Inside, 20% off an entree at The Exchange Pub & Restaurant!

Delivered to 10,000 homes, apartments and businesses each month • May 14, 2010 • Vol. 15 No. 5 • We cover downtown best!

Entertainment.... Buzz talks to CBC's Lucy Van Nathan Hoedeman's last The Tulip Festival is here. Oldenbarneveld Backyard Beat Little angels honour Lucy tells reporter Michelle Nathan is leaving policing and Canadian veterans. Anne Olsen why she loves sums up the artcles that he has What to do this month. living in Centretown. written for the Buzz in the past. p6 onwards p3 p14

Also inside... Buzz Bites restaurant review and reader offer, tea sandwich recipe, p2. Housing for Centretown seniors, p3. Groundbreaking on Somerset Street for the new Chinese arch, p4. Asian heritage month, p5. Korean ballet troop honour Canadian war veterans, events in Centretown this month, the Tulip Festival kicks off, p6-8. PPRA report, p9. Celebrating years of car sharing, p10. Education with Sandra Derby, Canterbury High School and Jennifer McKenzie, p11. DCA report, p12. CCCA report, p13. Buzz from the officials, Paul Dewar, NDP Member of Parliament, talks about creating your Ottawa; Yasir Naqvi, Liberal MPP, discusses affordable drugs for Ontarians; and Nathan Hoedeman says goodbye, p14-15. David Gladstone's lastest Take on Centretown column, p16. Centretown is growing with new developments By Sa r a h Ho y

Centretown in growing with devel- take advantage of the growing Centretown i t a l p opments taking place on many streets. population. a C New condos, hotels and stores are opening Holmes stated: “These developments r b a n throughout Somerset Ward. fit into the neighbourhood and it is good U b y City Councilor, Diane Holmes said: “It to have more people downtown because shows that this is a great neighbourhood to that supports our retail commercial streets r o v i d e d p live in and to move to because Centretown like Elgin and Bank and Somerset, to some

has everything. It has great pedestrian degree. Those businesses on those streets h o t o access, good for cycling, great community are doing better now [who] there are more P centres, cultural activities and lots of restau- people that can access them easily.” rants and shopping. With the canal nearby, Holmes spoke positively about new it really is a wonderful location.” developments: “Generally it [the develop- Bank Street is back in business and the ments] is very positive and it certainly adds eco-friendly Urban Capital Central project to a very vibrant Centretown, which is (Bank and McLeod) is set to complement what we want. We want weekend activity the area and give local businesses an eco- and evening activity.” nomic boost, adding to their successful There are a few concerns with new Mondrian project on Bank and Laurier. buildings, Holmes noted: “We have some “Our developments have a reputation local fights about height. Some of the and track record for both belonging to and height is too high, but for the most part, shaping their neighbourhoods, typically set- most of the developers want to build within ting the trend in new urban areas. We see the present zoning and want to comple- centretown as a neighbourhood that has ment the neighbourhood. We only have a Above: How the eco-friendy Urban Capital Central Building will look, once completed, on it all. Central is the perfect fit for seek- couple of developments that are interested Bank and McLeod. ers of modern design and urban living,” in extended height.” said David Wex, Urban Capital Property She continued: “What we need with moving in.” unobstructed views of Parliament Hill Group. many new people moving to town is more Sparks Street is another street that is which will be sure to attract new business Gerry Lepage, Bank Street BIA, added: greenspace. We need a new park, in some growing. Holmes stated: “We need more to the shopping street. “Condo developments like Central are rede- cases, wider sidewalks and we are working people going down Sparks Street. If we The Tulip Festival launched this year's fining and transforming Centretown. These on better bicycle lanes. So there is some could get more activity on Sparks Street activities on Sparks and festivals such as types of developments are an essential need for investment in the environment. If that would be useful. But it is all improving the Rib and Busker Fests always attract component in the continuing revitalization we have more families coming back then greatly and I think the neighbourhood is crowds. of the nation’s capital.” we need to have more playgrounds for chil- really doing well.” Centretown is a vibrant, cultured and New stores and services are also thriv- dren…. If we have 5,000 new people with- Just recently, the Re Hotel and busy area, which is growing, attracting new ing, such as the Saab Salon located on out any additional amenities, then that’s a Residences launched, offering stylish residents and promoting new businesses. A Bank Street. Since the construction last problem. So we do need to try and keep and luxurious rooms and exclusive resi- true developing community! year, the salon has been able to grow and up with what the needs are of new people dences. The top floor rooms boast clear, Eleven graduate from the female employment mentorship By Bi l l Hi n g s t o n Eleven spirited women graduated from the Female Elizabeth Fry (Santana Coyle) and Psychiatric Survivors Mohamed. Employment Mentorship (FEM) program at a lively convo- (Habon Youssuf). Two other TAPP’s graduates were Jacqueline cation in the Bronson Centre. Each of the women, dressed in gowns and wearing Mulayiranga, hired to work at the Maison d’Amitié, and Women from Canada, China, Africa and the Caribbean tiaras, spoke about themselves, their challenges and their Salimata Doumbia who worked at both Status of Women joined together in marking their completion of The Anti- six-month experience with FEM and their employers. They Canada and la Maison. The exuberant hosts were two past Poverty Project’s (TAPP) program for at risk women. The noted how the experience had built their confidence, taught FEM alumni, Iryna Grechko, who is now employed at program supports women by helping them realize their them to work as a team, helped them open doors and built United Way, and Virginia Warren from Adecco. potential and assume control of their lives. their language skills. For some, this was their first job in Centretown MPP Yasir Naqvi presented the 11 with Some recent graduates had trained in Centretown busi- Canada. their certificates, with FEM's Director Jeannette Robert. nesses and groups such as Y Childcare (Amanda Goulet), Other graduates included Tara Lynn Lumley whose Megan Maxwell-Clare, who lives on Cooper Street and had Adecco on Bank Street (single mum Nicole Edwards), the experience at the Humane Society was so positive that she worked with the women over the six months, marvelled at Minwaashin Lodge on Catherine near Percy (Josephine wants to work with animals in the future; Hui Wang who how each had overcome barriers to get to where they were Wesley, a mother of four children), with two students may just continue working for her mentor, the Royal Bank; today. “Some just need experience working in Canada to working with groups housed inside the Bronson Centre; Karidia Traoré (Catholic Immigration Centre), and Mariam get their start.” 2 May 14, 2010 the centretown www.centretown.net

May 14, 2010 – Vol. 15 No. 5 The Centretown BUZZ 613-565-6012 Buzz Bites #101-210 Gloucester Street Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 2K4 The Exchange Pub & Restaurant Please visit our website: www.centretown.net The Exchange Pub & Restaurant situated at 50 Rideau Street is definitely worth a visit for its delicious gastro pub food. Formerly the Elephant and Castle, the restaurant is now revamped into a classy pub-restaurant with an atmosphere to suit. You can enjoy the upstairs and downstairs areas, depending on your style of dining. Published by The Centretown BUZZ Board, The delicious menu is well priced and offers an array of food. A favourite is the Ex Poutine starter, and you can share this with a group consisting of community members your partner. Made with English chips the waiter comes to your table to serve the cheese curds and gravy; a twist to a Canadian representing all residents of Centretown. favourite at just $8. The Jamison’s Chicken at $15.50 is another great dish if you fancy chicken with a kick. Whether you want a quick bite or a full meal, you can get it at the Exchange. Ask about the daily specials for a tasty meal at a great cost. Editor: Prices for the dinner menu - starters start at $4.50 and mains start at $10. A great price and a great night! Sarah Hoy Visit theexpub.com for details. Associate Editor: David Gladstone

Distribution Managers: Archie Campbell, David Seaborn The Exchange Pub & Restaurant has teamed up with the Buzz to offer Buzz readers 20% off Want to help? We welcome letters, articles and photos from Centretown an entree of your choice! residents and the community at large. We reserve the right to not publish submissions and edit all submissions Just bring in this page and enjoy! for length, clarity, style and possible libelous comments. Please include your full name and phone number. Next deadline Monday, June 7, 2010. Released: Friday, June 18, 2010

To submit an article, call 613-565-6012 or email [email protected] CENTRETOWN COOKS BUZZ Subscriptions Send $20 for a one-year subscription to Buzz subscriptions c/o the address above. ©2008 The Centretown Buzz Tea Sandwiches The Centretown Buzz operates under the guidelines of the Canadian Copyright Act. By Da v i d Bl a i n e

THANKS TO OUR CARRIERS I like tea sandwiches. It may be because I grew up in Victoria that most English of Canadian cities and we can’t Anke Fritzsche, Archie Campbell, Audrey Brewster, seem to totally escape our origins. These little delicate bites seem to have fallen out of fashion. Nevertheless, it may Bayne Pearen, Bill Filleter, Bill Hingston, Brian Ray & be time to re-evaluate this lost culinary art. With the Victoria Day weekend soon approaching and a visit in the offing Emily, Carla Ayukawa, Carol Sissons, Carole Noel, from the Queen this summer, what better time to give it a go? Catherine Boucher, Chatles Akbew-Marchand, Charles A tea sandwich is a small crustless sandwich, of any shape, and they can be eaten in two bites. The bread is square, Gregory, Chris Edwards, Craig Haynes, Craig Layng, dense and the filling covers the entire sandwich. If making large quantities, have the bread cut lengthwise, as it is much David Blaine, David Gladstone, David Seaborn, Denis Schryburt, Doug Gabelmann, Drina Wethey, Eleanor more efficient and I believe it is less wasteful. Sawyer, Gabrielle Yensen, Glynda Newton, Gordon While there are very traditional fillings, there is much room for creativity as well. For this column, I will give Harding, Jennifer Bedwell, Joan Spice, John Coughlin, some of the tried and true for those who haven’t made them for a while and for those who are trying them for the first Kim Malcolm, Maija Kagis, Martha Musgrove, Martin time. These are also some of my favourites. Canning, Michael Hatfield, Murray Shaw, Pam Connolly, The construction is the same for all fillings except rolls. Have butter at room temperature and cover the inside Rick Devereux, Sean Darcy, Shawn Menard, Shelley of all slices (crusts removed) with a thin even spread. This is important so that your sandwiches don’t become soggy. Pearen, Susan Kerr, Suzanne Harding, Wendy Bennett, Will Murray, Zsofia Orosz. Next, spread the filling evenly, covering the entire bottom slice. Put the top on and cut into shapes such as squares, triangles, or other shapes made with a cookie cutter. Cover with a damp towel so they don’t dry out and refrigerate if The Centretown BUZZ is delivered free to homes, apartments, and not serving right away. businesses across Centretown. There are many types and spreads are especially good, although the quintessential filling may be cucumber, sliced If you don’t receive the BUZZ at your address, it could be because thin as a dime. Other ideas include egg salad, spreading cream cheese with most any filling, crab salad and smoked we don’t have anyone to deliver on your street. To join our distri- bution team, please call 613-565-6012 or e-mail [email protected] salmon to name a few.

REMINDER TO ALL ADVERTISERS: It is your responsibility to notify Shrimp tea sandwiches us if there are any mistakes or changes to be made in your ad. 2 cups cooked small or medium shrimp, cooled (or equivalent canned shrimp) Please let us know ASAP. Otherwise we will assume that all infor- 1/2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice mation is correct. PLEASE SEND US ARTWORK THAT IS AT LEAST 300 DPI TO ENSURE A 2 tablespoon Dijon mustard QUALITY PRESENTATION. 1/2 tablespoon parsley, finely chopped 6 tablespoons mayonnaise (not an imitation) Salt and pepper to taste

Wr i t e f o r t h e Process in a food processor or mix in a bowl (finely chop the shrimp) until a paste. Spread as directed above. It will make 24-30 sandwiches. Ce n t r e t o w n Bu z z Traditional egg salad Ham or Chicken Spread The BUZZ is your community 2 cups ham or chicken newspaper. We are currently on the 1/4 cup finely chopped gherkins or bread and butter pickles lookout for Centretown residents who 2 teaspoons prepared mustard want to volunteer as writers, photog- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce raphers and carriers. We’re volunteer 1/4 to 1/3 cup mayonnaise (approximately) driven, coffee-fueled, and one of the Process in a food processor or mix in a bowl (finely chop the ham or chicken) until a paste. Spread as directed above. few independent newspapers in the It will make 24-30 sandwiches. Ottawa area. Your submissions will be published online in addition to the Asparagus rolls printed newspaper. Cooked asparagus spears (fresh or canned) Mayonnaise

For more information, call Drain the spears on paper towel. Butter and coat with mayonnaise a slice of crustless bread. Place one spear at the 613-565-6012 or email us at edge and roll up like a jelly roll on the short side. Slice into rolls or pin-wheels. [email protected] www.centretown.net the centretown May 14, 2010 3 CBC host living and working in Centretown By Mi c h e l l e an n e ol S e n

Lucy Van Oldenbarneveld’s work as a broadcast Rideau Canal and in the Gatineau Hills. journalist has brought her from one end of the globe to the “I just can’t say enough great things about it,” she said. CbC b y other. Since starting her media career nearly 15 years ago, “It is the best place to live. Walking distance to absolutely she has worked in the Yukon, China, and Germany and everything. We rarely use the car. You can do grocery shop- P r o v i d e d travelled to Africa. Today, Van Oldenbarneveld works as ping, you can walk to movies, you can go shopping, walk

one of the hosts of CBC’s News Ottawa here in the capital to work. We are so lucky to live here. It just is absolutely h o t o P and lives in Centretown. perfect.” Van Oldenbarneveld revealed that she stumbled into This passion for the outdoors is one that Van journalism by pure coincidence. After graduating from Oldenbarneveld has been able to translate into her work at Queen’s University with a degree in political science, she the CBC. Out of all of the interviews she’s conducted and moved up north, working as a political assistant and speech- all her work for the network, two series stand out for her. writer in Whitehorse. While working “spinning tunes” for Gotta Run profiled a group of Ottawans preparing to a private radio station in the territorial capital, she was run a half-marathon for the first time. Each runner was run- approached to replace the usual newsreader at the local ning for a different reason. CBC station for a two-week period. The series yielded such interesting personal stories that “I was always fascinated with journalism and, when it inspired a follow-up series, in conjunction with Harvest I was younger, I always wanted to be a journalist. But I House Rehabilitation Centre, which profiled a second group dabbled in other things,” van Oldenbarneveld explained of runners – all recovering addicts. The series was both over the jazz music and hum of conversation in the café. inspirational and highly personal for Van Oldenbarneveld. “Those two weeks became 12 years. I moved around a “Sometimes interviews can be tough and personal little. . . until today.” stories can be very moving,” she said. “Interviewing one She had a stint with an English-language radio sta- guy, I remember struggling to keep myself composed, just tion in Cologne, Germany, to try her hand at international based on the heartbreak of what he had been through and reportage. But, when she heard CBC was hiring a radio the upbringing that he had. He was particularly inspiring reporter in Ottawa, she jumped at the opportunity to come to me. A lot of people responded to him in a similar way. home. Growing up in Hamilton, she was excited to return Some of the runners doubted whether they could dig deep to Ontario. and do it. But they absolutely did it. There were tears all “I’ve always loved Ottawa,” she said. “I just couldn’t around on the finish line.” have been happier when the stars aligned and a job opened Since arriving at CBC Ottawa, Van Oldenbarneveld Above: CBC's Lucy Van Oldenbarneveld loves living and up here.” has continued her career in international media, traveling working here in Centretown. What Van Oldenbarneveld loves most about the city on three separate occasions to Africa to teach journalism is that it’s filled with ways to be active. She and her family skills to students in Kenya, Nigeria and Rwanda. She says again anytime soon. In fact, she’d like to stay right here at live near Dundonald Park, which is within walking distance these trips, often taken during her vacation time, satisfy not the CBC building in the nation’s capital. from all her favourite Ottawa haunts – from restaurants (the only her love of travel but the desire to share with others “This job continues to challenge me and I love doing Black Cat and the Elgin Street Diner are two of her favou- what she says she is privileged to have learned by continued it and I love the access it gives me to the community and rites) to the movies that play on a big screen at Dundonald chance. community organizations, so it’s what I hope to continue during the summer, one of her preferred summer activities. But as rewarding as these travel experiences are, Van doing. Loving the work I do here and the city. Five years Not to mention the walking trails and bike paths by the Oldenbarneveld doesn’t envision packing up and leaving from now, we can meet here again.”

Sell For Just 3.75% or Less Centretown seniors By P Ma r S D e n -Do l e a n D Se n i o r S co M M i t t e e ccca

According to the Ottawa Neighbourhood Study (ONS), 78 percent of Centretown residents are renters, 51 percent of seniors living in Centretown live alone, and the high- est percentage of Ottawa’s poorer seniors live in Centretown. This study was released in February by the University of Ottawa and the Centretown Community Health Centre (neighbourhoodstudy.ca). The ONS talks about the challenge * of appropriate housing for single seniors in the future, when seniors now renting down- town, may need to reduce their living costs or may decide, along with seniors in the *Independently Owned and Operated suburbs whose spouses/partners have died, to look for more sociable communal living arrangements closer to downtown services and attractions. 613-230-8888 The Seniors Committee of the CCCA is investigating this issue. On March 24, we paid a visit to the monthly open house at Abbeyfield House at 425 Parkdale Avenue, in order to learn more about another model of communal living for seniors. We were most impressed with this caring, sociable and affordably priced rental accommodation and would like to suggest that city councillors, city managers, investors and developers study variations of this model in their plans for downtown intensification. This could Barry Humphrey be part of their contribution to meeting the coming demographic bulge of middle-and- Sales Representative lower income aging boomers. Abbeyfield House is a non-profit society begun by a compassionate ex-soldier in 613-296-6060 Direct post World War Two London, England, to accommodate four lonely ex-soldiers who needed companionship, healthy meals and secure accommodation. It has grown now [email protected] to over 1,100 Abbeyfield Houses around the world with 9,000 residents and 13,000 volunteers, providing an enhanced, social and healthy lease on life for seniors who are www.FlatFeeRealtyOttawa.ca able to manage on their own. In Canada, there are 40 societies and 29 houses with 10 more planned or under construction (abbeyfield.ca). The Abbeyfield vision is to assist local societies through local volunteer boards to provide seniors, with a home of their READ MY RECENT TESTIMONIAL: own in their own communities. Barry is High Octane. We presented our main objectives to him. We toured the Parkdale residence which houses nine seniors for approximately He walked us through various service level options. We chose his $1,800 each per month; this includes three meals a day. Each senior has their own Full Service Option on MLS®. He responded immediately to our phone/e-mail bedroom and bathroom, a storage locker and a parking space. There are shared laundry requests,and provided feedback from agents and prospective buyers alike. facilities. The site was chosen by the local volunteer board for its proximity to public trans- Within a (busy!) week of Barry, as well as several agents from all companies port and services such as the public library and shops. Healthy and delicious meals are showing our property, we obtained a solid offer. cooked from scratch everyday by a cook and served at one seating for lunch and dinner With agent commissions hovering at 5% – 6%, around the dining table. Residents make their own breakfast in the communal kitchen. FlatFee’s 3.75% Full MLS® Service offers significant savings. There is a common sitting room with cable TV and most residents also pay for the This approach may still deter those who believe the adage “you don’t get privilege of cable and telephone in their own rooms. There is an all-purpose activity something for nothing”. To those sceptics we say: “Try Barry — you get great room in the basement, accessible by elevator, also reserved by residents and volunteers service and great value in one package — and it’s money in your pocket!” for in-house committee meetings. A staff person, and often a volunteer, is available at Deb & Ted O’Ray (March 2010) all hours to handle emergencies or calls for assistance. We would like to hear your views on this arrangement. If you are interested in No Obligation…So Call and Compare Before You Sell learning more about Abbeyfield House for yourself or a parent or friend, we suggest that you visit for tea and a tour with a volunteer at their monthly open house. For details, call 613-729-4817 or email [email protected] 4 May 14, 2010 the centretown www.centretown.net Groundbreaking on Somerset Street Ph o t o s b y Lo i s Si e g e l The Chinese Groundbreaking Ceremony took place on Thursday, April 22, 2010. Local fig- ures turned up to celebrate the start of work on the Chinese Arch. The Buzz will be following its progress throughout its construction.

Above: Workers start construction on the arch on Somerset Street.

Left: Left to Right: Senator Vivienne Poy; John Baird, Minister Transport, Infrastructure and Communities; Chinese Ambassador Lan Lijun

Above: The plan for building the arch. Above: A traditional lion dance starts the festivities.

Below: Chinese Ambassador Lan Lijun, Mayor Larry O'Brien, John Baird, Federal Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities; Senator Vivienne Poy; Yasir Naqvi, MPP Ottawa Centre; Diane Holmes, City Councillor Somerset Ward. www.centretown.net the centretown May 14, 2010 5

Ottawa Asian Heritage Month is in full swing and on Thursday, May 6, 2010, two distin- guished guest speakers appeared to talk about their lives at Library and Archives Canada here Speakers in town for in Centretown: Dr. Vincent Lam, emergency physician, Toronto East General Hospital; writer and professor, Errol Mendes, University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law. Personal Journeys focused on their experiences in Canada with their immigrant families. They shared the challenges they faced and the people who most influenced them and shaped their lives. Asian Heritage Month Their stories reflected paths to success. Host for the evening was CBC Radio’s Michael Wo r D S a n D P h o t o B y lo i S Si e g e l Bhardwaj. He challenged: “What happens when a new kid shows up with sticky samosas for lunch at an all-white school?” Lam said that life isn’t easy for newcomers. Often people are starting over, leaving their old lives behind. He insisted: “You have to be persistent and keep on trying in the face of obstacles.” He added that it’s important for everyone to engage in public discourse, write letters to the editor, vote, and state your opinions." Lam spoke about the success of multiculturalism in Canada where immigrants are integrated into society and feel at home. He credits Canada as being a country of flexible thinkers. Mendes is interested in what unites humanity. He loves Canada because here people from around the world are accepted. “Immigrants helped build this country,” he stressed. “It’s impor- tant to teach this in schools.” He continued: “Multiculturalism is about helping each other and caring about the ones not doing so well.” Lam was born in London, Ontario, into a family from the expatriate Chinese community of Vietnam, but he grew up in Ottawa. As a teenager, he wanted to be a writer. Lam’s first book, Bloodletting and Miraculous Cures, won Canada’s most prestigious literary award, the ScotiaBank Giller Prize in 2006. Mendes’ background includes living in Asia, Africa, Britain, and the United States. He’s known for his human rights work internationally and is the editor of Canada’s leading constitutional law journal, The National Journal of Constitutional Law.

Left: Professor Errol Mendes, University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law and Dr. Vincent Lam, emergency physician, Toronto East General Hospital, writer.

LOOKING FOR A GOOD HOME? www.ccochousing.org 613.234.4065 Advertise with the Centretown BUZZ! �������� �������������� ���� ������������ �������� ����������������������������� ������� �������� ������������ ����!������"����� June issue ����������� ������� ������ CENTRETOWN CITIZENS OTTAWA CORPORATION Deadline: Monday, June 7, Published: Friday, June 18

July issue BEAT THE HST! Deadline: Monday, July 5, Replace your ROOF before July 1st Published: Friday, July 16 As of July 1st, ROOFING projects will be subject to the new Harmonized Sales Tax.

This will result in an 8% INCREASE in the cost to reroof your home. CANADA DAY

We still have some bookings for June, so if your roof is going to need to be done soon, ADVERTISING! NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT! Don't forget to place your ad This word of advice is provided courtesy of Covertite Residential Construction in the June issue for Canada Day in Centretown! (613) 736-1133 Roofing you can trust. (613) 229-2518

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McPhail Memorial Baptist Church FREE ENGLISH CLASEES 249 Bronson Avenue at Lisgar St. for New Immigrants and Convention Refugees 613 235 7617 Funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada Full-time daytime classes Creating Since 1888, Hope, WORSHIP – 10:30 A.M. Transportation Assistance for eligible students ChangingCreating Hope, Lives. Sunday school & nursery available Qualifi ed Childcare for preschool children ChangingYesterday. Lives. piano, organ, choir The Language Training Centre of Ottawa Yesterday.Today. Minister: Rev. Wayne Sollows 359 Kent Street, Suite 201, Ottawa, ON K2P 0R6 Tomorrow. Today. Check us out @ (613) 236-8409 HTTP://LTCO.NCF.CA Tomorrow. www.mcphailbaptist.ca For information on eligibility and required English language assessment contact: Y-LARC, 308-240 Catherine Street, Ottawa (238-5482) III 6 MayJanuary 14, 2010 16, 2009 the centretown Le t t e r s t o t h e e d i t o r www.centretown.net Honouring Canadian veterans This July the Little Angels Children’s Folk Ballet of Korea will be in Centretown with a performance to remember and honour all of Canada’s Korean War veterans, as well as all Canadian veterans. Presented by The Korean War 60th Anniversary Memorial Committee (KW60), the Little Angels Children’s Folk Ballet will be touring the 16 nations that sent troops to Korea to defend the peace and freedom of the Korean people from North Korea’s invasion. “We want to give Canadian veterans a performance that will thrill and delight them, and at the same time astound them with the contrast between the ragged children they remember begging in the gutters during the Korean War (1950-1953) and these visions of perfection they will see on stage today,” said Dr. Bo Hi Pak, co-chairman, Korean War 60th Anniversary Committee.

Below: The Korean fan dance. Right: The Little Angel's sing

The Korean War 60th Anniversary Memorial Committee presents to honor all Canadian Veterans The Little Angels Chiildren’s Folk Ballet of Korea June 20th 2 pm National Arts Centre Tickets from $30 Tickets available at the NAC box offi ce, all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.ca or by calling 613-755-1111 For more info please visit: www.kw60canada.com

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Dundonald Park clean up Sunday, May 30, 3:00 p.m. Saturday, May 15, from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. The Newfoundland and Labrador Choir of Canadian Dance Festival The Friends of Dundonald Park and anyone Ottawa will be perfroming at the Centretown From June 4-12, Ottawa audiences will have the unique opportunity to who would like to volunteer, will be gather- United Church. Nearly three decades after experience a program of contemporary dance as diverse as the face of Canada ing in Dundonald Park to collect trash, clean his untimely death, Stan Rogers continues itself - wild choreography, international collaborations, cultural fusion and art that graffiti, prepare the flower beds and plant- to speak to Canadians through his words explores new technology – Canada Dance Festival (CDF) will have it all. ers for the growing season and reinstall the and music, and arrangers from across the Pulling artists from across the country, this festival is programmed to be pro- vocative, daring, eclectic, exotic and always entertaining. The festival opens with commemorative sign. Everyone is welcome country have been inspired to create choral the fastpaced Is You Me by the dance legends Par B. L.eux, Bentoit Lachambre to lend a hand. Yard waste and garbage bags versions of many of his songs. The two-hour and Louise Lecavalier. Other must-see performances include choreographer Peter will be provided; please bring garden tools concert will include choral and solo ver- Quanz’s In Tandem by Q Dance/Quanze Danse (June 7) and the intersection and gloves. sions of such well known Stan Rogers songs between dance and video in Caturn (June 8). as Mary Ellen Carter and The Northwest A showcase of established and emerging artists, CDF is the principal Family Storytime Passage, as well as some less familiar gems Canadian marketplace for Canadian contemporary dance. CDF is produced bien- Thursday May 20, 10:30 a.m. from his catalogue. Tickets $15 in advance nially to expose dance artists to new audiences, draw media coverage and hope- The central library has stories, rhymes and by calling Hannie, 613-722-9240 or at the fully result in future bookings for festival artists. This June, Ottawa will welcome songs for children of all ages and a parent door. Children attend for free, and everyone a number of Canadian and international presenters who will be scouting new or caregiver. is welcome. Visit atlanticvoices.ca for more talent to book shows for their upcoming seasons in Canada and around the world. information. So far, representatives from Canada, Europe, the United States and Great Britain Tulips in the park have all confirmed their attendance. Until Monday, May 24 Devonshire School’s Book Bash Dance has the unique ability to transcend age, race, culture, and language An international bazaar and food Friday, June 4, 3:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. boundaries. CDF offers the public the opportunity to explore the best of the best in emporium, including a beer garden, will be Sarurday, June 5, 9: 00 a.m. - 12 p.m. Canadian contemporary dance and experience world premieres of groundbreak- housed under a huge tent that will dominate Thousands of gently used books at bar- ing new routines. Major's Hill Park. For more information visit gain prices. Adult fiction and non-fiction, “We are incredibly proud to be showcasing these artists during the festival, tulipfestival.ca kids’ books, silent auction, BBQ, bake and I have no doubt that audiences will be dazzled by the imagination, creativ- ity and talent coming out of Canada,” says Brian Webb, artistic director of the sale and live entertainment. Great family Canada Dance Festival. Shakespeare in Song fun! All proceeds used to benefit students. For detailed information on ticket packages, shows and all the CDF 2010 Wednesday, May 26, 8:00 p.m. Devonshire Public School is located at 100 shows and events visit canadadance.ca The St. Cecilia Singers chamber choir will Breezehill Avenue North (between Somerset present a concert of a cappella music about and Gladstone, just west of Preston) in the famous writer William Shakespeare, Hintonburg. Donations welcome. For more African folksongs and spirituals by many information call 613-234-0721. composers. The concert will take place at the Yoga in the park Church of St John the Evangelist, Somerset Italian Week Ottawa at Elgin. Go along and hear this beautiful Friday, June 18 - Sunday, June 20 Monday May 24, 2010 between 2:00-4:00 pm. choral music! Tickets $20, seniors/students Grand finale weekend on Preston Street - $15 at the door and at Leading Note Music. street closure, Ferrari display, bike races, A 45 min hatha yoga class for youth and adults, followed by activities, For more information call 613‑836‑5295. bocce tournament, soccer tournament, enter- games and face painting for youth of all ages, will be held in Dundonald Park. tainment under the tent, amusement rides Donations go towards supporting Radha Yoga Youth Outreach (RYYO) pro- Tribute to Canadian folk music legend and much more. Visit italianweekottawa. gramming around the city. RYYO is a youth outreach initiative operating from Stan Rogers com the Ottawa Radha Yoga Centre, a non-profit yoga centre. It is run by young adults for youth. Teachers are certified yoga instructors in the tradition of Swami Radha, with emphasis on character building, courage and awareness in daily life. For information visit ryyo.org

CANADIAN MUSEUM OF NATURE

FREE Admission! Saturday, May 22 REOPENING!SATURDAY, MAY 22 SUNDAY, MAY 23 MONDAY, MAY 242010 Weekend Activities & Events Join us this Victoria Day weekend as we celebrate the Grand Reopening of the Canadian Museum of Nature. The renovations are now complete, so come discover how this Gothic-style castle has been restored and transformed with new world-class galleries and unforgettable interactive experiences. Visit nature.ca to download your calendar Three days of celebrations await…music, movies, mingling and more! Ghost of weekend events. stories, Nature Fest, magical rainforest creatures and a Tribute to Light Event are just some of the fun activities in store for you. Rediscover Your Museum and meet many of the behind-the-scenes experts who have helped to renew the Museum.

Roads will be closed temporarily from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the area of Metcalfe Street and Lisgar Street to accommodate a parade running from City Hall to the Museum. GRAND GRAND Victoria Memorial Museum Building 1910–2010 100 Years of Natural Wonder

240 McLeod Street (at Metcalfe) | Ottawa, Ontario | 613-566-4700 | TTY 613-566-4770 | nature.ca 8 May 14, 2010 the centretown www.centretown.net

Tulip Festival Ph o t o s b y Ju d i t h Gu s t a f ss o n

The Tulip Festival was launched on Sparks Street on Friday, May 7, with a libera- tion street party which included street performers (bottom right), vintage costumes (middle right), local bands (middle left) and parading foot guards (below). The festival continues until May 24. Visit tulipfestival.ca for details on events. www.centretown.net the centretown May 14, 2010 9 PPRA Report By Ba r b a r a Gr i f f i n The PPRA is gearing up for another exciting summer.

The PPRA kicks off the season in May by indulging at our annual Dessert Party. Last year, the event helped Cambridge Public School launch an extremely successful fundraising campaign for a new play structure for their kindergarten yard. We will be trying out the new slides and play equip- ment by September. This year on Saturday, May 15, at 2:30 p.m. at the Plant Recreation Centre, the community will eat its way through a buffet table laden with desserts in order to support the Rochester Heights campaign for a new play structure. The PPRA looks forward to being part of another successful campaign to upgrade the outdoor recreation spaces available for our inner city children. Meanwhile, the PPRA is finalizing plans to provide more skilled sports coaching in our free Plouffe Park Drop-in Program activities in July and August geared to ages 10 to 15. We are anticipating partnering with NEEDS YOU! the Ottawa Carleton Ultimate Association to bring Ultimate expertise to Plouffe Park Wednesdays in July and August. from 4:00 to 5:30 pm. We are planning a house league in volleyball on Tuesday evenings from June Volunteer within your community and deliver the through to August from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Coaches will be on hand for basketball and soccer on weekday afternoons at specified times. We are all latest news to your fellow residents. looking forward to having fun, while increasing our level of outdoor active play, and highlighting the importance of regular physical exercise for grow- ing bodies. Check out our June report for detailed schedules and remember to take time to enjoy the wonderful outdoors this time of year. We are looking for volunteer deliverers and drivers for any of the following:

™Drive bundles to dropoff points ™Deliver the Buzz to your block ™Team up and deliver to blocks in your area

2 Hours required per month.

If you are interested please email [email protected] or call 613-565-6012. 10 May 14, 2010 the centretown www.centretown.net Celebrating car-sharing in Centretown By Ba r b a r a Gr i f f i n

VRTUCAR, Ottawa’s own car-sharing organization, is marking its 10th anniversary this spring. Started in the year 2000, with four friends and one car, they now serve over 1,400 Ottawa residents with 70 fuel-efficient cars. “Centretown was one of the first neighbourhoods where we introduced car sharing 10 years ago,” said chief-sharing officer, Wilson Wood. “We now have 20 VRTUCARs located throughout Centretown. Each shared car removes eight to 10 private cars from our streets – helping to reduce gridlock, parking woes and pollution.” Car sharing would seem to make sense economically, as well as environmentally. “Car sharing can save you thousands of dollars 264 Elgin Street (corner of Somerset) ...... 613-233-4029 each year, over owning a car,” Wilson pointed out. Based on 2007 Canadian Automobile Association figures (latest available), the cost of owning and operating an economy-size car, including gas, financ- ing, license, insurance, repairs, maintenance and depreciation, is Complete information on store promotions, clinics & events. $8,588 per year, or $715 per month. The average VRTUCAR driver, according to Wood, spends about $1,140 per year, or only $95 per Also a multitude of health-related month, saving over $7,000 per year. information including our healthy recipe STORE HOURS “Studies have also shown that people who car share reduce their section. transportation carbon footprint by half. They support public transit Monday-Friday 8 am-8 pm Photo printing in seconds with our new Saturdays 9 am-5 pm more and tend to be healthier because they walk and cycle more. Car Kodak machine. Sundays 10 am-4 pm sharing can be an ideal complement to public transit. Members can use transit for their daily commute and use VRTUCARs for appoint- We now carry oil lamps and oil bottles, ments and errands. Members can even obtain an OC Transpo Ecopass including (annual bus pass) through VRTUCAR,” said Wood. a variety of fragrances. VRTUCAR members have 24-hour access to a fleet of clean, fuel-efficient cars. VRTUCAR pays for the gas, insurance, mainte- We bill Sunlife directly. nance and repair of cars, while members pay only for the hours and Worry free service at no extra cost!!! the kilometers they use, plus a modest monthly membership fee. For more information on VRTUCAR car sharing, check their new website at vrtucar.com

Building a Healthy Community

x Medical care x Women’s supportive x Walk-in clinic for counseling neighbourhood residents x Mental Health x Education and self-help counseling groups x Play groups and x Cooking on a budget children and youth x Foot care programs x Practical Assistance x Breast Feeding x Anonymous HIV testing support x Parent Education and x Services for seniors: Support home visits, health 55 Eccles Street x South-East Asian talks, transportation to Ottawa, ON, K1R 6S3 Main: 238-8210 counseling seniors activities Medical: 238-1220 x Community Advocacy www.swchc.on.ca

All you need to get in shape, and stay in shape!

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www.elginfitness.com www.centretown.net the centretown May 14, 2010 11 Education

four/five class to the to Go Centennial! And way Adult Learning Centre on to go Mme. Hunter and Ms. School Trustee column Albert Street, a short walk Donaldson for taking on the for the students, to listen challenge, as well as Mr. Jennifer Mckenzie, OCDSB TRUSTEE FOR KITCHISSIPPI to the Ottawa Symphony Smith for being there for Orchestra. The students advice when needed, as the AND SOMERSET WARDs learned about the string resident expert on organizing section of the orchestra sports at Centennial in years Superintendent Cathy Nevins and were treated to some past! I am very sad to tell you that Superintendent of Schools Cathy Nevins passed fabulous music. Our new principal, Kathi away last week after a very brief illness. Cathy served as superintendent of a num- On April 21, Ms. Kay, continues the tradition ber of schools in this part of the city for many years and developed some close Gamble’s class went to established by our previous relationships within our schools and our communities. She was a good friend of the National Arts Centre principal, of hosting coffee mine. We will miss her terribly. to listen and learn about club every second Tuesday sANDRA DERBY’s music. The students lis- of the month. Starbucks pro- Progress tened to selections from vides the coffee and parents As we march through spring and through the final full year of my term as Ce n t e nn i a l Peter and the Wolf and the are encouraged to take this trustee, I realize that we at the Ottawa Carleton District School Board have made Nutcracker to name just opportunity to meet in an many significant decisions about what our schools will look like in coming years. Co r n e r a few. informal way with our princi- Through incremental changes, we have seen a strengthening of the commu- Music wasn’t the only pal. On occasion, a represen- nity nature of our schools where more children attend their local school for the Hello again from activity that was going on at tative from the Centretown programs that they need, alongside the other children who live in their neighbour- Centennial Public School. Centennial. Basketball, for Community Community hood. In Centretown, this is seen in terms of increased integration of students in April was a busy month the junior students in grades Health Centre also comes the classroom, more French immersion programs keeping students closer to home, full of activity and field trips. four to six, was organized and gives updates on pro- and tighter cross boundary transfer rules. On April 15, Ms. Gamble’s and led by Mme. Hunter and grams that are available at the Schools are also doing much more to outreach and cooperate with the com- grade two/three class hopped Ms. Donaldson. The students local community centre for munities they serve. Our principals are talking with other service providers about on a bus and left the city practiced hard for their tour- families and individuals. how we can better provide services to children and families in the area. Perhaps, behind. Ms. Gamble’s class nament and Mme. Hunter and Over the years at rather brutally, the All Day Learning initiative (all day kindergarten), coupled with has been studying the differ- Ms. Donaldson would like to Centennial, there have been the Best Start program (moving services into schools), has forced us to evaluate ences between urban and rural congratulate the Centennial many classes that have had how we configure services for our youngest children in the best way possible mov- life and partnered with Ms. boys and girls basketball class pets. There have been ing forward. McCarthy’s grade two/three team members on two great hamsters, guinea pigs and During the various reviews, I also came to realize that there has been a signifi- class at Marlborough Public tournament days on April 21 worms to name a few. My cant shift in the attitudes of members of the community in recognizing the values School in North Gower for a and 22. Each player went grade two son came home that public schools bring. Rather than simply evaluating schools on a limited set of pen pal exchange. out there and gave the other quite excited to tell me that test results, parents are looking at the inclusive and holistic nature of a school and The students from both teams a run for their money, they were getting class pets, the value system that is taught. Having parents involved is a critical piece of the classes got to meet and dis- game after game. Each game plural. Over the course of puzzle as families and the community supplement and support much of the learning cuss life in both environ- got better than the last. The a few weeks, the students that children receive at school. I also believe that, as parents, we learn vicariously ments. It was a wonderful teachers are so proud of not will be hosting an incubator through our children and our communities are strengthened in this way. outing for our students and only how much the students and eggs that will eventu- We still have a long way to go and much to do. We need much more funding a great opportunity for the improved in their basketball ally become baby chicks. The for arts education and even basic school supplies. Centretown schools must have North Gower school/in front skills but also in how well chicks will stay in the class- programs that serve the needs of their students wherever feasible. Teachers must of Marlborough to host us. they conducted themselves as room for a week and then go be allowed to teach to their strengths. Many more supports are needed for children Music was the theme for representatives of Centennial to their farm home. What an who have deficits at home through illness, poverty, or other factors beyond their the next week. On April 19, Public School. We wish you opportunity to view life at control. Too many of our inner city schools are shamefully in profound need of I had the opportunity to go all the best in your future its beginnings! See you next infrastructure investment. with Ms. Donaldson’s grade basketball endeavours! Way month at the Corner! Trustees still face a difficult set of budget meetings through May and June, and the secondary gifted review is yet to be resolved. Please visit the OCDSB website at ocdsb.ca if you are interested in following these processes. Please feel free to contact me at any time if you have concerns about school board-related issues. School travels with hit play Jennifer McKenzie, OCDSB Trustee for Kitchissippi and Somerset Wards, [email protected] 613-729-1021. By Ka t i e Ma c n a m a r a

The graduating drama class of Canterbury High School will be performing their original movement piece, The Neon Bible Project, May 26 to 29, in the Barrie Alexander Auditorium. Jennifer Public School Trustee for New Edinburgh resident Anna Dubinski is a member of this unique piece of theatre. The MCKENZIE Kitchissippi production is based around the music of popular indie rock band Arcade Fire, with special & Somerset rights to the music granted graciously by the band. Ottawa Carleton District School Board Canterbury was able to contact the band through Canterbury alumni Richard Parry, who 133 Greenbank Road, Nepean K2H 6L3 plays multiple instruments in the band, including the accordion and the celesta. Director Paul 613.729.1021 Griffin felt that the music’s theatrical, atmospheric quality was an ideal backdrop to a physical [email protected] theatre piece of this kind. Students entered the project with varied knowledge of the band, but all with equal interest in creating a show of this kind. The piece is unique in its story telling Please contact me about education through movement. There is minimal speaking in the play, with all of the songs from the album issues that affect our community. Neon Bible being used. “It’s a really exciting concept because I’ve been told that communication is 80 percent physical. But how often do we ever get to see this demonstrated?” asked Gabrielle Doucet, a member of the ensemble. “It also gives us a great chance to gain experience, as most of us have never had a chance to do work like this,” agreed Katie Macnamara, another student involved in the project. Your education news The story exists in a futuristic world, overrun by technology. As with all utopian societies, the world slowly crumbles, throwing the second act into a destitute and primal habitat in which its members must fight for their very survival. Not only is the class performing at Canterbury, they have also been scheduled to perform at the International Children’s Festival on Sunday, May 30. On top of this, they have been Has your school got an event coming up? given the rare opportunity to perform at the world renowned Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland this August. This is organized through the American High School Theater Festival Do you have views on education ? (AHSTF), a program for which there were 2,400 applicants this year. Out of these, Canterbury was one of only 60 North American schools chosen, and one of only eight from Canada. Since the group is traveling overseas, an elaborate set was not an option. Instead, they are Write to us at the BUZZ and tell us the using costumes, masks, and fabric that they themselves have designed and created. Since the show is a collective effort, most of the students are onstage for the entire play. They also each latest news and views from your school! play a role in the production aspect of the show such as publicity, lighting, design, and stage managing. Perhaps the most difficult task that has been taken on so far by the students was (see pg 2 for contact details) fundraising, as they have an ambitious goal of $21,000. “Fundraising has been more difficult than I ever could have imagined, but it has given me the opportunity to learn so much more than I would have otherwise,” remarked Anna Dubinski, who organized the group’s fundraising events along with Veronica Schleihauf. Veronica. The entire class agrees that the rehearsal process is, and will continue to be, an intensive For more information on the show, visit neonbibleproject.com or email neonbi- learning experience. “To think that this is the culminating event of our four years at Arts [email protected] to order tickets. Canterbury is surreal, and I know we will have a great deal of pride in our final product,” said 12 MayJanuary 14, 2010 16, 2009 the centretown Le t t e r s t o t h e e d i t o r www.centretown.net

license. This was subject to a lively debate. Some people supported the patio as an expres- th e da L h o U s i e sion of more vibrant sidewalk life and street animation. Others opposed it due to noise con- cerns. There are no guarantees that the mostly local clientele will stay that way. The asso- e P o r t ciation decided to express concerns about possible noise impact on adjacent residences. r We are excited to see that the NCC is once again considering a transit loop that would connect downtown Ottawa to downtown Gatineau. We will write to Marie Lemay at the BY ERIC DARWIN, NCC to reiterate our support for a LRT loop using the downtown tunnel route to Bayview DALHOUSIE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION Station, the Prince of Wales Bridge, and a route through downtown Gatineau. We continue to oppose a bus loop and especially, rumoured proposals to bring the STO bus rapibus/ transitway over to LeBreton Flats by way of converting the rail bridge to a road. The Dalhousie Community Association held a very busy May meeting at the Dalhousie This summer, the city will be implementing some additional parking bulb-outs on Community Centre. Booth Street south of Somerset in accordance with the 2003 traffic calming plan. We were First up was a presentation from city staff and consultants on the search for a segre- alarmed to discover they were not designed consistently with the existing bulb-outs and gated bike-lane demonstration project for the Dalhousie-Centretown neighbourhoods. traffic calming measures; we will correct the city proposals to be consistent. We asked for Segregated lanes are physically separated from car traffic by curbs and bollards. While bollards to mark the bulb-outs instead of the highway-styled, tiger tail-striped signs, and many routes and variations were reviewed, it is pretty clear that the route favoured by city suggested trees should be planted if possible. staff was Somerset Street, with Gladstone also a strong possibility. The board discussed the unsatisfactory state of the Bronson reconstruction project. The most useful part of the discussion was the photo-shopped illustrations of what The May public consultation has been postponed to June. People expressed concern that Somerset might look like during a trial period and with permanent segregated cycling lanes the consultants were still determining the agenda, that it was too focused on stuffing as – the trial and permanent versions are quite different, with the permanent version being much rush-hour traffic through the neighbourhood as possible, and there hadn’t even been much more appealing and less disruptive. Only the section east of Bank was photoshopped. a consultation to identify the issues and problems from a neighbourhood perspective (the As the conditions are so different west of Bank (Somerset is much wider, with two traffic consultants are generous in providing the rush-hour commuter perspective). We decided, lanes and two parking lanes), the association expressed strong wishes to see more photo- if necessary, to hold our own consultations to identify the issues. shopped illustrations for that section of the street and for other contending streets too. The The meeting also included the selection of the 2010-2011 executive for the board: board also felt that the presentation’s references to experiences in other cities was not con- Eric Darwin will be president; Charles Akben-Marchand, VP; David Seaborn, trea- vincing, without evidence that the streets were similar and in similar climates. Businesses surer; and sharing the secretary role will be Maija Kagis and Zsofia Orosz. The associa- in particular are unlikely to be convinced to support a trial, unless there is firm data mea- tion conveys news to residents via articles like this one in the Buzz and via its website suring the success of segregated lanes in other cities. The DCA has one nominee to the ottawadalhousie.ca public advisory group on the project, with several other volunteers asking to be involved. Below: How the bike lane will look on Somerset Street. For more info on the subject, go to ottawa.ca/bikelane This summer, pay and display machines will be replacing parking meters in Dalhousie and the rest of the city. On Somerset in Chinatown, there will be 27 pay and display machines installed, and 37 on Preston Street. The rationale for the switchover to pay and display was reviewed and attendees supported the program. The city will be paint- ing green dots on the sidewalks where the new machines will be installed. The DCA will provide feedback to the city as to the appropriateness of the locations. We were dismayed to discover that only 500 of the 4,000 removed parking meters will be reinstalled as cycling lock posts. This will result in a serious shortage for cyclists. The association decided to write to the city reiterating the need for more cycle parking facilities along both our tradi- tional main streets. As always, there are various zoning and development issues to be reviewed. In par- . ticular, the association was interested in the $40 million renovation to the Bell Street tow- ers, which includes a new exterior for the dilapidated buildings. They are also proposing a grossly oversize sign on the building, which the association will object to. Members were also alarmed at a rezoning proposal on Aberdeen Street. The short streets running west off Preston to the O-Train corridor are a key residential component, supporting a successful main street and vibrant neighbourhood. There will be continual pressure to convert these houses into businesses. The association will oppose the conver- sion of one house which someone wants to turn into an art school. Pubwells on Preston Street, just north of Somerset, has applied for a sidewalk patio

getting started: the Mid-Centretown Community design Plan (CdP) —Your Opportunity to Be involved—

tuesday, June 8, 2010 dominion-Chalmers United Church Woodside hall, 355 Cooper street 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. 7 p.m. Presentation and Q&a

Join your neighbours and help to defi ne a vision for new design and development opportunities in the Mid-Centretown community. City staff and the consulting team will be available to provide information about the process and outcomes of the upcoming Community Design Plan, such as:

• Existing conditions: What does the Mid-Centretown area look like now? • Priority issues: What can change to create a more liveable community? • getting involved: What is the CdP project and what happens next?

This project area is bounded by Kent Street on the west, Highway 417 on the south, Elgin Street on the east, and the Central Area boundary (mostly Gloucester Street) on the north.

Want to share your ideas? Chat about your ideas as the plan comes to life on the Mid-Centretown Tomorrow community blog. Tell us what you think living in Mid-Centertown is all about and what you believe it can become in the future.

need more information? Visit ottawa.ca/midcentretown or contact: Bob Spicer, Planner III Planning and Growth Management Department City of Ottawa 110 Laurier Avenue West Ottawa, ON K1P 1J1 Tel. 613-580-2424 ext. 13858, E-mail: [email protected] www.centretown.net Ne w s the centretown JanuaryMay 16,14, 20092010 13

(The Centretown Heritage video launched at the event will be available soon so stay tuned.) CCCA report May Upcoming Events Raising Funds One Laugh at a Time The Centretown Citizens Community Association will be holding a night of comedy on May 20 at Yuk Yuk’s, 292 Elgin Street. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and show starts at 8:30 p.m. For more information or to buy tickets, contact Shawn ([email protected]) By De n i S Sc h r y B u r t , ccca vi c e -Pr e S i D e n t or Rick ([email protected]). Tickets are also available at our May 18 meeting.

Minto Park BBQ and Yard Sale, June 12, Minto Park, Elgin Street at Gilmour (yard sale An Ambitious Agenda for May 8:00 a.m.– 2:00 p.m. BBQ 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.) Tulips aren’t the only thing popping up all over the city in May. With so much hap- pening in the community in 2010, the Centretown Citizens Community Association has a CAFES: Sustainability in Ottawa, June 26, Colonel By Room, Ottawa City Hall, 10 jam-packed meeting planned for May. a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The May 18 meeting will be held in the Colonel By Room on the second floor at City Get involved Hall from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Doors will open at 6:45 p.m. All are welcome. The meeting Be part of the Centretown Citizens Community Association. Contact Rick Devereux, includes: CCCA Membership Secretary, by e-mail at [email protected] and become an active member as we work together to make Centretown the place to live. Membership is Election Ottawa 2010 only five dollars, but the rewards are priceless. Mayoralty candidate Jim Watson wants to know what is top of mind with community Contributions are always welcome. Whether it is $5, $10 or $25, every dollar helps the groups across the city. Mr. Watson will start the meeting and, after a brief introduction, he CCCA fight for a better and safer Centretown for everyone. will be taking questions from CCCA members. The board and its committees meet on various days each month. Go to centretown- Segregated Bike Lanes citizens.ca for more information. The city of Ottawa is conducting a planning study for an east-west segregated bike See you out and about in Centretown. lane pilot project in the downtown core. The boundaries being studied are from Preston to Elgin Streets and Wellington to Catherine Streets. Below: Founding members of the CCCA are presented with certificates. Colin Simpson, senior project manager (Transportation – Strategic Planning Unit) with the city of Ottawa, will be attending the May 18 meeting to present and discuss the project. Rail Implementation Kevin Guerin, communications and outreach manager from the city’s rail implementa- tion office, will be in attendance on May 18 to give a LRT presentation to the Centretown Citizens Community Association. The presentation will provide some overall project details, as well as some specifics regarding the 2010 work plan. A question and answer session will follow the presenta- tion. A Legacy Celebration On April 20, in the Councillors Lounge at City Hall, the CCCA held an event celebrat- ing its community and those who played an important part in making Centretown what it is today... a great place to live, work and play. The association accomplished a great deal throughout the last 40 years. But none of it would have been possible without its founding members: Mike and Maureen Cassidy, Joe and June Cassey, Tony and Nan Griffiths, and Elspeth and Jim Menendez. In honour of their passion and dedication to our community, the CCCA presented the four founding couples with a certificate and a lifetime membership in the association. Congratulations! 14 MayJanuary 14, 201016, 2009 the centretown Le t t e r s t o t h e e d i t o r www.centretown.net BUZZ FROM THE OFFICIALS

I wrote “Combating the sex trade” because at the community safety, since they have more time to dedicate Saying time, I had been receiving lots of complaints about to community issues and have a great depth of life experi- prostitutes (sex trade workers) on the street corners of ence. Centretown. I wanted to show that most street level “The rooming house issue” gave people an idea of how Goodbye prostitutes have their own story and that this was really to deal with a rooming house whose tenants were creat- “rock bottom” for most of them. I felt that equal atten- ing an environment of fear, based on their out of control tion should be paid to the “johns” as they were as much behaviour. My main point was to let people know that the NATHAN HOEDEMAN ’s a part of the problem and that the community needed best solutions for this situation, usually, always involve the to ensure a balanced approach when trying to resolve landlord, city agencies (police, by-law, councilor’s office), Ba C K Y a r d Be a t this issue with police. My next article “Crack cocaine local community associations and the residents of that com- epidemic in Centretown?” shed light on the fact that munity. crack cocaine was becoming readily available on the streets ”Slow down you’re moving too fast” is probably my of Ottawa and that the real impact of its use was being favourite article because I really believe that many of the seen in our vulnerable population, such as the homeless. ails in society are due to the fact that we do not take the I simply wanted to make the point that those addicted to time to examine how our individual choices and behaviour The time has come to say goodbye. Inevitably, all crack cocaine need access to treatment, not jail. In order to impact the big picture. Living life in the fast lane makes a good things come to an end and it is time to move on to truly make a difference, people needed to connect the dots person less self aware and quite frankly quite dangerous in new challenges. I have decided to take a leap of faith and between government funding and a treatment facility and certain situations! embark on a journey outside of the policing world. I will other resolution measures beyond law enforcement. Next, I exposed how people feel safer and are safer still be of service to Ottawa residents in community safety “A clean slate - tackling graffiti in Centretown” when they use their community’s public spaces in a manner as the community safety manager for Ottawa Community exposed the issues around tagging, graffiti and the four that it was designed for; this leaves little room for criminal Housing (OCH). “E” program of Eradication, Education, Empowerment and activity or disorderly conduct to occur. I would like to take a walk down Memory Lane and Enforcement, which I endorsed as ways to reduce the nega- The article on Cst. Eric Czapnik was a tough one to look at the long list of articles I have written for you and tive impacts of graffiti in our community. The next article write and I hope that it gave all of you a better understand- summarize them in a way that reinforces my ultimate mes- was about the need for people to think twice before giving ing of the risk involved in being a police officer. I hope sage, which has been and will always be, that an ounce of money blindly to panhandlers. Give Smart is an organiza- I was able to show you the human side of the men and prevention is better than a pound of cure. tion that does the thinking for you, so just give them your women who wear the badge. My first article was introductory and my second tack- donation. “Building safer communities” was about the impor- led the issue of shedding light on crime and safety. In that “Lessons from experience” compared commonsense tance of both grassroots solutions and government funding article, I spelled out why I was writing articles in the first crime prevention with new technology tools. I concluded when it comes to being able to really tackle the hard issues place. that it doesn’t matter how you achieve crime prevention, as around community safety. “Does closed circuit TV really My next entitled “Invest in your community or you long as you do it in a way that is sustainable. “Community make a community safe?” took a hard look at the use of will lose it” focused on my belief that the best way to Policing part 1 & 2” shed light on the history of community CCTV as a crime prevention and enforcement tool. I con- achieve community safety is through community engage- policing and Sir Robert Peel’s nine principles. It is a must cluded that it could be, depending on its use. “Trust you ment with police support, social agency assistance and read if you plan on undertaking anything that involves a gut instincts to stay safe” is another one of my favourite government funding. partnership with a police agency around crime prevention articles. Who knew it would be my last one? I decided to do Next, I addressed the issues of perception versus real- and community safety. that very thing and trust my own instincts by leaving polic- ity on issues of safety, highlighting that many people are “Does more law equal more order?” was one of my ing and forging ahead with a new challenge with Ottawa disconnected from what is truly going on in their commu- favourite articles because it exposes that humans often self- Community Housing. nity and that this limited their ability to feel safe because regulate when faced with a situation where there is freedom I want to acknowledge how thankful I am for having they usually assumed that things were worse than they are. of choice instead of regulated choices or top-down pressure. the opportunity to write articles for all of you on behalf of “Renovation designs with criminals in mind” was Another favourite article was the one on “Learning dis- the Ottawa Police Service in the past three years. I have based on the Crime Prevention Through Environmental abilities and crime: Is there a connection?” This article was received only positive feedback from readers. This encour- Design model, where we look at how our environment can inspired by statistics, released by Corrections Canada, that aged me to continue to share with you with the hope that either discourage or encourage criminal activity. It is fast pointed to the fact that almost 70 percent of incarcerated something that I wrote might inspire you to make a differ- becoming a standard practice to use this model when evalu- males suffered from a form of learning disability. This rang ence. It is your choice and it is never too late. On this note, ating how we build our communities. true for me, as I understood that criminalizing youth with I hand over my pen to my replacement, Constable Khoa “An end to victimization” that addressed the challenges this condition was more of a problem than a solution. Hoang, who will be in charge of the Somerset Community of reintegrating former sex offender in our communities. I In my next article, I showed that police are humans as Police Centre as of May 17, 2010. Cst. Hoang is an accom- thought it was important for people, to be aware that further well and will often respond better to positive reinforcement plished writer in his own right. I have no doubt that he will marginalizing and victimizing a group of people who were (compliments) versus negative reinforcement (complaints) continue to inspire all of you to do your part in making often victims themselves as children and had served their from the public. things safe in all our backyards. Be well, be aware and be time for their offence, could be the very reason why the “Paralysis by analysis” was inspired by my realization safe. former offender would re-offend again. I am still surprised ,that when you overanalyze an issue, very little gets done Constable Nathan Hoedeman, badge #972, signing off that I did not receive more backlash for this article. (I would to actually solve it. “Involved seniors make a healthy and 10-7 duty. like to believe that it was because people fundamentally safer community” spoke about the fact that seniors can be understand that two wrongs do not make a right.) a very valuable resource and asset in crime prevention and

PAUL DEWAR, MP Yasir Naqvi, MPP DÉPUTÉ OTTAWA CENTRE Ottawa Centre WORKING FOR YOU! AU TRAVAIL POUR VOUS! 304-1306 Wellington Street West ere to help you Ottawa Ontario K1Y 3B2

Community Of ce: Tel: (613) 946-8682 411 Roosevelt Avenue, Suite 204 Ottawa, ON K2A 3X9 Fax: (613) 946-8680 T: 613-722-6414 | Fax: 613-722-6703 E: [email protected] Email : [email protected] www.yasirnaqvimpp.ca www.centretown.net Ne w s the centretown MayJanuary 14, 201016, 2009 15

Create your Canada

PAUL DEWAR, NDP MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR OTTAWA-CENTRE

613-946-8682 [email protected] www.pauldewar.ca

It is often said that young people do not care about politics. However, I would say it is quite the opposite. Young people throughout the country, and here in Ottawa, are constantly finding their own ways to make a difference: either by individually volunteering in the community, organizing fundraising efforts or making personal sacrifices such as with the recent 30 Hour Famine at Glebe Collegiate Institute. Young people are not only engaged in creating change, they offer unique solutions and perspectives that are needed by our community. Unfortunately, policymakers and elected representatives too often overlook the views of the youth in our society and in some cases, their future well-being. When it comes to some of the biggest issues facing Canadian society, such as climate change, health care and education, it is clear that the ideas and perspec- tives of young people are vital to creating lasting and effective change. In my time as a member of Parliament, I have made it a priority to foster a dialogue with the youth of Ottawa. It is with this in mind that I launched the Create Your Canada contest, with the goal of encouraging high school students to develop their own bill ideas for Parliament’s consideration. This contest was open to youth living in the Ottawa Centre riding. The winning student will have their bill presented in the House of Commons and will be invited to spend a day on Parliament Hill to present their bill idea to the Canadian public at an official press conference. The Create Your Canada initiative was first developed in 2008 by my NDP colleague Nathan Cullen (Member of Parliament for Skeena-Bulkley Valley). Participants submitted a wide range of ideas, including a proposal for federal funding to create bike lanes across Canada, put forward in the House of Commons as Bill C-400 An Act to promote the development of bicycle paths, and a proposal to place a ban on asbestos exports from Canada, Bill C-399 – An Act to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (asbestos). The aim of this contest is not simply to inform and educate young people about the issues facing Canada, and those before the House of Commons, but to demonstrate the value of ideas and civic participation in a very real way. Young people are not simply the future of this country, they are active citizens today, and it’s time to encourage them to become more involved in politics at the federal level. I am excited by the issues that young people are passionate about and the creative ways they have identified to take these ideas and make them real. The winner of the contest will be announced on my website in the near future.

By eliminating professional allowances, we would lower the cost of generic drugs by More Affordable Drugs for at least 50 percent for Ontario’s public drug programs, employer drug plans and for people Ontarians who pay for prescription drugs out of their own pockets. As a result, taxpayers, employers and ordinary Ontarians would save millions of dollars. This means that private insurers can lower their premiums, making your health insurance more affordable. It is for these reasons that groups including the Ontario Federation of Labour, the Ontario Hospital Association, YASIR NAQVI, the Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan and the Canadian Association of Retired Persons LIBERAL MPP FOR OTTAWA CENTRE (CARP), an advocacy group for Canadian seniors, support the reforms. We value the services our pharmacists provide for Ontarians. That is why we will immediately raise the dispensing fee for drugs and will move forward with a new $100 613-722-6414 million fund that would compensate pharmacists directly for additional clinical services [email protected] they provide. These reforms are about offering Ontarians more drugs and enabling pharmacists to provide more high quality health care. So far, the changes we made in 2006 to the drug system in Ontario have resulted in over $1 billion in savings. This is a billion dollars that have been reinvested in the system, allowing us to add 97 new brand name, 53 new generic, Recently, our government announced some important reforms to the prescription drug and 38 new cancer drugs to our formulary. This is a billion dollars that we were able to use system that lower the cost of generic drugs for all Ontarians. These changes will allow us to hire more doctors and nurses, build hospitals, and perform more surgeries. to improve patient care and increase funding to the health care system as a whole. Here in Ottawa, we have made record investments in our hospitals since 2003 by Pharmaceuticals are essential to our health care system as they prevent unnecessary expanding the intensive care unit at the Civic Hospital, building a new critical care unit surgeries, lessen the impact of injury, and treat disease. To access this care, we rely on at the General Hospital, opening a new regional cancer centre with two sites, and nearly pharmacists. They play a key role in the delivery of health care in our community, pro- doubling the size of the Montfort Hospital. viding essential care, support and advice on a daily basis. These reforms will ensure that Just 20 years ago, 32 cents of every dollar spent on government programs was spent pharmacists are compensated directly for the services they provide. on health care. Today, health care spending is 46 cents and in 12 years it could be 70 cents. The reality is that right now Ontario is simply paying too much for our generic pre- We must now begin a serious dialogue with Ontarians so that the health system, and all our scription drugs. Our prices are much higher than in most other countries around the world: vital public services, are there for our children and grandchildren. in certain cases, more than five times what some U.S. states pay. One of our proposed We want to continue the good work we have already started and give Ontarians a more changes is to eliminate the professional allowances that generic drug companies pay phar- accessible, open and fair health care system. These reforms will increase your access to macies to stock their products. Generic manufacturers indicated paying more than $750 affordable drugs and improve health care services. million in professional allowances to Ontario pharmacies based on last year’s reporting For more information on these reforms, or any other initiatives, please visit my web- period. Ministry audits uncovered that the system of professional allowances has also been site at yasirnaqvimpp.ca open to abuse by some pharmacies and wholesalers. Together we are building a healthier Ottawa Centre! 16 MayJanuary 14, 2010 16, 2009 the centretown Le t t e r s t o t h e e d i t o r www.centretown.net David Gladstone has the last word: Take on Centretown

Jane’s walk on the O-train and the down- increased population. Personally, I see aiming for town Ottawa transit tunnel (DOTT) increased population as not being in-synch with the Two of this year’s many Jane’s Walks, held city’s plans for investment in rapid transit. on May 1 and 2, had the O-Train and the proposed Centretowners will get to see for themselves, DOTT, as their subjects. I led about 25 interested and comment, at an Open House scheduled for Ottawans on a tour of the O-Train including a walk Dominion Chalmers United Church on Tuesday, from the Bayview station to the unused Prince of June 8, starting at 5:30 p.m. (See ad on page 12.) Wales railway bridge (now blocked off by a fence to intrepid walkers and cyclists), followed by riding the OMB appeals filed for 180-200 Lisgar and O-Train to Greenboro and back. As always, the ride 300 Lisgar was smooth and pleasant and we saw lots of trees, the The Ontario Municipal Board has received Carleton University campus, and the Rideau River appeals I have filed with respect to development through the windows. Easy to see was how usable proposals for 180-200 Lisgar (across the street from the O-Train is by folks with bicycles or on wheel- City Hall) and 300 Lisgar (the site of Canus Plastics), chairs. Walkers were curious as to why the O-Train three blocks to the west. A common issue in the is not being expanded on the evident railway lines to appeals is the absence of documented consideration the North (Gatineau), South (Airport), East (Ottawa of heritage issues in the city council approval of the Train station), and West (Barrhaven). development applications. After returning to Bayview, I, and a few others, It may sound like a motherhood statement. But took a bus to Bronson and Queen Streets to join city the fact remains that respect for heritage districts staff engineer Denis Gratton’s walk covering the pro- and buildings must be an integral element of approv- posed DOTT. He was keen and upbeat on the project. als of buildings in heritage communities such as But problems were apparent, starting with the fact Centretown. One or both appeals will proceed to full that the route is a functioning surface bus transit- hearings by the board unless resolved through prior way. Denis Gratton’s comments were premised on discussion between the parties. the proposed tunnel being an inherent improvement over the status quo; however, some walkers politely Dropping in at Ottawa City Hall asked how having to take long escalators down and One of the many great features of Centretown up would improve matters. That five of the walkers is that our community is where Ottawa's City Hall walked bicycles (which aren’t compatible with esca- is located, facing Laurier Avenue and Confederation lators) also sent a quiet message. Park, a block from the Rideau Canal. It was delib- Kudos to Leigh Thorpe and her fellow Ottawa erately designed to incorporate the former Ottawa Jane’s Walk organizers for another great weekend Teacher’s College (now termed the Heritage Building of walks honouring the memory and legacy of of City Hall), to be very accessible by foot, bicycle, Jane Jacobs, Canada’s world-renowned lover - and and bus and to have lots of greenspace (much of proponent - of cities and city living. It may be a bit which lies over the building’s parking garage.) presumptuous on my part, but I’m confident that, if It’s kept low key. But City Hall functions as a Jane Jacobs were still with us, she’d be a big fan of protected pathway link between Cartier Street and the walking and cycling friendly O-Train and have Confederation Park; its ground-floor information less kind words to say about the DOTT. desk has a complete collection of O-Train and bus Speaking of the O-train, the latest schedule schedules. shows how it travels through Carleton University’s On most weekdays, city council committees campus. meet at City Hall and residents are welcome to sit in and speak on most agenda items for up to five min- The mid- Centretown community design plan utes (after filling out a request form). study The first meeting of the Public Consultation Ottawa public health 2009 annual report Group (PCG) on the study, held at City Hall on On May 6, the city’s Community and Protective May 6, introduced the study team to the Centretown Services Committee heard Dr. Isra Levy, the city’s community. The city planner is Bob Spicer, with medical officer of health, present the annual report housing. George Dark of Toronto-based Urban Strategies Inc. for Ottawa’s Public Health (OPH) organization. The following Tuesday, May 25, another stalwart of the being the study manager. Other members of the team Two highlights: OPH “collected and safely disposed Centretown community, the Jack Purcell Recreation Association are ERA Architects, Hariri Patarini Architects, and nearly 700,000 discarded needles” and “managed (JPRA) is holding its AGM, as always in the Jack Purcell Community Delcan (transportation consultant). The study area 49 cases of tuberculosis.” An important reassuring Centre. Who was Jack Purcell, you ask? Well, I answered the question is between Kent and Elgin Streets, chosen because detail: almost all of the collected needles (for which in a piece in the BUZZ back in the ‘90s: Jack Purcell was a World War this is where the need for development guidance is numbers work out to about one per resident) were I veteran who, while working in the post office on Sparks Street and the greatest. dropped off in designated containers. No detail was raising a family on Park Avenue, ran a community hockey rink located The PCG meeting was a collegial one. Its started provided on the 49 cases of tuberculosis; they were where St Luke’s Park tennis courts are now. The grown-ups he had with it being clarified that the Centretown Plan was, presumably imported from areas where, sadly, tuber- helped when they were kids asked that the then new community centre in fact, a starting point for the study and that main- culosis remains prevalent. be named after him. taining Centretown’s built heritage was an objective. OPH conducts many inspections and was the That said, the CDP is intended to be incorporated lead agency in the effort to contain the impact of the The summer festival season into the city of Ottawa’s official plan, i.e., its provi- H1N1 virus in Ottawa. OPH spent about $40 million All of the usual festivals are returning, starting, of course, with sions will be binding. in 2009, with about half of that coming from Ontario the Tulip Festival underway as the BUZZ is being delivered, followed, Many noteworthy points were made at the meet- government programs. just to name the major music festivals, by the Jazz Festival in June, ing, including praise for our community by George the Blues and Chamber Music Festivals in July, and the Folk Festival Dark: “Centretown is a real mixed place… with Annual general meetings of the CCOC and in August. Other festivals in the coming month include the Magnetic stable residential neighbourhoods.” He stated that JPRA North Theatre Festival, the Carnival of Cultures, the Canada Dance the study team has “walked all of [our] streets many The Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation Festival, Italian Week (centred on Preston Street), and to our west, times” and will base the study on “accurate informa- (CCOC), Ottawa’s largest provider of not-for-profit West Fest. All of these festivals have websites listed in the 2010 tion”. CCCA President Shawn Menard emphasized housing, is holding its Annual General Meeting Festival Calendar, available around town, including at the information the importance of “encouraging a pedestrian friendly (AGM) on May 25, starting at 7:00 p.m., at City Hall. desk at City Hall. neighbourhood.” Councillor Diane Holmes pointed Detailed reports on the CCOC’s activities will be The festivals are great! But the summer’s number one day is, of out the need for families to keep community schools presented to members, tenants, and interested mem- course, Canada Day. This year it falls on Thursday, July 1. We don’t open. bers of the community (who are welcome to join). need to check websites to know what to expect and stay in town for: Two eyebrow-raising elements of the study Councillor Diane Holmes is the long-serving chair live music on Parliament Hill and in Confederation Park, crowds are probable recommendations to convert one- of the CCOC’s AGM. COC started in Centretown thronging the downtown core, the noon fly-past, all leading up to the way streets to two-way and to identify options for and is our community’s leading provider of rental fireworks and shows in all the clubs.