24 Hours for Homelessness

FEBRUARY 14 2020 VOL. 25 NO. 2 THE CENTRETOWN BUZZ

A thirst to reduce single-use plastics, 7 Tired of ice and snow, gonna talk about ‘em anyway, 5 24 Hours For Homelessness Eric Bollman Ottawa residents un- Still, none would com- new friendships, a sense of They all learned some- woman at the cor- pare their 24 hours with the community solidarity, and thing, and they all taught ner of Bank and derstand the complex experience of a homeless the bonding that only a dif- something as well. And all A Gloucester is talk- nature of homelessness youth in Ottawa. They are all ficult shared experience can indications are that the pub- ing to Hydro Ottawa vol- a lot more, now. very aware of the warm bed produce. They already know lic itself is learning. unteers, who are getting that awaits them when this is a lot about homelessness. After speaking with the ready to spend the night Many 24 Hours partici- over, and of the temporary Tonight is about the limits of Hydro Ottawa volunteers outside as part of Op- pants already work directly nature of their discomfort. what they can know. for a good 20 minutes about eration Come Home’s 24 with Operation Come Home: There is just no compari- mental health, housing, in- Hours For Homelessness there’s Jonathan, a volunteer son between this brief win- come inequality, fentanyl, fundraiser. She says: doorman with an enormous, dow into the life of someone Tonight is for under- safe injection sites, and the bushy beard, who has been with no place to stay and standing that homeless- remarkable success of Op- active in the fight against doing this same thing night eration Come Home’s social “This housing crisis is poverty for years. after night, in good days and ness is, literally, unimag- enterprises, the woman head- really frightening, isn’t John, from the United bad, through the worst cold inable until we have to ed back to work, with these Way, and Eric, from the Ca- snaps and the freezing rain endure it. It should be words: it?” nadian Psychological Asso- storms and the blizzards that “It’s actually all very dis- She is talking knowl- ciation, are both board mem- make up an Ottawa winter. equally unimaginable tressing, isn’t it? Every bit of edgably about the shortage bers. Katie runs the OCH that we, as a community, it.” of affordable housing, and drop-in, and Lindsay runs It can't be imagined by can allow it to continue. about how a minimum-wage the Youth Workforce Initia- The fundraising cam- job is not enough to pay for tive employment program. those who haven't had an apartment in Ottawa any Katie and Lindsay will to endure it. The 21 participants who paign remains open: more. tell you, as they are telling stuck it out raised just over OperationComeHome.ca A few years ago, unless passers-by today, that addic- In the end, that’s the feel- $13,000 for Operation Come housing troubles had affect- tion and mental health are ing these volunteers will Home, slightly short of the ed her personally, she might the same issue. take with them, along with $15,000 goal. not have stopped at all. The conversation around They’re explaining that homelessness is changing, in large part thanks to volun- the bulk of youth who teers like these. come to OCH don’t end This is the 17th year of the original 24 Hours For up on the street because Homelessness, an event cre- of drugs. Almost always, ated by Operation Come they end up on drugs Home (OCH) back when it was Operation Go Home, because of the street. operating out of a tiny office on Rideau Street. And they'll continue to In those 17 years OCH hammer home the three pri- has grown by leaps and orities for combatting home- bounds: in 2003 we were lessness: housing, ending a service that reconnected poverty, and mental health runaway youth with their services. families and provided the There have been colder homeless youth of Ottawa a years than 2020. A low of breakfast. -8 overnight and a high of 0 Katie, Lindsay, and Taylor Eric Bollman/The BUZZ Jessalyn and Lisa Eric Bollman/The BUZZ during the day is positively Today, we offer wrap- balmy for late January–in previous years the windchill around services: that at this event has reached -46. same hot breakfast, but Still, none of the participants also programs for hous- will sleep well this weekend. ing, employment, addic- It will take time to get tion counselling, mental back to normal after health assistance, and 24 hours outside, even social enterprises. in these relatively mild There is even a full- conditions. service school upstairs at the OCH building at 150 Gloucester. First-timers Alex and The awareness portion Kevin from the Public Ser- of 24 Hours For Homeless- vice Alliance of Canada, ness has had major results as Jesslyn from The Dementia well: at one time, passers-by Society, and Sara Weiss, the would lecture participants “Sass Boss”, are all finding it about the dangers of drugs, harder than they imagined it or about how all homeless would be. Young performers from School of Rock create some heat Deborah Rosenlund/The BUZZ youth needed to “get a job.” 2 AT THE HEART OF OTTAWA FEBRUARY 14 2020

Fenruary 14, 2020 — Vol. 25, No. 2 The good, the bad, and the bumpy: five that get it right

Ryan Lythall cessible bathrooms, easier- in the lobby, also wheelchair albums, rare albums, and ev- THE to-read signage for displays, accessible. erything else. They also sell or several months better lighting, and more ex- music-related merchandise CENTRETOWN I’ve been writing hibit space. Beyond The Pale Brewing and tickets for small, local about places in Cen- They’re also financially Company events. BUZZ Ftretown that aren’t wheel- accessible: the museum is 250 City Centre, Unit 106 Staff are knowledgeable, chair accessible, so this free to visit every Thursday The two front doors are friendly, and happy to help. AT THE HEART OF OTTAWA SINCE 1995. month I want to talk about from 5-8 p.m., with a fee for a little tight, but once inside, five places that are doing the special exhibits. If you it’s all good. Babylon Nightclub 101-210 Gloucester St. accessibility right—and not require an aide or companion Fully accessible, includ- 317 Bank Street Ottawa, ON just wheelchair accessibil- due to your disability, they ing the dining room and the Babylon has a portable K2P 2K4 ity. are always admitted for free. special events room in the ramp, and security and other Phone: 613-565-6012 I’ve been to all of them at back. Bathrooms are single- club staff are more than hap- least once and checked their Ottawa Art Gallery person gender-neutral and py to bring it out for you. features out myself. Some 50 MacKenzie King Bridge include a large accessible Security are great about www.centretownbuzz.com also offer accessibility infor- 10 Daly Avenue. single bathroom. checking up to make sure twitter.com/centretownbuzz mation on their websites— oaggao.ca/access-0 If you’re looking for a you’re okay. facebook.com/centretownbuzz no unpleasant surprises on For ParaTranspo: use 10 fun dining and drinking ex- At the end of the night, arrival! Daly. perience look no further than they always keep an eye out BUZZ Staff I love this place. Not just Beyond The Pale, Ottawa. for my ride and make sure Canadian Museum Of Na- because of how physically Not only do they have a wide I’m able to exit the club Managing editor ture accessible it is, with push- variety of food and beer, but safely. Marna Nightingale | [email protected] 240 Metcalfe. buttons at entrances, well- you can also arrange to get I consider Babylon a nature.ca/en/plan-your- placed elevators and wide a tour and learn about how safe space for everyone, and Associate editor visit/services-visitors/ac- open spaces, but because of they make beer, though I typically the crowd is very Eleanor Sawyer cessibility social accessibility elements haven’t taken it and can’t say diverse, which suggests I’m A beautiful building that such as gender-neutral bath- if it, too, is fully accessible. not alone in that. City Editor: looks like a castle: from the rooms and the fact that is it You can see a variety of Robert Smythe | [email protected] outside this can give you the typically very quiet, which is Vertigo Records acts at Babylon: burlesque, impression it won’t be very important if you have a soft 193 Rideau Street live bands, DJs spinning mu- Distribution manager: wheelchair-friendly, as many voice, as I do, or if you have There’s a single step sic... I always have lots of Archie Campbell historical buildings aren’t, sensory issues which make but they do have a portable fun. [email protected] but in this case, that impres- noise challenging or pain- ramp, and a staff member is The bathroom stalls sion would be false. ful, or even if you just want generally at the cash register aren’t very big, which is an The museum undertook to escape the loudness of the right by the door. issue for some people. a major renovation in 2010, world for a bit. If you’re on social media In coming months I’ll do ACKNOWLEDGEMENT which included improved ac- It’s also a great, quiet you can tell them you’ll need more lists of accessible busi- cessibility for all. place to see and support lo- the ramp and they’ll have it nesses; if you want to sug- The Centretown BUZZ is created and distributed The doors open with a cal artists. set up for you before you ar- gest a place, please do! in Centretown, Ottawa, located on traditional and button, and inside is a small Admission is free or rive. If I haven’t been there unceded Algonquin land. elevator to take you to the by donation. Some special If you’re a music fan, es- yet, I’ll be happy to check it lobby. events do require a ticket. pecially a fan of vinyl, you’ll out. The renovation included I recommend checking love this place. They have email: [email protected] NEXT ISSUE bigger elevators, more ac- out Jackson, the restaurant an amazing collection of old twitter: @rolling_enigma

The next issue of The BUZZ will be published March 13. Deadline for ads and submissions: Be a Snow Mole What’s On for February March 2.

Miriam Levitt neighbourhood, go to our Tony Wolfarth National Gallery ADVERTISING website. 380 Sussex Drive now Moles help us Organize a group: Con- ByTowne Cinema and The BUZZ is proud to offer an effective advertising gather information tact us with location, date, 294 Rideau Canadian Museum of Na- medium that reaches 10,000 Centretown homes and and report pedestri- and time and we will let lo- Bombshell ture businesses each month. Our competitive advertising rates are S an problem spots in Cen- cal Moles know! From February 17 240 McLeod as low as $31 per issue. tretown. Anyone can be a Walkers will divide into An award-winning film fea- February 17 View our rate card and publishing dates at snow mole! small groups and walk differ- turing Charlize Theron, Ni- centretownbuzz.com. For more information, email We are particularly look- ent routes. Walks are about cole Kidman, Margot Rob- Both are offering a full day [email protected] or call 613-565-6012. ing for seniors, children, and 20 minutes long. With dis- bie, Alison Janney, & John of activities for Family Day. people who use mobility de- cussion after, an audit should Lithgow, Bombshell is based vices to help us check out take about 45 minutes. on the story of Roger Ailes, Out of Town Thank you to our volunteer carriers winter walk- and roll-ability disgraced former Chairman in neighbourhoods across Fill in or download ques- of Fox News. Wakefield Doc Fest André Bigras, Archie Campbell, Bayne Pearen, Betty Ottawa. There are lots of tionnaires or find a group: 38 Chemin-de-la Vallee Gregory, Brendan Hennigan, Brent McLean, Carol Sissons, ways to be a Snow Mole. coaottawa.ca/snowmoles Canadian Film Institute All February weekends Cassidy Beers, Catharine Vandelinde, On your own: pick any Ottawa Art Gallery Catherine Boucher, Charles Akben-Marchand, Charles Now in its 11th year. Award– Gregory, Chris Edwards, Craig Layng, Colleen McGuire, day (until March 31) and Mail printed questionnaires: 50 McKenzie King Bridge David Seaborn, Debbie Barton, Diane Holmes, Don Smith, destination, ideally after a Council on Aging of Ottawa Bright Nights: The Baltic- winning new documentaries Drina Wethey, Eleanor Sawyer, Glynda Newton, Heather fall of snow, sleet, or freez- 1247 Kilborn Place Nordic Film Festival on a giant screen. February Elliott, Jennifer Bedwell, Joan Spice, Kathleen Oliver, Ken- ing rain. Ottawa February 19–26 21–23: The Silence of Oth- ney Vandelinde, Kim Malcolm, Michael Hatfield, Michael Use the Snow Mole ques- K1H 6K9 $14/$10 seniors/students. ers explores the dark days of Powell, Michelle Kirkman, Mike Gregory, Mindy tionnaire to audit your walk Bright Nights opens with Spain under Franco. Sichel, Murray Shaw, Pam Gahan, Pat Shaulis, online or to download and Sign up to lead a walk: Take It or Leave It, from Es- Patricia Marsden-Dole, Patrick Garcia, Richard Coelho, print a copy to mail. [email protected] tonia: a construction worker Tony Wohlfarth is an Ot- Robert Smythe, Ruth Barrie, Shelley Pearen, Suzanne Nash, Join a group: to find becomes a single parent. tawa-based film, arts and Venita Warren, Wendy Bennett, Wendy Hunter, Wendy other Snow Moles in your (cont on 7) entertainment writer. Sewell, Zsofia Orosz.

To join our distribution team, please call 613-565-6012 or email Looking for a good home? [email protected]

The Centretown BUZZ is published by the Centretown BUZZ Board of Directors, a group consisting of community members representing all residents of Centretown.

Robert Smythe Ottawa’s new light rail most severe weather by trains have turned out to employing a variety of snow All photos from the City of be winter wimps. Our rapid removal technologies—draft Ottawa Archives and from transit system of yore was horses, ingenious mechanical Library and Archives Canada. made of sterner stuff: it devices, snow shovels, and operated in all but the brute force.

Cleared for action: the Bank Street run in 1911

The Ottawa Electric Street Railway’s sweeper number 2 leaves the OESR car barn, 1892

Manual shovelling into horse-drawn snow sleighs on Sparks Street, 1892

The CPR & Rideau Street car conquers snowy mountains at Queen and Kent, 1891 Snow removal via conveyor into improvised snow trucks at Bank and Sparks, 1944 4 AT THE HEART OF OTTAWA FEBRUARY 14 2020 Planet of the Scapes Winter Mix: the new normal isn’t Stephen Thirlwall able for a few days, espe- Unpredictability makes Pearl Pirie Dessert: Drunk Bananas cially at intersections, where planning snow-clearing op- Once overripe bananas e are living pedestrians had to climb or erations difficult, but from on’t let the recent start stacking up in the freez- in the time of jump over snowbanks cre- what I have seen in Cen- ubiquity of kale er, Something Must Be Done. W global climate ated by road plows, and only tretown, the will to clear the D put you off—have This tasty solution makes its change. This is a transi- a high volume of pedestrian streets has been high. you tried it in a grilled own sauce as it cooks. tional period; things are traffic kept sidewalks on The city’s fleets have cheese sandwich? It wilts To get the flesh out neatly, unpredictable both in terms main roads walkable. cleared, salted, sanded, and and adds great flavour. thaw bananas, then snip the of weather and in terms of As for removal, the kept open at least a central non-stem end and squeeze instability in the political trucks came out a few times path on every street and Main Dish: Kale Salad out the flesh and juice. and economic climates. but for much of the winter completely cleared all lanes The star of this month’s All of these affect how there were berms up to and on the main arterial roads. recipe is an amazing tamari Preheat oven to 450 F we cope with our local cli- over six feet tall. The berms Removal operations be- dressing. Jean-Marie Sem- In a loaf or cake pan, lightly mate, including how we narrowed driveway open- gan just a few days after the pels, a beekeeper in Pontiac, mash manage snow plowing and ings and made it difficult for last heavy snow and were Quebec, shared the recipe 2 previously frozen bananas removal. cars to get in and out. Larger very efficiently carried out: with me at a Wakefield Mar- and sprinkle with Seasons no longer follow banks grew rock-hard at the three days after the snow- ket tasting event. 1 T white sugar the patterns we once consid- core under their own weight. fall, Centretown’s streets and 1 T butter ered normal; two winters can Residents who didn’t sidewalks were all clear. Pearl Pirie/The BUZZ Salad Next, whisk together: be very different from one have to go out often stayed It is interesting to observe 6 C kale, torn into bite-sizes 1 t corn starch another now. home. how priorities in street clear- pieces 2 T whiskey (Sortilege is Pearl Pirie’s fourth poetry Last winter, the winter of While money was saved ing are set: main streets and 1/2 C slivered almonds good in this) collection, footlights, is our discontent, saw regular on plowing and snow remov- high-traffic roads are done 2 T toasted sesame seeds coming out in the fall of moderate to heavy snowfalls, al, streets and sidewalks not first, of course, followed 1 apple, diced Pour mixture over bananas 2020 with Radiant Press. alternating with several peri- properly cleared developed by other important access Dressing and bake for 18-20 minutes, Watch for her haiku chap- ods of deep cold. extensive damage by spring. streets, such as those leading Combine in a saucepan: or until the bananas start to book, Not Quite Dawn, Ottawa’s ability to get So had many residents, to hospitals. 1/4 C tahini brown. from éditions des petits snow clearing vehicles out whether due to falls from go- Remaining streets may 3 T apple cider vinegar Remove from oven and im- nuages in the spring. See on the roads changes with ing out or to the isolating ef- not be completely cleared 2 T maple syrup mediately pour 2 T of honey all her books and sign up the budget; decisions on fects of staying in. until a week or so after a 1 minced garlic clove or maple syrup over the ba- for her newsletter at www. whether to plow and sand Sometimes temperatures big snowfall. By then, more Pinch of ground cayenne nanas. pearlpirie.com now or wait a few days or a rose suddenly, leading to snow may have fallen. 4 T hot water Transfer to serving plates. week for a thaw are made as flooding and to the expense If we compare our situ- Serve plain or with ice cream much by the bottom line as of teams sent out to remove ation to that of other com- Heat briefly on medium, or yogurt. by the forecast. packed snow and ice from munities across Canada we whisking constantly, just The city made it clear in catch-basins. haven’t had it so bad this until tahini liquifies and mix- the winter of 2018-19 that So far this winter (the winter, though we may yet ture is smooth. Pour over funding for snow removal winter of our great uncer- have a serious storm in Feb- prepared greens. was very limited, and this tainty), we have had it easier, ruary or March. was reflected in the lack of with lower snowfall levels. It will be interesting to regular plowing and clearing Instead, we seem to be see how the city handles of many streets. trapped in endless cycles of snow-clearing when our luck The plows did a good job of rain, then freezing rain, next runs out. on light snow days, but were some snowfall, and then a not out as often as they need- few cold, clear days. ed to be to cope with heavy It is the year of “winter snowfalls. mix”: one day, or even one Catherine Essential thoroughfares hour, it hails; next, our faces were cleared, but side streets are stung by ice. The next McKenney such as Gilmour were more day can bring rain, or sleet, City Councillor rarely visited. or soft, fluffy snow. One day for Somerset Ward Many sidewalks and the temperature plummets some roads were never to -15° or even -30°, only to plowed down to the surface; rise to +6° the next. thick undercoats of ice de- As I write this the weath- veloped on which new snow er seems to have settled into settled, making sidewalks days of moderate cold with Kathryn Hunt/The BUZZ Keep in touch! uneven and unsafe. sunny breaks, interrupted by A. J. Raffles prefers to stay Following heavy snow- short bouts of assorted pre- For the latest news on falls, sidewalks were unus- cipitation. inside with a good book Somerset Ward, sign up for my newsletter on my website and follow me on social media:

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cmckenney14 The plow has been, but the snow remains Finally, the signs go up...

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The big trucks come in the night... Clear streets! All photos Stephen Thirlwall/The BUZZ FEBRUARY 14 2020 AT THE HEART OF OTTAWA 5 When the Cold War came to Centretown: Andrew Kavchak remembers the Gouzenkos

Marna Nightingale ers, always, one wrong step On September 5 Gouzen- on the excuse that he had kos shelter the new relation- The Soviet agents de- away from tragedy. ko left the embassy at his fallen ill. His exact fate re- ship between Canada and the parted, and the family took met up with Andrew The apartments at 511 usual time, with an unusual mains unknown. U.S.S.R. would suffer. He refuge with another neigh- Kavchak at the Art Somerset were built after a burden: 109 secret documents Kavchak stresses that the needed to know if this was bour, in apartment six. Main I House cafe, on the cor- fire in 1941 destroyed the he intended to turn over to Gouzenkos knew the risks for real first. Gouzenko was returned with police officers ner of the block of Somer- buildings that had occupied Canadian authorities. they were taking, and the sent away, but two Mounties Walsh and McCulloch, who set West where, in 1945, the block. It’s changed very The documents contained price of failure; knew, too, were assigned to tail him to were skeptical of the story, Igor Gouzenko’s defec- little since: sturdy, plain, evidence that Soviet spies that once Igor left the em- see if he was the real thing. but agreed to keep watch tion from the Soviet Union blocky, built amid wartime had infiltrated the Canadian bassy they were committed. He returned home to rest from the park. marked the beginning—at shortages and an urgent need government, and those of Desperately afraid he and consult with Svetlana. If there was further trou- least for the West—of the for housing. other Allied nations, at very would be found and killed That afternoon from their ble, they said, the family Cold War. Gouzenko, a cipher high levels. Gouzenko hoped in the street, Gouzenko re- window the Gouzenkos saw should flick their bathroom Kavchak, a life-long am- clerk at the Soviet Embassy, these secrets would both turned to the apartment and the Mounties on a bench in light, easy to see from the ateur historian, has written lived in apartment four with alert the world to its danger gave the documents to Svet- the park. Thinking them So- park, rapidly on and off. extensively about both the his wife Svetlana and their and buy Canadian protection lana to conceal. viet agents, they assumed According to Kavchak, Gouzenko Affair and his ef- young son Andrei. for himself, Svetlana, and they were now trapped in the officers then, or soon af- forts to have it recognized in Igor and Svetlana arrived their children. “I could not receive an offi- their apartment. ter, left the area. No one quite the place where it happened. in Centretown in 1943 full of Gouzenko was wary, cial from a friendly embassy They weren’t—then. But knows when the Mounties Because of Andrew Ka- carefully-instilled Soviet be- afraid to trust a government later that afternoon, Stalin’s left, but they, too, were gone vchak’s determination, two liefs about the West. Those agency. He knew the code- bearing tales of the kind secret police came to Cen- when the Soviets returned plaques now stand in Dun- ideas were immediately chal- names of the traitors and he had described...” Louis tretown. that night. donald Park—one erected by lenged by life in Centretown, infiltrators, but not their real St-Laurent As Soviet agents pound- Again they banged on the the City of Ottawa, the other where friendly neighbours names, nor the names they ed on the apartment door, Gouzenko’s apartment door; by the Government of Cana- spoke their minds freely. were using. The next morning Igor Igor and Svetlana froze into Main heard the commotion da—honouring the Gouzen- Gouzenko learned through He went first to the Ot- Gouzenko returned to the silence. Two-year-old An- and came out to say the fam- kos and commemorating the his work in Ottawa that the tawa Journal. Journal and spoke with re- drei squirmed loose and ran ily had gone away. events of those world-shak- Soviet spying apparatus had porter Elizabeth Fraser. across the floor. The efforts In apartment six the ing days. penetrated even the Man- “The first words he spoke Again, he was turned to gain entry redoubled. bathroom light flickered— His new book, Remem- hattan Project—the U.S.S.R were: ‘It’s war. It’s Russia’. away. Desperate, Gouzenko left and drew no response. The bering Gouzenko: the strug- was targeting atomic secrets. He returned to the Minis- the apartment via the back neighbour phoned the police. gle to honour a Cold War This he found unsettling. Well, that didn’t ring a bell try of Justice, where he was door. He found RCAF Sgt. Walsh and McCulloch hero, is available through The 1945 federal election with me because World War kept waiting for two hours, Harold Main, from apart- returned to find the Soviet Amazon in paperback and as was the last straw. Igor and II was over and we were not only to be told the minister, ment five, standing on his agents, who had broken the an e-book. Svetlana were shocked by at war with Russia.” Chester Louis St-Laurent, would not balcony. Gouzenko rapidly lock, inside the Gouzenkos’ The Gouzenko Affair—the the political conversations, Frowde see him. In those two hours explained the situation. apartment. defection of Igor Gouzenko even arguments, they heard St-Laurent had contacted As the two men spoke a (cont on 8) with documentary proof of in the street and read in the The Journal’s night edi- Prime Minister Mackenzie- man came up the back lane. the degree to which Soviet papers. The freedom with tor, Chester Frowde, was King and advised him to take They both agreed he looked intelligence agents had pen- which Canadians criticized skeptical. He listened to the Gouzenko seriously and of- like a Soviet agent. etrated the governments of their government was the fi- story told, in careful English, fer him protection. Convinced of the danger, their supposed allies—up- nal proof: the Soviet story of by this quiet, frightened man. The PM was reluctant; if Main set off on his bicycle ended the wartime alliance life in the West had to be lies. Then he told Gouzenko to go Canada offered the Gouzen- for the police station. between the Soviets and the In the summer of 1945 the to the police, or to come back “the West” just three short Gouzenkos, now expecting the next day. days after the surrender of their second child, learned Instead, Gouzenko went Japan. their posting was coming to to the Ministry of Justice, It all began—and might an end; they would be return- arriving at midnight. The have abruptly and tragical- ing to the Soviet Union. RCMP officers on guard What makes ly ended—in a nondescript Igor and Svetlana con- duty turned him away. brick apartment building on ducted their serious conver- That same week, half Faulkner Real Estate different? Somerset Street, where the sations about their future a world away, Konstantin Gouzenko family were shel- while playing with Andrei in Volkov, Vice Consul for the tered and assisted by their Dundonald Park—the same Soviet Union in Istanbul, ap- Not All brokerages Are the Same Canadian neighbours as the park where Andrew Kaychek proached British Intelligence NKVD (People’s Commis- would later take his own son offering the real names of Since our inception in 2000 Faulkner Real Estate has taken sariat for Internal Affairs) at- —for fear their apartment three Soviet agents working a firm stand against Brokerages representing both buyer and seller tempted to break down their was bugged. in Britain. during negotiations on a property. Say “no” to conflict of interest. door. British Intelligence took Kavchak’s new book tells “September 5, 1945, during him seriously enough to Faulkner Real Estate offers progressive compensation options the story of those two days as bring in the head of the Rus- the long walk from ... Som- to reflect time taken to sell and value of the property. Flat fee he was told it by Evy Wilson, sian Section—Kim Philby, and traditional percentage options are available. the child with whom Svetla- erset Street to Range Road, exposed as a Soviet agent in na was pregnant during those I came as close to becoming 1963. Faulkner Real Estate represents the Seller’s interests terrifying days. Sometimes a a hero as I ever will.” Igor Volkov was returned to by personally responding to all inquiries. thriller, sometimes almost a Gouzenko the U.S.S.R. later that week, comedy, it’s a story that hov- his head heavily bandaged,

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COMMUNITY OFFICE CATHERINE 107 Catherine Street, Ottawa, ON Faulkner Real Estate Ltd. is Donating 100% 613.946.8682 | [email protected] McKENNA of Winter Profits to Our Community /Catherine.McKenna @CathMcKenna @CathMcKennaOttCen 6 AT THE HEART OF OTTAWA FEBRUARY 14 2020

Tenants’ Legal Rights CCA Report March 11 Aging? Positively! My Word Jack Hanna 6:00 p.m. All of the poems of this maintaining a flexible and Centretown Community Health Denise Linnay first section made for de- resilient attitude and spirit, Lost my word Community Conversation Centre at McLaughlin’s Ag- lightful reading. “Sting of my Regret” about How absurd February 25 420 Cooper Street ing: The best alter- The title In Between in- acceptance and self-forgive- It was just there 6:30-8:30 p.m. Do you have issues with P native is a beautiful, trigues, and the section fluc- ness; “Life” about the im- under my hair Carleton Dominion-Chalmers a landlord? It helps to know upbeat book of poems on tuates between mature ques- portance of boundaries; and Now it’s gone Centre your rights and how to get growing older. tioning (“Who am I?”) and “Achoo” about right attitude Damnation Dr. Vera Etches, Ottawa’s action. University of Ottawa I love the division of the childish glee (“Ice cream”). and light-heartedness. Tongue to brain Chief Medical Officer of law students will help renters material into three sections: My favourite in this She has captured the must regain Health, is the point person understand their rights and Aging, In Between, and Be- section is “Millennial’s how-to of aging beautifully. word power hustling to ready this city to how to deal with problematic yond. Lament”, because of my “Let Me Go”, the first this hour deal with the coronavirus. landlords in an upcoming For me, these echo the frequent encounters with poem in And Beyond, poi- Can’t talk She has told the city that workshop. natural progression, the pro- ageism and my difficulty gnantly shifts the focus to the Must stalk public health officials are A study commissioned cess of adjusting to aging in effectively navigating contemplation of life’s end- a synonym communicating with health by the city last year found and to moving towards one’s through them. ing–a most excellent choice Feeling dim care workers across Ottawa that among Ottawa renters’ dying. It is a reminder, when se- to begin this section! Mind is blank to make sure potential cases biggest complaints were “Adagio” and “Behold” niors are so often devalued And Beyond is my fa- dark and dank of coronavirus are spotted cockroaches and bed bugs. had me thinking and laugh- in our society, that worth vourite section, because it’s early. Should any cases arise Some landlords don’t do ing—the first because it chal- does not diminish with age. where I am in my process- Sometime later here, Etches adds, there are needed repairs: legally, rent- lenged me to question my It delivers a powerful mes- ing. I loved every single the traitor rigorous procedures to iso- ers do not have to live with values and perspective and sage for all of us, regardless poem, especially “A Death appears late and treat them. electrical plugs or smoke de- the second because it was of which rung our hands are Doula?”. and jeers The new Chief of Police, tectors that don’t work. fun, fun, fun. clasping on the age ladder. I plan to make a copy of Time has past Peter Sloly, has just finished “Renoviction” is another My favourite (in this sec- In Between talks about each poem in this section, to Feeling cast his first 100 days as police scourge. A landlord gets tion) is “My Word”—word moving beyond seeing one- be part of my bedside sup- into old hood chief. It’s been a whirlwind. around rent-control restric- gaps are frequent events for self as an old person, about port tools for my daughters, which isn’t good Sloly inherited a force tions by telling a tenant she me. discovering grace in new friends, and family when riven by internal strife and has to leave because her unit I usually become frus- attitudes and perspective on they come to say their final Alas! morale problems. He’s been needs extensive renovations. trated, unlike Pat McLaugh- what it means to grow older. good-byes. trying to build good will The landlord then rents to a lin who takes them in stride The review of regrets, as Part of my instructions ©2019 Pat McLaughlin. internally, as well as chang- new tenant at a much higher as inevitable, as evidenced well as of delights, reinforce will be that these are to be ing how the police go about rent. in her sigh of “Alas!” and the richness of life and of read aloud to me, especially their work. Sloly is institut- The students will answer the “the traitor appears and lessons learned makes “Who “Oh, Hell!”, to release any Aging: The Best ing “community policing” in questions and give advice. jeers”. am I?” a soulful and fitting tension or worry about what Alternative can be pur- high-crime areas, including This poem, written out conclusion to this section. lies on the other side of Centretown. Officers will Heritage Day on an index card, will be kept McLaughlin touches on death’s door. chased from the poet: remain in a neighbourhood Ottawa City Hall handy to lighten up those se- so many aspects, in In Be- I treasure this book and pamclaughlin600@ for years, patrolling on foot. February 18 nior slips of the tongue. tween, of the realization that admire McLaughlin’s cour- He has shuffled the police 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. “Time Past” asks whether one is old and reaching one’s age and audacity in writing gmail.com. budget to find money to hire History buffs will want to the best years are gone, and death. “May I be Me with honestly about the mysteries 100 new officers and he’s pop into the City of Ottawa’s is immediately answered by Gusto” has become my wish- of aging and dying in a soci- relaunching the hate-crimes Heritage Day. “No Limit”, while “Note to list of how to be; “Need a ety where, often, neither are unit. More than 40 groups will my Body” creates a smooth Getaway” reminds me about discussed. Come and meet Etches have displays about their transition into the middle self-care. and Sloly on February 25. work and Ottawa’s past. section, In Between. “Sandbanks” speaks of Montgomery Legion: a cornerstone of MPP report: Joel Harden As I write this people their rooming house set up a gested changing the defini- Centretown are sleeping in cars, bus tent city. tion of disability which de- terminals, and fast food res- Jack Layton used to say termines eligibility for the Deborah Rosenlund By 1946, with continued that the branch offers, with taurants. Shelters are over- that homelessness is unac- program. he Royal Canadian growth in membership, the plenty of rooms and ample capacity every night: some ceptable in our society; it We heard directly from Legion Montgom- Legion was able to re-locate space for community activi- clients end up sleeping in seems we’re beginning to people how this will hurt T ery Branch 351, to the second and third floors ties. waiting room chairs. accept it. We can and must them and could result in located in the heart of of 199 Queen Street. Dances, banquets, recep- Almost 100 people sleep do better. people being forced off of Centretown, is a source of- Revenue from bar sales, tions, Friday night karaoke, outside every night in Ot- ODSP Town Hall ODSP and on to Ontario community pride. membership fees and other bingos, and dart and card tawa. This moral outrage is On January 16 we hosted Works, with a 40% reduc- It’s a place where mem- sources led to a permanent tournaments, busy meeting only the tip of the iceberg: a forum for Ontario Disabil- tion in benefits bers connect, serve the com- home in a three-storey 19th- rooms used by various com- over 12,000 households are ity Support Program recipi- We will continue to work munity, celebrate together, century red brick at 330 munity and service organiza- waiting for subsidized hous- ents to discuss the Ford gov- with ACORN, Community and remember those who Kent. tions — all fit comfortably ing. Around 8,000 people ernment’s proposed changes Legal Services, and others to have died in service to our By the 60s the old brick alongside lively discussion use shelters. to ODSP. push this government not to nation. building needed consider- over a drink in the bar loung- Last month Toronto saw In addition to reducing impose more restrictive cri- It’s a place where you able upkeep and mainte- es. their 1000th known home- a 3% rate increase to 1.5% teria, but to enhance ODSP encounter a steadfast com- nance, and it was decided to If you haven’t done so less death. In Ottawa, people (well below inflation), the so that recipients can live mitment to honouring those tear it down and rebuild. already, do drop in to the Le- left homeless by a fire at Ford government has sug- full and dignified lives. who still stand to protect the The only portion of the gion! freedoms we enjoy. building left standing is the The Legion has always southwest section, still in use montgomerylegion.ca been a place where people today: had the entire building care about others. The Cana- been torn down, city bylaws Joel Harden dian Legion was organized would have forced the legion in 1925 for veterans from the to provide additional park- MPP, Ottawa Centre European theatre of war. ing. In 1944 a dozen or so During the reconstruc- Our office is here for you with: organizers formed a new tion temporary quarters were branch in Ottawa, with tem- provided through the kind- Monthly Town Halls Canvasses porary quarters at the Belle ness of the Army, Navy and Community Organizing Claire Hotel on Queen Street. Air Force Veterans Unit at Help Accessing Government Monthly meetings were held 100 Lyon Street. Services (such as housing, in the basement. In June of 1964 the new ODSP/OW, healthcare, OSAP The branch received its branch was officially opened etc.) charter on June 13, 1945, by Governor-General Georg- Connect with us and let's get organized! and was named Montgomery es Vanier, with Mayor Char- Branch in honour of Field lotte Whitton also present. Joel H arden 109 Catherine St. / rue P: 613-722-6414 Marshal Bernard L. Mont- MPP / Député provincial, Catherine E: [email protected] Ottawa Centre gomery of Alamein. Today we still enjoy all Ottawa, ON K2P 0P4 www.joelharden.ca FEBRUARY 14 2020 AT THE HEART OF OTTAWA 7

Responding to climate Volunteering at CCHC: connecting with community Snow Moles change (cont from 2) In the winter of 2018- Berkley Robinson at ease. In class my teacher vocacy and Communication community. I’ve enjoyed Highlights from 2019’s Snow 19 we experienced record explained the inner workings Action Team. The team, new opportunities, learnt Mole Report: snow falls, major winter n November of 2016 I of depression and anxiety, which is run out of the Cen- new skills, and discovered 225 Snow Moles, 66% se- storms and over 60 freeze- felt lost. I was strug- helping us to understand that tre, aims to respond to im- more about Centretown. The niors, completed a question- thaw cycles that led to icy and I gling with depression it wasn’t our fault. For the portant health equity and more I connected with my naire. treacherous roads, pathways and anxiety and was off first time, I didn’t feel bro- social issues that impact the neighbourhood, the more 80.6% said sidewalks were un- and sidewalks, particularly work and on disability. All ken. Instead, I felt like there lives and well-being of our love and compassion I felt safe—icy, not well ploughed, in residential areas. After a I wanted was to feel better. was a real solution, a way to community. for its residents. I’m hap- sanded or salted. second year of massive spring I had heard about mind- accept my depression while I learned about issues pier, less stressed, and proud 54% said they could not get flooding Ottawa City -Coun fulness, the practice of bring- still working to overcome it. faced by people in my com- to contribute to something to a destination because of cil voted overwhelmingly on ing and maintaining your At the same time, I munity and all over Canada. meaningful, and all for just dangerous conditions at bus April 24, 2019, to declare a focus on the present and ac- learned about so many I was better informed ahead a few hours a month. Volun- stops and intersections or climate emergency. cepting it without judgement. CCHC programs that I had of the election and comfort- teering has been transforma- on pathways, sidewalks and We believe that dealing I found some free classes at never known existed in my able speaking to friends tive for me, and it can be for roads. with walkability in winter the Centretown Community community—counselling, about serious issues. I also you, too. Many reported falls on their must be part of showing that Health Centre (CCHC) and health programs, diabetes felt my compassion for the walks: some were treated Ottawa is serious about pro- I decided to attend one. This programs, the Good Food people around me grow. Learn more about volunteer at emergency departments. tecting citizens from the im- one small decision changed Box, and so many more. Best of all, through CCHC opportunities at CCHC: Most were not officially re- pacts of climate change, and the course of my life. The warm way CCHC I am able to proudly serve VolunteerProgram@cen- ported. about being an age-friendly From the moment I welcomed me made me want the community I have called tretownchc.org Many said a fear of falling city. walked into CCHC, I felt to be more involved with the home for five years. (613) 233-4443 xt 2249 kept them indoors. appreciated and valued. The centre, and with my commu- I’ve learned that volun- Most older residents needed Miriam Levitt is a resident volunteers were friendly, the nity. teering is a reciprocal rela- Learn more about CCHC to use ice grips on their boots of Centretown and is co- employees were knowledge- Shortly after beginning tionship, one which benefits workshops and events: and/or walking poles. Many chair of the Age-Friendly able, and the space put me my classes I joined the Ad- both the volunteer and the www.centretownchc.org said they were “necessary Pedestrian Walkability and mobility aids”. Safety Committee of the See the full report at: Council on Aging of Ottawa. Tap water: as good for you as it is good for the planet coaottawa.ca/transportation/

Richie Allen Thirsty people on Elgin can project–the Blue W Campaign. de bouteilles d’eau gratuit. eter Abraham, owner have their bottles filled with This project hopes to en- Stores posting this decal of Sir John A Pub on tap water at Sir John A’s Pub. courage Ottawa residents to will offer tap water refills P Elgin Street, along Bottled water is a major carry their own reusable wa- without requiring a purchase. with Councillor Catherine contributor to the single-use ter containers, and to drink There are already many McKenney, are working to plastics problem, a major en- municipal tap water. stores in Ottawa offering this reduce single-use plastic vironmental hazard. The campaign is asking service, and the number con- water bottles in Ottawa. Ottawa City Council local store owners to pro- tinues to grow. They hope to do this has pledged to eliminate all mote the use of Ottawa’s ex- It’s a small but meaning- by promoting the virtues single-use plastics in munici- cellent municipal tap water ful part of the growing move- of Ottawa’s tap water—and pal buildings. Now the Ottawa by posting a Blue W decal. ment to create a more livable by making it easier to get it Water Study/Action Group Decals will say: Free wa- environment for us all. Enquire within for tap water: Abraham and Diane Holmes/The BUZZ when you’re out and about. (OWSAG) is supporting a new ter bottle refills/Remplissage McKenney outside the Sir John A Pub on Elgin Street 8 AT THE HEART OF OTTAWA FEBRUARY 14 2020 THE BUZZ CALENDAR OF EVENTS February 16 March 3 walks through Ottawa, and Information on GST / HST The Capital Comic Book Dance to big band sounds 1:30–3:30 p.m. 12:00–2:00 p.m. & wrap up with food back at Canada Child Benefit Convention will bring to- with the Two Beats Ahead Family Day Drag Extravaganza 5:30–7:30 p.m. the Shaw Centre. Disability Tax Credit, and gether comic collectors and Jazz Band. Come early to Ottawa Public Library Democrats Abroad Global US more! retailers from Eastern On- meet some guide dogs in 120 Metcalfe Street Presidential Primary February 24 Don’t miss out on this op- tario and Quebec. It offers training. The music starts at Free Senate Tavern 7–9 p.m. portunity to know more a marketplace with a wide 8:00 p.m. 33 Clarence Street All ages! Drag Queen and Leather Care and Repair about what you could be selection of vendors for Volunteer Story Time, fol- Ottawa Tool Library eligible to benefit from! US Citizens in Ottawa, collectors and enthusiasts. lowed by kid-friendly Drag 250 City Centre Ave, Bay 216 The presentation will be in come vote in the Global Have a community event 101 lesson and craft time, ottawatoollibrary.com/ English, but the presenter is Presidential Primary. This April 4 you’d like us to list? ending with performances bilingual. will be both an official vot- 7:30 p.m. Let us know at mini queens, kings, and Getting the salt out of win- ing location and a Super Two Beats Ahead Jazz Band [email protected] royals can join to flaunt ter boots and condition- February 26 Tuesday viewing party. Orchard View Centre their new skills. Venue is ing leather items is a great 6:30p.m.-9 p.m. 6346 Deermeadow Drive accessible. way to keep them going for In Discussion with Jesse Thistle March 8 $20 advance/$25 door many years. Join leather- National Arts Centre 11:00 a.m–5:00 p.m. 613-692-7777. Coldest Night of the Year worker Beth as she shows 1 Elgin Street Capital Comic Book Convention guidedogs.ca February 22 you how to bring those Rossy Pavilion Delta Marriott 4–8 p.m. salty boots back to life! opl.org 101 Lyon Street Shaw Centre Bring something you’d like $6/$2 adults/kids 55 Colonel By Drive to work on; leather cleaning Join the Ottawa Public Li- cnoy.org supplies will be provided. brary for a conversation with Jesse Thistle, a rising A family-friendly walk with 26 February Indigenous scholar and Cold War in Centretown the Ottawa Mission to raise 1:30–3:30 p.m. 2020 Canada Reads con- (cont from 5) The next morning, they and the habit of secrecy the money for people experi- Info Session with Canada tender about his bestselling returned, this time to escort Gouzenkos had to acquire encing homelessness and Revenue Agency memoir, From the Ashes: Vitali Pavlov, the leader the Gouzenko family to never truly left them or their hunger in our communities. 200 Elgin Street, Suite 903 My Story of Being Métis, of the intruders, assured the RCMP headquarters. children. Things kick off with a fun Free, registration required Homeless and Finding My officers there was no cause Gouzenko, at last, was Even after the couple’s party at the Shaw Centre, infosessioncra.eventbrite.ca/ Way. Please register for this for concern. This was an being taken seriously and deaths—Igor’s in 1982, followed by 2, 5, and 10K event. internal, diplomatic matter: given shelter. Svetlana’s in 2001—their they were merely looking Centretown’s role in the grave was unmarked until for vital papers, they had story was at an end—until 2004. the Gouzenkos’ permission 1999, when Andrew Ka- to enter the apartment, the vchak, on parental leave and “To be able to say my apartment was “Russian spending his days at Dun- property” anyway. donald Park, playing with name and ‘Gouzenko’ The police were unper- his son and looking in fasci- is a wonderful thing” suaded. If Pavlov had the nation at the building where Gouzenkos’ permission to he knew so much had begun, Alexandra (Gouzenko) enter, why did they not also began his five-year quest to Boire have their keys? see the Gouzenkos properly Still, diplomats were in- remembered at the site. Nonetheless, when I volved and so the two po- Kavchak’s story is shot asked Andrew Kavchak what licemen called for a higher- through with politics at the he thought the Gouzenkos ranking officer. An inspector global and local levels and would say if they could see arrived and listened to the with personal aftermaths of where we are now, 75 years conflicting stories. He told world-shaking events. after that earthshaking week, the Soviets to stay put while Woven through it, too, nearly 30 after the strangely he returned to the station to is the story of his growing quiet end of the U.S.S.R, he seek further orders. friendship with Evy Wilson. said firmly that neither Svet- Instead, the agents de- Life in exile was hard for lana nor Igor ever regretted parted, as did Walsh and Mc- the couple, and for their chil- their choice. Jane Innuaraq was in town for Winterlude Judith Gustafsson Culloch. dren. Svetlana’s remaining And if anyone would family in the USSR suffered know, it’s him. He wrote the for the couple’s defection, book. Seventeen Voyces presents Carissimi’s Jeptha

Karen Junke Joining us are two former and operatic pieces—includ- choral works. members of Seventeen Voy- ing oratorio—from the Ba- Marie Bouchard, another February 28 ces, soprano Bronwyn Thies- roque to the modern. early music fan and well- 7:30 p.m. Thompson, now of Montreal, He teaches music at the known member of the Ot- St. Matthew’s Anglican and tenor Dillion Parmer, University of Ottawa. tawa Baroque Consort, will 217 First Avenue now living in Toronto, along Olivier Henchiri, cellist, play harpsichord and organ. $30/$20 students with Ottawa Baroque Con- has been a strong advocate Rounding out the pro- www.seventeenvoyces.ca sort cellist Olivier Henchiri for early music in Ottawa for gram are works by two of and harpsichordist and or- over a decade. Carissimi’s Baroque con- One of the first oratorios of ganist Marie Bouchard. He founded and directs temporaries—Claudio Mon- the Italian Renaissance–a Bronwyn Thies-Thomp- the Ottawa Baroque Consort teverdi’s Magnificat for 6 moving story of war and son is a young soprano with and regularly collaborates Voices and Antonio Calda- the sacrifice of an innocent. an affinity for early music, with local choirs on Baroque ra’s Magnificat for 16 Voices. sought after for solid and iacomo Carissimi inspired performances as a (1605-1674) was a soloist and in small vocal en- G composer and mu- sembles. sician of the Renaissance She regularly performs and early Baroque period, and records with Daniel Tay- associated with the emer- lor’s Theatre of Early Mu- gence of the oratorio. sic and with Trinity Choir. Seventeen Voyces will Dillon Parmer is a sensi- bring Carissimi’s celebration tive interpreter of early music of Jeptha, from the Bible’s as well as a keen interpreter book of Judges, to life un- of the avant-garde. Over his der the direction of Kevin career he has expanded his Bronwyn Thies-Thompson Dillon Parmer Andrew Kavchak in Dundonald Park Marna Nightingale/The BUZZ Reeves. repertoire to include concert