduction of the ness due to the long lines of these views, stressing in par- documents and links providing new development. Added the retail parking area. Brent background information on the parked cars along MacKay ticular that: Strachan reported that Minto’s traffic associated with the Street. She asked that the Minto project. project, can be expected • Every effort should be made plan is to build up to the lot City consider a ban on on- to maximize the number of line, leaving a comparatively Editor’s Note: NECA’s to deteriorate even further, street parking on MacKay particularly if nothing is retail outlets on Beechwood small space between the two Heritage and Development Street from Electric and along the retail portion buildings, but he agreed that done to address the com- Street to Beechwood. Bliss Committee (HDC) did not pounding impact of emer- of the MacKay frontage; public access to the parking support the majority of the Edwards responded that • Priority should be given to gency and delivery vehicles lot could be provided by indi- requested zoning by-law the issue could be consid- the type of retail operation that pull up in front of New vidual retailers opening a rear amendments. For example, ered at Site Plan stage, but that will draw shoppers to entrance to their respective Edinburgh Square. Ron noted that there seemed to the committee recommended Jack noted in response that the area, contributing to the stores. be mixed messages from the overall liveliness and level that the height of the building while no physical change in community, with some call- Next Steps: the intersection is contem- of activity on Beechwood; In light of the City plan- along Beechwood be reduced ing for more on-street park- to 2-3 storeys at street front, plated, the light cycles can ing and others opposing it. • The outdoor patio area ning staff’s recommenda- be adjusted to facilitate the should be directly tied to tion for approval of Minto’s as opposed to the 5 storeys • No provision appears to at street front proposed by traffic flow off Beechwood have been made in the Minto an adjacent interior business Zoning By-Law Amendment on to MacKay. proposal for parking spaces which would generate a reg- Application, it seems probable Minto and approved by plan- • NECA’s Acting President for retail employees. If you ular clientele; that by the time this paper is in ning staff. A number of NECA David Sacks was con- assume a minimum of six • In fine-tuning the features circulation, the application will Board members and associ- cerned that the width of the retail outlets with approxi- of the façade, the design of in fact have received approval ates are scheduled to speak driveway at the MacKay mately 15 employees each, the shop entrances should by Planning Committee and be at the March 26 Planning on its way to Council on April Street entrance was to be it’s not clear where they be such as to avoid limiting Committee meeting to express reduced below current zon- would be expected to park, the number of possible busi- 10. Assuming that there are no ing requirements, noting hurdles at Council, the next the comments and concerns short of occupying all the nesses that could be accom- of the community. The com- that even now, exiting the retail spaces intended for step will entail the submission parking area can be peril- modated; to the City of Minto’s Site Plan mittee will continue to partici- shoppers. Minto indicated in • The City should take the pate in the process of analysis ous when sightlines are response that indeed, no spe- Application. It is at this stage compromised by a line of opportunity afforded by when project details relating to and consultation at Site Plan cial allowance for employ- the new development to parked cars along MacKay. ees had been made, and that design, architectural features, stage when project details are In response, Minto point- square the rounded corner landscaping, streetscape, traf- fleshed out in greater depth. April 2013 New Edinburgh News Page 19 ond year. This third year, the gang really outdid themselves. Having collected more dosh, Peter purchased and presented on behalf of the BNO, a mag- nificent tapestry of a Lancaster Bomber in memory of hero and pilot John Sheardown, who sadly passed away in January 2013. Social Column Of Outstanding Persons Today The gift was so moving to the Perley’s Foundation staff that they decided to hang it in the “Sir” Peter Dalton has been SCOOPT! residents’ wing and organize a By Louise Imbeault small but official “unveiling” with family, friends, staff, vol- Greetings NEN readers, the unteers and residents on Friday, “In Our Midst” column has March 22, 2013. Fortunately I just undergone a makeover— was invited and present for the we hope you’ll enjoy it, and intimate ceremony capturing Photo: Louise Imbeault please pass along first impres- Tapestry unveiling at the Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health this precious moment. Centre March 22, 2013. (l to r) Ron Hodgson (member of BNO), sions and feedback to the A war veteran himself, Managing Editor. Peter Dalton (Mayor of Bridgehead, BNO President) and Dan just like his Canadian father, Clapin (ACFRE) Managing Director of PRVHC. I just couldn’t resist shar- who was a Royal Artillery ing with you this interview Officer in WWII, Peter served in comfort and luxury and Peter Bridgehead Coffeeshop on with Peter Dalton after hearing in the CAF as a Radio and hosts guests and tourists, doub- Beechwood where bright and from a neighbour and close Communications Officer from ling as Captain at the helm of early, every morning, he holds friend that a very special man 1959 to 1971 and, for the this sleek maiden of the sea. an informal pseudo Council resides on Rideau Terrace and next 20 years, Peter held a Every opportunity he gets he Meeting, concocting new is so deserving of acknowl- high ranking position with the sets sail with his passengers ways to make a difference in edgement. Peter is very active Canadian Coast Guard (CCG). around the Maritime seaway people’s lives and discussing in the community, accessible, Even though he is now retired, during the summer months. Burgh issues and ideas for generous and hilarious—all of he still works three full days When in town, he accompan- improvements, all the while which I can confirm are true per week as a consultant for ies groups of children to sail on holding his faithful notebook after meeting him in the flesh. the CCG. What an impressive a friend’s tall ship from June to of to-do lists, as he passion- His charm, warmth and elo- ongoing career! August, a Brigantine called the ately tries to solve the world’s quence kept me totally under His love of water and boats Fair Jeanne docked at the locks problems over a cup of bold a spell, enthralled by his every dates back to his youth. Peter’s over the winter months. He coffee or savoury tea. word, listening attentively mother was a WAAF in the Air then welcomes adult groups So folks, if you are an early to each delicious and amaz- Photo: Louise Imbeault Force Auxiliary detachment in May and September (when riser and in need of cheer- ing story with bated breath, Peter Dalton, affectionately and a war bride and gave birth the kids are at school) for trips ing up or just want to shoot all the while cracking up with known as “The Mayor of to her son in regal surround- down the Rideau locks sys- the breeze, His Excellency explosive laughter punctuated Bridgehead”. ings—Pentillie Castle Hospital tem. Hear this matey, this local Peter Dalton’s cabinet opens by his own brand of British in Cornwall, England. adventure should be on all our between 6:30 and 8 am on humour throughout the candid organized Christmas surprise bucket lists. Mondays and Fridays—please, baskets for his fellow veterans. The family moved back to interview. The encounter lasted Nova Scotia near Halifax when Affectionately known just drop in to shake his hand much longer than anticipated These past three years, Peter as the “MAYOR OF and let him know he’s doing a and his generous BNO club he was about seven years old. and to my surprise, ended way Accustomed to open spaces BRIDGEHEAD”, Peter con- great job! too soon. Given the opportu- members have contributed sin- ducts his business from the gle-handedly to making our and addicted to the sea air, nity, I could fill a book or two Peter’s ultimate dream finally about this most accomplished, Veterans a very happy bunch at Christmas time, offering every- came true when he acquired a polished, cultivated and well- 39-foot sloop named JAFTICA read worldly gentleman. thing from brand new facial razors one year, to a crate- (acronym for Just Another One of Peter’s initiatives F…’en Thing I Can’t Afford), is an exclusive “members load of CDs featuring wartime and military band songs and docked in the same spot where only” gentlemen’s club called he grew up. It sleeps six people BNO (Boys Night Out) for music for each veteran the sec- which he is the self-appointed President holding on tightly to the hilarious “club rules” he implemented. Their not- so-secret meetings are held on a monthly basis usually at the ClockTower Brew Pub, where these active philanthro- pists devise, plan and organize the next good deed they will embark upon. Peter is a “mover and shaker” and when it comes to his favou- rite charity nothing stands in his way, lavishing upon the lucky recipients his fervour. He is especially devoted and fond of the War Veterans resid- ing at the Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre on Russell Road. Charting his course and waiting on no one, Peter has rallied family and friends to contribute toward this humanitarian cause and Page 20 New Edinburgh News April 2013 have three possibilities in mind Travel Tales from the Burgh for future issues—architecture We’re delighted to present the trip for me. David and Cecile in California; adventurous inaugural article in the NEN’s have generously offered to travel in Indonesia; and an new Travel Tales series! David share their experiences one- extended tour in India—and Horley of Stanley Avenue has on-one with readers, and as would love to hear of other contributed highlights of the they took a great many pic- ideas. So please don’t be shy about contacting me. I’d love fantastic trip in the Arctic that tures on their journey, I think to hear from you, and if you’re he and his wife, Cecile Latour, a slideshow might be included not sure you would be able to embarked on last summer. I’m in that offer. write an article yourself, we especially glad to begin the We look forward to other can work on it together. — series with this article, as an submissions from our Vicki Metcalfe 46metcalfe@ Arctic adventure is a dream travelling friends. I currently sympatico.ca Into the Northwest Passage By David Horley east and west tours of two visit three magnificent fiords. Captain John Franklin spent weeks duration. What a beautiful introduction years seeking the Northwest In our case we went east to to the North! Then we crossed Passage and it eventually cost west. This entailed taking a Davis Strait to begin our tour him his life—and those of his charter flight from Toronto to of Canadian territory. During crew. In contrast, my wife and Kangerlussuaq, a small town the 24-hour crossing we were I made the delightful trip in on the west coast of Greenland. treated to a degustation of only two weeks and never felt There, on August 19, we board- raw minke whale and narwhal at risk. Of course, we were just ed the Clipper Adventurer—a together with seal liver—also passengers on a modern steel modern, well-appointed pas- raw, of course—dipped in soya vessel, Clipper Adventure, and senger ship which takes a sauce like sushi. the seven various types of ice? Photo: Cecile Latour there were a few devices, such maximum of 108 passengers. Starting with Pond Inlet, on On one of these excursions our Between these stops, the as radar and detailed maps, In addition, Adventure Canada the north end of Baffin Island, timing was impeccable: large Adventure Canada experts which Franklin could not even had on board a team of eight en route we visited three chunks of ice broke off the face briefed us on board as to what dream of. experts and four Inuit to enrich communities where we were of the glacier, falling into the we were about to see or had just How did we get started? My our appreciation of the physi- warmly received, and experi- bay just ahead of us. We were seen. But it wasn’t all study— wife, Cecile, was the motivat- cal environment that we were enced demonstrations of Inuit also able to see polar bears and there were no exams at the ing force and began research- visiting and the Inuit people culture, such as throat singing. walrus, not to mention a seal end—for we were entertained ing on the Internet. She noticed whom we met at various land- The massive financial chal- and many Arctic birds. by a singing guitarist, with that a Toronto-based company, ings, among them an ornithol- Adventure Canada, was a pri- ogist, a botanist, a geologist, mary organizer of such trav- an ethnologist and a filmmaker el. During the relatively short who has created six films on navigation season in the Arctic the Arctic. (mid-August to mid-Septem- Initially, the ship journeyed ber), the company operates along the coast of Greenland to
Photo: Cecile Latour lenge for the territorial govern- On a hike on the tundra, it ments became evident when we was immediately clear that sing-alongs and an exhibition spoke with the housing official winter travel on a snowmobile of the award-winning photo- in Pond Inlet. He revealed that would be easier than trying to graphs of Michelle Valberg, the average cost of utilities per stumble across the tough scrub an Ottawa professional who dwelling is $3,000 per month! in summer. At the same time, was making her 26th trip to the In a community where few I reflected that even if global Arctic! families have a regular job, warming continues to advance, Like all good things, it had to the inhabitants are charged a the total absence of topsoil come to an end when we disem- hugely reduced fee according means that any type of agri- barked at Kugluktuk, formerly to their gross “income”. For culture would be difficult to Coppermine. Cecile and I had example, for a family in which introduce. a wonderful firsthand exposure the father had suffered from Another privileged experi- to the challenges and wonders incapacitating depression for ence was a visit to a 2-mil- of the North, and gained a rich some years, the charge was lion-year-old fossil site at Port appreciation of the culture and reduced to only $60 per month. Epworth with three-dimension- challenges for the Inuit inhab- At various times, we disem- al “cabbage-like” domes called iting it. The Arctic, we discov- barked into motorized inflat- stromatolites. This is destined ered, is more than a journey; able dinghies and went ashore to become a UNESCO site it is an initiation. Cecile and or cruised up to the face of a as one of the best preserved I would be happy to talk with glacier. Where else can one occurrences of fossils of this anyone interested in the trip. get a 2-hour introduction to vintage. April 2013 New Edinburgh News Page 21 ing out everywhere and for lending a sympathetic ear to my many questions and con- cerns; Cathy McConkey for organizing the raffle, jelly bean contest, running the cash and, especially for donating the puck piñata (the kids loved bashing it with their sticks); Michel Giroux and Brian Hockey Day in New Edinburgh!! Torrie’s crew of hosers for By Debra Conner and ners: Sue in the Elimination getting the ice ready; a spe- Catherine McConkey Shootout; Ross in the Pylon cial thank you to hoser Steve Grabner for going over at The idea for Hockey Day in Stick Handling Challenge and Thomas in both the Shot 7:00 am on Saturday morning New Edinburgh was born one to shovel off the last of the pre- cold day in February 2012, Accuracy Challenge and Shoot to Win Challenge. vious night’s snowstorm; the after a fun time playing shinny kitchen crew Paula Pincombe, at Stanley Park. Going into the Congratulations also to Michel as winner of the jelly bean Matt DeWolfe, and Gillian Fieldhouse to get warmed up Campbell; and Jerry Turchyn and have some hot chocolate, count and Tara Redmond, winner of the hockey helmet for his sign-painting skills, for we spotted this small, lone sign manning the sound system declaring that it was Hockey raffle. As always, an event like and keeping the hockey tunes Day in Canada. The light bulb blasting. Thanks to all who this wouldn’t have succeeded Photo: Caroline Matt went on: “We (the Crichton came out and played; we’ll see without the help and talents Norah DeWolfe takes her shot in the shoot-to-win skills Community Council) should you all again next year! be doing something for this. of the many volunteers who competition. pulled this together. Many, After all, we manage the rinks Canada Summer Jobs please email Caroline Matt at kets will be beautifully refresh- here at Stanley Park—this many thanks to Sue Hall of NECTAR for organizing and The 3Cs has applied to the [email protected] for more ing at this time of year and would be a natural fit for us.” information. make a great gift for Mother’s And so, on February 9, 2013, running the skills compe- Canada Summer Jobs pro- tition with her crew of vol- gram again in order to hire a Day. Once again, by special on a beautiful, cold, sunny request, we will have tomatoes, day, the Crichton Community unteers, including an official student for the summer months. Annual Plant Sale referee, top-notch goalie, and Last year, we were able to open Saturday, May 11, from 8 cherry tomatoes, lettuce starter Council (3Cs) held its first packs and herbs—all local, annual Hockey Day in New rink attendants Martina and the field house for 35 hours am to 4 pm we are hosting the Aiden; the New Edinburgh every week during July and New Edinburgh Annual Plant all fresh, and all supplied by Edinburgh. Despite stiff com- Ferme Lêve-Tot. Thank you to petition from Winterlude, a Pub for graciously donating August, providing access to Sale. As always it will hap- hot dogs and hot chocolate; the the snack bar and the toilets, pen at the Fieldhouse at 193 Mary Grainger for organizing Sens game and many other this great event each year. Hockey Day in Canada events City of Ottawa for the loan of as well as a place to cool off Stanley Ave. The flower bas- throughout the city, we got equipment for the skills com- during a heat wave. If you are a a good crowd of enthusias- petition and for the donation high school student looking for tic hockey players, anxious of the helmet for the raffle; work this summer; we are cur- to play shinny and compete Mary Grainger for getting rently accepting applications SAVE THE DATE in the skills competitions. the Fieldhouse and kitchen in for the position of Fieldhouse Congratulations to the win- order; Caroline Matt for help- Manager. If you are interested, Tamarack Ottawa Race Please be at the Fieldhouse Weekend New Edinburgh on Stanley by 8:15 am to Cheering Station socialize with your neigh- Please join Crichton bours and help prepare for New Edinburgh Cheering Station Community Council—on our HUGE community wel- through the last kilometers. volunteer at an event “on the Joseph Cull has agreed to come. Join us in cheering on organize New Edinburgh’s Come on out and help raise ground”, we have a place for Sunday, May 26, 8:00- ALL the runners. Cheering Station during their spirits to “get it done”! you too. If you have a wish list 11:30 am—in welcoming Ottawa’s Race Weekend. He Morning coffee will be sup- for events that you would like thousands of Runners as they Coffee and some breakfast just loves this so much, and plied as well a few other good- to see happen, please contact us travel through our wonderful munchies will be provided, the neighbourhood and the 3Cs ies. This is truly an exciting and we can discuss them. We neighbourhood. and yes folks, music will are certainly the beneficiaries. event to watch!! See you then! meet on the second Monday of New Edinburgh will mark be playing to encourage and Sunday, May 26 is the date Let’s talk a bit about the month at the Fieldhouse at the 34-kilometer point for inspire all these brave folks and about 8:00am is time volunteering with the 3Cs. If 7:30 pm. Come and join us; we runners from around the to continue onward to realize to come to the Fieldhouse to any of you reading this article are very friendly!! world. their dream!! watch this amazing event. This has an interest, please contact The Fieldhouse will be avail- We need you to dress in We can help make a dif- year we are positioned at the cjmcconkey@sympatico. able for rent starting May 1 your “Sparkling/Be-jeweled” ference in their journey and 36 km mark, and with six km ca or phone 613-746-0303. If for your next birthday party or or “New Edinburgh Tartan” showcase the vibrancy of our to go before the participants you have any experience in family event. Contact Caroline finest so we can bedazzle the community. reach the finish line, they really organizing events, are family at [email protected] or 613- runners as they pass through THEME: Be-dazzle and need every one of us in the oriented, we have a place for 741-3128 for more informa- the Burgh!!! the New Edinburgh Tartan neighbourhood to cheer them you. If you would like to be a tion. Page 22 New Edinburgh News April 2013 Two Exceptional Concerts Complete the MacKay 2012-2013 Music Series By Carolyn Bowker Debussy and Granados, and ticipation at the Ottawa Jazz and its performance demands. well known to MacKay con- An Evening of French and others by lesser-known com- Festival. And just recently she Parv has performed as a soloist cert audiences through its per- Spanish Music—Sumptuous posers such as Reynaldo Hahn, returned from an engagement and chamber musician at the formances over the last few and exquisite! Music that Fernando Obradors and Xavier with the Bogota Philharmonic Château Laurier, the National years beginning with the piano sweeps from passionate love to Montsalvatge. What these Orchestra, performing a con- Gallery of Canada, the Ottawa fundraising concerts. As one tormenting heartache! Music composers share is an equal cert version of Bizet’s opera, Chamber Festival, as well as regular MacKay concertgoer of irresistible seduction, deep commitment to both instru- Carmen. at St. Brigid’s church and in has observed, “Every perfor- kinship with nature, music that ments—the human voice and the MacKay United Church mance by these superb string explores the depths of the soul the piano—that combines sub- Concert Series. players balances more famil- and its complex emotional tap- lime vocal melodies with truly Julie and Parv have known iar compositions with what is estry! That is the French and intricate treatment of the piano each other for almost 20 years. commonly used to describe Spanish music that will be per- part. As students at the universities jazz—the sound of surprise!” formed by two exciting art- Julie and Parv bring this out- in Ottawa, they had developed When Bridge and Vaughan ists, Julie Nesrallah and Parv standing music to life in per- a deep appreciation for each Williams wrote their first string Eshghi, in the next concert in formance, but they also show other's talent. Two years ago quartets, they were still young the MacKay United Church us the real people who wrote they deepened their collabora- composers finding their own Chamber Music Series on it. It is “like people watch- tion as artists in the hip, excit- musical vocabulary. Vaughan Saturday, April 6, at 7:30 pm. ing through music,” says Julie. ing production of Carmen on Williams had not yet begun The program includes songs The best artists are able to Tap directed by Brent Krysa. to travel around the U.K. col- that are staples of the reper- embody that private life, that Both had lively, exhilarating lecting the folk songs which toire by composers such as tenderness, the pain, the joys temperaments and when they would become a cornerstone of and agonies of being alive and made music together, it was his musical style. Bridge was channel it with their whole sensational! still influenced by Romantic being to everyone in the audi- Parv and Julie are excited composers, but he followed ence. to be sharing their wonderful the advice he gave his students, As Ottawa audiences know Julie Nesrallah. well, mezzo-soprano Julie Nesrallah is an extremely ver- satile singer and actress who Parv Eshghi aims to reach dazzles audiences with her the height of creativity and rich tone, engaging personal- freedom while respecting the ity and communication skills. composer’s personal and sty- She is well known nationally listic intentions. She wishes as the host of “Tempo,” CBC to bring a more natural atmo- Radio’s flagship national clas- sphere to the classical music sical music program, and as scene, where imagination, the host of “Solo” for CBC originality and open com- television. Last summer, she munication can thrive, while delighted her fans with her par- remaining faithful to the music Parv Eshghi.
(left to right) Paul Casey, Leah Roseman, Mark Friedman, and Leah Wyber. program with the audience at including Benjamin Britten, to MacKay. They hope that the “try to find yourself and be audience “will come out of true to what you found.” In the recital inspired, wanting to these early compositions there know more about these bril- is both a youthful exuberance liantly gifted composers and and the lush string writing that poets, and seeking to enrich we associate with British com- their lives further with glorious posers. music.” As spring comes to Ottawa, An English Spring—On the performers are looking Sunday, May 5, at 7:30 pm, forward to sharing with their a very different, but no less listeners this music by great beautiful and lively concert composers in the springtime of concludes MacKay’s 2012- their careers. 2013 series with a celebra- Tickets for each concert, $25 tion of spring in a performance for adults and $20 for seniors of string quartets by Vaughan and students, will be avail- Williams and Frank Bridge. able at Books on Beechwood, Leah Roseman, Mark Compact Music, through Friedman, Paul Casey, and MacKay United Church (613- Leah Wyber make up this very 749-8727) and at the door. talented and engaging string quartet, which has become April 2013 New Edinburgh News Page 23 point where one can definitely sticks to her schedule or not, say, without the shadow of a for the spring equinox signals The Year Begins with Spring doubt, that yes, we are in the the beginning of the beginning. By Doug Cornish Spring is nature’s incredible and longing. season of spring? Would future It’s an important mental road snow on top of tulips constitute mark. It’s all smooth sailing March 20th was the most way of telling everyone that Spring is for cleaning and the winter isn’t the final say on clearing and moving and spring? Does the collective from here. important day in the Canadian will of the people influence I’ve always thought that the calendar, more important even the way things will be. Spring changing directions. these matters? Can we assume calendar year should begin than July 1st (please excuse is the eternal optimist, bringing The beginning of spring also that rather un-Canadian and un- forth hope and optimism. Akin marks the beginning of doubt. it’s spring just because the date with spring, because it’s a good patriotic statement). It marked to a new-born child, spring is Is it really spring? Is spring on the calendar says so? place to start. “The year began the first official day of spring. the hope of humankind. Out of really here to stay? Weather You bet! The spring equinox with spring” would be a good It is nature’s official opening chaos comes order and beau- patterns, especially these days, began on March 20th. Makes slogan! Let us begin our won- of the spring season. Of course ty. Out of despair comes light aren’t predictable. Is there a no difference if Mother Nature derful journey. even nature isn’t always on and hope. Spring is the new time (sometimes early, other order. Spring is the new world. times late), but that day a few Spring is the new way. weeks ago was a significant For me the miracle of spring day in the hearts of Canadians. is the “softness”. There’s no Those of us in the Ottawa area other way to describe it. The have been weaned on legisla- hurly-burly gusts of win- tion, so anything official (even ter have finally petered out. if it hasn’t been sanctioned by Winter has (not always grace- the House of Commons) some- fully) succumbed to spring. how feels correct. The spring Winter has been laid to rest. equinox marked the journey The youthful spring has been all Canadians dream of taking declared the victor. There each year, a journey towards seems to be more time in the the sun. It marked the end (offi- spring. The days are longer, the cially, anyway) of the winter sun is stronger, the walks are sojourn and the beginning of longer, and the chats in open three of the most glorious sea- door cafés linger. The doors sons known to humankind: the of business establishments and young, gentle daughter called homes are left ajar. This “soft- spring, the rebellious teenager ness” is welcomed freely. This in all her regalia called sum- soft air is never questioned, nor mer, and the more mature, wise is it a cause for anger. Like a and perhaps civilized autumn soft, pure and innocent baby, daughter. no one shows malice towards It’s telling that the first three the spring season. No, not even seasons are generally associ- the ski-tow operators, for they ated with the female gender; know that their off season is they’re soft, gorgeous, provoc- a time to reflect and build for ative, mysterious and unfor- next year. gettable, whereas the fourth Without spring there would season, winter, is usually the be no progress. Without spring “old man”, fierce and rough, there would be no inspira- generally lacking in civilized tion. A world without spring manners. would not be liveable. Spring Spring is soft, kind and is our second chance. We can although a yearly occurrence, re-plant our dreams. We can it’s an annual period of renais- begin anew. sance, a literal re-birth: out We can renew old acquain- of the cold, white, windswept, tances. Neighbours have been barren landscape is breathed hibernating. In springtime they life. The birds return, and sing. meet again by the neighbour- The trees transform themselves hood fence, or leaning on the from skeletons, to elegantly car in the driveway, or stop- green, clothed creatures. Spring ping half way in the middle of flowers (probably the loveliest a quiet out of the way street for flowers of any season) miracu- a chat. Time seems to lengthen lously bursting from the cold, in the spring. There’s more dark earth. Nature’s creatures activity in the spring. There’s are suddenly busy. There’s so a whole new, expansive sky much to do after the deadness spread out before. The sunrises and inactivity of winter. are inviting, the sunsets warm Page 24 New Edinburgh News April 2013 2013 Flood Risk in the Burgh: Not Great, But Not Negligible By Jane Heintzman Burgh. The zone lies within other communities up river, initiative to actively explore proposal, and John undertook For most of the year, residents the sector bounded by Sussex was placed under an official potential measures to reduce to pursue discussions with the of the Burgh have little reason Drive, Stanley Avenue, Flood Watch by the Rideau the flood risk in this area, and City, the NCC and the RVCA. to concern themselves with the MacKay Street and Queen Valley Conservation Authority ward off the kind of near calam- While these authorities were condition of the Rideau River, Victoria Street, encompass- (RVCA) and residents were ity that threatened this corner indeed alerted to the problem, ing the majority of the houses warned to “activate their of the Burgh in 2008. Several which forms the natural bound- years ago, John retained the and Lawrence Erion’s pro- ary of our community. In late in the segment bordered by response plans.” posed solution, to date there Stanley, Charles, Alexander Happily for those of us professional services of an winter and early spring, how- experienced local consulting has been no further progress ever, the river can be a source and Thomas Streets, and a unskilled in the art of sandbag- in the attempt to deal with this sizeable chunk of the area ging, catastrophe was ultimate- engineer, Lawrence Erion, of both widespread excitement who undertook a detailed sur- very real threat to a portion of as the ice is chopped and blast- bounded by Charles, River ly avoided in 2008, thanks to vey of the area in question our community. As things now Lane and Stanley, almost to a total absence of rainfall and ed, and also spectacular beauty along the river. stand, in the event of a flood, as the powerful current surges Union Street. Interested read- moderate temperatures result- past our park and over the falls, ers will find a detailed map of ing in an elegantly gradual hurling great chunks of ice into the Flood Plain Zone on the melt. But it could have been a frothy vortex in the Ottawa community website at www. otherwise. When the RVCA River below. And, as those of newedinburgh.ca. issued a media release in early us who are the river’s nearest Five years ago, in the late March this year, warning that neighbours are acutely aware, winter of 2008, residents of the “Snowpack Water Content in some years, the spring run- flood plain zone—in particu- Makes Spring Flooding a off in Rideau River can also lar those on Stanley Avenue Possibility”, alarm bells went pose a serious risk to the prop- within a few metres of the off in many households in the erties in the New Edinburgh river—spent a harrowing few flood plain. The warning was flood plain zone. weeks when an epic snow pack occasioned by the exception- Readers who are new to the began a rapid melt, causing ally high water content of this community may not be aware water levels to rise to within year’s snow pack, reportedly that there is a sizeable Flood a few inches of the river bank. the second highest since snow Plain Zone right here in the Our area, along with many surveys were started in 1974. When I spoke with the RVCA’s Senior Water Resources Technician Patrick Larson in mid-March, he reported that in the weeks fol- lowing the “Flood Awareness” media release on March 7, the continuing cool temperatures Photo: Louise Imbeault and lack of precipitation have Ice blasting on the Rideau River. significantly reduced the risk of flooding in our area this Erion ultimately came up it’s strictly “Sauve qui peut!” with a comparatively simple year, barring the onset of tor- Let’s just hope that those tor- rential rains followed by a and cost-effective means of protecting the flood plain zone rential rains and temperature sharp spike in temperatures. in New Edinburgh in years of spikes don’t materialize in the However, while we may, once exceptionally high water lev- weeks ahead! again, have dodged a bullet, els during the spring runoff. In the new world of advanc- it remains the case that many In a nutshell, his plan entailed ing climate change, with its properties in our community are a slight elevation of two sec- attendant increase in the fre- vulnerable to spring flooding, tions of the bicycle path in quency of extreme and often and it’s unclear (and unlikely) the park between Charles and catastrophic weather events, it that adequate “response plans” Queen Victoria Streets. The may be time to go back to the exist at either the city or the two sections would total about City to urge action for protect- 360 metres in length and at individual household level. ing flood vulnerable communi- As the owner of a large num- no point on the stretches in question would the elevation ties such as ours, and request ber of the properties in the plans for the day the Rideau Flood Plain zone, including his exceed 380 mm (or about 15”). At the time, the NECA Board River once again threatens to own home on Thomas Street, burst its banks. Burgh resident and Domicile passed a Resolution endors- owner John Doran took the ing further exploration of the April 2013 New Edinburgh News Page 25 Beechwood Working Rideau River Cleanup Takes Place May 11 By Gemma Kerr Saturday May 11. ized, new information will be Groups Update It’s that time of the year again– Our joint Cleanup event will posted on the NECA website at Dale Smith reports that the organization has received a spring. New grass, April show- run from 10 am until 1 pm. www.newedinburgh.ca. Please Steering Committee of the Fulbright Grant for $6,000 to ers, river flooding, and the Please stop by the back of the come out and help on May Beechwood Village Alliance pursue this project. The two arrival of quite a few items Fieldhouse to get your gar- 11. We are lucky to have a (BVA) has been meeting regu- committees will examine ways that we don’t want on the bage and recycle bags pro- wonderful park and river right larly to receive updates from to top up that amount as a basis banks of our river. This year vided by the City of Ottawa. where we live. Let’s get every- the working for putting out Urban Rideau Conservationists Hopefully, the City will also thing clean and tidy now so we groups created a call for pro- will be running its Riverbank be able to lend us some pick- can enjoy it during summer. following the posals to art- Cleanup, as usual, on Mother’s ers for tweaking garbage out seminal com- ists for designs Day Saturday. That’s May 11. of hard-to-reach spots under munity gath- which create Please mark the date on your bushes, etc. We will be pro- ering at New a welcoming calendars, and come out and viding snacks and juice at the Edinburgh entrance to the help get our shoreline cleaned Fieldhouse to help keep people Square last Village. up ready for summer. energized. October. Peter Lewis’ Our meeting point will be The cleanup will focus on the According to Political Action the same as last year, the shoreline of the river between Dale, the Better Committee is Fieldhouse at 193 Stanley the water and the bicycle and Neighbourhood scheduled to Avenue. Crichton Community walking paths. We urge you to Program group meet again in Council is holding their annu- be very careful, as parts of the is scheduled to early April, but al Plant Sale the same day, riverbank are quite steep and meet with Julie Lapalme’s in the interim, is putting the and will use the area in front may be slippery from floods or Public Art Committee in late finishing touches on a letter of the building. You will find rain. Dress for mucky condi- March to discuss plans for a to the High Commissioner for us under the overhang at the tions and bring work gloves if Beechwood Village gateway Pakistan, requesting a meet- back, near the spray pad, along you have them. We will supply ing to discuss Pakistan’s long disposable gloves for people public art project. Thanks to vacant property on Beechwood. with NECA’s Friends of the the enterprising work of BVA Park, who will be working on who need them. founder Tobi Nussbaum, the cleaning up our park areas on As we get everything final- Page 26 New Edinburgh News April 2013 ined as I took off from the A Zumba Infection Ottawa winter. Destination— Barcelo Beach Resort, Mexico. By Liba Bender there. All week we sweated up a It had to be about the end of Zumba, for those not familiar storm Zumba-ing on land and September 2011 when I found with this form of exercise is in water and also relaxing and out. It was on a Tuesday. I dance aerobics accompanied stretching with daily yoga looked outside my window by Latin Music. In other words, classes. There were additional at the piles of leaves already it is a big dance party. Your incredible Zumba instructors forming and I could see the heart, body and mind benefit that joined our group at times. snow banks appearing in the from it. Created by dancer and It was a fantastic women- not so distant future. Winter choreographer Alberto “Beto” bonding experience for sure. in Ottawa is not for the light Perez in Columbia during the Not only did we eat, drink hearted. I wanted to go south late 1990s, it involves hip- and be merry, we danced, did for some sun, but was looking hop, samba, salsa, mambo, cha yoga, and boogied around for a trip that inspired me. I’d cha, reggae, flamenco, tango the resort for the entire week. tried this exercise phenomenon and even some middle-eastern EVERYONE knew about us! called Zumba and was hooked. moves. Throw in squats and We were there to get health- One of the women in my class lunges and it definitely gives ier and well—that is exactly at the Rockcliffe Community the body a workout. All Zumba what we did. Of course sitting Centre recommended that classes are taught by licensed in the sun and going swim- I check out the trip offered instructors, and are about an ming in the warm ocean was hour long. great. Bonding was fantastic. by Zumbamamas.com out of Zumba gals Liba Bender and Barbara Clegg. Winnipeg, Manitoba. I rec- I knew that we’d be doing Salt does heal. ognized the Zumba teach- different kinds of Zumba dur- And when I returned to Week 2013 organized by ter bonding. As it turns out ers, Sharon and Lana, from ing the week in Mexico, but Ottawa, I continued the Zumbamamas.com again. This there were three pairs of sisters one of my trips to the Rady I really did not know what to momentum of a healthy mind, last January, I brought my sis- this past January at the retreat. Jewish Community Centre in expect. body and soul through to the ter Sherna along. Because in And that is how I met Barbara Winnipeg. They were adver- Fast forward to the middle fall of 2012. 2011 there was a set of sisters Clegg. tising a health and wellness of January 2012. Snow banks I arranged to go back from Winnipeg, I thought this Some of you may know her retreat. I signed up then and were even higher than I imag- for Health and Wellness would be a great time for sis- through her career with the Ottawa Public Library. Others might know her from choir or Winnipeg where she spent her formative youth. I just know her as a Zumba Gal. And wow, can she take great pictures and movies with her ipad. We have met here in Ottawa to either Zumba or enjoy good food and conversa- tion, while planning ways to continue being healthy. Barbara and I are still talk- ing about the time we spent in Mexico, and all the great things that happened to us as participants of a group who all had the same desire to take care of their bodies and minds through Zumba. Now, return- ing once again to Ottawa, I Zumba with Ximena Puente who has got to be the most inspirational Zumba teacher in this city. If you love Latin music, and want to keep your heart and body in shape, try Zumba. You might get infected the way I did.
Visit The Burgh Online! For the most up-to-date news of the neighbourhood newedinburgh.ca April 2013 New Edinburgh News Page 27 negative. Widely feted for his century England, sugar was Empathy, the Greatly Good and Climate Change achievement, Clarkson could king and the slaves brutalized By Gaye Taylor of the New Edinburgh News, up. We are not, as yet, the deer have rested on his laurels, con- in the production of such sweet In an essay published in 1821 we do seem increasingly to in the headlights: we are still sidering his essay merely an riches were but the cost of titled A Defense of Poetry, live “in a world of social silos the ones at the wheel. We yet “academic” achievement. But doing business. Just as Canada Percy Shelley argues that “the and ideological echo cham- have the time and the power to he did not. Haunted by what he now depends on fossil fuel great instrument of moral good bers,” a situation of cognitive act, to be in Shelley’s words, had learned over the course of extraction to float its economy, is the imagination.” According and experiential bunkering. No “greatly good.” As Shelley preparing the essay, Clarkson Britain in the 18th century ben- to Shelley, to be “greatly good” doubt it is difficult to fully suggests, action begins with a grew determined that “some- efited tremendously from the we “must imagine intensely imagine what it is like for the leap of the imagination. one must see this calamity to West Indian plantations: cus- and comprehensively” putting elderly inhabitants of the small Admittedly, such a leap can its end”—and bravely took the tom duties were a huge source ourselves in the place of others Pacific atoll of Tuvalu watch- be very difficult to make, espe- task upon himself. Fortunately, of revenue, and many tens of such that “the pains...of our ing their island disappear as cially when weighed down by he was not alone, linking up thousands of sailors, shipbuild- species become our own.” In ocean levels inexorably rise, or anxiety and doubt. One place with a number of kindred spir- ers and merchants depended a working paper published in what it will be like for children to begin would be with one its, including a group of nine on the slave trade itself. Many April 2012, economists with born into escalating cycles of very good book that shows Quaker businessmen, whose a Member of Parliament the Stockholm Environment drought and consequent fam- how some people had the considerable business acumen (often with personal financial Institute (SEI)—an indepen- ine in East Africa. Those of us courage to “imagine intense- did not interfere with their con- stakes in West Indian sugar sciences. That is, they had the dent international research who do not tune out entirely, ly and comprehensively” the plantations) urged that contin- institute now approaching its may be overwhelmed with actual suffering of others, and moral courage to confront the fact that the matter of the sugar ued maintenance of the slave 25th anniversary—effectively despair, and indeed, as George then acted upon their convic- industry was a “no-brainer,” endorse Shelley’s claim, urg- «If we decide that our response to climate change will be guided by empathy rather economically. And these men ing that our only hope to avoid were, if one applies a strictly catastrophic climate change than by panicky self-interest, we might draw inspiration from the courageous and economic calculus, correct: as lies in implementing policies forward-thinking men and women who worked to end slavery in the British Empire.» that are the result of “intensely Hochschild notes, abolishing and comprehensively” imagin- Monbiot has said, “sit back tion that this suffering must industry and the slave trade slavery “cost the British people ing ourselves in the place of and view the deteriorating cli- be ended: Adam Hochschild’s was not merely one of econ- 1.8 % of their annual national others: “A society that cares mate scene with the impotent Bury the Chains: Prophets omy. Hundreds of thousands income over more than half deeply about the well-being of fascination with which we and Rebels in the Fight to Free of captive Africans died on the a century.” But empathy won future generations will embrace might watch a good disaster An Empire’s Slaves. Published Middle Passage en route to the out; ethics trumped economics. a very different climate policy movie.” That we might feel in 2005, Hochschild’s bril- West Indies and hundreds of The nation did survive, immea- than a society that can’t see past impotent is hardly surprising. liant popular history tells the thousands more were worked surably enriched by its deci- the current economic crisis. Fossil fuels do currently under- story of the fifty long years it to death on the sugar-cane sion to be guided by ethical, The longer we take in reducing lie our economic well-being took to end slavery, which was plantations. Responding with rather than strictly economic, emissions, the more likely we significantly. Powerful voices finally abolished throughout open hearts to these abomina- imperatives. are to...bequeath serious eco- loudly invoke the spectre of the British Empire on August tions, Clarkson and the other If we decide that our response nomic damages from climate economic ruin should we even 1, 1838. It is a complicated abolitionists began a campaign to climate change will be guid- change to future generations.” attempt to wean ourselves off story, but one might say that it of door-to-door solicitation, ed by empathy rather than by Unfortunately, as the authors carbon. Trapped by this conun- all began in early June 1785, petitions, boycotts and public panicky self-interest, we might of the SEI paper demonstrate, drum, we may intermittently when a young man named rallies that in turn inspired mil- draw inspiration from the cou- most climate-economic models peek around the pillow we Thomas Clarkson won first lions of ordinary Britons to rageous and forward-thinking become themselves involved are singularly lacking in empa- have placed between ourselves prize in a Latin essay competi- men and women who worked in “see[ing] this calamity to thetic foresight. and the horror show of climate tion at Cambridge. The essay to end slavery in the British That there should exist such change beginning to unspool question to be answered was its end.” As Hochschild makes clear, Empire. And our children and an empathy “deficit” on the its havoc. That we are grow- “Is it lawful to make slaves grandchildren will have cause of others against their will?” however, the odds were decid- climate action policy front ing glassy-eyed with “impotent to rejoice in our efforts to be reflects a broader social prob- fascination” is understandable. and Clarkson’s reply (in per- edly against emancipation for “greatly good.” lem. As Hugh Robertson sug- But it is both premature and fect Latin) was a resounding many years because in 18th- gested in last month’s issue ethically unacceptable to give Page 28 New Edinburgh News April 2013 This unanticipated but wel- come donation served as an Invest in Your Community: Buy ideal kick start to prepara- tions for this year’s Lumière a Stake, Pick Your Picket Today! News Festival. Our Leadership team is comprised of an As we reported in the February Don’t have your stake yet… exciting interdisciplinary edition of the NEN, the No problem! Call the NECTAR group of artists. Alongside NECTAR Centre has launched Centre at 613-745-2745 or stop from the Rachelle as Lead Visual Artist the “Buy A Stake” campaign. by to pick yours out. Speak and Curator, the team also The aim is to raise funds to sup- to or email one of our Board includes Roger D. Wilson port the work of the Centre as a members who will be delighted lively community and arts hub, as Film Curator, Andrew to make all the arrangements House and at the same time, engage for you. Contact Bethann Alexander as Photography the community in the creative Issue #7 April 1, 2013 Curator, and Laura Astwood Robin (badrbn1@gmail. task of decorating and building com), David Horley (hor- as the Festival’s Performance a fence to enclose the garden at [email protected]), Isobel Bisby Curator. This dynamic group is New Edinburgh House. Lumière Festival Is Lucky Recipient ([email protected]), Jane already at work, planning new At press time, we had just Heintzman (janeheintzman@ exhibitions and performances passed the one-quarter mark of Winterlude’s Jinju lanterns hotmail.com), Jenni Barbarie that invite the community to on our fundraising goal of Winterlude is the Capital’s truckloads later, the lanterns ([email protected]), John celebrate and create with us. $15,000, and we thank all those winter celebration of Canadian have settled into their new Jarrett (jjarrett@sympatico. The Lumière Festival is above who were swift to come for- traditions, culture and all home at the Lumière Festival ca), Joseph Cull (jjcull@rog- all a Festival of Light. Since its ward and stake their individual things cold and frosty. This Warehouse located at The ers.com), Paula Thomspon inception a decade ago, it has claims. We couldn’t do what we year’s Winterlude festival fea- Healthiest Home on Laperrière (paula.thomspon@rogers. celebrated and illuminated the do without you! From friends tured dazzling ice sculptures, Avenue. Many thanks as well com), Sean Flynn (sflynn@ cultural and creative energy such as New Edinburgh Pub captivating performances and a to the NCC team, Morné gmail.com). in Ottawa. Over the past ten who bought two stakes, to an very exciting display of unique DuToit, Mathew Smith, Pierre NECTAR’s Buy a Stake cam- years, it has become one of anonymous family who so gen- and colourful lanterns. The lan- Lalonde, Benoit Brunet Poirier paign is all about you staking and the volunteers Richard Ottawa’s preeminent arts fes- erously bought 10 for our chil- terns were donated by the Jinju a claim on your community by Namgang Yudeung Festival in Cliff and Jonas Ptasinski who tivals, having commissioned dren’s program to paint, every helping us build a fence made Jinju South Korea to commem- helped with the heavy lifting. over 100 new works of art, and little bit helps! up of stakes featuring your very orate the 50th anniversary of Lumière’s Lead Visual Artist, featured 1,500 artists from our But there is still a long way own artistic touch—the sky is diplomatic relations between Rachelle Carrier is delight- community. to go. We’re counting on ALL the limit – draw it, paint it, Canada and South Korea. ed with the donation. The We are thrilled to add the those in the community who name it, it’s yours! The fence Lumière Festival organiz- 15-foot high leopard, the life- Jinju Lanterns to our collection care about the future of our will enclose the north and west ers were thrilled to receive size cranes, and the group of of lanterns and integrate them unique community and arts sides of NECTAR’s property an exploratory call from the kite flyers and sledders have into our presentation. The centre, in its distinctive heri- where we are poised to begin National Capital Commission’s ignited her creativity, and set Lumière Festival’s Evening of tage home, to take part in this work on a new Community Guy Laflamme when the in motion some larger than life Light will be held on August community effort. If you’re Garden with the help of Green Commission went in search plans for this year’s Lumière 17, 2013. Stay tuned for more artistically challenged, don’t Thumbs of all ages throughout of a permanent home for the Festival in August. details in the June edition of be daunted! You can purchase lanterns. Several calls and the neighbourhood. the NEN. your stake(s) and leave it to Just think, when we achieve our resident artists to ensure our goal, you’ll have a perma- that they are artfully decorated nent stake in the ground of our to enhance the soon-to-be cre- community’s future! ated fence. Farewell and Thank You to Johan Rudnick and Colin Goodfellow Two of our long-serving and work, patience, intelligence highly valued Board members, and commitment to the Centre Johan Rudnick, Past Chair, were critical to its survival in and Colin Goodfellow, former difficult times, and to its even- Treasurer and ace fundraiser, tual growth into the flourish- recently resigned their posi- ing organization it is today. tions on the NECTAR Centre We are deeply grateful for his Board. We wish them well as contribution and look forward they focus their energies on to maintaining our connection tackling the formidable pres- with him in the challenging sures of their respective profes- years ahead. sions. However we are delight- Colin, too, has been invalu- ed to report, however, that both able as a knowledgeable, lively Johan and Colin have agreed to and talented entrepreneurial serve on our Advisory Council, presence on the Board. This as we look forward to having formidable skill in fundrais- the benefit of their experience ing with a penchant for ratio- and advice in developing our nal risk-taking proved to be a organization. critical factor in the success- As most readers are aware, ful relocation of the organiza- Johan was among the origi- tion to its new headquarters nal founders of the Crichton at New Edinburgh House. We Cultural Community Centre, are greatly reassured by his and was instrumental in lead- willingness to remain as an ing the organization through Advisor through the next cru- its first tumultuous decade at cial phase of our organizational 200 Crichton Street. His hard development. April 2013 New Edinburgh News Page 29 New Name, New Programs at NECTAR Everyone’s talking about Mayor’s City Builder • For Kids (5-12 years), it…our new name, our new Award, Joseph Cull is we’re delighted to introduce website, our new faces and offering a seated Fitness Artist-in-Residence Claire programs. If you haven’t Class, designed for older Ellis of Contemporary seen the new site, visit us at adults who are motivated to Dance, offering a ‘Creative www.nectarcentre.ca and maintain their mobility and Dance Class’ where chil- explore. We have worked hard activity levels; dren will explore movement to ensure that you can find • Carol Bell, Bridge instruc- in ballet and contemporary the information you need to tor, will instruct a beginners’ styles; learn methods of register for programs, see what Bridge class; choreography; and develop is happening at the Centre skills to create their own or find out about community dances. meetings that are important to • Also for the younger set, you. We hope you like it! Tony Marr will instruct a The New Edinburgh children’s Zumba class Community & Arts Centre called ZumbAtomic. has just opened its Spring- For further details and reg- Summer Registration. istration information for all Highlights include: NECTAR Centre programs, • Tanya Robertson, a skilled please check out our web- yoga and personal trainer site www.nectarcentre.ca or with over 20 years experi- refer to the Spring-Summer ence, will be instructing two 2013 Program Guide. The yoga classes: an evening Guide is available at Books ‘Yoga Fit’ and a lunchtime on Beechwood, Metro and the ‘Express Yoga’; NECTAR Centre, and is dis- • Local Fitness Instructor and tributed with the April New recent winner of Ottawa’s Edinburgh News. After-School Care Coming in September! Beginning in September 2013, the next edition of the NEN in ing outside the busing zone, the NECTAR Centre will June. but who identify the NECTAR Latin Dance Night a Sweet Hit offer an enriched After-School Student counsellors from Centre as their after school On the evening of February by Books on Beechwood, Care program operated out of arts-focused De La Salle High care provider, should quali- 15, a crowd of enthusiastic Bread and Roses, Culinary Memorial Hall. Our goal is to School will offer bilingual fy for busing. We are in the participants enjoyed a lively Conspiracy, and the Scone create a fun, safe and bilin- arts-based classes (e.g., dance, process of confirming this evening of Latin dancing at the Witch… all on a “sweet” theme gual after-school program in painting, creative writing, arrangement. NECTAR Centre. From nov- in keeping with Valentine’s our community that will appeal drama, voice, etc.). We are excited about this ices to experts, we all tapped Day. Our gratitude also goes to to all neighbourhood children, Kids will stay active by par- program and look forward to our feet and wiggled our bod- our volunteers who, as always, Grades 1 to 6, and their par- ticipating in regular outdoor providing further informa- ies, following the lead of our helped to make the evening a ents. (and seasonally appropriate) tion to parents. Please plan most talented teacher Ximena resounding success, providing We have listened carefully to sports and activities (e.g. soc- to attend the second of our Puentes. Fine food was served, childcare next door in New the wants and needs of parents, cer, Frisbee, skating, tag, ten- two information sessions at thanks to the generous dona- Edinburgh House, so that all and are pleased to offer an nis, etc.) New Edinburgh House, 255 tions of New Edinburgh members of the family could after-school program that will: Student counsellors from De MacKay Street. (The first Square, the Rockcliffe, and have a fun time, and the par- • Promote and foster literacy La Salle (and possibly from took place on Wednesday, Governor’s Walk retirement ents could enjoy a romantic • Keep the kids physically other high schools) will spend March 20). The second session residences, and raffle prizes evening without the kids... active 30 minutes per day (quiet time) will take place on Wednesday, were generously supplied • Promote and foster a love of assisting the children with April 10, at 7 pm at NEH. the arts reading and other literacy- Childcare will be provided. • Promote bilingualism & based homework (e.g. dictée). Please register your children support the development of Further details: The program EARLY by calling or emailing French language skills will be competitively priced Sue Hall at 613 745 2742, • Include homework or quiet and will offer optional March [email protected]. If reading time. Break and PD Day coverage. you have questions you would Here’s how we plan to do it: The program will operate from like answered before or after The after-school program will 3:15- 5:45 pm, Monday to the information sessions, be managed and programmed Friday. feel free to contact Sue or by a fully qualified bilingual For RPPS students, the Paula Thompson at paula. Early Childhood Education NECTAR Centre is located [email protected]. Educator (ECE). We hope to within the busing zone. This introduce the new manager in should mean that students liv- Doors Open Ottawa at NEH: June 1 In keeping with the tradition 4 pm on Saturday, June 1, to This promises to be an established when the Centre visit our Artists-in-Residence action-packed weekend at New was operating under its original and our studio artists, and Edinburgh House, and once moniker, the Crichton Cultural take time to view the Ottawa you’ve toured the house, you Community Centre, the Calligraphy Society’s annual can join us as we build our newly named New Edinburgh exhibition in our Community Community Fence in the gar- Community and Arts Centre Room Gallery. Also on dis- den, a work of art that will be will throw open its doors this play will be the plans for our comprised of individual stakes year to greet members of the upcoming renovations, along hand-painted by children, art- public during the annual Doors with historical pictures and ists and members of the com- Open Ottawa weekend in June. artifacts related to the house munity. Refreshments will be Drop in between 10 am and and the community. available. Page 30 New Edinburgh News April 2013 Barrette Street Fire Leaves at Least 8 Homeless By Jane Heintzman gesting that the structure may despite the devastating loss of the collection of cash and pref- to purchase gift cards. For Not quite two years to the be unsalvageable. their home, they were greatly erably, gift cards for the pur- more information about day following the devastating The fire apparently started relieved to find that Ottawa chase of food and household how to help out, readers can Beechwood fire that gutted the on the ground floor of the red- Fire Services had managed to necessities. Several local busi- contact the Vanier Community commercial core of our com- brick building shortly after retrieve André’s wallet and nesses have stepped in to serve Association at vca.acv@ munity in March 2011, another midnight,W and swiftly spread Catherine’s purse from the as depots for donations: in our gmail.com, Attention Mike raging fire swept through a up the back of the apartment smoldering ruins. immediate neighbourhood, Bulthuis. three storey, six-unit apartment and into the attic. Thanks The resourceful fire crew Monson’s Deluxe Cleaner’s The cause of the fire has building at 144/146 Barrette to an efficient rescue opera- also managed to rescue a wed- at 110 Beechwood; Bobby’s yet to be identified, but Marc Street, directly behind St. tion by Ottawa Fire Services, ding dress belonging to one Table at 255 Montreal Road Messier reports that Ottawa Charles Church between St. there were no serious casual- of the young tenants, who is (close to Marier), and CSCV Fire Services has now com- Charles and Marier. The fire ties, although we understand reportedly planning to tie the at 290 Dupuis Street. The gift pleted its own investigation, started in the early morning that sadly, some family pets knot with her fiancé in May. hours on March 9, and when may not have survived the Unfortunately, her partner’s it was all over some 16 hours blaze. Two of the apartment’s guitar collection—his prize later, at least eight people were residents, André Desjardins possessions—did not fare so left homeless, and damage to and his partner Catherine well, and the couple had no the building was conserva- Macdonald, had to be hospi- insurance. As in the case of the tively estimated at one million talized for smoke inhalation. 2011 fire on Beechwood, the dollars, with initial reports sug- Both were later released, and Red Cross and the Salvation Army swiftly came to the res- cue, providing shelter to those residents with nowhere else to go. Ottawa Fire Services did a masterful job of containing the blaze, although the neigh- bouring houses were temporar- ily evacuated as a precaution. Spokesman Marc Messier reported that the building’s bal- loon-frame construction was a significant factor in the rapid Photo: Louise Imbeault travel of the flames from the Damage to the Barrette from the recent fire was estimated ground floor to the roof, noting at a million dollars. that the fire crew was forced to fight the stubborn fire from cards and cash will be deliv- and is leaving the detailed fol- the exterior due to the collapse ered to the Salvation Army, low up to the building owner of an outside wall. Nearly a which is distributing donations and his insurance company. A million litres of water were directly to the tenants. recent CBC report suggests, required to douse the blaze. It Bobby Leblanc, owner of however, that the Office of was late afternoon before the Bobby’s Table and a moving the Fire Marshall for the prov- street was reopened and the spirit behind the aid operation, ince has also been notified fire crew was able to pack up told CBC’s Ottawa Morning and, given the extent of the its gear and call it a day. that he was strongly motivated damage, it’s anticipated that Most of the tenants displaced to lend a hand due to his own an investigation by the Fire by the fire had no insurance experience as a youth, when Marshall’s Office may be in and lost virtually all their pos- his family lost everything in a the cards. We’ll keep you post- sessions. In response to the fire. Donations can be dropped ed on the community web- crisis, the Vanier Community off at his restaurant between 6 site www.newedinburgh.ca Association has been actively am and 8 pm, along with empty if more information becomes working with the Salvation pop cans or beer and wine available. Army to help them out through bottles which will be redeemed Update from Friends of the Park By Marci Surkes, Chair, and has raised concerns with course, we all hope that every- Friends of the Park NECA. The park’s mainte- one continues to be vigilant Well, spring has certainly nance manager is well apprised in cleaning up after their own arrived in our Park with a of the issue and is working dogs. bang! Now that the ice blast- towards a resolution so that In other news, as we turn to ing and breaking is complete, the situation is not repeated spring, the annual park and there can be no doubt that next winter. The Committee river clean-ups are slated for warmer weather is just around also continues to push for the Saturday, May 11. If you would the corner! addition of specific dog refuse like to volunteer in the plan- As reported in the last issue cans with covers to reduce the ning of the event—or in the of the NEN, garbage pick-up eyesore of overflowing bins. actual cleaning of the park— continued to be irregular and I would like to thank resi- please contact me by email, unreliable through the winter dents and Friends of the Park [email protected]. months. Sadly, this messy situ- members who helped over the As well, a group of dog own- ation cast a pall on park use and course of the winter by provid- ers would like to take action has left many residents dissat- ing green garbage bags and on the proliferation of burrs isfied. The Friends of the Park collecting dog refuse. These around the off-leash area. If Committee pressed officials efforts certainly helped to keep this is of interest to you, please continuously on this matter, the park tidier than it other- let me know. wise would have been. And of April 2013 New Edinburgh News Page 31 Stilt-walking in New Edinburgh By Guy Marsan at the last production of the mance/procession during the If you’ve been to the Lumière Lumière Festival, and even in August festival. Festival in the past few years, Yellowknife. Laura Astwood, artistic direc- you may have seen some tall There are seven stilters (as tor of the company, is look- creatures livening up Stanley they call themselves) in the ing forward to the community Park. Or you may have wit- core group and two musicians. project. She says “I am hoping nessed a magical theatrical These core members work to help to create and then to performance with stilts and collaboratively to create the experience that amazing feel- acrobatics. This is all part of shows. Each show is unique, ing of being part of something the regular work done by local in that it is created using the magical that is much bigger stilt-walking theatre com- talents of each member, high- than me. Community perfor- pany the Ottawa Stilt Union lighting the strengths and mance, when it works, is like (OSU for short), and the New unique capabilities of each, to a big wave that you can ride. Edinburgh community might find the best way to tell the There can be chaos and imper- come across these tall people a story. fection but it doesn't matter bit more often this year. Since Now entering its seventh year because the feeling of togeth- January 2013, the Ottawa Stilt of creating theatre, the com- erness and shared experience Union has joined the Artist- pany is excited about its new and desire is the most iWm- in-Residence groups at the projects. For their community portant thing.” Photo Credit: Julie Laurin New Edinburgh Community & project at Lumière Festival, The OSU will also be spend- The Ottawa Stilt Union posing as the company Circus Different Arts Centre (NECTAR). Their the OSU will be offering work- ing time this spring working Size Peoples, the characters of the show Kleo’s Wake. residency includes space for shops to members of the com- on creating a new piece for work,” says Astwood. “And “I love stilts because they cre- rehearsals as well as a commu- munity, leading up to a perfor- SubDevision, a theatrical event a bit of the thrill that one can ate instant theatricality. I like nity engagement project that where ten independant theatre have from doing something my theatre to be as far from will culminate in a procession companies will come together one didn't know one could do; ordinary as possible and stilts to be created for the much to create site-specific perfor- which is to say, I hope people are a great tool for that. I love anticipated 10th anniversary of mances at Arts Court during will have fun!” And fun they the sense of the improbable the Lumière Festival next sum- the Magnetic North Theatre should have. After paying their thing actually happening: stilts mer. Festival in June. entry, the participants will get are so odd and unexpected and The OSU was founded in But the company is getting a chance to be coached doing yet, there they are. There is a 2007. It is a bilingual theatre particularly excited about their acrobatics and stilts, they can whimsy in it that makes me company, using stilts, acrobat- very first fundraising event. On do crafts, play musical instru- happy.” ics and other forms of extreme May 10, everyone is invited ments and participate in all For more information about physical action to tell stories. to Memorial Hall for a per- kinds of carnival games. There the company, the workshops, Since 2007, the OSU has creat- formance of their show Kleo’s will even be a kissing booth! or the fundraiser, check out ed seven original productions, Wake as well as an evening of After listening to Laura the OSU’s website at www. the last one being La Toilette, carnival-type activities. “I hope Astwood talk about stilt-walk- ottawastiltunion.ca or their an acrobatic clown extravagan- that people will get a chance to ing, there is no doubt there is Facebook page. You can also za that was performed all over experience the sheer, physical something magical about the reach Guy Marsan at 613- the city last summer, including Photo Credit: Julie Laurin pleasure that we get out of our company and the work they do. 600-6241. Page 32 New Edinburgh News April 2013 urgent – societal challenge in 1880.” North America is to shift the • “Unless we take action on XIX The State of the Planet focus from the “state of the climate change, future gen- Editor’s Note: The following is the nineteenth in a series of meticulously researched and com- nation” to the “state of the erations will be roasted, pelling articles on climate change by local environmentalist Hugh Robertson. This penultimate planet.” toasted, fried and grilled.” article in the series laments the role of the narrow, political imperatives of the nation state in An unlikely ally • “Without concerted action, undermining the global or planetary perspective that is essential to addressing the current cli- A powerful message on the the very future of our planet mate crisis. All of Mr. Robertson’s earlier articles have been published in past editions of the precarious state of the planet is is in peril.” New Edinburgh News (NEN), and can be found at www.newedinburgh.ca where previous issues coming from a most unlikely Jim Yong Kim, president of of the NEN are available online. quarter: the business and finan- the World Bank, who com- By Hugh Robertson weeks? Was it the reality of environmental assessment.” cial community. Prominent missioned the Potsdam report, We will respond to the threat dealing with a fractious leg- The Throne Speech is a individuals and organizations had an op-ed column published of climate change, knowing islature who opposes action major address that outlines the are looking beyond narrow in the Washington Post dur- that the failure to do so would on climate change? Was it the focus of the government’s pol- national interests to the con- ing the Davos meeting. He betray our children and future need to placate the business icy and legislative priorities. cerns of the larger world. How appealed to governments and generations. . . We will preserve community and the fossil fuel The War of 1812 merited men- ironic that we may be looking people world-wide to concen- our planet, commanded to our lobby? Perhaps he was pan- tion but not the rapidly dete- to business and finance to pro- trate on reducing emissions, care by God. dering to consumers who also riorating climatic conditions vide enlightened and inspiring focusing on low carbon growth President Obama, Inaugural happen to be voters. across Canada and especially leadership on environmental and building resilient societ- address, January 2013. In Canada, however, there their impact on our indigenous issues. ies. “The world needs a bold These stirring words gave were no stirring words about people in the North. We spent A number of reports have global approach to help avoid hope to millions around the the state of the planet in the more money in 2012 com- been issued over the past three the climate catastrophe it faces world who were despairing for last Speech from the Throne in memorating the bicentennial months by major international today. The planet, our home, the future of the planet. At last, 2011. There was no ennobling of a minor war than we spent organizations alerting us to cannot wait.” a major international leader vision for the future of our on climate change. Strange pri- the dangers of ecological deg- Lord Nicholas Stern, former was taking a stand. But facing children and grandchildren. orities. radation. The first of these, chief economist for the World Congress a few weeks later, There was not even a refer- All three speeches, which by PricewaterhouseCoopers, Bank and renowned for his the president was more muted ence to the dangers of climate could be described as “State the world’s largest profes- report in 2006 warning about about the environment in his change. of the Nation” addresses, offer sional services firm, warned the dangers of a warming State of the Union address. A The monotonous mantra of an interesting contrast. The in November, 2012, that glob- planet, admitted in an inter- brief reference to combating low taxes, jobs, prosperity and presidential inaugural speech al society may have passed a view at Davos that he had climate change “for the sake economic growth dominated included some inspiring words critical threshold: unless we underestimated the risk of ris- of our children and our future” the address, punctuated with about the plight of the planet “decarbonize” our economies ing temperatures. He acknowl- was tucked away in the mid- depressing references to the but the details of the State of immediately, we cannot restrict edged that ghg emissions are dle of his speech, sandwiched need for law and order legisla- the Union address lacked the temperature increases to two increasing at so rapid a pace between the need for energy tion and eliminating the gun passion of the earlier speech. degrees C. If uncontrolled, ghg that the planet is losing its self-sufficiency and curbing registry. Mention of the “natu- The Canadian Throne speech emissions could propel the ability to absorb the escalating climate change through eco- ral environment” was limited simply made no pretence about planet to a six degree warming carbon dioxide concentrations. nomic growth based on market to the creation of parks and planetary concerns and the by 2100. He fears that we are on track solutions. to the importance of develop- subsequent legislation has con- Also in November, 2012, the for at least a four degree rise in Why had the lofty sentiments ing our natural resource wealth firmed that position. World Bank issued its ground- global temperatures. about the state of the plan- which would take place under How can the president pledge breaking report: Why a four How refreshing to hear the et dissipated in a matter of “improved regulatory and to speed up new oil and gas degree warmer world must candour of the world’s busi- permits in his quest for energy be avoided, prepared by the ness and financial elites calling self-sufficiency when they will Potsdam Institute, one of the for action on global warming. involve the destructive process top climate research bodies in They have the courage to level of fracking which will lead to the world. with us in plain language about cheaper prices, more consump- According to the report, ghg the gravity of our situation. tion and sky-high greenhouse concentrations in the atmo- Yes, their warnings may be gas (ghg) emissions? Market- sphere are higher than at any seen as self-serving, but their based solutions, another ini- other time in the past fifteen central message that econom- tiative mentioned in the State million years. Emissions are ic well-being, human health, of the Union address, always projected to hit 400 parts social stability and biodiversity favour the wealthy, and the per million (ppm) by 2020 are all dependent on a vital and wealthy pollute more than any which will push us over the vibrant planet is undeniable. other socio-economic group. two degree C. temperature Our governments in North The Speech from the Throne increase ceiling agreed to at America, beholden to their was still echoing on Parliament the Copenhagen conference in electorates and focused on Hill when the Budget elimi- 2009. The report actually ques- power, do not have the same nated virtually every exist- tions whether human adapta- courage to level with us. We ing environmental protective tion to a four degree increase are still rooted in an age of measure, proclaiming “open is even possible. narcissistic nationalism where season” on our resources and The World Economic Forum the interests of the nation-state unleashing potentially disas- meets in Davos, Switzerland, trump the needs of the glob- trous ecological outcomes. each January. It is a gather- al community. Globalization The resource and energy ing of top business leaders, is merely a market and trade development programs of the bankers, politicians, intellectu- term, not an ethical imperative. Canadian and U.S. govern- als and journalists. This year’s Annus horribilis ments are not consistent with get-together was remarkable Queen Elizabeth popularized the long term protection of for the outspoken comments the term “annus horribilis” in the planet. There is nothing on our troubled planet by a a speech in November, 1992 “ethical” about fracked oil and number of prominent individu- when she used the Latin phrase tar sands bitumen and there is als. to describe a series of family no scientific basis to “clean Selected comments from events that had attracted nega- coal.” Furthermore, programs Christine Lagarde, head of the tive public attention. “Annus that promote lower taxes, eco- International Monetary Fund, horribilis” can be aptly used to nomic growth, prosperity and during the conference clearly describe the weather events of more consumption will sim- illustrate her concerns: 2012 which, due to our conve- ply exacerbate environmental • “The science is sobering – niently short memories, may problems. 2012 was among the hottest already have been forgotten. Our most important – and years since records began in • The continental U.S. expe- April 2013 New Edinburgh News Page 33 rienced its hottest year in summer sea ice will prob- ral conditions. Ecosystems, nevertheless reprehensible. honesty. Empty words merely history, and every state had ably be gone in a decade and such as the coniferous for- Canada has been actively create cynicism. above average annual tem- the heating of the exposed ests of British Columbia and undermining Kyoto for the last “Securing the future” is not peratures. July was the hot- water will expedite a feed- Alberta are falling prey to few years and finally walked a catchy election phrase or test month ever in the U.S. back process that will rein- the invasion of beetles that out last year. The U.S. has another ephemeral political Drought covered almost two force the warming trend are now able to survive the never ratified Kyoto and it has issue – it is a moral matter. As thirds of the country and crop with unpredictable weather warmer winters. been actively sabotaging the voters, it is our ethical respon- yields were down signifi- and climate consequences. The crowning climax to 2012 negotiations in recent years, sibility to persuade our politi- cantly. The record year cul- • The global oceans are in – and the crowning irony – was including Doha, according to cians of their obligation both minated with the onslaught triple trouble. Plastic pollu- the UN Climate Conference international activists. Yet, to the global community and by Superstorm Sandy, fueled tion is choking the Pacific in Doha, the capital of Qatar, President Obama in his vic- to future generations. To rein- by warmer ocean water and and acidification of sur- which happens to be the tory speech in November, just force this message, we need violent winds loaded with face water due to excess world’s biggest polluter in per weeks before the Doha confer- only remember the Kenyan extra water vapour, a phe- atmospheric carbon dioxide capita ghg emissions. Once ence, declared: “We want our proverb: We have not inherited nomenon that was almost is leading to world-wide again there was no agreement children to live in an America this land from our ancestors; certainly caused by anthro- “osteoporosis” of shellfish on collective action to control . . . that isn’t threatened by the rather we have borrowed it pogenic activity. from our children. • Canada is heating up faster “Look and listen for the welfare of the whole people and have always in view To initiate change, we first than nearly every other coun- not only the present but also the coming generations, even those whose faces have to transform our own try on the planet. The sum- are yet beneath the surface of the ground – the unborn of the future Nation.” hearts, as Gandhi reminded mer of 2012 was the warm- –Great Law of the Iroquois us. We have to build personal est on record. Remarkably, lifestyles that are sustainable our winter average tempera- before we demand changes of tures have risen over three and coral reefs. Now mercu- emissions; the only winner was destructive power of a warm- our governments. How we cast degrees since 1950, a period ry concentrations, primarily the fossil fuel industry. ing planet.” You cannot iso- our votes is also a reflection of that has coincided with the from coal-fired power plants Kyoto, now a ghost agree- late America from a warming the state of our hearts. We must most dramatic increases and gold mining, are on the ment on life support, survived planet. Geography 101. use the privilege of our vote, in ghg emissions since the rise, exposing coastal com- the conference but only fifteen If our governments are using not for short term self-interest Industrial Revolution of the munities to a reappearance percent of global emissions the international stage to play or ideological reasons, but for 18th century. of the scourge of “minamata are covered by the remaining to the home crowd for votes, the benefit of those without a • Perhaps the most alarm- disease.” signatories. If North American then we have to challenge voice. Let us not forget that we ing event of 2012 was the • Changes in precipitation concern for climate change is them, otherwise we are com- hold the proxy votes of unborn collapse of the Arctic ice patterns and temperature measured by our commitment plicit in the charade. If our citizens. sheet. Summer sea ice has ranges are having a dev- to Kyoto, the only interna- countries are not committed to Our lawmakers must heed the been declining for years, astating effect on global tional agreement on ghg emis- a global climate agreement due age-old counsel of the Iroquois but warmer winters are now biodiversity as numerous sions, we are in deep trouble. to narrow national interests, nation: consider the well-being inhibiting winter refreezing species disappear because Because Canada and the U.S. how serious is our commitment of our progeny seven genera- and, consequently, the over- they cannot make the neces- are both major league petro to the future of the planet? We tions into the future when mak- all volume of the ice cover sary biological adjustments states now, the lack of com- do need inspiring and uplift- ing decisions. is down dramatically. The to rapidly changing natu- mitment is understandable but ing speeches but we also need Page 34 New Edinburgh News April 2013 Art Auction and Social to Raise Funds for Strays in Cuba By Kiki Cliff this beautiful island in the who then run spay/neuter clin- On Saturday, May 4, there Caribbean, you could not ics in small towns and rural will be a fundraiser for APAC- have helped but notice the areas all over the northern part Varadero (All for Progress in large number of stray cats and of the island. Any animal com- Animal Care), a Canadian- dogs roaming the streets and ing into APAC’s care also gets based not-for-profit commit- hanging around the hotels. any other medical treatment ted to helping stray animals APAC-Varadero, working with it needs, such as de-worming, in Cuba. There will be a silent the CCVC-Matanzas (Cuban de-fleaing and treatments for auction of Cuban artefacts, a Scientific Veterinary Council) mange or other skin condi- live auction of artwork, Cuban and a team of volunteers, helps tions. snacks (included in the tick- Cubans control the overpop- For example, in one single et price), a cash bar (serv- ulation of homeless animals clinic last November, APAC’s ing, of course, Mojitos and through spay/neuter clinics veterinarians, working with Pina Coladas!), live music and and public education. All funds students from the Agrarian much more! raised go to purchasing the University of Havana, spayed Best of all, ALL funds raised necessary veterinary medica- and neutered over 40 animals will go directly to helping stray tions, often not even available in one day in the town of animals in Cuba. in Cuba, and getting them to Madruga in the Mayabeque If you have ever visited APAC’s team of veterinarians Province. Already this year, in January, 51 animals were neutered in a one-day clinic in Matanzas City. These ani- mals now stand a much bet- ter chance of living longer, Roaming strays a common sight in Cuba. healthier lives as they will not be constantly reproducing. Furthermore, many hundreds in the Matanzas region to get Tickets: $10 available from of animals will now not be the populations of dogs and Books on Beechwood and born into the hard and hungry cats roaming the beaches under the NECTAR Centre (255 life of a stray! control. MacKay) or by calling 613- APAC’s volunteer teams Saturday, May 4, 7-10 pm 203-6617. also work in schools and with Memorial Hall, 39 Dufferin Rd community organizations to educate the population about the importance of spaying and neutering their pets and about being a responsible pet owner. They have also recently had great success working cooper- atively with some of the hotels April 2013 New Edinburgh News Page 35 there is definitely a problem. Recently, on Ivy and Noel, value in your home. Open garage doors invite pro- there have been cars broken While You Were Out fessional thieves who observe into and contents removed. what is worthwhile to take, Items stolen were reported to When you are planning to be plan when to do it, and return the police by the owners so that away, consider letting trusted with a vehicle to do just that. I if they showed up in a pawn neighbours know so they can have even witnessed someone shop, they could be linked to keep an eye out. And it’s amaz- taking a picture of an open the owner. These items need ing what timers and outdoor garage, presumably for future to be identified by their model, porch lights can do to deter Am I My Neighbour’s Keeper? reference. Garage doors are code number, and could even theft! there for a reason; let’s be sure be IDed (by the ID burner Remember: Safety first, sec- By Liba Bender, can benefit or damage. to use them. that the police will happily ond and third. Stand up to the So how does that relate to loan you for this purpose). The plate and be a neighbourhood Last month, while on a trip keeping our neighbourhood Is Your Car Safe? same can be done for items of keeper, catcher and player. to Boston, a tourist asked safe? Clearly I cannot be my me for directions to a place neighbour's keeper without I did not know. After a brief being responsible for him. And exchange of words, we decid- I am not. You are responsible ed to walk around the Harvard for your house, property and University Campus looking your relationship with your for that building. Of course, neighbours. You can be a good, we learned a little about each mediocre or bad neighbour; other during conversation. in the end it is always your When he told me that he was choice. a private detective in his coun- try, my ears perked up. When Open Garages Invite he also told me it was an Thieves illegal profession in his coun- If your neighbour's garage try I asked why. He came door is open, and there is no from a country where private reason that it should be that enterprise is very unusual and way all day or night, mention where it is illegal to gather it. Maybe it is a system mal- information about others. function, or perhaps too much Information is power, and put ice has built up under the door. in the right or wrong hands, If they don't know it, they can't fix it. If they don't fix it, Page 36 New Edinburgh News April 2013 Act. ring to forage discreetly on the BirdLife International: ground behind our scrub ever- For the Birds A Global Partnership of greens. A pair of Northern • widespread destruction of Conservationists cardinals has remained a reg- habitat on both wintering Needless to say, birds in gen- ular presence in our backyard grounds and stop-over loca- eral and migratory birds in throughout the winter, and in tions as a result of clear- particular are no respecters of recent weeks, the male has cutting, urban encroachment national boundaries. Serious begun the annual spring ritual and commercial agriculture; conservation efforts inevita- of melodious morning song • environmental contamina- bly involve international col- as the breeding season fast tion; laboration, both in the form of approaches. By Jane Heintzman • storms and turbulent weath- international treaties and con- When I was growing up As I write in early March, the er, now occurring with ventions among governments, in Toronto, some years ago spring migration in our part increasing frequency and such as the Convention on the when the earth was still cool- of the world has yet to begin intensity; Protection of Migratory Birds ing, the cardinal was a rar- in earnest, although there are • urban hazards such as dead- signed nearly a century ago in Photo: Louise Imbeault ity, and indeed, until I was in isolated reports of small num- ly collisions with skyscrap- 1916 by Canada and the U.S., Hairy Woodpecker snacks on my teens, I had never actually bers of American robins, ers; and and through the work of non- a Suet Feeder. seen one. In recent decades the red-winged blackbirds, and • in recent years climate governmental organizations ers can contact Jodi Joy, picture has changed dramati- white-throated sparrows on change, which threatens to and conservation groups. [email protected], 613- cally to the point that cardi- the periphery of the city. Soon, upset the balance between In the latter category, 562-3447 Ext. 240; or Sue nals are now ubiquitous in the however, the migrant song- the birds’ time of arrival on BirdLife International (BLI) Robertson, srobertson@ Ottawa area on a year round bird population will be flood- northern breeding grounds is well known as the world’s naturecanada.ca, 613-562- basis. It’s virtually impossible ing back into the Ottawa Valley and the emergence of the largest and most broadly- 3447 Ext. 229. to take a walk in the Burgh to join the Northern cardi- insects which are their based partnership of over 100 without encountering at least conservation organizations, Guess Who’s Coming For one cardinal chipping or sing- nals, black-capped chicka- primary food supply. The Dinner: Absolutely No One! dees, hardy winter finches and thousands of local groups ing in the shrubbery, though birds’ bodies are hard-wired For the past two and a half (goldfinches, house finches, to respond to the length of working collectively to meet interestingly enough, you’re purple finches, common and both regional and global con- months, our garden has been not nearly as likely to spot one daylight hours with the hor- all but abandoned by the bird hoary redpolls), Bohemian monal changes that trigger servation targets. BLI has over in wooded areas such as Pine and cedar waxwings, nut- 10 million members and sup- population, with only an occa- Hill, as they prefer an open migration and ultimately sional, fleeting visit from a hatches, woodpeckers, blue breeding behaviour. As the porters, with regional work urban streetscape to a forest. jays and pine grosbeaks that programs on every continent, handful of skittish American Throughout the 20th century, annual average tempera- goldfinches, rosy house finch- have stuck with us over the ture creeps up, however, and owns or manages more the cardinal’s range steadily winter months. than two million acres of land es and black-capped chicka- expanded to the north and east this light-related timetable dees to relieve the monotonous Hundreds of thousands of often fails to coincide with for environmental protection in North America. In Ontario, these intrepid avian migrants purposes. Its educational role spectacle of empty feeders. I the earliest recorded sighting the early emergence of the have, however, vicariously are currently in mid-journey; insects that sustain the birds is a central aspect of its overall was in 1859, and in 1901, many of them on the Atlantic mission, and each year, more enjoyed seeing winter finches the species was first spotted in the nesting season. as I pass by my neighbour Flyway where once again this In Ontario, there is a glim- than 2 million children take at Point Pelee, the birding year, our birding and travel part in BLI programs. Philip MacAdam’s “Avian mecca of the province. By the mer of hope that steps may be Bistro” on my daily dog walks. reporter Vicki Metcalfe is taken to mitigate one of these BLI programs are addressed 1980s, the cardinal’s range had keeping track of their arriv- to a number of key conserva- Philip’s feeders are invari- spread east and north, and was hazards. A recent ruling by ably packed with goldfinches al from her vantage point on Ontario Court Justice Melvyn tion objectives, including: well established in the Ottawa Jekyll Island, Georgia (see her • preventing species extinc- (feeding upside down), house area where its population has Green is being hailed in the and purple finches, black- report below). As we’ve noted ornithological community as a tions become increasingly robust, • protecting migratory birds capped chickadees and hairy reportedly rising by an aver- and their flyways or downy woodpeckers, and age of 11% per year between • protecting significant bird it’s hard to resist the conclu- 1981 and 2005. and biodiversity locations sion that his beautifully pro- There are a variety of reasons • preserving forests, and tected feeding stations are infi- why this magnificent creature • addressing the impact of cli- nitely more attractive to birds has flourished in our part of mate change. than our much more exposed the province, not least because From June 19 to 22, the feeding area with its vulner- of its notable ability to adapt to BirdLife International ability to predators swooping the urban and suburban land- Congress — a major event down from the tall pines, and scape, with its attendant human held every five years — will regular infestation of pushy activity. It’s only a slight take place at the Westin Hotel squirrels. stretch to suggest that cardi- here in Ottawa, where it will Northern Cardinal: Once a nals are actually quite sociable be hosted by Bird Studies Rarity, Now a Regular (though not as bold in human Photo: Gillian Mastromatteo Canada and Nature Canada. There is, however, one loyal Wildlife paparazzi line up for a shot of great gray owls. company as the famously gre- On hand to celebrate the 90th species which has not aban- garious black-capped chicka- doned our garden this winter, in previous spring editions, significant legal precedent that anniversary of the organiza- dee). In my experience, the the annual spring migration tion and to preside over a although it rarely if ever ven- male of the species appears will help to protect migratory tures on to the feeders, prefer- process is a miracle of physi- birds from collisions with high gala fundraising dinner will to deliberately court attention ological adaptation and physi- rise office towers. Between be Her Imperial Highness, cal endurance on the part of March and November 2010, Princess Takamado of Japan, the song bird population, as it close to 1,000 birds were killed Honorary President of BLI, heads north on epic journeys or injured when they struck along with Canadian literary of often thousands of kilo- the highly reflective windows luminaries Margaret Atwood metres, flying at much higher of Cadillac Fairview’s Yonge and Graeme Gibson, both speeds than those recorded on Corporate Centre in Toronto. avid and highly knowledge- the trip south in the fall, thanks Although the company was able birders who are Honorary to the power of the breeding ultimately acquitted on the Joint Presidents of BLI’s Rare imperative. grounds that it had made seri- Bird Club. Conference top- At the same time, however, ous efforts to address the prob- ics will include Conserving migration is a ritual fraught lem, Mr. Justice Green agreed Natural Capital, Biodiversity with serious dangers and each that in such cases, charges Conservation and Combatting year, there are thousands of are appropriate under the Climate Change. casualties en route. Foremost Environmental Protection Act For more information about Photo: Mike Leveillé among these hazards are: and the federal Species at Risk the Congress, interested read- Common Redpolls forage at Macoun Marsh. April 2013 New Edinburgh News Page 37 as it displays itself freely on sen nesting cavity, they plaster they descend on the Marsh in prominent perches in full view their chosen nesting hole with the coming weeks! of passers-by, and many of us sticky resin from nearby coni- Dave Collyer: are lucky enough to have “resi- fers—if you can’t lick ‘em, Our Alberta correspondent dent” cardinals that thrive year gum them up! These little crit- Dave Collyer reported in early round on our properties, often ters are also known to steal March that the spring migra- within metres of our houses. nesting materials from chicka- tion was not yet fully under- Another compelling reason dees, a nasty habit which pos- way in his part of the world, for the cardinal’s burgeoning sibly explains why the black- but that plenty of birdlife was population is the explosion in caps joined the fray. still in evidence on his proper- ty, notably a snowy owl and a the numbers of backyard feed- Phil’s Avian Bistro: ers in recent decades, a devel- bald eagle, along with numer- opment which ornithologists As noted earlier, Alexander ous black-capped chickadees, believe has been a critical fac- Street resident Philip blue jays, hairy-, downy- and tor in increasing the survival MacAdam has played host pileated woodpeckers, mag- rates of many over-wintering this winter to a steady stream pies and common redpolls species. Finally, of course, the of American goldfinches (with 2 hoarys in their midst). phenomenon of climate change (some of them now beginning the morph back to their yel- Vicki Metcalfe: Report from has resulted in warmer, shorter Jekyll Island winters, which (despite their low breeding plumage), house longer-term, ominous over- finches, purple finches, and As always at this time of year, tones) have created a more black-capped chickadees, Vicki is logging prodigious congenial habitat for the cardi- along with an occasional com- numbers of bird species as she nal and the winter bird popula- mon redpoll. Philip’s feeders takes advantage of the limitless tion in general. are beautifully protected by a birding possibilities on Jekyll sheltering cedar tree close to Island, Georgia. Vicki’s com- Reports from the Region Great gray owl . Photo: Bruce Di Labio his house, and they appear to plete catalogue of 2013 Jekyll sightings will be posted on the While my own list of interest- do NOT reveal its exact loca- on Alexander Street about a have a lock on the local finch community website at www. ing bird sightings this winter tion! year ago. population of the neighbour- newedinburgh.ca. has been paltry at best, the Another species in the large In early March, Amy wit- hood. His suet feeder has Readers may, however, be Ottawa Field Naturalists Club bird category that has been nessed an intriguing fracas also been a magnet for hairy particularly interested to hear website at http://www.ofnc. regularly reported this win- involving two red-breasted and downy woodpeckers. about some of the migrat- ca/breports.php has helped to ter is the wild turkey. These nuthatches, a pair of black- In a recent ramble near Pine ing species that she is cur- keep me up to date on the bird ungainly creatures appear to capped chickadees and a Hill Woods, Philip and Jean rently observing (which should life in our area on a daily basis. have made themselves right couple of hairy woodpeckers. spotted a small hawk, which be turning up in our area in In addition to the common and at home in the Nepean area, What began with an alarm call they described as “smaller and the coming weeks), notably: hoary redpolls, Bohemian where they have on occasion between the two nuthatches bushier than a sharp-shinned bald eagles, osprey, juncos, waxwings, pine grosbeaks, caused traffic chaos and dis- ultimately led to an aggressive hawk”. The bushiest hawk I Eastern bluebirds, mourn- juncos, mourning doves and comfited local residents. onslaught by the chickadee know is the red-tailed hawk, ing doves, turkey vultures, other regulars of the winter Reports from Our Readers: pair, followed closely by the which can look like the legend- yellow-rumped warblers, landscape, there have been Amy Jane Lawes: woodpecker duo, also in attack ary Phyllis Diller on a really black and white warblers, numerous reports of owl sight- Following a promising start to mode. After putting up a brave bad hair day, but at 19” long, gray catbirds, willets, dunlin, ings around Ottawa, including the winter when she spotted— fight despite their diminutive, it’s definitely not small! killdeer, black-crowned night barred owls, great horned and photographed—massive elfin size, the nuthatches were Macoun Marsh: heron, great blue heron, great owls, northern hawk owls, flocks of Bohemian waxwings eventually driven off, at which Once again this winter, a egret, ruby-crowned kinglets, snowy owls and great gray on River Lane and Union Street, point the attackers appeared to large flock of common red- pine warblers, hooded mer- owls. as well as sizeable groups of have lost interest in the con- polls (with one hoary redpoll gansers, pied billed grebe, An “irruption” of great gray American goldfinches, house tested turf, possibly a desirable thrown into the mix) has turned cormorants, Northern mock- owls took place in Ottawa this finches and common redpolls nesting cavity. up at the Macoun Marsh, ingbirds, chipping spar- winter, with reports coming on her window sill, my neigh- Though they appear to have where St. Laurent Academy rows, white-throated spar- initially from the east end of bour Amy Jane Lawes has lost the battle Amy witnessed, Science teacher Mike Leveillé rows, hermit thrush, brown the city (Green’s Creek area) also noted a distinct absence of red-breasted nuthatches are managed to capture the feeding thrashers, herring- and ring- and shifting more recently to winter finches in recent weeks, noted for their aggressive- frenzy in another of his mag- billed gulls, sanderling, and the west, where the owls are although she was lucky enough ness at nesting time. In order nificent photographs. We’re still in evidence in Kanata to spot a flock of 9 twittering to drive competitors, such as looking forward to hearing red-winged blackbirds. Bring and Carp. According to local pine grosbeaks nearby at the woodpeckers, from their cho- news of the spring migrants as them on! birder Bruce Di Labio, these Minto Bridges. irruptions seem to occur about The highlight of recent once a decade, with previous weeks, however, was her mem- recorded incidences in 1983- orable encounter with an owl 84; 1995-96; and 2004-05. on School Lane as she was The great gray owl is an leaving her home one morning imposing creature, up to 34” at the ungodly hour of 5:20 long with a wing span of near- am. Although it came to rest ly 5 feet. Beneath the “fluff”, briefly in a tree in my neigh- however, they are consider- bour’s backyard, because of ably less substantial than their the early hour the visibility counterparts, such as the great was poor, Amy was not able to horned owl or snowy owl, positively identify it, except to which outweigh them by a note that it was relatively small wide margin. These owls are a and resembled the Little Owl, magnet for local wildlife pho- which she has encountered in tographers, and the unfortu- the U.K. Her best guess at nate creatures that lighted at this point is a barred owl (the Green’s Creek were beset by most common owl in Ontario an army of camera-wielding according to the results of a zealots who, in some cases, recent survey), but another attempted to “bait” them into a possibility is a long-eared owl, dramatic dive using live mice. which is considerably smaller Moral of the story: if you are (15” vs. 21”) and which was in lucky enough to spot an owl, fact spotted around the corner Page 38 New Edinburgh News April 2013 contest details. www.facebook. com/celadonsalonspa. Burgh Ongoing until Tue, Apr 16 LE CENTRE D’ARTISTES Bulletin VOIX VISUELLE pres- ents Du soleil et des ombres, an exhibition by Johanne RATES: $10, first 25 words; $5, each additional 25 Board Lafrenière. A silent animation words, payable on submission of ad. Public service ads April for Tara or Milly. Governor’s and video excerpts showcases (such as lost & found) free. Call Cindy Parkanyi, 745- Walk, 150 Stanley Ave. a return to the essence of the 8734 or email [email protected]. Thu, Apr 4, 2:30 pm image: the fragility of the con- Dog/Cat Walking and Sitting Your house plants are also safe ANNUAL DAFFODIL TEA Beginning Wed, Apr 10 tact between light and the sur- fundraiser in support of the with me!. Emergency and regular daily walking. References. MOM DESERVES THE face which allows it to exist. Liba Bender: 613-746-4884. Canadian Cancer Society. BEST CONTEST One lucky In continuity with the artist Entertainment will be provided Ottawa-area mom is in for a production, the project reflects HOUSECLEANING by longtime Burgh resident. Good ref- by harpist and pianist; Joanna real treat this Mother’s Day. her fascination for light and the erences in neighbourhood. Available immediately. 613-744- Griffin and refreshments will Will it be yours? Enter to win visual phenomena surround- 8449. be served. So step into spring for your chance to win the Best ing us; these create, build and LOST: Silver bracelet with curly links. Lost when I fell and with a bunch of beautiful daf- for your mom from Concierge deconstruct imagery. Thus, crawled out of the park on January 5, between Queen Victoria fodils and know that your con- Home Services, CELADON shadow and light seem to trans- entrance and off-leash field. Bridget Barber. 297-8235. tribution will go a long way Salon & Spa and many other late the different mindscapes for the fight against cancer. sponsors. Be sure to “Like Us” of a young girl on a swing, lost 2391 or 819-568-8169. www. Fri, Jun 21 and Sat, Jun 22, To RSVP call 613-564-9255 on Facebook and follow us on in her thoughts. The exhibition OttawaBrahmsChoir.ca. 10 am – 4 pm or for more information ask Twitter to receive updates on allows us to perceive the meta- Sat, April 27, 9 am - noon 52ND ANNUAL IODE phorical scope of light, move- LAURENTIAN HOUSE FREE QIGONG ment and time. The gallery AND GARDEN TOUR - A WORKSHOP, taught by is located at 81 Beechwood tour of the homes and gardens Master James Foo, at Macies Avenue and is open from 11 am of Rockcliffe Park. Tickets will Hotel (Best Western) 1274 to 4 pm, Tuesday to Saturday. be available at retailers across Carling Ave. For information, Information: Shahla Bahrami Ottawa as of mid April. For reserving seats, or healing con- (613) 748-6954 or info@voix- more information contact: Jo sultations please contact visuelle.ca. Brodie at 613-842-5304. Angela Fung 613-762-8893 or Sun, April 21, 3 pm email [email protected]. Ongoing OTTAWA BRAHMS CHOIR May / June CHOW QI GONG CLASSES SPRING CONCERT - Along every Tuesday 9:15 - 10:45 the Blue Danube, songs by Sat, May 4 am, and every Wednesday Johannes Brahms, Johann 6 - 7:30 pm at 180 Percy Strauss, Felix Mendelssohn, UMPIRE CLINIC - Become a Softball Ontario Certified Street, McNabb Community Robert Schumann, as well Recreational Centre in as lesser known works by Fast Pitch or Slo-Pitch Umpire. This Level 1 clinic will be Centretown. For info please German, Austrian, Hungarian, consult our website: www. and Romanian composers; held at the Carleton Heights Curling Club. For those that ottawachowqigongassociation. under direction of Denise com. Hawkins and Accompanist are already certified a refresher Ioulia Blinova; the concert clinic will be held on Saturday Directory of Resources for takes place at St. Thomas the April 27 at the RA Centre on Senior Citizens of Ottawa is Apostle Church, 2345 Alta Riverside Drive. To register, now available. This bilingual Vista Drive; for informa- contact George Findley at 613- directory includes a descrip- tion please contact: 613-749- 722-2620. tion of all the organizations in the Ottawa region where seniors can get helpful advice geared to their special needs. The Senior Citizens Council of Ottawa publishes the directory. It is available at the Council offices, 670 Albert Street, Suite 019, for $6 ($5 for indi- vidual members of Council) or one can be mailed to you for an additional $4 charge to cover postage. Call 613-234-8044 for more information. April 2013 New Edinburgh News Page 39 Not the...
April 1
Photo: Louise Imbeault Zipping around the Burgh: The scaffolding of Moshe Safdie’s never-quite-finished tower at the former Ottawa City Hall (now the John G. Diefenbaker Building) will finally be put to good use once New Edinburgh Groundhog’s the proposed New Edinburgh Aerial Adventure Park gets off the ground. The tower will serve as a launch point for this highly-anticipated urban transit option and tourist attraction. Another possible launch point that is being explored is from Philosopher’s Hill atop the Birchwood National Cemetery. Dark Day in Spotlight This magnificent viewshed would allow visitors a quick way to zip back to town after spending some quiet time on the hill. Edin B. G-Hog suffered a was confined to a dark box for crushing disappointment on the remainder of the day. His February 2, the day that was prediction came as no more The Buzz on Beechwood: From Zip Lines to to have marked the ground- than a blind guess. hog’s successful challenge to Edin is currently back in resi- the hegemony of the increas- dence at Rideau Hall, but as Casinos, with Traffic in Between ingly senile Wiarton Willy as NTNEN went to press, Burgh With the approach of spring, involved an OC Transpo bus bedrock of our Beechwood Canada’s forecaster-in-chief. MP Bauril Mélanger was draft- rejuvenation activities on which failed to negotiate the shopping village. It must be The Burgh’s cherished mas- ing a private member’s bill Beechwood are in full bloom, tricky turn around the pot and said that a giant, upscale chain cot, a two-year-old native of to resurrect the recently shut with a host of imaginative smashed into its side, leaving operation wasn’t exactly what Rideau Hall, trained intensive- down Parliament Hill Cat ideas from our resourceful resi- the driver covered with soil we had in mind. Officials vig- ly all winter, arising each day House as a safe, permanent dents pouring on to the agenda and dead bits of geranium. The orously defend their decision, at dawn to predict the weather home for the talented rodent. to beautify and liven up our NTNEN has since learned that however, noting that the new six weeks on. Lucky for Edin, Ottawa resi- erstwhile corpse of a shopping he was not amused. Beechwood Boutique Target He achieved a near-perfect dents are more forgiving than area. On a brighter note, the Manager was expressly chosen record, his one misstep being our neighbours to the south. The Work is already well under- NTNEN has received word for this location, and is indeed on the garbage day after Associated Press reports that way on the installation of a that a hotly competitive bid- small—4’10” to be precise— Christmas, when he succumbed Edin’s Pennsylvania cousin, state of the art zip-line between ding process is now under- and strictly independent, living to a surfeit of fruitcake. once removed—Punxsutawney the intersection at the Vanier way among street vendors entirely alone (with the excep- Alas, shortly before sunrise Phil—has recently been indict- Parkway and The Kavanaugh seeking City permits to serve tion of his cat). Gives a whole on February 2, as he was posi- ed in Ohio over his erroneous at 222 Beechwood—a real the multitudes stuck in per- new meaning to the concept tioning himself for the much- spring forecast earlier this year. zinger of a project, which petually snarled traffic as driv- of following advice to the let- awaited pronouncement, the Phil’s lawyers have vowed to is certain to thrill local resi- ers attempt to enter or exit ter…. unfortunate rodent was over- fight any extradition attempt by dents as they soar above the the parking area off MacKay No news yet on the intriguing whelmed by the discharge of Ohio authorities and Canadian Beechwood Corridor taking in Street. We’re not surprised at proposal to set up a casino at a passing salt truck. An alert officials have unofficially indi- an exhilarating view of vacant this entrepreneurial jostling to the former St. Charles Church, driver, noticing his distress, cated they would “turn a blind lots and derelict buildings (and get a piece of the limitless but we’ll keep you posted as whisked Edin to the SPCA. eye” if Phil were to make his presumably hoping not to col- potential of this captive mar- events unfold. Initial commu- Eye drops were administered in way to this country to avoid lide with the steeple of St. ket. We hope that the City nity reaction to the idea is time to prevent loss of vision, extradition to the Buckeye Charles Church). Word has it makes seasonally appropriate reportedly mixed, ranging from but as a precaution the patient state. that Mayor What’s-On is cur- decisions when granting these abject disgust to disbelief, with rently edging out our two local permits so we aren’t stuck with some wild amusement thrown Councillors for first dibs on the hot, gooey poutine in July as in. We’re told, however, that zip-line’s inaugural run. Rest we’re cooling our heels in the the enterprising team that assured that the NTNEN will MacKay Street gridlock, or for brought us the zip-line also has be on the scene to bring you that matter, ice cold gelato in some priceless visuals from February. (If we had to take stars in their eyes about taking that little exercise. an Editorial position, we’d go a leaf from our counterparts Sadly, the pilot project to test for espresso vendors just to across the river, by installing the visual impact of install- keep folks awake while they a gigantic jet d’eau on the ing giant, colourful flower wait….and wait….and wait lawn in front of the casino, or pots at the main intersections some more for the traffic jams rather church, to create a truly along Beechwood produced to clear.) world-class leisure destination rather disappointing results. For some, the recent right here in the Burgh. Just Far from delighting pedes- announcement that a Boutique how that would work with the trians and motorists with a Target store will be the first zip-line overhead remains to plethora of cheerful blooms to retailer to move into the pala- be seen, but possibly wetsuits relieve the tedium and frustra- tial new building at Beechwood would be involved… tion of traffic congestion, the and MacKay, was a bit of a Stay tuned to the NTNEN positioning of the pots pro- blow. Readers will recall the for news of yet more bold duced epic traffic jams and strenuous community lobby to initiatives to turn our sleepy a rash of near catastrophic bring back the kind of small, shopping area into a place of accidents. Understandably one independent operators that excitement and adventure. Edin B. G-Hog. Photo: D. Gordon E. Robertson deeply regrettable incident have traditionally formed the Page 40 New Edinburgh News April 2013 fondly remembered for her lively sense of humour and for her love of nature, dogs, books, and above all family. In the course of her life, she success- fully imparted all of these fine qualities in generous measure to her daughter Sue, and she will be sorely missed.
CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations to New Edinburgh Square resident Connie Elton, who celebrated her 102nd birthday in fine style Deadline: MAY 10 [email protected] at the residence on February 9. Connie’s daughter Jo-Ann Robertson reports that Mrs. Elton was feted like a queen at an elegant afternoon tea party, and was particularly delighted Bond girl, Liba Bender! Photo: Louise Imbeault by the presence of Mrs. Peggy produce… 007 and Liba pulled it off with Joyce, the widow of former Congratulations to resi- aplomb in a fabulous crackled Ashbury College Head Master dent Gail McEachern, who bronze satin gown. William (Bill) Joyce, who had received a well-deserved originally recruited Jo-Ann’s Heritage Community BUSINESS BITS husband Hugh Robertson Recognition Award at from South Africa to teach at Community and Protective the school. Guests were regaled Services Community on In the heart of the New with an amusing story about Thursday, March 21. Edinburgh Community, Ivania Connie Elton arriving at Thomas Street resident Morales’ Family Hair Salon Ashbury to grill the Head David Sacks was surprised by at Governor's Walk Retirement Master in advance of the fellow NECA Board Members Residence offers adult haircuts Robertsons’ arrival in Ottawa, with a special event on March for $15, children for $10, perm just to ensure that the school 9 to celebrate his 60 years on and highlights are also done. was an acceptable place for her the planet. Mon-Tues, 9 am - noon/Thurs- daughter and son-in-law! Liba Bender of Ivy Crescent Fri, 5:30 - 8 pm. By appoint- Stanley Park. By Martha Markowsky Congratulations to our attended the ninth annual ment only, 613-255-0557. Lindenlea neighbours Chris FurBall Gala, the Ottawa Restaurateur Ion Aimers is ance, dedication and leader- and Andrea Scott on the birth WELCOME ship over the season. Humane Society’s signature set to open his third ZaZaZa of their baby boy, Aidan Scott fundraising event, on February Pizza with Pizazz location in Welcome back to Joyce CONDOLENCES on March12. Chris and Andrea 23 at the National Art Gallery. the trendy Hintonburg, com- Dubuc of Vaughn Street who are close friends of well-known The theme this year was Bond munity this spring. recently returned from her Our sincere condolences to Burgh residents Marla Tonon trip to Nicaragua where she Barbara Mendel, her hus- and André Cloutier, both of worked with local schools and band Bob Paquin and their whom are delighted by Aidan's children. two children Nicholas and arrival. Welcome back to Charlie Annie, on the recent death Nancy Mayer’s daughter, Woodcock who has returned of Barbara’s beloved moth- Adrienne Gaudreault of Noel from his travels with Canada er, Elizabeth Mendel. Mrs. Street, was the bronze medal- World Youth. Mendel was a close family ist at the 2013 Ontario long friend of Barbara’s neighbours, track skating championships. THANK YOU the Macklems—in particular She has also been named to the Nicholas Macklem’s mother Ontario Long track speed skat- Anne Hardy, and she will also ing team. Bravo! Her brother The players and parents of the be deeply missed by family. Robert came in 6th in his age Ottawa East Minor Hockey We send our sympathies class at the Canadian champi- Novice teams want to thank all to Sue Abbott and her sons onship in Winnipeg, and took the coaches, particularly Head Matthew (Allison) and Daniel silver in the relay. He also took Coaches Mike MacPhee, (Paula) on the death of Sue’s bronze at the Ontario long (Novice C Sharks) and Arun mother Joan “Bunty” Abbott track championships. There Thangaraj (Novice C Ninjas), on March 4. Mrs. Abbott is must be something special in for providing wonderful guid- the organic maple syrup they
Sharks on Ice: Coach Mike MacPhee (center back) with his team. Photo by Andrew Hamlin