THE BUZZ

Downsizing your book collection, pg 10 Record season forecast for Plouffe Rink, pg 7

MARCH 14, 2014 VOL. 19 NO. 3 At the heart of since 1995 CENTRETOWNBUZZ.COM uzz B

Sa r a h Ge l b a r d / y o w LAB What is Section 37 and why does it matter? Condo developments and community benefits DICK STEWART outcome. facilities and services that would some control over what benefits e frequently hear about In planning jargon, this refers to normally be required by the city. are implemented by identifying lo- City Council approv- a “Section 37 approach.” Section 37 The list of potential benefits in- cal neighbourhood improvements W ing a new condo build- of the Planning Act permits munici- cludes cultural and child care facili- through a Community Design Plan ing with greater height and den- palities to approve projects beyond ties, public art, affordable housing, or other processes. sity than the zoning rules allow. the zoning rules in return for “com- parks, improvements to rapid transit Whatever benefits are created, How does that happen and why? munity benefits.” In other words, stations and conservation measures they must have a planning relation- What most of us do not realize is developers can buy their way to an for energy or environment. ship to the development project. that since 2012, Ottawa has adopted exceptional approval. These ben- Perhaps more significantly, it is a formal approach to promote this efits must be over and above those possible for a community to have (Section 37, pg. 5)

Questions and concerns about sex work laws With the old prostitution laws struck down, neighbourhoods ponder impact

NEIL MCKINNON provinces and existing laws will re- has to come up with new legisla- tution is not harmful to society. main until next December to allow tion. We can’t go on without having “There’s a myth that street-level rostitution is always a hot citizens and politicians time to de- rules or laws. We can’t just have no prostitution is about consenting button topic, but it’s rarely cide how a contemporary Canadian regulation. That won’t work. We adults going off to some place, do- P been hotter than right now. society wants to tackle the issue— lived through what street-level pros- ing their thing and exchanging mon- Last December, the Supreme after that the rules fall, whether or titution does to a community,” says ey, that it doesn’t bother anyone, Court of Canada deemed three Ca- not there are new ones to replace Hintonburg resident Cheryl Parrott. and people should butt out. When

e nnadian t r prostitution e t olaws w unconstitu n - them. Today, street-level prostitution it’s happening on your property, in tional: activities related to brothels While most sex work takes is almost nonexistent in Hinton- your driveway, in your backyard (or “bawdy houses”), procuring and place indoors, many groups in the burg. Yet, 10 years ago, the area was and on top of your car… You just living on the avails of prostitution city feel the court’s decision will known for it. Condoms and needles can’t live like that. The difference of and communicating in a public place change their communities, particu- were visible in its parks. Many having gotten rid of it is night and for the purposes of prostitution. larly areas where street-level pros- women, including young girls, were day. Nobody wants their kids to be C Several provinces said they will titution (where the transactions take approached while walking around propositioned on the way to school. not prosecute new prostitution-re- place out in the open, rather than in the neighbourhood because they It’s not a pleasant place to live,” lated offences and in some cases ex- houses or online) was historically were mistaken for prostitutes. says Parrott. isting charges are being tossed out. prevalent. Parrott says people have mis- So far, Ontario is not one of these “Clearly the federal government conceptions that street-level prosti- (Sex work ruling, pg 3) 2 CENTRETOWNBUZZ.COM MARCH 14, 2014

March 14, 2014 — Vol. 19, No. 3 Th e Letters to the editor c e n t r e t o w n No love for canal locks design. Our congratulations are also rusting this beautiful age to the natural habitat of to the architect! We were bridge, causing permanent Ottawa. Dear Ms. Hunt: very happy when it opened, damage and taking away I recommend that the creating a walkway to join from the original simple aes- city remove all the locks on Buzz We were very disappoint- both sides of the canal. thetics of the bridge. (The the Corktown Footbridge, At the heart of Ottawa since 1995. ed to read this article [“Love However we do not find graffiti on the bridge also remove all the rust and graf- locks on the Corktown Foot- the thousands of locks on the does not help). Furthermore, fiti and return it to its original 101-210 Gloucester St. bridge”] in the February 14 bridge “romantic.” There are the fact that the thousands and beautiful look. Ottawa, ON edition of The BUZZ. many ugly, bicycle or sports of keys for these thousands K2P 2K4 The Corktown Foot- locks—large locks with of locks are thrown into the Thank you. Phone: 613-565-6012 bridge is a beautiful bridge, cables—on the bridge. The canal is an environmental F.J. Psutka with an elegant and simple locks are ugly. These locks disaster, causing untold dam- A resident www.centretownbuzz.com twitter.com/centretownbuzz facebook.com/centretownbuzz How the Corktown Footbridge got

Centretown BUZZ Staff its name: a springtime story Managing editor by Charles Akben-Marchand to commemorate a specific similar origin story. Each person received a dot Kathryn Hunt | [email protected] person. The Irish weren’t repre- sticker to place on the poster he words “Cork- We met four times, paring sented in the bridges over with their preferred name for Associate editor stown Bridge” on down the submissions first to the , but the the bridge. Corktown won Eleanor Sawyer T the cover of the eight names, then a shortlist Laurier and Mackenzie King overwhelmingly with over February BUZZ made me of three: , bridges can be said to reflect 150 dots, with fewer than City editor cringe, having been on Corktown, and Somerset. the French-Canadian and five for Somerset and Char- David Gladstone the committee to call it The Charlotte Whitton Scottish-English founding lotte Whitton. the Corktown Footbridge. suggestion elicited strong communities of /Ot- With this clear mandate, Distribution managers With spring nearing, it’s opposition, much as it did tawa. Rather than celebrat- Councillors Holmes and Archie Campbell & David Seaborn worth sharing the story of years later when Mayor Wat- ing one powerful person, the Bédard presented a motion For distribution questions, please contact the editor how the name came about. son floated the name of Ot- name Corktown helped to to and Two days into spring tawa’s first female mayor for commemorate the many un- on June 13, 2007, just a few of 2007, community repre- the new City Archives build- known workers who toiled days before the end of spring, sentatives from both sides ing. Somerset was favoured and died in the construction the bridge was formally and of the Canal were gathered by some for navigational rea- of the locally and nationally officially named Passerelle Advertising by Councillors Diane Hol- sons, though the City’s tech- significant canal. Corktown Footbridge. The mes and Georges Bédard in nical folks worried it might Last, the committee ribbon was cut on September The BUZZ is proud to offer an effective advertising medium that reaches 10,000 Centretown homes and a small meeting room. The be confused with the bridge agreed to call it a “foot- 11, 2007, with many com- businesses each month. Our competitive advertising Pedestrian Bridge Nam- over the O-Train tracks. bridge” rather than a “pe- munity members, politicians, rates are as low as $28 per issue. ing Committee included The strongest support destrian bridge,” which was and costumed volunteers members of the Centretown was for Corktown. While snappier and more inclusive from the View our rate card and publishing dates at Citizens’ Community Asso- Colonel By is celebrated for of all foot-powered modes, on hand to celebrate. centretownbuzz.com. For more information, email ciation, Action Sandy Hill, supervising the construction including bicycles. [email protected] or call 613-565-6012. Heritage Ottawa, and the of the Rideau Canal, it was On May 29, the sponsor- Charles Akben-Marchand’s . I sat on mostly Irish who provided ing councillors hosted a com- archived blog, detailing the Next Issue the committee as president of the labour. They lived in an munity meeting at City Hall construction progress of Citizens for Safe Cycling. encampment on the west to conduct a “straw poll” the bridge, can be found at The next issue of The BUZZ will be published The committee mandate bank of the canal called vote for the three names. The pedbridge.blogspot.com. He April 11. Contact the managing editor to find a name for the bridge “Corktown” (and in some Irish community had a cel- can be found online today at for submission deadlines. was actually unprecedented, documents, “Corkstown”) ebration (a “ceili”) outside centretown.blogspot.ca and to the extent that the City’s after County Cork in Ireland, City Hall before the meeting twitter.com/Centretowner. Mail Subscriptions Commemorative Naming Pol- from which most of them and attracted so many enthu- icy only provided for situa- had emigrated. Corkstown siastic supporters that we had Annual subscriptions to The BUZZ are available at tions where someone wants Road in the west end has a to move to a bigger room! a cost of $25. Please send cash or cheques to the address above. Thank you to our carriers The Ottawa Food Policy Council Archie Campbell, Audrey Brewster, Bayne Pearen, Bill Filleter, Bill Hingston, Brian Gilligan, Carol Sis- sons, Catherine Boucher, Charles Akben-Marchand, by Christina Marchant are working to improve the food sys- produced food through supportive plan- Charles Gregory, Chris Edwards, Craig Haynes, Craig tem using a mix of municipal policies, ning and zoning; Layng, David Seaborn, Don Smith, Drina Wethey, El- he food system in Ottawa programs, and civil-society interven- Working to increase access to eanor Sawyer, Gabrielle Yensen, Georgia Lay, Glynda needs fixing. That’s why, for tions. Ottawa’s Food Policy Council is healthy food for people living in pov- Newton, Heather Elliott, Izabella Watkins, Jennifer the past four years, over 300 a collaboration between citizens, orga- erty, with particular focus on those liv- Bedwell, Joan Spice, John Welsh, Jordan Charbon- T volunteers have worked around kitch- nizations, and different levels of gov- ing in food deserts; neau, Kim Malcolm, Maija Kagis, Matthew Young, en tables, coffee shops, and board ernment, with the ultimate goal to make Supporting healthy school food en- Meg McCallum, Michael Hatfield, Michael Powell, rooms to create proposals and policy policy recommendations for how the lo- vironments; Michelle Kirkham, Murray Shaw, Pat Shaulis, Patricia recommendations for action by the cal food system can be improved. Supporting a breastfeeding-friendly Marsden-Dole, Patrick Garcia, Paul Mennier, Sean Darcy, Shelley Pearen, Steven Fouchard, Tim Young, new Ottawa Food Policy Council. The Council is independent, sepa- city. Wendy Bennett, Will Murray, Zsofia Orosz. The Ottawa Food Policy Coun- rate from any existing organization. Its You can get involved. Come to our cil (OFPC) was officially launched in members are volunteers from farming, public meeting on March 24 at Do- To join our distribution team, please call October 2013. The group is working restaurateurs, chefs, anti-poverty advo- minion Chalmers United Church, on 613-565-6012 or email towards a food system in Ottawa that cates, community gardeners, dietitians, the corner of O’Connor and Cooper [email protected] emphasizes social and economic viabil- health specialists, educators, analysts, in downtown Ottawa. Check out our ity, and environmental sustainability researchers, city councillors, and more. website at www.ofpc-cpao.ca. Become through the entire food cycle. The vi- Now, the Ottawa Food Policy Coun- involved in a working group. Invite The Centretown BUZZ is published by the Centretown sion is a food system in which food is cil is springing into action. Here are someone from the council to speak to BUZZ Board of Directors, a group consisting of community celebrated and enjoyed everywhere, by some of the things we are working on: your neighbours or your community as- members representing all residents of Centretown. everyone. Inviting neighbourhoods and com- sociation. The Centretown BUZZ operates under the guidelines of the The Ottawa Food Policy Council munities to name food security as an es- Community participation is key to Canadian Copyright Act. is following the path of 64 other local sential element of a livable community; our success! © 2014 Centretown BUZZ and regional municipalities in Canada, Advocating to improve access to including Toronto and Vancouver. All both healthy, whole food and locally- MARCH 14, 2014 CENTRETOWNBUZZ.COM 3 Sex work ruling: a chance to rethink the laws

(Cont. from p.1) because of the nuisance fac- tawa during the mid-90s, she tor surrounding it. “Disorder was a John School educator, Across the city is Vanier, leads to crime. Street-level where she talked about the an urban area well known prostitution accounts for negative impact that street- for street-level prostitution. only 10 percent of the actual level prostitution has on a While Hintonburg residents sex workers but it causes 80 community. When asked her long ago took a stance against percent of the problems in opinion on whether brothels the activity, Vanier Commu- the community they’re in,” would alleviate the concern nity Association president said Rheaume. of street-level prostitution Mike Bulthius says Vanier in communities, she said she residents have not expressed Nordic Model and felt it would not make a dif- the same level of concern. Brothels ference because of the sys- “Some residents feel con- Recently the government temic issues related to it. cerned about the patterns of has been looking at prostitu- “The idea that if there are street-level sex trade, such tion law models from other no prostitution laws people as fears of kids walking to parts of the world, namely will go inside is just bunk. school and being approached the Nordic model, which Street-level prostitution is al- by johns. But that isn’t the would make the purchase most entirely fueled by drug only reaction I’ve heard. of sex illegal, rather than addiction. These people are Most of the area’s new gen- the sale. Emily Symons of often unstable. They are not eration wants the neighbour- POWER, an advocacy group working in brothels. They’re hood to have an inclusive for Ottawa-area prostitutes, out on the street and in our feel to it, and I hear strong says she does not think the parks. And I don’t think concern for the well-being Nordic model will be any brothels would solve street- of people involved in the sex better for Canadian society level prostitution at all.” trade. Some of these patterns or improve safe conditions are not going to be beaten for sex workers. Government Consultation overnight because those “The Nordic model take On February 17, the Jus- come from strong socioen- on sex work is that we need tice Department released comic inequalities,” says to arrest clients, provide so- an online public consulta- Bulthuis. cial services to sex workers tion, asking citizens for their Last year, Ottawa Police and get them out of work- feedback on where Canada conducted 10 john sweeps. ing in the sex trade. With the should go with its prostitu- One hundred seventy-seven Nordic model, it will be very tion laws. Justice Minister men were arrested and 35 difficult for a sex worker to Peter MacKay is quoted on were charged. The rest were work in safety. For indoor the Department’s website: court-ordered to attend di- workers, they often require a “Our Government is con- version programs such as name and references. People cerned about the significant John School. on the streets need to work harms that flow from prosti- Lead Inspector Chris in safety and assess the situ- tution to communities, those Rheaume said most arrests ation before they start work- engaged in prostitution and came from the Centretown, ing. But if clients feel they other vulnerable persons … Caldwell and Vanier neigh- will be criminally charged, We will be taking action to bourhoods. The last sweep they won’t want to take the maintain the safety of our happened in December and time to be screened. And it streets and communities, for Rheaume says police waited still means sex workers will the benefit of all Canadi- for the Court decision and lose their housing and may ans.” word from lawyers before be forced to testify against Canadians have until conducting more. clients.” March 17 to give their opin- Cold weather puts a It might be worth noting ions online: www.justice. damper on outdoor sex work, that Hintonburg resident Par- gc.ca/eng/cons/curr-cours/ but Rheaume said more john rot worked hard in the past to proscons-conspros/index. sweeps would happen this get street-level prostitution html#2014_02_17. spring. He said people often out of her neighbourhood. complain about prostitution From its inception in Ot-

www.centretownbuzz.com 4 CENTRETOWNBUZZ.COM MARCH 14, 2014

Legal Loophole Costs Local Homeseller LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS $3,742 in the Sale of Their Home Young urban wear designer dreams big Ottawa - When you’re stand the legal ins and outs entitled, “Legal Mistakes wear designers to learn the brand. buying or selling a home, that will properly protect To Avoid When Buying or ins and outs of manufactur- Locally, Babes and Gents there are many small but you when you buy or sell a Selling a Home” ing and business planning. is sold at craft fairs and indie important legal issues that home. There are several is- To hear a brief recorded Starting with his own fashion markets as well as in you may be unaware of that sues that will certainly cost message about how to or- original art and a local screen a handful of stores. Amir also are, nevertheless, critical to you if you are not properly der your FREE copy of this printer, Amir developed a sells online through his web- understand. Residential real informed. In a recent situ- report call toll-free 1-800- line of tanks and tees for site and Etsy.com and part- estate is not an uncompli- ation right here in the area, 480-2172 and enter 3011. both women and men. The ners with Ottawa’s smakk.ca cated process. When such misinformation cost one You can call any time, 24 upcoming new lines are un- to sell to a market reaching a major investment is trans- local homeseller over three hours a day, 7 days a week. der development and include from local to global. ferred from one party to an- thousand dollars in the sale Get your free special re- drop crotch pants as well as With courage and no fear other, there are subtle details of their home. Don’t let this port NOW to protect your the “Ottawa series.” of rejection, last year Amir to take care of that can turn happen to you. investment when you buy or Amir works 20-hour days approached 120 Toronto into major problems if not In answer to this issue, sell your home. to put together a tech pack stores to have his street wear handled correctly. Industry Insiders have pre- that outlines product specif- placed on the shelves along- It is essential to under- pared a FREE special report cations. These specs are then side established designers. sent to overseas manufactur- Vancouver’s fashion trade This report is courtesy of keller willams vip. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. Copyright © 2013 ers for a sample to be made. show, the largest in the in- Three to fve revisions are dustry, is one of his goals for required before the product 2014. satisfes Amir’s standards of All of this before Amir’s design and quality. Although 21st birthday. current production is done When asked what quali- overseas, as production quan- ties are essential for an en- tity increases manufacturing trepreneur, Amir listed the could be done in Canada. following. Each new line of clothing Being open-minded is by Janet Penny has to be planned months in important because he never advance to allow for samples knows where his ideas and ix years ago Amir to be made and the product contacts will lead him. As for Zargari was newly perfected. The tenacity re- being a self-starter, “Well, S arrived in Canada quired to plan and execute that’s all it is.” Finally, being from Iran and on track to products for this home-based competitive as a brand and as become an engineer. During business is best summed up a company are necessary to his frst semester in univer- in Babes and Gents’ motto: make the work pay off. sity, Amir wrote a list of his “Passion, inspiration and Amir’s belief in himself interests and hobbies which warrior-like strength (mental and in his brand is so strong made it clear that his passion and physical).” that he is willing to continue was leading him away from To assist in developing to live at home and do with- engineering and towards a brand that is widely rec- out a regular income to build fashion. ognized and proftable, Amir his dream. His passion and Despite some scepticism relies on a group of interns belief, true hallmarks of an on the part of his parents, who volunteer their time as entrepreneur, are all he needs 20-year-old Amir left uni- stylists, models and pho- to carry on. versity and says that “the tographers. In addition, the Tucked away in a Cen- resistance helps to build operational aspect of Babes tretown home, Babes and you.” and Gents is managed by a Gents is slowly building to Launched last July, partner whose strength lies where Amir dreams it can Babes and Gents offers in analyzing numbers. This be. As if these qualities are street wear aimed at 17- to leaves Amir’s time free to not enough, Amir gives back 25-year-olds. This startup’s do what he does best: design by donating 10 percent of goal is to “turn expensive and marketing. his profts to Unicef. Watch pieces of fne art into af- Using Facebook and for these original products at Ontario’s new carbon monoxide fordable, wearable clothes.” Twitter, as well as fashion- local markets. To learn more With no experience in the specifc social media Chicto- about Amir and his business, alarm law is coming! fashion industry, Amir pia and lookbook.nu, Amir visit www.babesngents.com. looked to established street is tireless in promoting his Battery operated CO2 detector

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736 Bank St. at Second 613 234-6353 Ka t h r y n Hu n t / Th e BUZZ [email protected] Signs of spring: Early March puddles on the surface of the Rideau Canal Skate- way don’t appear to deter skaters. MARCH 14, 2014 CENTRETOWNBUZZ.COM 5

YOUR COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRES What is Section 37 of the Planning Act and why does it matter?

(Cont. from pg. 1) per square metre of increased for community benefits rath- O-Train, improvements to size over the normal zoning er than waiting for a project parks, pathways, sidewalks For example, it is not and the outer urban zone is to come along. and traffic calming measures. permitted to build a park in $130 per square metre. These With only two years of In one approval a community Vanier if the development is rates are really ceilings and experience, no clear pattern fund has been established for in Hintonburg. In fact, the developers negotiate to pay has emerged. Some Com- Mechanicsville. The actual community benefits must less on a project by project munity Design Plans (eg. benefits to be delivered from be situated within the ward basis. Centretown) mention spe- this have not been deter- where the development is The ward councillor is in cific Section 37 priorities mined. located. a key position to determine and others do not. There is As new developments are Each Section 37 agree- what community benefits clearly an opportunity for planned in our communities, ment is negotiated separately. will actually be implement- greater community say in it is important that we under- After some back-room con- ed. The process gives them a which community benefits stand how decisions are made sultation with the develop- role in determining commu- are implemented. and how community benefits ment community, Ottawa has nity priorities and when they Only a handful of Section are decided. We know that adopted a “zone approach” will actually happen. 37 approvals have actually a healthy community is an to determine the amount of In fact, a councillor can been executed so far. The engaged community. What money that is devoted to be proactive and work with community benefits include does Section 37 mean for community benefits. The in- community stakeholders to contribution to two pedes- your community? ner urban zone rate is $250 pre-determine the priorities trian/cycle bridges over the Ka t h r y n Hu n t / Th e BUZZ

URBSANITY City growing pains

as the underdog protagonist City also sets the agenda for We enjoy our access to both fighting big developers and growth and development. open land and open air. So, city politics has grown tire- Change is unavoidable: some let us say it was established some. We’ve seen important positive, some negative. Some that a neighbourhood needed city infrastructure and much more so to some than to oth- to support an additional 100 needed revitalization and ers. The City can reasonably storeys of housing units. housing delayed endlessly by be expected to help the in- Which is the prefered solu- a few but loud self-interested volved parties try to reach a tion? Ten 10-storey build- protesters. As the NIMBYs compromise that mitigates ings? Two 30-storey plus 10 get louder, they drown out negative impact. But it is four-storey buildings? Twen- the voice of their quieter but also reasonable to expect the ty-five four-storey build- more reasonable neighbours. City to support the projects ings? It is not always clear Local residents often do have that are consistent with and how to compromise and find genuine concerns and a valid accountable to its established a workable balance between claim to a stake in how de- plan. footprint and height. velopment will impact both their property and day-to- Issue 1: Heritage Issue 3: Demographics day life. But they lack the We can’t preserve every- It’s not hard to see the ap- sensationalism that draws at- thing or extend the life of all peal of neighbours just like tention to their cause. buildings indefinitely. Build- you and your family. They ings have a life cycle and likely have similar routines, Player 2: The developer eventually they reach their tastes, needs, and values. The villain everyone end. It may be due to ne- They are unlikely to keep you loves to hate in the story. glect, or poor construction, up late with noise. Your local There are the rumours of fire, changes in use, or just businesses and services will Sa r a h Ge l b a r d / y o w LAB payoffs and of ill-advised old age. A lot of Ottawa’s have a clear target audience. by Sarah Gelbard on their plate the demolition neighbours moving in. There money-saving measures and building stock was intended You feel a sense of belong- via yowLAB and infill of an old building, will be more cars and more shortcuts. Some may be true. to fulfill the immediate needs ing and community. But we a new condo tower, and stu- traffic. But there will also It is hardly a fair representa- of one of its many booms. often overlook the benefits of ook in any city’s dent/subsidized housing. be increasing demand for al- tion of the entire industry. There was less concern for culturally, economically, and newspaper any giv- In just over a week, I ternative transportation and Many developers aim to be durability or to be especially socially diverse neighbours. L en week and you came across three of the most increasing infrastructure and good neighbours: not neces- significant or noteworthy. We Different schedules and are likely to come across commonly debated topics in the required density to sup- sarily for wholly altruistic should take pride in our past routines can even out traf- the story of a development urban-centre development; port it. reasons. But being a good and make efforts to preserve fic peaks and congestion, proposal and the predict- heritage, intensification, and The character of a neigh- neighbour is good business. it. We should also take pride whether on the roads, in line able ensuing resident out- demographics. bourhood is not defined ex- It is not profitable to sub- in our present and make ef- at the store, or waiting for a rage. Cities grow and change. clusively by architectural mit a proposal that won’t forts to express it. Older isn’t table at the restaurant. It in- Sadly, these stories of- While we needn’t let chang- style and era. It is much more be approved or that will be necessarily better. We should creases the likelihood that ten seem to focus on civic es go unchallenged, we also defined by the residents and delayed by endless battles also consider our expecta- someone is home nearby at engagement as a fight with can’t expect instant results, the businesses and how they and revisions. It is not profit- tions. Not all buildings are or all times to keep an eye on the city and developers. The or change without disrup- all come together and in- able to build something that need to be exceptional. things. It brings variety to players, as well as the issues, tion. There will be growing habit the space in a variety destroys the character of the the local businesses and, of- have been continuously cari- pains. of ways. neighbourhood that is part of Issue 2: Intensification ten, an all-around vibrancy. caturized and over-simpli- There will be old build- Perhaps a more nuanced their sales pitch. The bottom The has fied. It seems to promote or ings torn down. There will be review of the players and is- line can be a good motivator adopted an intensification yowLAB is Ottawa’s ar- at least propagate a de facto new buildings put up. They sues could help to redirect to do good work. plan to reduce sprawl and chitecture and design ideas reactive and adversarial rela- may be shiny and new and focus on civic engagement accommodate the growing lab, fostering and supporting tionship between residents, lacking “character” at first. It back towards more proactive Player 3: The City population within core neigh- collaborations and exchange developers, and the city. may take time for new devel- and collaborative dialogue The City has a responsi- bourhoods. There are two of ideas in the community. Three such stories caught opments to grow into their and action. bility to its citizens. It simi- principal development strat- Follow us on twitter @yow_ my eye recently. Our neigh- neighbourhood and for their larly has a responsibility for egies; filling in the unbuilt LAB and on facebook.com/ bourhood neighbours—the neighbourhood to continue Player 1: The NIMBY the future enjoyment of the land and building upward. yowlab. Market, Hintonburg, and to grow around them. (not-in-my-backyard) city by its current and future Neither, taken to the ex- Sandy Hill—currently have There will be more What once started out citizens. In that capacity, the treme, is especially pleasant. 6 CENTRETOWNBUZZ.COM MARCH 14, 2014 Public art walkabout by Stephen Thirlwall Buxton would go well with In the summer and fall, an electric train set. This ex- Wallack’s displayed work by ublic art consists hibit space changes regularly local artists such as David of art found along to expose works of many Lidbetter and David Jones. P our streetscapes, in artists from the region, fea- Now it’s watercolours and parks, in main street shop turing varied visual styles: unusual photos printed on windows, and inside pub- painting, drawing, pottery, watercolour paper. These lic buildings. It is there for sculpture, photography, col- seek to capture the essence us to see, but do we all see lage, installation, interactive of famous gardens, particu- it? objects, and soundscapes. larly in Europe. The artist, You might not have no- You might have taken it Jennifer Dickson, originally ticed . . . If you passed too for granted . . . Around every from South Africa, now lives quickly along Bank by the couple of corners on Bank in Montreal. corner with Somerset, just far Street are painted wall mu- You may think that all enough away on the north- rals. Ah! You remember them Centretown statues are on east side of Somerset, you now. At Nepean and Bank is Wellington Street or in Con- could miss two large display what I call “Community then federation Park . . . What windows offering a view of and now,” a BIA-sponsored have you just attached your art by people connected with image showing an early bike to? A bike rack? No! the Ottawa School of Art. 1900s trolley car and smiling It’s an art work—a rectan- Works by one or several citizens from yesteryear and gular slab of metal with pat- artists are presented here today. terns cut through and set in a on rotation for periods of a On the side of Foster’s frame. You can contemplate month or so. Last fall it host- bicycle shop is, of course, each of the many slabs down ed works by well-established a bicycle mural. Amoeba Bank and ponder over their Ottawa painters from the shapes surround the door to shadows or what you can see Glebe: floral vases by Da- Invisible Cinema, flowers through the holes. vid Houlton and lush green- brighten the side of Herb and You may not have had yellow landscapes by Tricia Spice, while LGBT issues time to see it . . . Some art is Wilmot-Savoie. The current are raised on a Nepean Street very temporary: for example, display of landscapes by To- wall. A mural on Cooper, the ice sculptures in Confed- ronto-born John Page can be where motorcycles park in eration Park during Winter- viewed over snow banks. summer, shows a man releas- lude quickly melt away with You might have forgotten ing a cornucopia of beasts, rising temperatures and are . . . If you pass through City waves, and symbols. “Style gone forever. Hall or walk its upper floor over status” created this, as Some art appears sud- hallways, you can stop and well as pictures on the local denly, and just as unexpect- admire various art works— craft shop, re:PURPOSE, on edly disappears in a hit- Ottawa artist Victor Tolge- Gloucester, run by Operation and-run fashion. Dundonald sy’s “Caravan of Life,” the Come Home. Park, last fall, was not only life-sized prancing wooden Rather than painting di- covered by falling leaves but horse and dazzling circus ac- rectly onto buildings, seg- also by colourful knitted or robat, tall metal statues with ments of each picture are crocheted handiworks strung animal shapes on top, and an painted on boards that are on poles, benches, and hand eclectic series of paintings. then puzzle-pieced together rails. These pop up around Three exhibition spaces run onto the wall. In front of Cen- town, appearing elsewhere off of the main atrium. The tretown Community Health on bike racks and sign posts. City Hall Gallery, currently Centre stand pillars painted Art exhibits also quickly empty, has displayed pieces with representations of earth, come and go. By the time from many local artists. air, water, fire, and human- you read this article, what For example, silver gela- ity, sending out an ecological I saw at the Ottawa Public tin prints by Pedro Isztin on message. Library will be gone, but the theme of “The River” ac- Construction boards another new and exciting companied by the poetry of around Somerset House are exhibit will have arrived. An Sandra Ridley. The Archive graced with paintings of example, the RA Photo Club, Hall has housed for several passing pedestrians and a made up of around 300 in- months an intriguing exhibit bold face with sunglasses. dividuals from the National on the life of Barbara Ann Other street art beautifies the Capital Region, displayed 40 Scott, Canada’s first famous back side of ’s or so photos from 23 mem- figure skater, and heartthrob Woody’s and Maxwells with bers on the Public Library’s of many a young man. Pho- a jazz singer and musician second floor gallery above tos, video clips, and memen- theme. More painting ap- the stairwells. But the ex- tos bring her story to life. pears on the side of Boush- hibit just closed February 28. You are welcomed to ey’s grocery. You’re too late. the Karsh-Masson Gallery You might have “seen” An important part of be- by a work by each of Ot- but not registered . . . Cer- ing a visual artist is notic- tawa’s Henri Masson and tainly, you have glanced at ing things that others are not Yousuf Karsh. At present, the window of Wallack’s aware of or don’t have the inside you find small glass Gallery, which you pass on time to stop and appreciate. bell dioramas of small town the east side of Bank every There is much to be seen in life, but with curious to sin- day, or Carmel Gallery on our Centretown environment, ister occurrences, such as a the opposite side. But that’s but also much that we might car in the lake and a tornado just the surface, more visual miss. Slow down sometimes, headed for a wedding party. delights are inside that you take a peek, and enjoy. These miniature creations by can’t see through the win- Patti Normand and Lesley dow.

Photos by Stephen Thirlwall. From top: Mural on Cooper at Bank; metal art bike rack on Bank; woven and knitted “yarn bombing” in Dundonald Park; mural on the south wall of Boushey’s.

Share your favorite public art! www.facebook.com/centretownbuzz MARCH 14, 2014 CENTRETOWNBUZZ.COM 7

CROSS TRAINING Kicking off the 10,000 Step Challenge Climbing the walls by Neil McKinnon of you have done wall climb- ward Facing Dog. ing, you’ll both require les- Doing It ust over by the Cana- sons that last about 20 min- When doing either boul- dian War Museum, on utes. In a $5 technique class, dering or wall climbing, J Victoria Island, is Ver- you’ll learn how to belay and Slivka-Flagg recommends tical Reality. For 16 years, tie the rope properly. people grip the bigger rocks it’s been offering both Stretching/Warming Up first to warm up their hands, bouldering and wall climb- Slivka-Flagg admits that fingers and forearms. Prac- ing. This writer thinks both both wall climbing and boul- tice caves are at the front. activities are great to do dering are full-body work- At 56 feet, Vertical Reality with friends or to fulfil a outs and really getting into boasts one of the highest wall desire to do something new them helps a person develop climbing facilities in North and challenging. strength and flexibility. Be- America. But unless they Bouldering is like rock ing already strong and flex- are experts, Slivka-Flagg climbing without the ropes ible helps if you are starting says most people don’t climb or harnesses. Ranging from out, but you don’t necessari- higher than 40 feet. beginner to expert, people ly have to be that way. Those Vertical Reality has sev- can climb through caves by attributes come the more you en bouldering caves, all with following a particular pattern do it. She says a lot of people different routes ranging from or route. come in and get fit after de- beginner to hard. To complete Ma r t h a Mu sg r o v e / Th e BUZZ In wall climbing, both veloping a love for the sport. the routes, follow the colour you and your partner are har- To counter wear and of the tape and climb using The 10,000-Step Challenge gets a kick start from members of its organizing com- nessed. Belay ropes are used tear on the body resulting your hands and feet (you’ll mittee, Catherine McKenney, Ida Henderson, Wendy Trudell and Michael Hatfield. while one person climbs and from the rigorous pulling feel like Spiderman!). The June 7 challenge celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Plant Recreation fastens the rope using clips involved in bouldering and Pain Afterwards Centre by encouraging residents to have fun, enjoy the diversity of our neigh- and the other partner secures wall climbing, Slivka-Flagg Slivka-Flagg says a lot bourhoods and get fit through walking. the rope at the bottom. recommends climbers do of people can try climbing Getting Started strength training and push- or bouldering once or twice PLANT POOL RECREATION ASSOCIATION If you’re new to either ing activities a few times a and then quit because they bouldering or wall climbing, week. She says some people don’t like the blisters on their and don’t have calluses on do power yoga to get their hands, wrist cramps or the Record season forecast for Plouffe Rink your hands to protect your strength training. Even so, soreness they get afterwards. skin, Vertical Reality owner a lot of climbers tend to be She says to not get discour- Petra Slivka-Flagg recom- people who don’t like work- aged and give it a chance. mends using chalk to protect ing out at the gym, so there Just be patient, practice a lot your hands and tape to pro- are weights by the front door and bite through the pain and tect fingers. for anyone to use to warm up soreness. Many newcomers For bouldering, you don’t before they start. Inside the fall in love with the sport and need to bring a partner: just facility, it’s not uncommon quickly get fitness results put on sport-specific shoes to see people dropping to the they’ve always wanted. Plus, and climb. But if you’re floor, doing stretches, push- it’s an activity a lot of people wall climbing, you’ll need ups, and jumping jacks, skip- are passionate about and do to bring a partner. If neither ping rope or doing a Down- with their friends!

Ma r t h a Mu sg r o v e / Th e BUZZ

by Martha Musgrove are between 10 and 30 peo- brought French apple cake. ple using the rinks at any one During its regular Janu- old winter weather time, and statistics kept dur- ary meeting, the PPRA re- brought excellent ing supervised hours show ceived a $500 donation from C ice surfaces and that close to 1000 skaters a Hintonburg-area service enthusiastic skaters to the were on the ice between its organization. The money outdoor rink in Plouffe opening and the beginning of will be used to fund one of Park, located just behind February. the association’s child-cen- the Plant Recreation Cen- PPRA board members tered programs. tre (PRC). have been equally busy in- Board members reviewed Under the management side the Plant Recreation projects and plans for cel- of the Plant Pool Recre- Centre. Audri Brewster or- ebrating the 10th anniversary ation Association (PPRA), ganized and led two sessions of the Plant Recreation Cen- the City-funded rink is large of Yoga De Licious, one in tre in 2014. The community enough to offer areas for December and one to mark 10,000-Step Challenge kicks both organized hockey and Valentine’s Day. The first off June 7, and the PPRA free skating. Smaller ice event raised $940 to support hopes that other festivals and surfaces around and beside the Women Alive program, events, such as Chinatown the main rink are available ensuring that 30 women liv- Remixed and Diwali, can be for those who prefer a qui- ing on low incomes receive a incorporated into the centre’s eter skate. During supervised three month pass to either the anniversary plans. hours after school and on the PRC pool or weight room. The PPRA holds its regu- weekends, PPRA volunteers The most recent session lar meetings at 6:30 pm on the provide loans of equipment raised close to $700 to sup- first Tuesday of each month, including hockey sticks, port the PPRA summer park at the Plant Recreation Cen- nets and skates, and a help- program. Audri notes that tre. Residents of the com- ing hand for tightening laces. the success of this fundrais- munity are welcome to at- Skate blades are kept sharp- ing was possible due, in part, tend. For further information

Ne i l McKi n n o n / Th e BUZZ ened through the generosity to support from Macarons et about our organization, visit of Glebe Home Hardware. Madeleines, who provided our website at plantpoolrec- Vertical Reality owner Petra Slivka-Flagg belays while patron Max St. Jacques Rink supervisor Melissa elegant macaroons and truf- reationassociation.com. climbs. Sbrega estimates that there fles, and to Liane Luton who 8 CENTRETOWNBUZZ.COM MARCH 14, 2014

Lessons from Consultation: The Neighbourhood Planning Initiative

neighbourhood experts in order to better reflect Community members in Hintonburg/Mechan- the needs, priorities, and concerns of the area’s icsville were amenable to the NPI. They saw it residents. as way to channel community work into one pro- A 2010 report titled Neighbourhood Plan- cess and one plan, making it easier and faster ning Initiative Pilots states: “The NPI can focus to get things accomplished. However, it was a on changes or needs in the community that are heavy time commitment for most of the volun- not linked to growth and can tap into resources teers. in the community to assist with defining those No new NPIs are being undertaken in the city, needs.” and the NPI office has since closed. For future The City was also committed to collaborat- use, the program could be redesigned, but it is ing across departments. For the first time in the important to focus on what the NPI set out to City’s history, departments such as Public Works do. and Services, Planning and Growth Manage- It was, from the beginning, an approach to ment, and Community and Protective Services planning that went beyond where tall buildings Amidst four Community Design Plans (CDP) were brought together at the Deputy City Man- can go. It incorporated all aspects of neighbour- and several rezonings and applications for tall ager level in a formal and cooperative process. hood planning such as health and social servic- buildings, Somerset Ward is undergoing signifi- This holistic approach to planning was the first es, land use, and arts and culture. It was also an cant development changes. As a result, conver- of its kind in Ottawa. exercise in community building in that it brought sations about the value and purpose of public Central to the NPI was the creation of the Com- many different stakeholders together around consultation have emerged. There are many munity Task Force, a representative community one table. community members who feel that serious pub- group tasked with moving the initiative forward. With so many residents feeling cynical about lic consultation is lacking in the City’s develop- The Community Task Force was comprised of public consultation and the planning process, ment process. 25 community members who were responsible the NPI provides an important lesson: that we In 2006, the City initiated a neighbourhood for attending all of the meetings and information should not limit our creativity when it comes to planning pilot project that aimed to take a dif- sessions, acting as liaisons between the “con- finding solutions to complex – and often times ferent approach to assist with neighbourhood stituents” they represented and the City. systemic – problems with the planning process. planning. Dubbed the Neighbourhood Planning Some examples of the Community Task There need to be more holistic approaches to Initiative (NPI), the approach was based on the Force representation were community associa- planning, which include all the characteristics of principles of “community-based planning” and tions, seniors, youth, children and families, low- a community rather than just land-use planning. “collaborative community building.” income people, schools, and faith communities. There are always alternatives. The NPI was a pilot program that took place There were many meetings held in 2006 in Hintonburg/Mechanicsville and in Vars. Many which provided task force members with back- traditional planning exercises, such as Commu- ground and expert information on a specific nity Design Plans, tend to be service- or project- topic, for example neighbourhood character, based, focusing on such things as land use, built business, arts and culture, community safety, form and/or transportation. The NPI was differ- pedestrian and traffic safety, and many more ent in that residents were deemed to be the topics covered by the NPI. Lead a Jane’s Walk in your area! by Laura Mueller into local history, planning, pert on your area of the city. Jane’s Walk events, with design, and civic engage- You decide what’s im- 2,000 participants last year. hat do you ment through the simple act portant. This is a prime op- More than 60 walk leaders love about your of walking and observing. portunity to learn more about helped educate and inspire W city? Its people, On Saturday, May 3, and your community, find out its participants during 54 walks stories and history? Its Sunday, May 4, Jane’s Walk strengths, weaknesses, op- last year—the event’s sixth lively streets and hidden Ottawa will bring urban en- portunities, and vulnerabili- year in the capital. laneways? Its green spac- thusiasts together to create ties, and use this information As well as walk leaders, es? How about its potential their own Jane Jacobs-esque as a foundation for building Jane’s Walk Ottawa relies to get even better? “sidewalk ballet” in neigh- a better community, encour- on a large team of volun- If you like to get outside bourhoods across Ottawa aging people to get involved teer marshals. Marshals help and you’re enthusiastic about and Gatineau with more than and take control of their fu- Jane’s Walk run smoothly the city you live in, come 50 free walking tours. ture. by assisting the walk leader volunteer as a walk leader Your help is needed to Leading a tour involves to manage the group, carry with Jane’s Walk Ottawa! make it happen. choosing a topic or theme, flags so people can see where Jane’s Walk is a festival You don’t have to be a planning a route, and think- the group is going, keep the of free neighbourhood walk- Jane Jacobs expert to lead a ing through the stories, plac- group together, keep an eye ing tours given by locals tour. Jane championed the es, and people you want to on safety, take a headcount, who care passionately about practical and experiential talk about. and report back to the orga- where they live, work and knowledge of local residents Jane’s Walk began in nizers after the walk. play. and pedestrians over the for- May 2007 in Toronto, and You can find out more It is a pedestrian-focused mal, analytical expertise of quickly expanded to New about Jane’s Walk Ottawa at event that improves urban architects and planners. As a York City. Ottawa’s event is www.janeswalkottawa.ca. literacy by offering insights local resident, you are an ex- one of the most established w w w .j a n e s w a l k o t t a w a .c a www.centretownbuzz.com MARCH 14, 2014 CENTRETOWNBUZZ.COM 9

CENTRETOWN CITIZENS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION Centretown Citizens Community The BUZZ, Association March Report briefly

each month. ing new projects, retrofit/ Changes approved to Canadian Museum of To join our email list for reconstruction projects, and Nature west lawn meeting dates and agenda repair/maintenance and/or items email Rob Dekker, other projects for the entire The Canadian Museum of Nature has received Planning Committee Co- right-of-way. And it needs approval in principle from the National Capital Chair, at dekker.ra@gmail. to take into account the local Commission to proceed with the construction of com. context of the roadway and a temporary surface parking lot on the west side the surrounding community. of its property. This follows review of a proposed by Lauren Rock, these issues the organizations Seniors Committee Centretown presents par- five-year concept for the area that also includes CCCA interim president are challenging the city’s de- The Seniors Commit- ticular challenges because landscaping of greenspace. cisions contained in the Of- tee met on Friday, February it is both a destination with The proposal was presented at a public infor- our community as- ficial Plan Amendment. 21, on a very, very wet and traffic to and from elsewhere mation session on September 16, 2013. The over- sociation contin- There is a historical reso- blowy day at Sun and Flow- as well as a residential neigh- all plan will reduce the footprint of the currently Y ued to work steadi- nance in these two organiza- ers on Bank Street. Four of us bourhood with a high vol- available parking on the west side, and maximize ly over the last month, tions partnering up on CDP braved the winter weather to ume of internal traffic by car, the remaining area for public use. The Museum’s monitoring and engaging issues; it is worth noting look for a subject of research bike, transit and foot. Streets goal is to complete the construction of the parking in local issues. This is a here. interest to our senior readers. are often narrow and busy lot and its immediately adjacent green infrastruc- short summary of a selec- That is, the CCCA was Three had downsized fairly and are home to a complex ture before July 1, 2014. Construction will begin tion of items that are on the formed in the 1970s, right recently, and so the topic of mixture of businesses, insti- in spring 2014. CCCA “home screen” at around the time of Cen- what to do with a lifetime tutions and residences of all The concept plans also include the Regions of the moment. Feel free to tretown’s first Community supply of cherished books shapes, heights and sizes. Canada Garden and an arctic sculpture. These two contact us about anything Design Plan. Known as the became the topic for the A Complete Streets ap- elements are subject to a separate approval pro- mentioned in this column “Secondary Plan,” that plan March edition of The BUZZ proach can only be of major cess. using the contact info at shepherded development in (see page 10). Nathalie, a benefit to Centretown, be- The concept plans and other information about the end. Centretown up until last May, librarian in real life, agreed cause so many different cat- the west side can be viewed at nature.ca/west. when the new plan, currently to draft the article, to which egories of users must share Official Plan Amendment under appeal, was voted in. other members were asked space on the same roads and (OPA) 117 Some senior CCCA mem- to contribute any informa- streets. It will help improve One of the main topics of bers have worked on both the tion or advice on the subject the streetscape experience focus for the CCCA right now Secondary Plan in the 1970s of disposing of books rang- for all citizens and make our is an appeal from City Coun- and the recent CDP now in ing from museum quality to neighbourhood more live- cil’s Official Plan Amend- the appeal phase. pocket novels. able while enhancing overall ment 117 to be heard at the Further, the CCOC was safety. Ontario Municipal Board in in fact born out of the young Trees and Greenspace Wider sidewalks, safer September. The CCCA is CCCA to promote and pro- Committee pedestrian intersections, safer bringing its appeal in collab- tect the residential character On March 15 at 1:30 pm, and more convenient cycling oration with the Centretown of Centretown, shortly after a fundraising event will fea- infrastructure, reliable public Citizens Ottawa Corporation the first plan was complete. ture Ed Lawrence speaking transportation services and (hereinafter “CCOC”). At So, the CCCA-CCOC ef- at the better planned streets for au- issue in the appeal are the forts on the appeal continue (downtown location—Lauri- tomobiles benefit us all. contents of the Centretown in a grand tradition of grass- er at Metcalfe). The event is City Council did adopt a Community Design Plan, roots engagement here in co-sponsored by the CCCA Complete Streets policy in its and other features of the of- Centretown. Even if another Trees and Greenspace com- Transportation Master Plan ficial plan amendment which organization is not born out mittee and the OPL. Entry is in late 2013 and the sum- affect the built environment of the work on this CDP, let by donation. mit will be an opportunity to in Centretown. us see this process through talk about how we can apply The appeal is hotly con- with determination so that Transportation Committee pressure to make sure that tested by a group of devel- the voice of citizens contin- On Saturday, March 29, the Complete Streets prin- opers, many of whom have ues to be heard amidst the we will be taking part in ciples are incorporated into speculative land holdings in builders and the planners! Ecology Ottawa’s Complete actual decisions. Centretown. The developers Come out to the next Streets Strategy Forum (lo- are generally challenging, on CCCA board meeting to learn cation to be confirmed). This Board Vacancy the basis of “good planning more, give us your views, or will be a one-day event where Due to a recent resigna- rationale,” limitations placed volunteer your time. organizations like ours come tion, there is currently a va- by the OPA on building size together to discuss how to cancy on the CCCA’s board and height and, further, the Next Board Meeting build safe and healthy com- of directors. In accordance imposition on builders to Tuesday March 18, 7:00 munities by improving cy- with the CCCA bylaws and provide community benefits pm, in the Honeywell Room cling infrastructure, walk- policies, notice of this vacan- on a scale proportionate to at City Hall. ability, and public transit in cy was placed in the Agenda their building size. our city. for the February meeting. Meanwhile, the CCCA Planning Committee In 2013 30 groups, in- Advertisements have also and CCOC appeals support The Planning Committee cluding the CCCA, sent a let- been sent around to the gen- the OPA limits on building meets on the first Monday of ter to Ottawa’s City Council eral CCCA membership list- height and size—at times ar- each month. The committee advocating for the adoption serv, and our contacts at oth- guing that the limits should has seen an increase in the of a Complete Streets policy er Centretown organizations be more strict. interest developers have in as part of the City’s new Of- and groups. The board will The CCCA and CCOC meeting with the committee ficial Plan and Transporta- aim to appoint a replacement appeals also support rules for input on projects being tion Master Plan. at the March meeting. for building design that pro- planned, these include plans This approach calls on Please contact me at tect the sanctity of the public for 291-293 Lyon Street and city decision makers and [email protected] and right of way, especially set- 515 . planners to take into ac- come out to the March board backs, and even enhance the Our committee works to count the needs of drivers as meeting if you are interested streetscape. Issues of land use present solutions to the City well as pedestrians, cyclists, in joining the board! designation, and the place- and developers for zoning and public transit users of ment of new secondary main changes, planning concerns all ages and abilities when street designations, both of and development applica- building and maintaining the which govern where small tions. If you’re interested roadway. According to the businesses may be placed, in being a part of the Cen- CCCA, such a policy should also arise in the appeal. On tretown solution, come out apply to all projects, includ- 10 CENTRETOWNBUZZ.COM MARCH 14, 2014

OCDSB TRUSTEE REPORT CCCA SENIORS COMMITTEE School board news Too many books: what can you do? by Jennifer McKenzie, ing for coming updates on English language learners, OCDSB Trustee the work of the Secondary special education students School Review’s six work- and other high-needs stu- Secondary School Review ing groups. This phase of the dent populations; the expan- Update review is looking at, among sion of secondary school bus other things, possible revi- transportation; infrastructure wide-ranging re- sions to secondary school renewal for science labs view of Secondary grade configurations, and and play structures; and the A Education is un- possible revisions to some implementation of the new derway in our district and I secondary school programs, geographic model for the de- would like to take this op- including French Immersion livery of special education. portunity to give you a brief and Extended French. At present, the school update of the progress. The board is in a relatively strong review is being done by a Working Toward a Green financial position, having Secondary School Review Employer Policy started the 2013-14 school ad hoc committee, com- Last spring, trustees year with an accumulated prised of both staff and ex- passed a motion directing operating reserve. It is antici- ternal members. Working staff to develop a Green pated that between the annual groups focus on six key Employer Active Transport, Ministry of Education grant topics: school configura- Commuting and Parking that will be announced at the tions, community hubs, Support Policy. The aim of end of March, and the abil- e-learning, specialist high this policy is to promote and ity of staff to allot a portion skills majors, International support the use of progressive of the OCDSB’s reserves Baccalaureate, and French active transportation (walk- (within Ministry-imposed as a Second Language. ing, cycling, etc.), as well as guidelines) to budget plan- There is potential for sig- the use of public transit and ning, that Board staff will nificant impact on our high carpooling, among our staff present a balanced budget schools. and within our school com- for 2014-15. In November, a founda- munities. This is in line with Community members in- tional part of the Secondary the OCDSB’s Environmental terested in participating in School Review, the OCDSB Education Policy, which out- the board’s consultation on Exit Outcomes, was com- lines the district’s commit- the budget should check pleted. The Exit Outcomes, ment to delivering effective the OCDSB website for in- which are linked with sev- environmental education and formation on consultation eral of the key objectives of modeling environmentally meetings that should begin the board’s strategic plan, responsible practices. in March. St e p h e n Th i r l w a l l / Th e BUZZ identify five essential char- As this policy will have acteristics and five skills that an impact on school board OCDSB Community Nathalie Thirlwall basement. books may be sold for a rea- students need to succeed af- employees, students, and the Member Recognition CCCA Seniors Commitee There are several annual sonable price (or for credits), ter graduation, and that are community at large, exten- Awards book sales held at Elgin St. may be the way to go. achievable regardless of the sive consultation with stake- So many people make an hether you are Public School, Rockcliffe For specialty books it may educational pathway a stu- holder groups is planned. incredible difference in our an avid or a Public School, Ashbury Col- be best to contact specialized dent chooses to follow (e.g. Stay tuned to this column, or school communities. Do you W would-be read- lege, and First Avenue School book sellers or associations university, apprenticeship, visit ocdsb.ca, for updates on know of an exceptional par- er, you have lots of op- in the Glebe, as well as the and organizations. Art books community living, etc.). how you can provide input ent, OCDSB staff member, tions to either increase or experimental farm, some of might be sold or donated to The Exit Outcomes docu- to the OCDSB on how we volunteer, community orga- decrease the books on your whom start collecting well museums or galleries. If the ment, including background can become a leader in Ot- nization or business that has bedside table and/or your before their sales. books are rare, first editions information on how the tawa in promoting active and made an outstanding contri- home library. You can also avail your- or specialty books, it may be specific characteristics and environmentally sustainable bution to your school? If so, Many of us have copi- self of the numerous book useful to find out approxi- skills were identified, has transportation. why not consider nominating ous texts, some read, some clubs that exist in Ottawa mately what the books are been published and is avail- them for one of the school of them long ago forgot- by sharing pertinent books, worth. Note that there may able for download at ocdsb. 2014-15 Budget Update board’s Community Mem- ten. What can we do with passing them around within be a range of prices. Some ca. The Secondary School OCDSB staff recently ber Recognition Awards. an overflowing collection? or between book clubs. As of the larger booksearch en- Review ad hoc committee is brought two preliminary re- The deadline for nomina- There is, of course, the op- one book lover stated: “You gines are www.bookfinder. now working on integrating ports to trustees on staffing tions (March 14) is fast ap- tion of sharing them with can recycle books on the com and www.abebooks. the Exit Outcomes into class- costs and budget planning proaching. For information people we know, but our “free-trade” market by put- com room learning for grades K for the 2014-15 school year. on the various awards and friends and family may not ting a box by your front door You might consider going to 12, and on how to mea- Looking forward, key pri- how to make a nomination want them. It may be that we and having visit family or to antiquarian bookstores or sure our success in fostering orities for funding will likely visit ocdsb.ca and click on are downsizing, as many se- friends take a book or two try selling on EBay, google the target characteristics and include the final phasing-in the Awards link under About niors are doing; our children home with them; putting a used or rare books or contact skills. of Full Day Kindergarten; OCDSB. have grown up and no longer box of books out at the curb Rare Book Buyer (online at Parents and school com- “Closing the Gap” initiatives need the childrens’ books; or (but not on rainy or snowy rarebookbuyer.com). There munities should also be look- to support achievement for we may just need to make days) with a “free” sign; or are also opportunities in go- room for new books. putting some on the top of ing further afield i.e. Black- Whatever the case, your blue bin box—some wells in England. whether willingly or be- may be gone before the gar- If your shelves are over- cause of circumstances, the bage truck arrives.” flowing, but you are hav- As low as $28 per month - be seen in Centretown! decision has been made and If you want to go the ing difficulty parting with we find ourselves looking simpler route, don’t forget items, find a family member around for good homes for there is always the option or friend who can help with Advertise with The BUZZ those books that have graced of including them in garage the weeding. You can make our shelves. sales (either yours or a neig- the decision to let go of one There are numerous op- hour’s) or offering them to book for every ten that you hand delivered to 10,000 tions for dwellers in Cen- church bazaars. You could have on your shelves, or de- tretown, some of them in our also set up a “swap box” in cide to let go of two books local residents and businesses neighbourhood. Once culled, your home and put books in for every one that comes into we can bring popular books, so that people can trade or your home. design services available such as cookery, fictions and help themselves. Whatever route you go, the like to the main library If we wish to receive know that there are many View our rate card at centretownbuzz.com (Metcalfe and Laurier) either some cash for these literary other people who would like for inclusion into its collec- treasures, a trip to the Book to read a good book or two tion, or to sell in the book Bazaar or Black Squirrel and would welcome the op- store that is housed in the Books on Bank Street, where portunity. MARCH 14, 2014 CENTRETOWNBUZZ.COM 11 The Buzz Calendar of Events Lunchtime Yoga and Rogers (Every House Is mittee are welcome. Main Foyer, Lady Evelyn Al- early 1980s. The main goal Meditation is held at St Haunted), Sandra Kasturi Ed will have his book, *** ternative School, 63 Evelyn of the Brigade is to acquire, John’s Chapel, 154 Somerset (Come Late to the Love of Gardening Grief and Glory, Avenue. Featuring our very restore, preserve and display St. W. Ottawa, every Tuesday Birds) and Alison Sinclair for sale ($20 cash only) and Ottawa Independent Writ- popular shopping bargain: the artifacts and apparatus from 12:00–1:00 pm: Come (Breakpoint: Nereis). The signing. ers March meeting and buy a bag for $25 and fill it! that tell the story of firefight- and enjoy a restorative time event will take place Tues- Presented by the Cen- speaker event: Comic Books Donations of used books: ing in Canada’s capital and of meditation and yoga in a day, March 18, at Maxwell’s tretown Citizens Community & Graphic Novels as Liter- accepted from March 24 to the country as a whole. The quiet, reflective space: a gen- Bistro & Club at 340 Elgin Association in partnership ary Art. April 4. Please, no computer Brigade has one of the largest tle Hatha Yoga and medita- Street in downtown Ottawa. with the Ottawa Public Li- On March 27, a panel of manuals, Reader’s Digest, collection of antique fire ap- tion class is taught by Peggy It is free to the public and brary. For more information experienced comic book encyclopedias or magazines. paratus in Canada and, over Campbell, yoga instructor will be hosted by Ottawa contact Bonnie Mabee at and graphic novel artists the years, has participated in and zen practitioner. No pri- author and ChiSeries Chair 613-237-1056 and publishers will share *** a wide variety of events rang- or registration required. By Matt Moore. their experiences and advice ing from parades, charitable donation. If possible please *** about writing, illustrating The Bytown Fire Bri- fund raising activities, creat- bring your own yoga mat. *** and publishing comic books gade’s Fireworks 10 Din- ing exhibits and displays and (un)told is a monthly Ot- and graphic novels. 7:00 pm. ner and Auction will be held performing demonstrations. *** Urban Gardening with tawa event featuring origi- Good Companions Seniors’ on May 3, 2014, at Hampton For tickets, please call Ed Lawrence: Grief and nal stories told live. Candid Centre, 670 Albert St. $10 for Inn, 200 Coventry Road, Ot- Peter Ryan at 613-692-7625 March 15 is the dead- Glory. March 15, 1:30 – 3:00 and heartfelt, whimsical and guests. Info: (613) 425-3873 tawa, at 6:00 pm. or Ken Langille at 613- line to submit poetry for pm at the Ottawa Public Li- extraordinary, the (un)told or www.oiw.ca. Tickets are $65 and include 521-4864 or email us at by- the April 2014 issue of By- brary Main Branch, 120 Met- open mic features original a full course dinner, with [email protected]. Dona- words.ca. Please consult the calfe. five-minute stories told in *** wine and music by The Di- tions are also very welcome. guidelines on www.bywords. Intensifying our City can an intimate setting without vas. Monies raised from this For more information on the ca and then send poems to present challenges to gar- notes, sets, or props. Ivison Lecture Series event are used to continue the Bytown Fire Brigade, visit [email protected]. dens which are squeezed Each show starts with a features Rabbi Dr. Reuven restoration and maintenance www.bytownfb.com. Thanks to everyone who has into small lots or containers theme. Tellers explore the Bulka, speaking on “The of the Fire Brigade’s histori- submitted poems. on decks and balconies. In theme, often in unexpected ‘Gotcha’ Mentality and Ulti- cal, antique vehicles and ap- *** For poetry, literary events, the City core the shade from ways. It’s something akin to mate Meaning,” on Wednes- paratus. news, links and hard-to-find beautiful trees and buildings getting together with our most day, April 2 at 7:00 pm. First Incorporated in 1983, the Advertise your community poetry collections and chap- limits choices of plants, the enigmatic and introspective Baptist Church, 140 Laurier Bytown Fire Brigade is a fed- event for free in The BUZZ. books by Ottawa writers, wind on balconies means friends to give those dispa- Avenue West. Wheelchair ac- erally registered non-profit Send your information to please go to www.bywords. watering daily or more often, rate episodes in our heads a cessible; all welcome. historical society. [email protected]. ca and then the constant sun on place to connect through the To help preserve fire heri- Ads are subject to editing for those south-facing decks ex- spoken word. *** tage and the history of the style and space. First come, *** acerbates these challenges. The next show is March 24 Lady Evelyn Used Book capital area, a group of con- first served. For paid adver- Fortunately Ed Lawrence has at 8:00 pm (sign-up at 7:30) Fair, Thursday, April 10 - cerned citizens from the tising rates, please contact The Ottawa Chiaroscuro solutions to help you bask in at The Daily Grind, 601 Som- Saturday, April 12. Open business and professional [email protected] or Reading Series (ChiSeries) the blooms. erset St. W. The March theme to the public: Thursday and community joined with area visit www.centretownbuzz. has announced the lineup Donations to the CCA is “Underdogs.” Admission Friday 3:00—9:00 pm and firefighters to create the By- com/advertising. for their March event: Ian Trees and Greenspace Com- is pay what you can. Saturday 9:00 am—3:00 pm. town Fire Brigade in the 12 CENTRETOWNBUZZ.COM MARCH 14, 2014 Without borders: emerging electric beat in Centretown

la with urban electronic hip part of my culture,” said De think I am a rapper automati- by people in Angola, De hop, creating an exclusive Menezes. “I lived in a culture cally.” Menezes maintains that his sound that stretches far be- where music is a big thing— “I felt ashamed of calling native country is one of the yond national borders. just the whole Portuguese myself a musician because I most beautiful in the world. De Menezes was born culture—and especially with didn’t know how to do any- “We have Ilha, which in Angola, a country on the my mom who was, or still is, thing, so technically, it was is the most famous beach southwest cost of Africa, but a choir director.” true. I was just a rapper.” in Luanda (the capital), and moved to Rio de Janeiro, Although forced to sing For De Menezes, being probably in Africa,” said De Brazil, with his parents when and participate in the church held down by narrow and Menezes. “It’s just beautiful; he was 10 years old. After choir at a young age, De Me- dismissive stereotypes was it’s almost like a half moon four years in Brazil, De Me- nezes admits that, in the end, not an option. It was then of a whole city full of palm nezes and his family finally it was an experience that he he decided to take matters trees. If you’re standing on planted their soiled boots in would never take back. into his own hands by learn- one side you can see the oth- Ottawa. With influences from all ing audio production from er side of the city.” The young teen enrolled over the map, it’s no won- scratch. But despite his love and at Notre Dame Catholic High der the local Ottawa artist “For me, I felt like some- sense of cultural pride, De School but transferred to explores diverse flavours of one who was rapping but Menezes will continue to Canterbury to take advantage rhythm and beat. didn’t write their own lyrics, reach for his goals every of its dynamic arts program. “I’m really starting to so I basically taught myself year. His biggest dream is After a few years at Car- combine the sounds more,” how to make and produce to one day sell out Madison leton, De Menezes decided said De Menezes. “At first, I music,” said De Menezes. Square Garden. to focus 100 percent of his think it was unconscious but But it’s not all about the In a world where musi- energy on producing, writ- now I’m purposely sampling limelight, fame and glittering cal competence is sometimes ing and becoming even more some of the stuff from Brazil success. in question, whether we’re established in the world of and Angola.” “I come from a civil war watching performers lip sync electronic hip hop. De Menezes has a long country where we were at or animated music videos, “I think when you find list of accomplishments in- war for 52 years. The war it’s refreshing to see new tal- what you want to do in life, cluding a music video on stopped in 2002, so it’s a ent own their brand in every you just have to go for it,” VEVO and a number of sets pretty recent country when it sense. Fu n k y Ll a m a De s i g n s said De Menezes. “I always at Capital City Bluesfest and comes to sovereignty,” said “I want to be travelling by Meagan Sylvester nearly impossible to catego- knew what I wanted to do North by North East (NXNE) De Menezes. the world and performing,” rize all genres heard in the and I just want to focus all of in Toronto. “That’s always in the said De Menezes. lectric pow wow, capital. But one Centretown my energy on that.” But it hasn’t always been back of my mind when I’m “It would be amazing to dubstep and disco artist is stepping outside city As a youngster growing an easy feat. thinking of the lights; when go back to Angola and repre- E are all defining limits in search of musical up with various cultural in- “The first year I started I’m thinking about success. I sent on a huge stage.” sounds in Ottawa’s city inspiration. fluences, De Menezes can- making music, I was basi- want to have the means to be If you would like to learn centre, with local artists Nilton De Menezes, who not be limited to one genre cally lost,” said De Menezes. able to help and do whatever more about NDMA and his taking centre stage. goes by the stage name of music but instead several “There’s that stereotype that I want to do.” music, please visit ndmamu- With an ever-growing NDMA, infuses musical ele- —all simultaneously. being a black guy, when I Despite some of the so- sic.com. electronic music scene, it’s ments from his native Ango- “Music has always been say I’m a musician, people cial and political issues faced

CAMBRIDGE STREET COMMUNITY SCHOOL Great things happening at Cambridge

on saxophone, and led by to the delight of all who at- fun and a part of our daily to participate in the tourna- Hanna Dragan. tended. The evening was lives! ment. They arrived eager Mayor Watson presented topped off by guest drummer We concluded February and ready to take the court. the group with a letter of rec- Eric Sarah, from the Central with Boys’ and Girls’ Volley- Devonshire, Elgin, Hilson ognition, which is displayed African Republic. Eric gave ball Regional Tournaments. and First Ave. were the chal- in the school. The students an energetic performance, The Phoenix girls’ team lenging opponents. Our boys presented Mayor Watson and which got everyone up and faced schools in our area, played with great focus and the City of Ottawa with a dancing! The Multi-Cultural including Elgin, Devonshire, amazing net plays, leading photo on canvas of “no face” Potluck Dinner brings to- Elmdale and Hopewell. They them to the semi-finals. In Mohawk dolls, which were gether Cambridge families, played with poise and confi- that game, we tried our best, made as part of their Aborig- staff, friends and community dence, quickly adjusting to but First Ave. prevailed and inal People and Early Set- for a social evening and shar- new rules and strategies to went on to the final. It was a tlers studies. The message, ing of good food from around win the championship! Way fine day all around with ex- “We include and embrace the world. to go, girls! The next day, citement and challenge. Way all people and we learn and Cambridge students the Phoenix boys’ team trav- to go, Phoenix! study so we can better under- joined in on the fun of Win- eled to Rideau High School stand each other,” is one that terlude. The whole school, we all strive towards. staff, and parent volunteers, On the evening of Thurs- along with Principal Alice day, February 13, the Cam- Donachey, boarded school bridge community gathered buses on the snowy morning together for the annual Multi- of Friday, February 14, and Cultural Potluck Dinner. headed to Jacques Cartier Kindergarten children, along Park for a morning of out- with Cambridge staff, com- door winter fun. For some menced the event by weav- students, this was a Canadian Ma r y Yo u n g / Ca mb r i sg e St r e e t Sc h o o l ing their way through the first! gathering with their version Seventeen families joined by Cambridge staff and It was a great honor for of a Dragon Dance. This was their kindergarten and grade school council us to be invited to the City followed by the ever-popular one teachers for an after- Hall to sing and sign “O Lion Dance, performed by school workshop on how to urs is a school Canada” with Mayor Wat- students in grades four, five, talk about math with your where many cul- son, city councillors, and and six. These students have child at home and in the O tures meet, and we guests. Cambridge students dedicated their afternoons for community. The evening never miss an occasion to from grades four, five and six the past six weeks to learning workshop on February 27 learn about other people. were joined by some kinder- the steps, practicing to the was a great success! Ap- Ma r y Yo u n g / Ca mb r i sg e St r e e t Sc h o o l February has been a par- garten students, accompanied beat of the drummers, and proximately 50 were in at- Drumming at the annual multicultural potuck dinner ticularly busy month. Here by teachers Allison Wood on working together as a team tendance. Congratulations to celebration. are a few highlights. guitar and Lisa Sgabellone to perfect the performance all for making math so much