The O•S•C•A•R© The Community Voice of Old Ottawa South Year 40, No. 5 The Ottawa South Community Association Review MAY 2012 OSCA Names New Executive Director By Michael Jenkin began working as a coordinator for the Westmount YMCA. Soon after she was approached by a local s many of you know, the OSCA Board parent’s group to plan and launch a recreational/ has been involved in an intensive search enrichment program for elementary school for a new Executive Director to manage aged children. For the past 15 years Christy has A remained in Notre Dame de Grace (NDG) as the its operations and programming. The search is now over and the Board has chosen as the winning Executive Director of the Willingdon Extended candidate Ms. Christy Savage. Christy will start Day Program, while continuing her community working with Deirdre McQuillan, our current involvement by volunteering on local boards. Executive Director on June 5th. Deirdre will be During that time she also graduated with a BA retiring from her position at the end of June after specialization in Psychology, and is currently some 20 years of service with OSCA. completing a certificate in Non Profit Management Christy Savage has worked in the field of at Mount Royal University. recreation and children’s programs, both in As a former Carleton student Christy Canada and Europe, for over 25 years. She has is familiar with Old Ottawa South and the built an extensive experience base in recreation community. Christy noted “I was particularly and enrichment; community outreach; and special attracted to Old Ottawa South because of the Winning candidate Ms. Christy Savage events and fundraising. many similarities between it and the community Having grown up in Europe and Canada, of Notre Dame de Grace where I have lived Christy spent her high school years in Ottawa, and worked for the last 25 years.” Somewhat OSCA Annual General attending St Pius X high school, before going to wistfully, she observed that “ leaving NDG is Montreal for university. After graduating from going to be difficult for me, but I am very much Meeting Concordia University with a BA in Anthropology, looking forward to the opportunity to get to know Tuesday, May 1 Christy came back to Ottawa to pursue graduate Old Ottawa South better, get actively involved, studies in Cultural Anthropology and Mediation and help the people who live here build the kind Main Hall of the Firehall, at Carleton University. of community they want and deserve.” Upon her return to Montreal, Christy quickly 7:00 p.m got involved with community programs and Welcoming Smiles to the Neighbourhood! By Sheryl Bennett-Wilson to become a neuroradiologist at the Ottawa Hospital. Although they still hen Dr. Nasrin Saba went have relatives in Toronto, the family looking for a location for loves Ottawa. Eldest daughter Anita is her own dental practice, graduating soon and Armita is in grade W three. Dr. Saba worked in Orleans she did a lot of research. She wanted a neighbourhood she could serve and a when she arrived, but always knew location with good street visibility. Dr. she wanted to set up her own practice Saba was already familiar with the Old – and now she has, as a neighbourhood Ottawa South neighbourhood as her dentist! oldest daughter had attended Hopewell. You’ll be impressed with Bank She realized that the area was in need Street Dentistry and Dr. Saba’s offices. of a dental office so she decided to The tranquil, organic-feeling green set up her practice somewhere on this wall in the waiting area is amazingly part of Bank Street. She looked at soothing. Jennie, the receptionist the neighbourhood’s habits and was makes you feel welcome with a impressed with the fact that residents cheery smile and behind the scene is like to walk to neighbourhood Marie, Dr. Saba’s warm and friendly businesses and best of all, that Old Dental Assistant. Dr. Saba has gone Ottawa South residents are very loyal to great lengths to make sure her office Dr. Nasrin Saba, with one of her daughters and her staff and supportive of local businesses. Dr. is environmentally friendly. In the you’ll be notified about an up-coming the neighbourhood dentist you’ve Saba decided that she really wanted decorating, she made sure only water- appointment by email – much more been looking for! And as much as to be part of the neighbourhood. So based paints were used and the floor is convenient and saves paper. Dr. Saba’s dentistry has progressed in the last few when the opportunity arose for the beautiful natural porcelain. No charts office is definitely being kind to the years, Dr. Saba says the old standards location vacated by Serious Cheese, or paper here! All records are stored environment! still apply – brush after meals, floss she grabbed it. digitally on the computer systems. To If your child or children are ready and see your dentist regularly. You Dr. Saba and her family arrived in reduce radiation exposure for patients for their first dental appointment, Dr. can find Bank Street Dentistry at 1189 Ottawa in 2006. They had been living in and produce better images, the office Saba enjoys dealing with kids. She Bank Street, right across from Patty’s Toronto since 2000 while both she and uses digital radiography that also says it’s really important to get them Pub. Call 613-241-1010 or email her husband were at school. Dr. Saba eliminates the use of chemicals. The started going to the dentist at an early [email protected] to make an and her husband, Dr. Hamid Dabir are dry vacuum system saves thousands age, so they feel comfortable with it. appointment. Drop in and say hello – both graduates of university in Iran. of gallons of water each year and It’s also a great way to get them into Dr. Saba, Jennie and Marie are ready They both trained in Canada with Dr. a Mercury Waste Water Separator the habit of brushing often! Whether with welcoming smiles! Saba graduating from the University has been installed at the end of the you’re looking for a family dentist, Welcome to the Old Ottawa South of Toronto in 2006. Her husband, Dr. suction lines – that means the majority or even some cosmetic ‘smile’ Neighbourhood Dr. Saba! Dabir is a radiologist and is training of mercury from the dental office is enhancement, Dr. Saba just might be NOT dumped into the sewer. And Page 2 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR MAY 2012 MAY 2012 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR Page 3
CONTRIBUTIONS The OSCAR The OTTAWA SOUTH COMMUNITY Contributions should be in electronic format sent either by e-mail to ASSOCIATION REVIEW [email protected] in either plain text or WORD format, or as a printed copy delivered to the Firehall office, 260 Sunnyside Avenue. 260 Sunnyside Ave, Ottawa Ontario, K1S 0R7 www.OldOttawaSouth.ca/oscar SUBSCRIPTIONS [email protected] Moving away from Old Ottawa South? Know someone who would like to receive The OSCAR? We will send The OSCAR for one year for just Editor: Mary Anne Thompson $40 to Canadian addresses (including foreign service) and $80 outside [email protected] of Canada. Drop us a letter with your name, address, postal code and Distribution Manager: Larry Ostler 613-327-9080 country. Please include a check made out to The OSCAR. Business Manager: Susanne Ledbetter [email protected] Advertising Manager: Gayle Weitzman 613-730-1058 SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS [email protected] (not classy ads) The OSCAR is sponsored entirely from advertising. Our advertisers are OSCAR is printed by Winchester Print often not aware that you are from Old Ottawa South when you patron- ize them. Make the effort to let them know that you saw their ad in The OSCAR. They will be glad to know and The OSCAR will benefit from NEXT DEADLINE: FRIDAY, MAY 11 their support. If you know of someone providing a service in the com- munity, tell them about The OSCAR. Our rates are reasonable. The OSCAR is a community association paper paid for entirely by ad- vertising. It is published for the Ottawa South Community Association FUTURE OSCAR DEADLINES Inc. (OSCA). Distribution is free to all Old Ottawa South homes and businesses and selected locations in Old Ottawa South, the Glebe and May 11 (June issue); June 8 (July/August issue); August 10 (September Billings Bridge. Opinions expressed are those of the authors and not issue). necessarily of The OSCAR or OSCA. The editor retains the right to edit and include articles submitted for publication. FOR DISTRIBUTION INQUIRIES, CALL 613-327-9080 The Old Firehall or email: [email protected] The OSCAR thanks Ottawa South Community Centre the following people who brought us to your door this [email protected] month:
ZONE A1: Kathy Krywicki (Coordinator), Mary Jo Lynch, Brian Eames and Kim Barclay, Wendy Robbins, Jim and Carrol Robb, Terri-Lee Lefebvre, HOURS PHONE 613 247-4946 Becky Sasaki, Kevin and Stephanie Williams. ZONE B1: Ross Imrie (Coordinator), Family Gref- Innes, Gabriela MONDAY TO THURSDAY 9 AM TO 9 PM Gref-Innes and Fiona Fagan, the Montgomery family, Laurie Morrison, Susanne Ledbetter, Torin & Konstantine Assal. FRIDAY 9 AM TO 6 PM ZONE B2: Craig Piche (Coordinator), Pat Eakins, Hayley Atkinson, Leslie SATURDAY 9 AM TO 1 PM* Roston, Melissa Johnson, Lydia Oak, Sandra Garland and John Callan & SUNDAY CLOSED Diana Carr *Open only when programs are operating, please call first. ZONE C1: Laura Johnson (Coordinator), the Williams family, Josh Rahaman, Jesper Lindeberg, Jeff Pouw, Brendan McCoy, Bruce Grant, and the Woroniuk-Ryan family. ZONE C2: Craig Piche (Coordinator), Alan McCullough, Charles and Phillip WHAT’S THAT NUMBER? Kijek, Kit Jenkin, Michel and Christina Bridgeman, Anne Coyle, Patrick Hinton. ZONE D1: Mary Hill (Coordinator), Emily Keys, the Lascelles family, Gail Ottawa South Community Centre - The Old Firehall 247-4946 Stewart, Gabe Teramura, Oliver Waddington, Franklin-Flack family, the Ottawa South Community Association (OSCA) 247-4872 Sprott family. Ottawa Public Library - Sunnyside Branch 730-1082 ZONE D2: Janet Drysdale (Coordinator), The Adriaanse Family, Gaia Rob Campbell - [email protected] 730-8128 Chernushenko, Jacqueline Littlewood, The Rand family, Aidan and Willem Kathy Ablett, Catholic Board Trustee 526-9512 Ray, the Stewart family, and Mary Hill. Centretown Community Health Centre 233-5430 ZONE E1:Brian Tansey(Coordinator), Karen Wolfe/ Curt Labond, Norah CARLETON UNIVERSITY Hutchinson, Steve Adamson, the Sanger/O’Neil family, John Sutherland CUSA (Carleton U Students Association) 520-6688 ZONE E2: Chris Berry (Coordinator), Mary-Ann Kent, Glen Elder and Graduate Students Association 520-6616 Lorraine Stewart, the Hunter family, Brodkin-Haas family, Allan Paul, Community Liaison 520-3660 Christina Bradley, Caroline Calvert, Larry Ostler. Mediation Centre 520-5765 ZONE F1: Carol and Ferg O’Connor (Coordinator), Jenny O’Brien, the Stern Athletics 520-4480 family, Ellen Bailie, Dante and Bianca Ruiz, Peter Kemp, Kelly Haggart and Taiyan Roberts, Goutte family (Joshua, Leo and Alina), Walter and Robbie CITY HALL Engert. David Chernushenko, City Councillor ZONE F2: Bea Bol (Coordinator), Paulette Theriault, Ryan Zurakowski, ([email protected]) 580-2487 Susan McMaster, Paige Raymond, Pierre Guevremont, Judy and Pierre Main Number(24 hrs) for all departments 3-1-1 Chamberland, Valerie Dancause. Community Police - non-emergencies 236-1222 ZONE G: Bernie Zeisig(Coordinator), Claudia and Estelle Bourlon- Emergencies only 9-1-1 Albarracin, David Lum, Cindy MacLoghlin, Hannah and Emily Blackwell, Serious Crimes 230-6211 Katya and Mikka Zeisig. Ottawa Hydro 738-6400 Echo Drive: Alex Bissel. Streetlight Problems (burned out, always on, flickering) 3-1-1 Bank Street-Ottawa South: Rob Cook, Tom Lawson, Paula Archer. Brewer Pool 247-4938 Bank Street-Glebe: Larry Ostler. Brewer Arena 247-4917 Alta Vista Branch Library: Larry Ostler City of Ottawa web site - www.city.ottawa.on.ca Page 4 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR MAY 2012 Brief Notes From the Firehall MAY 2012 at the Firehall
1st Annual Spring Windsor Park volunteers for its success. If your strong group of recreation leaders payment of $160 on June 6, 2012 and Art Show child is registered in the program and including Darcy Middaugh, Dave Ho, a deferred payment of $160 payable you can help as a coach, assistant Steve Winsor and Aletha Phillips. on September 4, 2012. This will The Ottawa South Community coach or convener please register We will be adding new camps to the cover the first and last month of the Associations 1st Annual Spring on-line at www.oldottawasouth.ca or Summer 2012 roster in our Summer program. For more information call Windsor Park Art Show will take contact Deirdre McQuillan at 613- Brochure which will be included in (613) 247-4946 place on Sunday, June 17 at Windsor 247-4872 or [email protected] the June issue of OSCAR so stay Park. tuned. Cardio Fitness Room A wide variety of artisans will Job Opportunity Old Ottawa South’s best kept have their creations on display as We are also looking for a After Four 2012-2013 secret and a great place to work out well as local Foodies selling their Shack Manager for the league. The Registration for 80 available with treadmills elliptical trainer’s delectable snacks. A BBQ will also position pays $400 per season and spaces starts Wednesday, June cardio bikes and free weights. We be set for lunch. requires being on site during league 6, 2012, 8:00 pm, online www. have everything you need to keep fit. Music will be a big part of the scheduled game days on Tuesday and oldottawasouth.ca and in-person at Drop in for a tour and membership event with performance by Spencer Thursdays from 6:15pm – 8:15pm as the Firehall. The program is designed details. Scharf, Darcy Middaugh and Friends, well as Saturdays 9:30am – 11:30am. for children entering Sr. Kindergarten Charles DeLint & MaryAnn Harris For details please contact Deirdre up to 12 years of age. Registration Summer Program Brochure and Social Butterfly. McQuillan at osca@oldottawasouth. is on a first come, first served basis. Other than our summer camps we Windsor Park is located just ca or 613-247-4872. We encourage you to register as early will be offering fitness, yoga, pilates, south of Riverdale Ave. in between as possible to avoid disappointment. pottery classes before summer, Windsor Ave and Belmont Ave. If Summer Camps The cost of the program is $160.00 Babysitting Certification course and you are an artist please call for space We have been overwhelmed by per month. This covers the cost a few other surprises. Check the June availability 613-247-4946. the response to our summer camps of supervision and activities each issue of OSCAR for our Summer with many full or near full. Please day. The program runs Monday to Program Brochure for all the details. OSCA Spring Soccer call for space availability 613-247- Friday, 3:30pm - 6:00pm (except Our recreation spring league 4946. for holidays) for the duration of the is dependent on community parent Our camps are anchored by a school year. We require an immediate Fantastic Audience Response to Sirens of the Firehall Concert Series
By Lisa Drouillard music. The venue was perfect for chamber music that it was hard to pin her down for a chat for our and allowed the artists and director Kevin Mallon to OSCAR piece given her performing schedule! Her here has hardly been a moment to report back talk with the audience about the works, their unique stage presence and the ease with which the ensemble on each of the concerts in OSCA’s Sirens of period instruments and their histories. Former OSCA covered a wide repertoire of jazz standards, swing the Firehall concert series, until the last of Board member Pierre Gratton gave an entertaining tunes and melancholy ballads were evidence of the T reading of the poem by John Donne, which was chops that come with gigging every week. That these events was wrapped up. The three concerts in the series included baroque ensemble Aradia, Renee set to music in Aradia’s newly commissioned work jazz guitarist Rob Martin and bassist Marc Fraser Yoxon’s jazz trio, and the Sarah Burnell celtic Band. by Canadian composer Chris Meyer. Overall, the play together a lot was also made very clear by their This eclectic line-up attracted a range of audiences concert presentation set the record straight on a few intuitive communication on stage and inspired solos. and each concert had its own unique vibe. What notions about taking part in a baroque music concert: Renee and these musicians have a very good time was encouraging to me, however, was the feedback that works hundreds of years old can be weird when performing and we were all very glad to be from a few guests who had made a point of coming and innovative as well as beautiful; that a baroque guests at that party. out to all of the concerts in the series. These music program can include brand new works; and, that We are just arranging the last details of our last lovers clearly wanted to show that there is an appetite poetry and history can be woven into the mix to very concert in the series – The Sarah Burnell Celtic band for quality live music in the relaxed community entertaining effect! – but interest in this last performance has been high environment we can offer at the Firehall. Renee Yoxon’s jazz ensemble helped us from the start. Perhaps our years of Lobster Suppers, Aradia’s Cappricio Stravagante concert took welcome Spring to the Firehall at the end of March our Folk Walk of Fame, or Sarah’s roots in Ottawa place on February 25, warming up a chilly Winter’s with lyric beauty and inspired playing. Renee has as a Canterbury fiddle star have all helped generate a evening with their engaging approach to Baroque really shifted her singing career into high gear such great buzz. No matter the reasons for the interest, it is clear that Sarah won’t end this series with a whimper. Many participants in these concerts have asked about the chances of making such a series a routine occurrence at the Firehall. It’s a question that requires a group response. Audience feedback has been very encouraging and all of the musicians were really pleased with the turnout and reception at these events. There is also no shortage of OOS connections to musical ensembles who can bring high quality performances to the Firehall. To make this work over the long term would definitely require the help of an engaged committee of volunteers interested in planning, promoting and staging these events. If this sounds like fun to you, or at least worth the price of admission to concerts in your community, do send notice of your interest to me at leucodendron@gmail. com, or reach members of the OSCA board through the oldottawasouth.ca website. The Sirens Series was an excellent start to new cultural programming at the Firehall, but we need YOU if there is to be a Season Two! MAY 2012 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR Page 5
OSCA PRESIDENT’S REPORT New OSCA Executive Director, AGM, Year in Review
By Michael Jenkin committee, headed by Michaela sets of issues: how to respond to the one of the busiest pedestrian crossings Tokarski, has been hard at work increasing pressures on the physical outside the city centre. New OSCA Executive Director doing a preliminary assessment of development of the community On our service and community Appointed the 30 or so applications we received and how to effectively manage the support role, we are doing very well; and has already chosen a short list of services we provide to the residents of we sponsored a record number of am pleased to be able to announce people to interview by telephone. A Old Ottawa South. special events this past year from that your Board search committee smaller group of candidates will be On the former front we have our traditional events in City parks has chosen a successful candidate subsequently interviewed in-person. had a number of successes. After such as the winter carnival and fall I So far we are on track to announce a many years of lobbying by OSCA fest, to dances and music concerts. from the competition we held earlier this year to select a new Executive new editor by early June, if not sooner. and OSWATCH and after a very Our programming activities are Director for OSCA. Ms. Christy significant effort of community growing by leaps and bounds and Savage, the current Executive OSCA Annual General Meeting – consultation, the Sunnyside traffic our new fitness room is a welcome Director of the Willingdon Extended Tuesday, May 1 management plan has been approved. addition to the community’s fitness Day Program in central Montreal, It will, when implemented, make a infrastructure. Over the last year and will be starting with us on June 5 and Once again I would like to remind significant contribution to improving a half that we have been back in the working with Deirdre McQuillan, our you to come out to our AGM on the safety of this critical connector renovated Firehall we have run very retiring Executive Director, during Tuesday May 1. The meeting starts road in our community, linking as it healthy surpluses on our programming June to understand all our activities at 7:30 p.m. and lasts until about 9:00 does the increasingly congested north- activities and significantly increased and procedures. Deirdre will be p.m. and will take place at the Firehall south arterials of Bronson, Bank, enrolments in them. As a consequence retiring from her position at the end of in the main Community Hall. The and via Riverdale, Main Street. The the Board, at its regular April meeting, June when Christy will take over from Nominating Committee under Mike additional good news on this front approved a policy to devote a her. There is an article in this issue of Lascelles has been hard at work and is that according to our Councillor’s significant share of our programming the OSCAR (see page 1) about Christy has come up with a strong list of new office is that over the next couple of surpluses to a capital reserve to invest where you can read more details candidates to serve on the Board. years funding will likely be available in new equipment and facilities at the about her experience and background. This will be an exceptional year for to implement the construction of the Firehall. With the addition of a new Please join me in welcoming Christy renewal of the Board because of the physical elements of the plan. full time executive director we will to OSCA and the Community Centre. 16 members who served this year six Second, the recently developed have more capacity to professionally I would also like to take this are retiring, so hopefully we will have infill guidelines that we, again, lobbied manage our program operations and opportunity to thank the Board many new and eager faces to help hard for, are going forward to Council build a pool of volunteers to help us members who participated on the with our work in the coming year. shortly for approval. While not all with a diverse range of programming search committee: Anna Sundin, Steve As is our custom, after the we would have wanted, and while the and community events. Mennill, David Law and Michaela reports by our committee chairs and development industry is obviously But challenges remain. As we Tokarski, for all their many hours executive officers and the election of not entirely supportive of them, the expand our programming activities, the of hard work sorting through the 98 the new Board, we will be holding a guidelines will make a significant level of due diligence and supervision applications we received, selecting a wine and cheese to welcome the new contribution to a major problem we needs to increase and the partnership short list of 15 for telephone interviews Board members and provide you with are facing which is poorly designed agreement that City wants to sign with and interviewing the four finalists and an opportunity to meet the Board and infill housing that intrudes on the us will place additional pressures on their references. It was a lot of work, socialize with neighbours. privacy and amenity of neighbours, us in terms of administrative costs but in the end we managed to get an and ruins our streetscapes. and potentially the need for additional excellent candidate from a very strong The Year in Review and a Look Of course many challenges staff resources. None the less the field on finalists. Ahead remain. The pace and force of property evidence is clear that residents in this development and traffic growth will community value and appreciate our Search for a New OSCAR Editor It is customary for the President continue and we have areas in our programming and we will endeavour in the final column of their term community where these pressures will to meet those expectations as fully as We are also in the process of to provide a short overview of the be acutely felt. They include: infill we can. choosing a new editor for OSCAR significant issues the Board has dealt housing developments all through This has been a year of significant given Mary Anne Thompson’s with over the last year and what it the community, new commercial achievements and I think with careful planned move from Ottawa this portends for the future. development on Bank Street, and management and dedicated work summer. Applications closed the As has been the case over the conflicts among drivers, pedestrians on the part of Board and committee middle of April and the selection past several years the Board has and cyclists in sensitive areas such as members we can look forward to been coping with two very different the Bank and Sunnyside intersection – many more in the years ahead.
Sunnyside Village Old Ottawa South Business Improvement Area in the Works! By Danielle Kuczer The retail landscape between the making it happen! Sunnyside Village Old Ottawa Rideau Canal and the Rideau River Business Improvement Areas South BIA at a meeting which will he Steering Committee for is currently not achieving its full are an important component of be held on: the formation of the proposed potential as a thriving and dynamic any effort to enhance and maintain Business Improvement Area commercial area. the vibrancy of a main street and Wednesday, May 9 at 7:30- T I’ve long hoped a BIA would in Old Ottawa South has been hard at community. A BIA would provide 9:00pm be formed between the bridges, and work to make it a reality. an organized and focused approach Old Ottawa South Community I have been advising businesses finally found myself with the time to revitalize and maintain Old Centre, The Old Firehall and entrepreneurs in various capacities to do the research and to see if there for the last 15 years, and it is a passion were like-minded people on board. Ottawa South as a dynamic and 260 Sunnyside Ave. of mine to help them achieve success As it turned out the timing was thriving neighbourhood, and to with their business. As a resident of perfect, I talked to business owners promote the area as a business Refreshments and cookies will Old Ottawa South, I have noticed the and discovered many have wanted and shopping destination. If you be provided. gradual decline of the retail landscape to see a BIA formed in Old Ottawa would like to learn more about in our community and a trend toward South but didn’t have the time to what a Business Improvement For further information please a high rate of turnover of stores in the do it themselves. As the volunteer Area would do for the community, contact: last few years. This has become a Project Manager for the formation of property owners and business Danielle Kuczer the proposed Sunnyside Village Old concern not only to me but for many owners are invited to learn about SunnysideVillageOOSBIA@ Ottawa South BIA, I am excited to let others in the community at large. the proposed formation of the you know that we are getting closer to bell.net Page 6 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR MAY 2012
MAYOR’S MONTHLY COLUMN Youth Summit
By Jim Watson, on October 12, 2012 at City Hall along two colleges, and many high schools. fast so keep an eye on www.ottawa. with the honorary chair of the event, From these groups and others I want ca for news on the event or follow the Mayor of Ottawa Councillor Mathieu Fleury. to draw a diverse group to the Youth City on Twitter at @ottawacity (@ The Youth Summit aims to provide Summit so that they can tell us about ottawaville en français). n October 2011, I held a Seniors a forum for youth (ages 16-25) to speak the challenges they face, learn about Just as we want to interact with Summit to discuss the issues facing freely about issues they are concerned how the City can help, and help us go youth on the day of the summit, so too our City’s seniors. During the I about and encourage information forward with a better understanding of do we want to hear from you in the lead- election campaign, I had promised to sharing among all participants. There how we at City Hall can improve our up to the summit. If you have any ideas hold a Seniors Summit during my first will be guest speakers and information services for Ottawa’s youth. for potential guest speakers, topics for year in office and I kept that promise sessions for those in attendance but The planning of this summit is discussion, or just something you think with an event that was both educational a special focus will be placed on already underway with a steering would work well as part of the summit, and informative for those who attended. hearing from our youth to learn what is committee meeting regularly. please email [email protected] or Now in year two of my mandate, I important to them. Registration will open up later this [email protected]. am hosting a day-long Youth Summit Our City boasts three universities, summer and I expect that spots will go Capital City Opera Comes to the Mayfair! By Lisa Drouillard they pay to be in operas to help smaller established figures in the opera world, local businessman Bart Tecter, who has opera companies stay afloat.” such as Gil Wechsler from the Met. supported the venture financially and new and innovative opera The CCOs approach to casting The casting process also gave a big organizationally. As you can imagine, company will launch its first and publicizing its first season made kickstart to the promotions for the new the company will be looking for more season at the Mayfair Theatre the most new media. Whereas opera opera company, by capturing the energy help from interested volunteers to A has a reputation of being an archaic art and networks of the singers to boost the contribute to the promotions, event May 29 and 30. I met up with the Capitol City Opera’s (CCO) founder to ask him form, its appeal to younger audiences is profile of the company and its inaugural coordination and administration, the about his motivations and hopes for this apparent in the increasing numbers of season. things all arts companies need. bold new initiative. Rory McGlynn is opera program applicants and increased With a range of different venues New arts initiatives take an a singer himself with a background in festival participation. The CCO has also in Ottawa for an opera, the CCO chose enormous amount of energy to get musical theatre. After singing opera capitalized on the interest in auditions our Mayfair Theatre. I asked Rory why. started, but McGlynn seems buoyed professionally in Toronto for a few as entertainment, with the popularity “Lee Demarbre is a great guy and was by the prospect of changing the arts years, he found a lot of roadblocks for of shows like Idol, America’s got very accommodating and excited to hear landscape in Ottawa: “I now get to put young singers looking for opportunities Talent and Bathroom Divas. They used that opera was a possibility in his theatre on operas that I love and hire singers to develop their repertoire in lead online auditions and voting through … I wanted more comfortable seating that are passionate and eager … I hope roles. “I wanted to create a company social media to cast young artists. than church pews for people watching the public sees this company and its that supported young artists and those In this process, CapitalCityOpera. our shows and I also wanted a laid back chosen venue as an alternative to the that couldn’t break into the union for ca got 39,500 page views in 7 days atmosphere for the opera newbie. We video broadcasts and more expensive whatever reasons” says McGlynn, from the voting period of March 10 are “Jeans Allowed Opera”. opera companies. “ “these singers love the art form so much to 17 - engaging both newcomers and The CCO’s first production will be La Boheme. The work was chosen as The Mayfair Theatre will host a work that could connect with a broad Capital City Opera’s production of audience. “The libretto consists of Puccini’s La Boheme at 7pm May 29 themes like love, jealousy, camaraderie, and 30 Tickets are available at the betrayal, loyalty and ultimately loss set Leading Note on Elgin, or you can have with a group of four friends and two them delivered to you by calling 613- couples that are artists and idealists in 421-1325. For more information go to 19 century Paris.” CapitolCityOpera.ca The young opera company has been strongly supported by the help of Come out to The Tracy Arnett Realty Hike for Hospice on May 6 and support The Hospice at May Court
oin us for our spring fundraiser, Registration for the Hike is $25 – Hike for Hospice on May 6, 2012, this covers a shirt, coffee and snacks, Jin support of The Hospice at May lunch, entertainment, and a day with Court. Hike along the streets of Ottawa friends and family supporting a South in an effort to raise funds and noteworthy cause. The expected turn awareness for The Hospice at May out is about 400 hikers, with 100 per Court. cent of the proceeds raised by hikers The Tracy Arnett Realty Hike going towards funding The Hospice’s for Hospice is The Hospice’s second four major programs: Home Support, largest annual fundraiser, and this year Day Hospice, Residential Care, and marks the tenth anniversary of the hike. Family Support. People are asked to gather pledges and “The hike really is a great then hike to raise awareness for hospice opportunity to raise funds for our palliative care. programs here at The Hospice, while “Hospice palliative care is currently bringing the community together for a under funded and under recognized,” great morning,” says Dave Hogberg, says Dave Hogberg, Executive Director “we’re looking forward to seeing for The Hospice at May Court, “Our everyone, and are so grateful for our fundraising goal for this hike is to bring committed supporters.” in $120,000 for The Hospice.” MAY 2012 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR Page 7
CITY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
Litter bugs, Safer Bridges Update, BIA For Old Ottawa South, Lansdowne Transportation Advisory Committee, & CPR scam
Litter bugs me! or who has the right of way. Existing affect the total length of the trip. challenges to Old Ottawa South and “Share the Road” signs do little to help. other neighbourhoods nearby. There very spring, litter shows its Since segregated lanes are not BIA for Old Ottawa South are many issues still to be resolved, and ugly face in our parks, streets possible on the heritage Bank Street I’m pleased to lend support to a community concern is high. Eand even our front yards. Bridge and still some years away on growing group of business owners who To work through these challenges Maintenance crews, along with caring the Billings Bridge, we need to start by are passionate about improving the as possible, and to come up with an residents and business owners, will improving clarity and predictability: fortunes of all the shops, restaurants and effective monitoring program and clean up much of it. But a lot of litter • It is always illegal to ride a service providers in our community. a set of practical responses, I have still goes untouched, and it’s a year- bicycle on the sidewalk. If you are not They’ve already taken many of the created the Lansdowne Transportation round problem. Accumulated litter comfortable on the road, you should required steps towards creating the Advisory Committee (LTAC). OSCA hurts property values, civic pride and dismount and walk. Sunnyside Village Old Ottawa South will be represented, along with other tourism. • Cyclists always have the right to Business Improvement Area. local community associations and I will keep participating in spring ride on the road. And just in time, in my view. groups whose voices need to be heard. I clean-ups and encourage everyone to do • Both cyclists and motorists must Our merchants are already competing expect the LTAC to meet regularly over the same. But I’m going a step further: follow the rules of the road, a.k.a. the with attractive districts like the Glebe, the next two to three years to advise Instead of muttering to myself about Highway Traffic Act. By law, you must Westboro and Preston Street; soon the City on how best to anticipate and the litter, I’ll personally make sure my remain behind a slower vehicle until it they’ll be up against a redeveloped respond to transportation challenges. block stays clean year-round. I’ll pick is safe to pass, and must then do so by Lansdowne Park. up whatever lands in front of my house, completely changing lanes until you are There will be an important public CPR scam I’ll take occasional “litter walks” with far enough ahead. meeting on Wednesday, May 9, 7:30 Beware of phone and doorstep a bag and some gloves, and I’ll make When every driver and cyclist is p.m. at the Old Firehall. Business and appeals to sign up for first aid and CPR a point of keeping the contents of my aware of these rules, we’ll have clarity. property owners within the proposed courses. Before paying for any course, blue and black boxes from blowing When everyone obeys them, we’ll have BIA can learn more about the process, ask for the full name and contact away (the biggest source of accidental predictability. the benefits and the costs of forming a information of the organization, then litter) by putting the heaviest items on For its part, the City of Ottawa BIA. verify that these are legitimate. Don’t top. Care to join me? will soon introduce clearer signage pay for a course that will never happen! and road markings to deter motorists Lansdowne Transportation Advisory Safer Bridges update from dangerously straddling lanes Committee Councillor David Chernushenko In late March, many residents or squeezing past cyclists within the Council-approved plans for 613-580-2487 | David. participated in my Safer Bridges for same lane. The “Share the Road” signs redeveloping Lansdowne Park are going [email protected] All public meeting to discuss ways to will be replaced with new signs that to bring significant traffic and parking www.capitalward.ca address the dangers of biking on the indicate single-file driving/riding and Bank Street Bridge (over the Rideau have a brief message along the lines of Canal) and Billings Bridge (over the “Change lanes to pass”. New “sharrow” Rideau River). The meeting confirmed lane markers will indicate where cyclists my belief that the bridges are major should be. We’re also launching a public obstacles to less-confident cyclists, and awareness and media campaign. that way too many cyclists ride on the It’s important to note that these sidewalk because they feel unsafe on changes won’t take away motorists’ the road. rights; they simply reaffirm existing My conclusion is that predictability rules. Nor should they delay drivers. In is the major issue. Pedestrians know light traffic, it’s easy to change lanes to the sidewalk is the right place to be, pass without slowing down. In heavy but neither cyclists nor motorists are traffic, a vehicle may have to stay entirely sure where bikes should be, behind a cyclist for part or all of the bridge crossing, but that’s unlikely to Theatre Pipe Organs For Sale Or Donation 1. Wurlitzer, 2 manual 9 ranks, console. Originally from a theatre in French style console. Originally Glendale, California. Has a Peterson installed in 1933 in the Regent theatre, control system. Some percussions and Bournemouth, England. Opened by toys. Suitable for a small theatre of 400 Reginald Foort, it was the first TPO to seats, or a home installation. 220 volt 3 be broadcast by the BBC. Complete, phase blower, 7.5 HP. Currently installed 26 pipes need repairs. Percussions and in the O’Brien theatre in Renfrew. toys. Can supply details of ranks. Needs a control system. 220 volts single phase 4. American Photoplayer Model 39 blower, 3 HP. Suitable for a theatre or pit organ, consists of two cabinets with 3 church of 1000 seats. ranks of pipes,percussions and toys, and a central console with 2 manuals and 2. Robert Morton, 2 manual, two roll players in a spool box. Blower 6 ranks. White painted console. supplies vacuum and pressure, no motor, Came from a theatre in Bellingham, recommend 3 to 5 HP. Control system Washington State. Originally 5 ranks, is in the console. Belongs in a musical I added a clarinet. Pipework complete. instrument museum. Extra regulator and tremulant available The pipework for these organs is for the clarinet. Some percussions and currently erected on the chests, in dry toys. Control system in console. Can storage. Console are in dry storage. supply details of ranks. 220 volt single Recipients will be responsible for phase blower, 3 HP. Would make a good removing the organs, crating, etc. home installation. Contact Ross C Robinson at 613- 3. Robert-Morton, 3 manual 731-0815, or
(Left) At Hopewell PS
(Right) At Carleton’s Raven’s Men’ basketball game MAY 2012 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR Page 9 Fifteenth Annual Harvest By Don Cummer The annual pick-a-poo harvest detested rat.” any moment,” said Peter Wells, “but has no set date, but is called at the Gary gave special commendation the Windsor Pups are a hearty lot. t’s that time of year again -- discretion of the organizing committee to Brian Burton for risking life and They’re not going to let inclement when the natives of Old Ottawa from the Windsor Pups dog- limb, attached to a rope on the slopes weather hold them back, any more South don their colourful ethnic walking group. This year, a spate of of the Pump House site. “Linda Thom than they’re going to balk at cleaning I unseasonably warm weather tempted and her band of hardy neighbours did up after their dogs. All in all,” he said, costumes and gather at Windsor Park for the annual cleanup known as the the organizers to make the call before an outstanding job of cleaning up the “it was yet another exceptional crappy “pick-a-poo harvest.” From Riverdale the hockey boards were even down. garbage between the Pump House and event…” to the river bank and from Brighton Mother Nature has a way of laughing the Bank Street Bridge. That’s where For many years, Zoscha the Beach to Linda Thom park, you can at the foibles of humans and, on the you see a lot of garbage dropped Wonder Dog chronicled the annual hear them sing their folkloric songs, day of the event, had returned the carelessly by passers-by.” harvest in her OSCAR column, and passed down from generation to temperatures to late-March chills. After two hours of work, the served as the Alan Lomax of the generation: “This is the first year that we volunteers had assembled about 165 folk songs of the harvesters. Among harvested with the hockey boards up,” BEUs of raked leaves, yard waste and them was the ballad of the legendary “Jump down, turn around Brian Tansey observed. “It’s also the trimmed branches at various stations poop-picker, John Henry, and his Pick a bale of dog poop. first year we’ve had to work around along the pathways. (The BEU is a race against the steam-driven poop- Jump down, turn around remaining patches of snow.” “bag equivalent unit” – a measurement picking machine. Pick a bale a day.” Meanwhile, in another part of the we have invented to keep track of how forest, other residents of Old Ottawa much has been cleaned up. One full “When John Henry was a little boy The origins of the festival are South used the annual spring cleanup paper garden-waste bag counts as The first words his lips did tell, lost in time, but legend has it that to do battle with the Manitoba maples a BEU. So does a stack of pruned Was, ‘I’m gonna be a poop-pickin’ dog-owners first assembled in the which, if left unchecked, would branches that would otherwise fill a man, Spring to make sure that any doggie choke off other plant life along the bag.)Between 40 and 50 dog owners ‘Cause I got no sense of smell, deposits left unnoticed in the dark riverbank. “We’ve been trying to cut turned out again this year for the Lord, Lord, winter months were cleaned up after them back for years,” says Gary Lum, cleanup. “The weather was chillier I got no sense of smell.’” the snow melted. “but they’re as resilient as the forever- that usual, with rain threatening at Help shape Old Ottawa South: Join the 2012-13 OSCA Board By Mike Lascelles and about greening the community. What Finance issues. Oh, and if you’re a please contact us by Monday April 16, Gwen Gall all this means is that the times they are born leader who can guide OSCA in 2012. Just email us at nomination@ a changing big time and so the new the years ahead, do we have room for oldottawasouth.ca, or, if you prefer to he Old Ottawa South Com- OSCA Board has to get crackin’ to get you! discuss things beforehand, call Mike munity Association, OSCA, the community leadership job done. We hope you have the right stuff Lascelles at (613) 737-6480. Board has achieved laudable So starting this May, we must re- and are itching to make Old Ottawa See you all at the OSCA AGM on T plenish and rejuvenate the Board to South even better by serving, and May 1, 2012 at the Firehall. results in the past few years including its crowning achievement: the reno- empower a new generation of dynam- ideally leading, OSCA. If you are, vation and expansion of the Firehall. ic community leaders to create and The Board is about to undergo a sea implement their vision of our com- change as many long-serving mem- munity in the years ahead. That’s the bers, including much of the Execu- poetry of it; the prose is that we need tive, will step down either this May or a few good women and men to step next year. forward to serve on the OSCA 2012- Also, OSCA is about to lose its 13 Board and help lead us into a new stellar Executive Director – Deirdre era of effective OSCA community McQuillan – as well as its incompar- service. It will not be a cake walk and able OSCAR Editor – Mary Anne it’s possible that the timid might be Thompson. Of course, we are current- scared off. We would quickly add, dig ly recruiting people to replace Deirdre deep and tap into your inner strength. and Mary Anne; however, things are And, if you are still hesitant, don’t be going to be different and much savvy shy: we’ll help you. will be lost. Did we mention that the Here’s what the OSCA Board 2012-13 OSCA Board must negotiate nominating committee (Gwen Gall, a new and quite different agreement Valerie McIntosh, Lisa Drouillard, with the City spelling out how we and Mike Lascelles) has done so far. will operate in the years ahead? Also, We’ve identified 6 or 7 people to fill we’ll likely experience a spike in pro- that many vacancies on our 16+ per- posed developments that will chal- son Board. If it’s business as usual, lenge us to be creative, flexible, yet our work is done. But we’ve got miles vigilant to preserve the best features, to go before we sleep because we’re and appropriate scale, in Old Ottawa still lacking one or two key people South. And, we need to get serious who will help lead key committees such as Special Events or pitch in on
Guide Dogs Need Your Used Stamps Saving stamps from old stamped Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind envelopes for Canadian Guide Dogs 4120 Rideau Valley Drive North for the Blind is one way to help them P.O. Box 280 “stamp” their way to a profitable Manotick, Ontario future. K4M 1A3 • Cut or tear the stamps from the (613) 692-7777 envelope (but not too close) • Either drop them off at the CGDB collects all types of training Centre in Manotick, or put used stamps, special issues, regular them in an envelope and mail to: stamps, Canadian and foreign stamps. Page 10 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR MAY 2012
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
The OSCAR welcomes letters on subjects of interest to the community or in response to previous articles. All letters must disclose the name of the writer, as well as the address and phone number. Lettters may be edited for length, clarity, and libelous statements. The opinions of the writers are not necessarily those of the newspaper or its editor. Email your letters to [email protected] or leave in print at the Firehall. CPR Scam Kudos For OSCAR & “Between the Bridges”
few months ago I was to the police, who told me that they am writing to express (belatedly) of our neighbourhood. contacted a couple of times could not do anything, because it is my appreciation to those who are As well, these publications also Aby somebody, who I don’t not illegal to solicit at the door. I responsible for the publication provide us with engaging human interest remember introducing herself This Dave gave me a little of both the OSCAR newspaper, and stories, informative articles, and opinion by name, who mentioned that square piece of paper with the name the on-line publication “Between the pieces, so that after reading we are left people in our neighbourhood were of this “non-profit organisation” , Bridges”. with a pretty complete and invaluable interested in having a CPR/First communitycpr.net. These first-class publications allow perspective on our community. Aid course in our neighbourhood. On the site are links, e.g. with us residents of OOS to be fully informed, We are genuinely fortunate to have Because I’ve done courses like the Heart and Stroke Foundation. in a timely manner, on the important neighbours, many of whom volunteer that in the past, I’m interested in Because four friends in our issues affecting our neighbourhood. their time, who are willing to put refreshing my skills and said that I neighbourhood had CPR solicitors, This is essential if we are to remain a such effort and care into making these would like to take such a course. I who said they were calling on vibrant neighbourhood, and ensures publications available to us. was told I would be contacted. behalf of the Heart & Stroke that we can be collectively involved in Two weeks ago, Saturday, Foundation, I checked with the the determining the future and character John Ambridge March 31, a man who calls himself Heart & Stroke community rep Dave, came to my house as I was who denied any such connection leaving. He mentioned my name and who was well aware of these and wanted to explain the CPR type of scams in the past. Potential course to me, but needed more participants pay up front and when OSCAR Sole Source for Lansdowne Plans? time than I had, he said. Because they arrive at the place where the he was a volunteer for a non-profit course is given, nobody is there, have found the regular updates News, Vistas, and other regional papers? organisation, he could come back or a multiple day course is not and explanations about the I see three areas that have not been well and so he did on Tuesday, April 3. completed. I planning situation for the future of covered in the media that may be of In the meantime I had heard I also checked with the Red Lansdowne Park to be most excellent great interest to city taxpayers, as listed that this might be a typical CPR Cross and they deny any connection and comprehensive and have followed below in possibly increasing order of scam, and that the police was or knowledge of communitycpr.net the events with dismay. The OSCAR interest/ impact: investigating such scams, so when The name might change, but as seems to be the only source for more he came back, I tried to keep him at usual: buyer beware! detailed information about the plans 1. The total scope of the design the door while a friend phoned the Last year Westborough was for Lansdowne. It seems that the major 2. The lack of a competitive process police. “Volunteer Dave” became “hit”, CTV did a feature on that, and newspapers only focus on the stadium 3. The private condos/ hotel on what was suddenly very rushed and before I now it’s our neighbourhoods’ turn. plans, not the whole design or the public property and their heights versus could ask for his ID he rushed off in financial arrangements. When reading the general area and zoning regulations a car. I passed the license plate on Anneke R. the articles, I often wonder if having 4. The financial implications on the them only in the OSCAR is a little city taxpayers for future years’ budgets like preaching to the choir. It seems to me that these excellent articles should Sincerely, I may not agree with what you have to say, but I appear in other Ottawa papers and be Irene Shumada will defend to the death, your right to say it. .... read by a broader range of city denizens. If it is not possible to get articles into Voltaire the major papers, what about the EMC
Send your comments to [email protected] or drop them off at the Firehall 260 Sunnyside Ave Area Worship Services
Sunnyside Wesleyan Church St Margaret Mary’s Parish Glebe Minyan 58 Grosvenor Avenue 7 Fairbairn Jewish Renewal Community (at Sunnyside) (corner of Sunnyside) 612 Bank Street at Strathcona, Sunday Worship Services at Tuesday Evening at 7PM 613.867.5505 9am & 11am (one service at Friday Daytime at 12:15PM Spiritual Leader: 10am May 22 - Sept 4) Saturday Evening at 5PM Anna Maranta, Children’s program offered Sunday Mornings at 9:30AM [email protected] during worship services. and 11:30PM Shabbat: Fridays May 11, 25 and June 8 Trinity Anglican Church Southminster United Church 1230 Bank St 15 Aylmer Avenue Glebe Shul (at Cameron Ave) (at Bank & the Canal) Orthodox Jewish Community Sundays: Holy Eucharist at 8 Sunday Worship 302 Fifth Avenue, and 10am 10:30 a.m. (9:30 a.m. July & www.glebeshul.com with Church School and Choir August) Rabbi Michael Goldstein, (9:30 in July and August) Sunday School [email protected] During worship, September - May MAY 2012 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR Page 11 Remembering Friends and Loved Ones Hommage à mon amie Gi Gi Amine (The Trusted One) Joan Molnar en Eva “Gee Gee” ROBINSON hroughout the ages, poets have praised the value of (nee Frederick) – Passed away at the friendship as one of the most precious experiences in GOttawa General Hospital on March 28, Ta lifetime. Friendship has been compared to nature’s 2012 at the age of 77. She was born on August unique richness: colours of the rainbow, beauty of the flower, 21, 1934 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and raised in morning mist, a gentle breeze. Friendship resembles life Tipton, Iowa. Gen Eva is the loving daughter itself, simple, yet so profound and mysterious… I met my of the late Bert and Helen Frederick. She will friend Joan by chance, nearly 28 years ago right in front of be deeply missed by her adoring husband Ross. my house, on Cameron Avenue. It all started with a new mom Gee Gee began her study of dance at a very and a soon-to-be mom connecting over the excitement and young age with The Rae Studio in Davenport, the challenges of motherhood. What followed was a beautiful Iowa, beginning with Ballet and including friendship that blossomed despite different life paths, busy Hawiian & Spanish, tap, acrobatics, and baton family lives and crazy schedules. Years went by quickly for twirling. Voice lessons were also included to two busy moms trying to juggle life’s tasks, yet trying to stay round out her theatrical background. (Louraina in touch whenever possible. How precious were these too Burch Singers). brief moments of sharing hopes and concerns over a cup of At thirteen she began teaching dance in tea! All that mattered then was taking the time to listen, to her own Studio, and became a member of the understand, to laugh, to make the best out of every situation. Time seemed to stop for a little while, rainy days were full National Association of Dance and Affiliated of sunshine, problems got smaller, the future looked brighter Artists, (NADAA), where she learned more Middle Eastern dance. Associated with Dr. Paul and life was a great adventure despite its fragility… Sadly, ethnic dance. Monty of N.Y. International Dance Seminars, I lost my sweet friend last February, on Valentine’s Day at Upon completing high school she joined Inc., Studied with Serena, Morroco, Dalena, the May Court, on the same street I met her, back in 1984… professional dance groups: The Tanzarettes in Dalia, Ozeal, Ibrahem Farar and many other Joan was an inspiring, caring, generous and sensitive Chicago, then The Helen Parker Dancers, The famous instructors both at their studios and person, a flower of tenderness. In the last couple of years, she Winged Victory Chorus, The International workshops. She also toured Morroco, Greece, showed an admirable and immense courage facing illness Lucky Girls, where she was choreographer, Crete, Portugal, Spain, Egypt, and Turkey to with great serenity, never stopping to care for people around the Gene Autry Road Show, and The Vocal study and dance. her. How sad it is to lose such a true gem, yet how privileged Lovelies, doing musicals. After this in 1958 she Gee Gee has been teaching for the Ottawa I was to have her as a friend, a marvellous friend. moved to Canada to set up her own performing Carleton Board of Education since 1975. As was beautifully expressed by the poet Kahlil Gibran group & Gee Gee’s Studio of Ottawa. Time was She was also president of OMEDA, director, in The Prophet: spent teaching The Rough Rider Majorettes, choreographer and costumer for Shen Dance “And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, becoming a workshop instructor, a contest plus performing professionally, and teaching and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the director, and registered judge with NBTA, workshops in US and Canada. heart finds its morning and is refreshed.ˮ USTA, ISMA, & TU; working in both the US With over 7 decades of dancing, it wasn’t Adieu belle amie. and Canada kept her on the move. until just recently that she retired in 2004. She Linda Déziel-Blais In 1970 Gee Gee became a devotee of will be sadly missed by her family and friends.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR A Gift To Our Nation’s Capital
any in Ottawa are aware that about the tentative CFL franchise accepted as fact and did not dispute a well known and historic ownership, the service of the team that the sole source proposal will be Mpublic commons known can be delivered by any proposal that over $300M in taxpayer loss and that as Lansdowne Park has been in need offers a City of Ottawa stadium. the Lansdowne Park Conservancy will of rejuvenation for some time. This was supported at a recent yield the city an over $200M surplus. There is also great awareness of court hearing in Toronto where the the public conflict on how the City has court did not dispute that the service of Moving Forward planned to award the entire contract to CFL can be delivered by any proposal So how do we end this land developers on a sole source basis. that brings with it a City of Ottawa divisiveness and create unity? Rather than being celebrated, the stadium on agreeable terms. No one is denying our elected talk of rejuvenation of the park has Just as importantly the court city officials the right to make policy been mired in over four years of delay confirmed that there was an alternative. decisions. and legal challenges. The policy for the park is clear and What would have prevented all of The Alternative straightforward with this? The alternative that many in 1. A stadium A simple 90 day our nation’s capital do not know is 2. A green space competitive procurement process. that there is a second proposal for 3. A retail model This would have prevented Lansdowne Park and it has been 4. A management model. litigation, assured best value for the available for almost two years. It is time to bring unity to our citizen taxpayer, legitimized any It is called the Lansdowne Park city with the one thing that has been winner, accelerated development and Conservancy, a non-profit proposal missing all along: united our city. that respects and surpasses all A fair, open and competitive Fortunately this option is still policy direction for the park, including procurement process at Lansdowne available. a world class stadium. Park. How it is different from a private Let this be the gift to our Nation›s Sole Source not available: developer proposal is that under the Capital. confirmed by the court. Conservancy proposal the park is It is important to understand that kept 100% public, promoting local Sincerely, collectively we have arrived at this small business - not chains, promoting John Ernest Martin point in time over a mistaken belief local farmers - not imported produce, Coordinator, Coordonnateur by the City that only the developer promoting arts and culture and of Lansdowne Park Conservancy group can deliver the service of the course sports and recreation and all Conservation du parc Lansdowne CFL franchise and that there was no the while keeping our heritage and the 613.898.1284 alternative. traditions of the site. While clearly there is no dispute The court and the City also Page 12 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR MAY 2012 BACKYARD NATURALIST A Case of Nest Envy?
By Linda Burr Fast forward to April 2012. The sturdy robins’ nest survived the hen it comes to finding winter, still anchored in place on its choice real estate in Old ledge under the porch. And once again Ottawa South, the best it’s occupied, but this time not by W robins. There’s a much smaller bird’s locations are in high demand. This seems to hold true for birds as well as head peeking over the rim of the people. Our front porch was the scene nest. A female house finch is sitting of something resembling high-stakes in it now, keeping warm five lovely “bidding”, and the winners this year light blue eggs. And the male house came as a surprise. finch can be heard singing loudly and Last May, we were delighted that cheerfully from the tree in the front a pair of robins built a lovely nest on garden. Could it be the same pair? I’d a ledge under the eaves of our front like to think it is. porch. In a matter of days, the robins’ So it would seem that if you can’t nest was completed, the eggs were get the real estate you want the first time around, just wait a year and see laid and mother robin was sitting on Robin Nest 2011 them day and night. whether the occupants move out. At It was a choice location, all right. common in the neighbourhood. The together. I thought surely they would any rate, we are once again enjoying Protected from the rain and hot sun by male appears pink as though dipped in give up. But no, this clueless couple the show, although the curtains in the the porch roof, the nest sat on a ledge cherry juice and he has a cheery song. continued in this manner for several living room are drawn nearly shut just wide enough to accommodate its This pair of house finches must weeks. It was becoming agonizing to once again and half the porch is off- tidy proportions. It also provided us a have decided that the robins’ situation watch and starting to stress me out. limits. front-row view from the living room looked pretty sweet. We had never Meanwhile, the robins’ brood had Linda Burr lives in Old Ottawa window of all their nesting activities. had any birds nest under our porch hatched and the parents were busily South and is a biologist and avid We were thrilled to be playing host before, let alone two different pairs! feeding four hungry baby robins. backyard naturalist. to this pair of robins, and we tracked I can only imagine that the finches At about this same time, the finches their progress daily. Every night were a pair of copycats with serious finally gave up. I can only imagine before I went to bed, I checked to see nest envy. Until then, I always thought how discouraging it must have been if mother robin was still there (she that birds instinctively “knew” how to for them to see the super –successful always was). build a nest. But this pair must have robins and their nice nest producing To avoid startling the robins, we missed out on Nest-Building 101. all those healthy youngsters. I was decided to keep our front window They brought all kinds of grasses relieved the finches had stopped, and curtains drawn almost shut for the and other suitable materials to the all my attention was now on those duration of the nesting. This had the ledge, and then tried for several baby robins. effect of casting our living room into frenzied minutes to arrange them We watched as they quickly a state of perpetual gloom, as only a in a somewhat nest-like manner. (If grew and grew until it seemed there narrow gap of light entered between you’ve ever tried to make a nest, you wasn’t room for all of them in the nest the curtains. But it seemed worth the can sympathize with their difficulty.) anymore. Finally one night in early temporary inconvenience because we After a few minutes, the whole heap of June, the mother robin didn’t return were able to keep tabs on the robins tangled mess would fall off the ledge to the nest, although she was nearby. through the gap, yet move around in onto the porch below. Undaunted by That must have been the signal, for the the living room without worrying that these failures, they went and collected next day, the baby robins left the nest we were disturbing them. We also more nest material, but it always one by one and flew up into the tree on avoided using half the porch where ended with the same result. our front lawn. The mother and father the robins were nesting. At first I found it comical to robin were there to coax them along. In the opposite corner of the watch these two inept birds as they That was the last we ever saw of them. porch is another ledge which is rather persisted in trying to discover the art With a sense of relief I opened the narrower, making potential nest- of getting a bunch of grass to stick curtains to let in the light. We occupied House finch nest 2012 with eggs. building a little trickier. This less together. Every few days I swept a big the porch fully then, putting out the Photo by Jophn Calvert desirable but still attractive location pile of all the fallen bits off the porch. planters of flowers and arranging the drew the attention of a pair of house Try as they might, they just couldn’t outdoor furniture for the rest of the finches – sparrow-sized birds that are figure out how to get that nest to hang summer.
OSCAR Needs Volunteers For Monthly Distribution in OOS MAY 2012 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR Page 13
BOOK REVIEW The Beauty of Humanity Movement by Camilla Gibb Publisher: Anchor Canada (July not only at the centre of events, they has learned in his younger years from Vietnam’s difficult recent history. 26 2011) 352 pp are also insightful illustrations of Dao and his friends... Hung had not We are taken back and forth as ISBN: 978-0385663236 life in North Vietnam as it changed always been reduced to selling his Old Man Hung reveals his past to over time, from external occupations pho at street corners from a rickety us, his poor peasant childhood, his and inner societal upheavals, to the old cart... he trained with his uncle friends, lost to the Party’s crude and first cautious touches of freedoms. and later took over his pho place. cruel policies. Much is written with Award winning Canadian author, The shop became as much a favourite hindsight so that today’s Vietnam, Camilla Gibb, highly praised for her hang-out for the loyal early breakfast where life has changed much for the novel, “Sweetness in the Belly”, set crowd as for a group of writers, better, is giving hope to Hung and his primarily in Ethiopia, excels here artists and intellectuals, who debated friends so that the beauty of humanity with a heart-warming account that the ins and outs of the country’s movements can re-appear and maybe brings us close to a cross-section future after it had freed itself from even thrive. of Vietnamese people and the city French occupation. They formed the Memories and dreams are of Hanoi. Beautifully crafted, the “Beauty of Humanity Movement”, an triggered for Hung by the appearance author paints a colourful canvass that imagined group, inspired by reality. of Maggie, a young Vietnamese depicts Hung’s life, complemented in The freedoms were short-lived, woman raised in the United States, broad strokes by portraits of people however, and the Movement was who has come back to Hanoi to he cares or cared about. The human scattered, some disappeared, others trace her father’s whereabouts and interest story is interwoven with were deported… Hung became the is searching for answers as to what and set against the political changes living memory of the movement. might have happened to him. Hung is that North Vietnamese people lived The rich scents that rise from well-known in Hanoi and it does not through over much of the last century. Old Man Hung’s pot of pho during take long before Maggie tracks him Nonetheless, the novel is “between its hours of preparation and later, as down, but will his memory be sharp bitter and sweet”, just like Hung’s he sets up his temporary stall under a enough to help her? Gibb develops pho... bridge or along a busy road, attract a this narrative thread very subtly and Reviewed by: I was immediately taken by long line of dedicated followers every in small doses, giving the reader time Friederike Knabe Gibb’s portrayal of the city’s early morning. The evocation of the to take in the various other aspects of atmosphere that is as vivid as her smells is so vivid that as a reader you this heartwarming novel. A book to ld Man Hung makes the best depictions of the individual characters can easily imagine getting a whiff read slowly, and as some friends told pho in the city and done so for that make up Old Man Hung’s inner of them while turning the page. The me, more than once, to pick up more decades...” The city is Hanoi circle: his disappeared friend, the pho’s ingredients and flavours change, beauty and subtleties in the story. O poet and political activist Dao, his sometimes they are poorer, sometimes and “pho” the national Vietnamese dish. It is a flavourful broth poured adopted family of Binh and his son richer, depending on the raw materials over a mix of herbs, vegetables, Tu. Convincingly the author also available to Hung. It is one effective vermicelli and meat (if there is any). describes life for people at society’s way for Gibb to convey the economic In this novel, pho plays an essential margins: slum dwellers, who are woes that people like Hung had to role: the soup comes close to being a surviving like Hung at the edge of a endure. At the same time, Gibb companion character, echoing the ups dirty pond. Among them is young Lan, brings us insights into the human and down of its cook’s circumstances. who lives with her grandmother in capacity for love and friendship, The story of the pho-making the neighbouring shack and to whom endurance and hope, set against a cook/seller and his popular soup are Hung passes on all what he himself faintly touched upon backdrop of
Doors Open Ottawa 2012 Gives Locals The Key To Their City By Vanessa Burguete first Doors Open event and decided High Commission, and the Official we should try that here in Ottawa,” Residence of the Ambassador of idn’t get the chance to says Linda Russell, Volunteer Co- Sweden. tour the awe-inspiring Chair of the Doors Open Advisory “It’s the simplicity of the event architecture of Embassy Council. “The mayor agreed and that’s part of its appeal – buildings D we’ve had Doors Open Ottawa ever from across the city open their of Algeria or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons during since.” “We were so excited on that doors, show off their stuff for last year’s Doors Open Ottawa first day eleven years ago, I raced one weekend every year, and it’s event? Well don’t fret; these sites from building to building to make free. Simple, but powerful,” says and over 100 more are waiting for sure everything was working well,” Russell. While Russell was visiting visitors of all ages to come by again says Russell. the Supreme Court last year, one this year for a sneak-peek of what’s Her excitement is re-ignited visitor commented: “it’s like my inside. every year on the first weekend in textbooks are coming alive.” For those who aren’t familiar June when urban and rural spaces Don’t miss out on your chance with Doors Open Ottawa, it’s from Carp to Cumberland and to discover your local heritage, a free unique annual event that everywhere in between open their architecture, and design on provides access to the city’s most doors for this event. Embassies, Saturday June 2 and Sunday June architecturally, historically, and places of worship, museums, 3 during the 11th edition of Doors functionally interesting buildings, architectural firms, green buildings, Open Ottawa. many of which are not normally artist’s studios, and science labs are For more information about open to the public. open for discovery! Doors Open Ottawa contact the In 2002 Doors Open Ottawa There are several new event manager at: 613-580-9674. was born and since then, it has buildings that will be participating New building announcements attracted over 60,000 attendees in this year’s event including the will be made on Twitter @ each year. new and energy efficient Ottawa doorsopenottawa and Facebook, “I read an article in the Toronto Humane Society, the Official or visit the website in early May Star twelve years ago about their Residence of the South African www.ottawa.ca/doorsopen. Page 14 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR MAY 2012 Squirrel Talk Il était une fois un arbre...
Par Tania & Michaël La Genèse 2 :4 mentionne que : Dieu ce symbole? Au son des scies que 10 centimètres de diamètre ou plus. place dans le jardin d’Éden l’arbre de l’on entend désormais partout dans Quant aux personnes qui possèdent epuis toujours l’arbre fascine la Connaissance du Bien et du mal et cette ville et dans la banlieue, je dirais une propriété urbaine d’un hectare et ce, qu’il soit feuillu : le l’arbre de la vie au milieu. En chine, qu’il a disparu. Disparu des intérêts et ou moins seront tenues d’obtenir un bouleau, le chêne, le frêne ou l’Arbre Kien Mou se dresse au centre du priorités publiques au profit, peut-être, permis afin d’abattre un arbre distinctif D monde. À son pied, il n’y a ni ombre ni des entrepreneurs (contractors). Par dont le tronc mesure plus de 50 l’érable, ou bien conifère : le sapin, le pin ou l’épicéa. L’être humain a écho. Il a neuf branches et neuf racines, contre, pour les gens en général, les centimètres de diamètre. La demande développé, au fil des siècles, une par lesquelles il touche aux neuf cieux citoyens, beaucoup tiennent encore à de permis devra s’accompagner du relation bien particulière avec ce et aux neuf sources, séjour des morts. leurs arbres. rapport d’un arboriculteur expliquant végétal. Sous toutes sortes de mythes, L’arbre Hom, en Iran, est à la fois arbre Nous sommes parfois prêt à pourquoi l’arbre doit être abattu » de vocables. Qui a eu la chance de se et source. Ses pieds s’enfoncent au prendre les grands moyens pour sauver etc... etc... Selon ce que l’on sait, la retrouver au pied d’un arbre millénaire sein de la terre, sa cime est baignée de un arbre ou pour tenter de le sauver. ville attribue assez facilement aux comprend toute l’admiration et le vapeurs d’eau qui retombent en rosée De fiers protecteurs s’y attachent afin développeurs ces permis d’abattage. respect que l’on peut ressentir face dans la vallée. L’arbre de la Boddhi à d’en éviter la coupe, d’autres tentent À Ottawa, nous sommes encore bien à celui-ci. Il a traversé tellement pour racine Brahma, (le créateur de de faire changer les lois et règlements, loin d’une Charte de l’arbre urbain tel d’époques, de guerres peut-être et tout ce qui existe) pour tronc Shiva, (la d’autres, les regardent et les admirent, que celui de la ville de la biodiversité croisé une centaine de générations destruction et la méditation) et pour tout simplement. Nous nous rappelons par excellence, Montpellier, en France. d’êtres humains. Fascinant! Pas besoin branches Vishnou (l’organisateur du de l’histoire du chêne de Brighton Afin de préserver la richesse et la d’aller très loin pour trouver ces êtres à monde). C’est sous son ombre qu’eut Beach à OOS. Le OSCAR de diversité de son patrimoine arboré, part, on trouve des cèdres anciens âgés lieu l’illumination du Bouddha. Sans septembre 2011 mentionnait d’ailleurs la Ville de Montpellier s’est doté de plus de 1 500 ans dans l’escarpement compter notre préféré, le chêne de : “On the evening of Tuesday, August en 1996 d’une charte destiné aux du Niagara dans le Parc national Merlin. Ce fameux chêne qui aurait 16, well over a hundred people came entrepreneurs, aux preneurs de décision de Péninsule-Bruce et, bien sûr, en poussé au coin des rues Oak Lane et out to Brighton Beach to say goodbye de la ville et au public en général, Colombie Britannique, on retrouve la Priory Street à Carmarthen à South to the oak tree, which has watched over définissant les protections légales, des forêt ancienne de Prince George avec Whales, lieu supposé de la naissance the neighbourhood for more than two recommandations sur les pratiques ces cèdres géants millénaires. de Merlin. hundred years. Over the course of the d’entretien des arbres, les protections De tous les thèmes symboliques, Les arbres ont donc toujours été next day, dozens of people came by to physiques à mettre en place lors de l’arbre est l’un dès plus riche, dès plus entourés d’une auréole de respect, d’une watch as city forestry staff cut down travaux à proximité et la politique ancien et dès plus utilisé. L’histoire la valeur symbolique de puissance, de the tree.” d’accroissement et de diversification plus connue est certes celle de l’Éden. protection. Qu’est devenu aujourd’hui En marchant le long du canal où du patrimoine arboré. dans les rues de OOS ou n’importe Au delà de leur utilité symbolique quel quartier de la ville, les souches, ou sociale, qu’ils soient situés en ville dépassant du sol, sont choses ou à la campagne, les arbres ont leur communes, les odeurs de bois coupé utilité pratique. En milieu urbain, les ne sont que trop fréquentes. Tous ces avantages des arbres sont multiples. bouts de troncs coupés ? Trop vieux? Ils permettent à la fois un équilibre Dangereux ? Cache-t-il la vue ... sur hydrologique, de diminuer les gaz le voisin ou du lac? Empêche-t-il de à effet de serre en plus de favoriser construire le condo de luxe sur un bout une qualité de vie. Un site intéressant de terre qui vaut une fortune surtout soulève tous les avantages des arbres après avoir été vendu par certains en ville: http://arboquebec.com/ agents immobiliers? L’émondeur doit- importance. Ils permettent de “lutter il justifier son contrat ? Avez-vous vu contre l’érosion des sols, très fréquentes aussi toutes ces magnifiques coupes en en milieu urbain due notamment V faites à nos arbres afin de permettre aux travaux de construction et au aux fils électriques de ne pas être piétinement”. Ils agissent aussi comme encombrés ? On s’étonne de voir des modérateur de chaleur en réduisant branches tomber au premier vent suite les besoins en climatisation dans une à cette fragilisation du végétal. Qu’est- mesure pouvant aller jusqu’à 30 pour ce qu’on fait à Ottawa? On coupe, on cent et ce, en donnant de l’ombre cherche chaque bout de terre propre à aux résidences et aux entreprises. Ils y construire des condos de luxe. On consomment du dioxyde de carbone détruit l’immortel bien encré dans sa et rejettent de l’oxygène dans l’air. terre pour construire l’éphémère, le Ce qui permet d’améliorer la qualité cheap à gros dollars qui au moindre et de l’air. Voir aussi le site Internet changement de saison, fendillera dans suivant sur les avantages des forêts tous ces recoins et qui ne durera certes urbaines: http://www.treecanada.ca/ pas 100 ans. publications/trivia_f.htm . Chaque ville qui se respecte a son Finalement, qu’il soit mon chêne règlement municipal sur la protection de Merlin ou mon arbre d’Éden, des arbres urbains ou plutôt sur les “l’arbre en milieu urbain est une source règlements entourant leur abattage. de bien-être physique et de santé Ottawa possède ses règlements: mentale des citadins, en contribuant Règlement N° 2006-279 sur la par sa présence à l’amélioration de la protection et l’entretien des arbres et qualité de vie. Les arbres et arbustes des espaces naturels dans les biens- donnent une dimension humaine à la fonds municipaux et le Règlement ville et au paysage urbain.” (www. Nº 2009 200 sur la protection des arboquebec.com) S’asseoir en dessous arbres situés sur des propriétés pour rêver, s’y balancer pour s’amuser, privées dans la zone urbaine, précise le photographier pour se rappeler... que « Les personnes qui possèdent une propriété urbaine de plus d’un Connaissez-vous un arbre à hectare sont tenues de produire un sauver? Écrivez-nous à : taniamich@ rapport sur la conservation des arbres gmail.com This tree and house in Po Lin Monastery help to support each other. approuvé par la Ville pour pouvoir Photo by Lara Thompson abattre un arbre dont le tronc mesure MAY 2012 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR Page 15
A HARD DAY’S PLAY Well, That’s Refreshing! By Mary P. have a New Baby, just started a month ago. New Baby is a delight. She has been cheerful pretty much from the get-go. No clingy-ness, very few I howls of outrage or misery at drop-off, and those that do occur are easily soothed. Her default seems to be “curious and interested”. What’s not to love?? Today, though, New Baby looks a little out of sorts when she arrives in mummy’s arms. Both their normally cheerful faces are out of kilter. Baby looks solemn-bordering-on-grumpy, and mother has tension lines around blue-shadowed eyes. Not a good morning, I’m guessing. “Not a good morning,” Mum informs me. She thrusts baby at me. This is not standard. Usually mum holds baby for a minute or two while we chat, and hands baby over only as she is leaving. (This as per my instructions. Far less misery all round that way.) I’m thinking mum has reached her tipping point, poor thing. New Baby, beginning from a baseline of grumpy, and now startled to be in my arms so abruptly, bursts into howls of outrage. “She’s had a rough, rough morning,” Mummy informs me over the ruckus. “I’ve never seen her so bad, ever! She woke up at five, and it’s been cling, cling, cling ever since. She wouldn’t let us put her down for a second.” We ascertain there’s no apparent health issue. No fever, no snottiness, bowels normal, no rashes. It’s probably teeth, mum suggests, and I agree. In truth, I don’t have any strong feeling re: the teething. But at this age? It’s always “probably teeth”. If you can’t figure out what the heck else to blame it on, teeth are a pretty fair bet, since they spend much of the first two and a half years of their lives teething. So if mum needs a reason, we can blame it on teeth. Why not? Could very well be. (Or not.) Mum leans in to her red-faced daughter. “Have a good day, hon,” and plants a kiss on the sweaty head. She looks up at me. “To tell the truth, I’m kind of happy to be leaving her right now.” Her glance falls to her still- roaring daughter. She kisses the now-snotty nose. “Cheer up today, missie, or I might just not come back!” I burst out laughing. “Nothing like a mother’s unconditional love!” Mum laughs with me, and the lines of tension around her eyes ease. She heads off to her nice, quiet office. I’m pretty sure I detect a visible bounce in her step. I like the frank parents. Parents who can admit when their child is being a pill, parents who can admit when they’ve had about enough of it, parents who can admit that they don’t always enjoy this whole parenting gig, even when the child’s not being objectionable. Parents who don’t expect perfection of themselves don’t expect perfection of me. Parents like that can laugh at the child’s foibles, don’t get tied up in knots if another child hits a milestone first, or if their child goes home with a bump, a bruise, or (heaven forbid, but it does happen) a bite. They don’t get all angsty or competitive. Parents like that are just… easier. I like New Baby’s mummy! Sudoku Sudoku Solution on page 16
To complete the puzzle: 1. all rows must contain digits 1 to 9 only once 2. all columns must contain the digits 1 to 9 only once. 3. each of the nine boxes must contain the digits 1 to 9 only once Page 16 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR MAY 2012
Cercle de lecture L’Amicale tant de vie s’égare par Andrée Lacelle Par Jean-Claude Dubé de la littérature franco-ontarienne est mieux de l’ouvrir au hasard et beaucoup et qui croit énormément, contemporaine ». Andrée Lacelle d’y lire quelques vers à haute voix. Andrée Lacelle n’a jamais cessé de Les Éditions du Vermillon, 305, St. est complètement d’accord avec lui. Plus tard, on entreprend une lecture rêver et de croire. Née à Hawkesbury Patrick, Ottawa Selon elle, la poésie est un chant qui ordonnée et parlée pour y entendre en Ontario, Andrée était la plus jeune ISBN 978-1-897058-57-2 vient de l’âme. C’est le genre des et capter les subtilités des mots, des de cinq enfants. Très jeune, elle origines, celui qui précède les autres espaces et du rythme. C’est ainsi que écrivait au son et à douze ans, elle a genres littéraires nous pouvons entrer dans l’intimité de commencé à garder un carnet de bord Dès son enfance, l’être humain sait l’auteure, dans son voyage intérieur qui lui permit de toujours rester en s’exprimer vocalement avec cadence. pour s’instruire sur ses sentiments contact avec ses émotions. Tour à tour Que se soient des énoncés d’amour, envers elle-même et envers ceux avec enseignante et traductrice à Ottawa, de joie, de crainte, de guerre ou de lesquels elle s’associe. Andrée Lacelle publia son premier prière, l’humain donne une tonalité Il faut bien comprendre que ce recueil de poésie en 1979. et un rythme dans ses échanges recueil d’Andrée Lacelle est une Tant de vie s’égare mérita le Prix verbaux avec ses semblables. Avant œuvre d’amour. En entrant dans son Trillium de l’Ontario ainsi que le prix qu’il ne sache lire et écrire, l’être intimité, nous découvrons un profond de poésie de l’Alliance française en humain civilisé était poète. Homère, sentiment de tendresse, d’affection 1995. Ce recueil fut aussi finaliste de la Grèce antique, racontait des et d’attachement que l’auteure porte pour le Prix du Gouverneur général évènements historiques accompagné envers une ou plusieurs personnes. Ses du Canada et le prix du Livre de la d’une lyre : la naissance de la poésie mots sont sobres, limpides, presque Ville d’Ottawa en plus de mériter lyrique. Il en était ainsi avec les pudiques mais nous y trouvons cet état le Premier prix de poésie de la troubadours du Moyen-Âge aussi d’âme manifestant plus qu’un simple société Radio-Canada. En plus des bien qu’avec les narrateurs anciens de sentiment amical ou romantique. Il six recueils de poésie à son nom, l’Asie, de l’Afrique et de l’Amérique. nous semble entendre le soupir d’une Andrée Lacelle a écrit un recueil de e 11 avril, 2012, le Cercle L’humain est naturellement poète. passion étouffée par les murs de la poèmes comptines « Bobikoki », de lecture l’Amicale a eu le D’après Andrée Lacelle, la poésie vie. fut critique littéraire à TFO, devint grand plaisir d’accueillir une est le début de la parole. C’est un mode Les deux éléments essentiels auteure d’un dialogue radio-théàtre à L d’expression qui s’ouvre sur tout, sur à la poésie sont donc présents : une Radio Canada, fut nommée écrivaine poète ottavienne de renom : Andrée Lacelle. En plus de nous entretenir la conscience totale et qui permet de auteure qui croit ce qu’elle dit et nous, en résidence au département des sur son recueil de poésie tant de dire des choses qu’on ne peut dire lecteurs, qui croyons ce qu’elle dit. Lettres françaises de l’Université vie s’égare, prix Trillium 1995, les autrement. C’est aussi une façon de tant de vie s’égare d’ Andrée d’Ottawa. Avec trois collègues, elle membres de Cercle de lecture furent court-circuiter les paroles ordinaires Lacelle est composé d’une cinquante prépare présentement une anthologie comblés d’entendre les sages propos car souvent nous ne savons pas dire ce de poèmes répartis en quatre groupes mondiale de la poésie féminine de l’auteure sur la poésie, sur sa vie et que nous ressentons. La poésie permet de pensées connexes. Le premier francophone contemporaine : pas sur l’art d’écrire. Andrée Lacelle est aussi de se déplacer entre le rêve et « L’humeur du monde » nous prépare d’ici, pas d’ailleurs. Cette anthologie une femme érudite d’une très grande le réel, chacun selon sa mesure. Il ne à l’état d’âme de l’auteure. Il y a un paraîtra bientôt en France, publiée par sensibilité avec beaucoup d’expertise faut pas marginaliser la poésie car, en passé plein de richesses et un désir de la maison Voix d’encre. dans la vaste gamme des émotions de fait, la réalité est remplie de rêves qui se relancer: Andrée Lacelle nous a confié l’âme humaine. se sont concrétisés. « faut-il en arriver là maints secrets sur sa vie, son art François Paré, poète émérite, Comme toutes les œuvres où l’ancre s’amarre sans rien et la poésie, surtout dans le milieu professeur titulaire et directeur du littéraires du genre, le recueil tant annoncer franco-ontarien. Cette rencontre département des études françaises à de vie s’égare d’Andrée Lacelle à l’insu du temps de L’Amicale a été ravissante et l’Université de Waterloo (Ontario) doit être lu en plusieurs séances. Au et le temps n’a rien à cacher » enrichissante, à la fois. déclare que « la poésie est le cœur début et pendant plusieurs jours, il Dans le deuxième groupe de La prochaine et dernière rencontre poèmes « Les choses claires », nous du Cercle de lecture L’Amicale pour trouvons un désir de faire table rase et l’an 2011-2012 aura lieu le mardi 8 de recommencer à neuf : mai prochain. Nous porterons notre « assis à la table des songes clairs attention sur le récit autobiographique l’enfant voyage «Nomade « de la plume de Mila la tête hors-les-murs Younes, ottavienne d’origine et le cœur sous les comble s» algérienne. Ce livre, finaliste du Prix ainsi que : du livre de la Ville d’Ottawa en 2008 « les toits de la ville méditent le est la suite de Ma mère, ma fille, ma clair de lune » sœur qui a reçu le Prix du livre de la Le troisième groupe porte le nom Ville d’Ottawa en 2004. Mila Younes du titre du recueil : « Tant de vie sera avec nous et elle participera à s’égare ». Nous y décelons une âme la discussion. La rencontre aura lieu meurtrie: à 19h au sous-sol de la bibliothèque « tout près de minuit Sunnyside d’Ottawa, rue Bank. Venez de moins en moins proche de moi nombreux, il n’y a aucun frais. plus réglée que la vie je me dissipe charnelle tout près de minuit » Sudoku Solution ainsi que : Sudoku Puzzle is on page 15 « …et l’adorable doux et bon plus jamais ne revient » Le dernier groupe de poèmes « Entre peur et mémoire» est teinté d’un certain fatalisme et d’une finalité sans regrets : « à travers la vie et le rêve de la vie… … il y a la promesse du ferment extrême » ainsi que : « le cœur sculpteur martèle des ébauches d’anges » Comme un enfant qui rêve MAY 2012 Page 17
NOTES FROM THE GARDEN CLUB Club Gardening for the Busy Gardener By Colin Ashford required. She suggested the use of a and Kristin Kendall pop bottle with holes in the neck or ceramic “plant nannies” for automatic or the final meeting of the watering of plants in containers. season, the members of the Old Perennial plants in containers larger Ottawa South Garden Cub were that three feet cubed can be successful F over wintered outside whereas plants treated to a fascinating presentation by Mary Reid, owner of the Green in smaller containers should be Thumb Garden Centre (www. brought inside for the winter. greenthumbgarden.ca). Mary, a self- The use of soaker hoses, timers, confessed reformed banker, started and rain barrels is a great time saver as are mulches; mulches not only her business in 1996 and uses both her Dwarf Daffodils gardening and business skills at Green conserve moisture (and thus reduce nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) the need for watering) but also Thumb. is generally lower that that of synthetic The theme of Mary’s presentation control weeds. Mary pointed out that fertilizers. gardens need to be weeded before was saving time for the busy gardener Mary offered a number of and she pointed out that the techniques mulching, and that there has to be strategies for controlling weeds. enough moisture present in the soil for Maiden Hair Grass she would be describing may not Firstly, corn gluten is good for mulching to be effective. as Lilac and Weigela should be done necessarily be the classic ones—but, controlling weeds like crabgrass that Mary contended that putting the just after the plants have flowered. she assured the meeting, they would propagate by seed, whereas annuals garden to bed for the winter need not In summary, Mary noted that work. First, starting in the spring, she like Lambsquarters can be decapitated be onerous: cut back most herbaceous gardening need not be onerous or time- perennials to about 2 inches above the consuming and, indeed, gardeners ground when you (or they) are ready; should take the time to enjoy their leave evergreen perennials such as gardens Candy tuft and Japanese spurge alone; This was the last meeting of the or even leave perennials such as Globe Garden Club for the 2011—2012 thistle and Maiden hair grass to feed season. However, we will be having our the birds or for winter interest in the annual Spring Perennial Exchange— garden. Young trees can be protected Good Plants, Good Deals on May 12. during the winter from attack by Bring potted and labelled perennial rabbits by using plastic tree wrap or plants to exchange. Set up starts at rodent repellent. Woody perennials 9:30 a.m., exchange starts at 10 a.m., should be watered once a week until sale of remaining plants follows. At the ground freezes and then wrapped Brewer Park near the shelter at the in an open-topped wrapping to avoid children’s playground. desiccation during the winter. We are planning an exciting Pruning of dead, diseased, or program for 2012—2013; it will be dangerous shrub branches (and advertised later in the year in OSCAR. suckers) can be done at any time, but pruning most woody perennials such Fall Crocus recommended some varieties of spring with a Dutch hoe; but perennials bulbs (Dwarf daffodils, Wild tulips, like Dandelions have to be pulled Snowdrops, and Crocus) that need up. Traditional lawns of Kentucky no deadheading nor look unsightly bluegrass can be very demanding on as they die down. She also passed time (and water); Mary recommended on a tip to help deter squirrels from Eco-Lawn (www.theecolawn.com) nipping the tips of tulips: put a saucer a drought-tolerant, low maintenance of water for the squirrels to drink mixture of seven Fescues that will because it is the moisture in the tulip do well in most light conditions. stalks that the squirrels are after. (She Overseeding a lawn with Dutch also recommended chicken manure white clover is another eco-friendly and bloodmeal as other deterrents). approach to lawns although Mary Another time saver is to plant fall warned that it can be difficult to get crocus—they bloom both in the fall the clover established. For both lawns and the spring. They can either be and gardens, Mary recommended top Weigela planted in the garden in the spring or dressing with a quarter inch of soil. fall, or planted in pots in the fall for Surprisingly, buying less than three subsequent planting out in the spring. cubic yards of soil is cheaper by the As with other bulbs, any foliage bag than by the truckload. She also must be left to die off naturally. By noted the availability of freeze-dried judiciously selecting plants (Crocus, top dressing that is a real time-saver. Daffodils, Tulips, Peonies, Day lilies, Traditional compost can also be used Black-eyed Susan, Sedum, and lastly, as top dressing. hardy Chrysanthemums or Asters) After the break, Mary turned her Mary explained one could have ninety attention to containers, recommending days of blooms in the garden. the use of potting soil mixed with For transplanting or planting fertilizer in containers rather than new plants from the nursery, Mary regular soil. She explained that it recommended that plants be well is not necessary to replace soil in watered-in: watered every day for containers every year, but rather to two weeks and thereafter once a week top-up containers as required and add for the season. Mary recommended fertilizer at the same time. Using the organic fertilizers although their mixture of soil and fertilizer means content (indicated by the three that, during that growing season, numbers specifying the proportions of no further feeding of the plants is th Page 18 The OSCAR - OUR 40 YEAR MAY 2012 Brighton Beach Memories
Lorna taught swimming lessons every morning to local children. The guards had the children lie back on the grassy lawn to teach them their frog kicks, perfect arm motions, and talk about safety. She had taken swimming lessons at Brighton Beach herself and had attained her bronze and silver levels there. “It is very different guarding in a place where you can’t see the bottom. I was told watch heads, when one goes down, make sure the same one comes up. There was never an incident, no drowning, when I was there,” said Lorna. The guard chair was set in the middle of the beach, about three or four feet up, like a big table with a chair in the middle. There was smaller one lower down. And a long dock that stuck out into the river. There were booms to keep the children corralled Left to right Mike Hooper, Alice in a specific area under the watchful Arnason, Del Smith (Head guard) eyes of the lifeguards. There were also three rafts, one to the left, one to the By Paige Raymond Kovach right, and one in the middle, as well as a diving platform. Intermediate orna Stoddart taught many swimmers could swim out to the rafts. Old Ottawa South youngsters “The first few summers I got Lto swim at Brighton Beach. badly burned, we didn’t know Clean up day left to right..Dave robertson, Del Smith and Bob Butterworth Starting at 13 and throughout her anything about the dangers of the sun another Old Ottawa South resident, had saved a life. teen years, she was one of the team then, we put baby oil on ourselves,” of lifeguards that ensured safety and who organized the swimming at But summers at Brighton Beach said Lorna. Brighton Beach. Lillian had attained weren’t all lessons and perfecting fun at the popular summer spot. The lifeguards got to know each The beach was a busy place in the level of a gold medallion, one of strokes: in the afternoon the beach other very well and became good the few in Canada, which meant she was open to play. the 50s and 60s. There are no traces friends. They each went to separate now of the cinderblock building that high schools so Brighton Beach was doubled as the ticket office, change their connection to each other every room and bathroom. Back then there summer. were bike racks, and the whole beach She was encouraged to work area was enclosed by a fence. as a lifeguard by Lillian Kitteridge,
Mike Hoper and Dave Robertson in front of the main guard stand MAY 2012 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR Page 19
Kaleidoscope Kids’ Books It’s raining Cats and Dogs – Books! pring is here with its profusion how to give Kitty a bath (a several of flowers and sunshine, and step process, according to Uncle Sthose of us with cute wellies Murray), a birthday party with feline enjoy those inevitable rainy days guests, or a baby being brought home too. Just the right time of year to let by Kitty’s owners, kids and adults your animals out of the house to start will be laughing out loud by the end digging up the grass and eating your of each of these chapter books. tulips (is that only my house?). After Meerkat Mail by Emily Gravett the mud tracks of April, May is a is not technically a book about cats, welcome respite for pet owners. Let’s celebrate with some books about cats and dogs! by Brooke Kerrigan, is a loving Dogs tribute to a child’s memorable Dogs by Emily Gravett showcases mischievous pet. A comfy dog bed, dogs of all sorts in her award-winning enjoyed since its publication in 1957! a red rubber ball, a favourite bone: a illustrative style and comes in board In the early chapter world, nothing collection of images left behind stirs book or paperback. The book details beats Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel for up fond memories, both poignant and all the types of dogs that the narrator hysterical pictures and witty, tongue- humourous, of a child’s best friend. loves – big and small, stroppy and but it’s one of my favourites, so I’ve This is a lovely family resource to soppy, good and bad dogs. What type included it here too. Sunny, who lives help kids talk about loss. of dog is best loved? As we learn in the Kalahari Desert, decides that Beginning readers are likely unexpectedly at the end of the book, it’s too crowded and too hot, and he familiar with Biscuit by Alyssa Satin it’s any dog that won’t chase the cat sets off to find the “perfect” place to Capucilli. With simple sentences who has been telling this tale to us. live. On his travels around the world, and word repeats to help readers For an upscale story about a suit- visiting distant cousin mongeese, learn common terms, these tales of a wearing dog who can drive, read, ski Sunny sends his family a series of rambunctious puppy and his family post cards that detail his adventures. will have kids and parents smiling Great illustrations and a sneaky jackal together. in the background too! Cats This is just a small collection of the Lynley Dodd writes about both menagerie of animal stories waiting to dogs (Hairy Maclary is a naughty in-cheek explanations of cat behaviour. be adopted here at Kaleidoscope. And dog) and cats (Slinky Malinki is a Whether it’s an instructional guide on no poop to scoop…. badly behaving cat). Slinky Malinki steals things from clothes pegs to slipper, from a sausage string to a clock… Told in rhyme, each book of Slinki Malinki’s adventures has young readers wondering what that cat will do next! and play chess, check out Douglas For beginning readers, Splat the by G.N. Hargreaves. With all of the Cat books by Rob Scotton help kids many things Douglas can do, it’s hard learn to read while enjoying some of to believe that he’s unable to wag Splat’s zany adventures. From baking his tail! Apparently, to be able to wag, you need to know how to have fun – luckily, a little bird arrives on the scene to help Douglas figure this out. Cartoony illustrations and over 20 stickers in the back of the book – a great read for kids who think they know what dogs like to do… New on the shelves is what we are sure will become a classic – Silly Doggy by Adam Stower tells the story of Lily, who has always wanted a dog and one day looks out into her yard and finds that one has magically a cake to singing at the Parent’s night appeared. Her silly doggy is big, at his school, Splat keeps readers brown and hairy, with four legs, a tail entertained while learning sound and a big, wet nose. Lily, of course, families for the words they’re reading. wants to keep the dog, but her mother Splat has unruly black hair and googly suggests this might be someone’s pet eyes; the art in the books helps kids and she should make a “Found” sign understand and enjoy the stories. in case. In addition to a drawing of A classic book with the the dog, Lily also describes some quintessential tricky cat, Dr. Suess’ key attributes: this dog is no good Cat in the Hat has been enjoyed by at tricks, terrible at playing fetch, generations of readers. This oversized never does what you tell him and his cat in his oversized hat arrive on a favourite thing is belly scratches. Lily cold rainy day and turn the afternoon hopes no one will see her sign, but into a madcap adventure that nearly the very next day, someone from the wrecks the house in the process … local zoo drops by – to pick up their A great spontaneous escapade with missing bear… the text we love and the trademark As a cycle of life book, Dog Seussian illustrations that have been Breath by Carolyn Beck, illustrated Page 20 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR MAY 2012 TheTundra Review hose brilliant [I use [near constant disappointment is philosophy - in the form of a video the individual without passing that word such that it is my lot in life when it comes to game...that I’ve played through at judgement, a task which they leave to Wdripping with as much the current “age” of cinema], but least 3 times...100% completion I the viewer. It’s impossible to speak to sarcasm and disdain as I can muster... despite that “Afghan Luke” remained might add...as if that means anything the factual veracity of the film [and which is a lot] idea is it to spend an entertaining, fascinating, and to any of you...sigh] as from early only an idiot denies that Hollywood the two months after the Academy absurd road trip through the bizzaro philosophy courses I sat through in like to flaunt its dramatic license], Awards releasing nothing but dramas world that is Afghanistan [which university a long, long time ago. The but as a character study it’s probably [often tediously heartfelt] and light is a beautiful country in a post- timeliness of this film is unsettling one of the most interesting films I’ve comedies [crammed so full of apocalyptic wasteland sort of way]. to say the least, and at its core is ever seen. poignancy and “meaning” it makes Following a disillusioned and cynical a critique of modern society that me ill to even think about]. I can journalist as he wanders through an is disturbingly accurate [though “Johnny English Reborn” only watch so much drivel before I incredibly SNAFU/FUBAR world, completely one-sided] and a mix need to watch something sheerly fun the viewer is treated to moments of of anti-political / anti-bureaucratic and entertaining...I like a balance: dark comedy, social commentary, rhetoric that can border on stifling intelligent and insightful [not that and a general sense of the absurdity [very heavy-handed and cynical... Hollywood manages that very often] of the world [and I love absurdity, almost more cynical than my own followed by brutal revenge driven and irony, and cynicism, and dark perspective on things, which made violence [woohoo!]. Alas, it is not comedy...etc]. This should have been me feel like I wasn’t living up to my to be, but despite my general disgust a better film [as with so many films, full cynical potential]. Yet, at the for the releasing schedule at this sigh], but despite its flaws [it never heart of the story is a very human time of year I still managed to find quite gets its tone and atmosphere problem - that of creation, social some films that are worth the time right, and, in all fairness, I wanted interaction, greed...and parasitism. they take to watch. So below are more dark comedy than existential The film has some short-comings [it’s a few of the titles that captured my drama], the movie was good [read: an independent production funded interest [and yes, I’m aware of the worth my time to watch...which is a by a wealthy financier - talk about irony of my selections...three dramas step above most films, which aren’t self-serving propaganda], but it’s a and a comedy...sigh...but they’re worth my time to watch...] - it has fascinating story, and I’m certainly all exceptions to my general rule of some brilliant moments and hilarious looking forward to watching the “comedies and dramas suck”]. These dialogue, and keeps pushing its road- second-half when it gets released titles, and thousands upon thousands trip story forward through strange [and I plan to read the book by then... more, are available for rent at your encounters with odd-ball characters hopefully, after Catch-22, which local DVD/BLU-RAY store Tundra and surreal situations. I’ve been told will suit my sense of is, well, hilarious [although, since I Moving Pictures, 435 Sunnyside @ humour]. generally dislike comedies - they’re Seneca. “Atlas Shrugged, part One” - predictable and often have crappy “J. Edgar” - endings with tedious “moral” “Afghan Luke” - messages worked in with as much grace as a duck stuffed into a turkey - I’m not sure how much weight should be given to my opinion]. Rowan Atkinson recreates a character that was fun the first time around, but ages him appropriately and redefines him as a rare mix of competence, intelligence, bad luck and...well... bumblingness. An endearing character [he’s just so likable] put into an absurd situation is the basis of a surprising large number of comedies, but it doesn’t alway work. Thankfully, in this case, it works perfectly, and we’re treated to a fun and funny film with entertaining I’ve never read the book, and my action sequences and an amusingly I really wanted this to be “Fear knowledge of Rand is all second- I’m not really a fan of biopics [they dastardly villain [always a necessity - and Loathing in Afghanistan” and tier and derived as much from tend to be about people I could good villains are becoming harder to I’ll admit that I was disappointed Bioshock [brilliant critique of the really care less about, and they’re find sadly, probably thanks to all the that it never lived up to this hope inevitable consequences of Rand’s generally tedious and extremely bias silly villains in comic book movies]. about their subject] but I’m always willing to give Clint Eastwood the From the pre-order lists, the benefit of the doubt [he’s a fantastic upcoming month should satisfy director - except for “Flags of Our some of my cravings for action and Fathers,” which was atrociously violence, along with some more boring and very badly acted]. I’m interesting smaller titles, if for no also willing to watch most DiCaprio other reason than I’m running out of films [despite the fact he seems like teen melodrama TV series to watch a slimy untrustworthy douchbag... [just finished “Vampire Diaries” yeah, personal bias, I know, other and “The OC” - both thoroughly people think he’s “dreamy”, but entertaining...sadly]. If you’re they’re wrong] because he seems looking for a list of our weekly new to have a damn good agent who releases or trailers of new films consistently picks roles that DiCaprio we really like please check out our suits. “J. Edgar” is no exception Facebook page, just google: for either of them: it’s an intelligent “facebook tundra moving pictures” multi-layered look at a complex character whom [grammar brain-fart, Reviews courtesy of Chris I couldn’t decide between “who” and “whom”] both director and actor Whitehead. portray carefully so as to examine MAY 2012 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR Page 21
AFTER THOUGHTS
The World System as an Ecology of Suggestions
from Richard Ostrofsky power, technological sophistication, core and periphery are influenced also to describe and account for the over-all of Second Thoughts Bookstore and so forth. There is only one such by non-economic factors, notably quality of their relationship and for the (now closed) system today – the global one – and military power, ideological rhetoric, ‘balance of power’ amongst its parties. www.secthoughts.com many scholars and ordinary people advertising and so forth. In any specific To do this it will describe and analyze [email protected] would like to understand it, as honestly negotiation, factors like these must their negotiations as an exchange as possible. Herewith some of the help to shape the outcome – as will the and weighing of suggestions to one y column this month will conclusions that have been reached, ‘mindset’ of the parties concerned. another, seeing the outcome as a kind be fairly academic but not following this world-system approach. And here the notion of a suggestion of ecological balance – self-consistent unbearably so, I hope. The The first point is that supposedly ecology will enter. By definition, and fairly stable in the ideal case, but M ‘free’ market transactions are (at best) mindset is the cognitive repertoire of more-or-less volatile in detail. In such concepts at point seem to me of general interest, and worth some effort by the an ideal special case, and (at worst) concepts, beliefs, desires, and whatever, negotiations, the suggestions in play are lay public to understand. Briefly, I want a matter of self-serving ideology. In that people bring to the situtions they of many kinds: offers to trade, threats, to link Immanuel Wallerstein’s ‘world- fact, all transactions (economic and encounter. People are influenced and seductions and self-justifying rhetoric systems analysis’ to Gregory Bateson’s otherwise) occur within relationships cued in various ways by the suggestions are probably the most important. concept of an ‘ecology of mind,’ and of relative power, even when the put to them – by significant others This paradigm of ‘suggestion suggest how the resulting paradigm parties are legally equal. All such or by advertising commercials, for ecology’ has interesting implications not offers a new approach both to political transactions are negotiated, tacitly or example. They weigh and decide just for the social sciences, but for sane economy and to ethnography – the explicitly, between parties in differing amongst the competing suggestions of political activists and for the ordinary, detailed description and explanation circumstances, with different levels their present situation in light of their concerned citizen. It leads us to think of lifestyles in a given community of of need to come to an agreement. The respective mindsets – their repertoires and write about a world of embedded, interest. Entries for all these terms are employer and the worker, vendor and of suggestions received and accepted mutually interacting communities, available on Wikipedia, for example, customer, husband and wife, parent in the past. Each such repertoire is each with its mindset, its suggestion but I will try to make this piece about and child are just examples of such actually a dynamic system, analogous ecology. In this way, anthropological them clear and self-contained from this asymmetrical relationships between to the ecologies of nature in some ways: structuralism is retooled into a kind of point on. The key idea is that human parties with differing needs, desires and the whole repertoire must be consistent cognitive systems analysis: the concept groups and their lifestyles should not ‘mindsets,’ and with differing options if with itself, and may be invaded by new of ‘mindset’ becomes mutable and be studied in isolation from one another no agreement is reached. and powerful suggestions at any time. dynamic while remaining something (nor from the anthropologists who study This last point is the most Wallerstein’s ‘world system’ is that communities and whole societies them) as static structures, but as inter- important. In any such negotiation comprised of numerous sub-systems can share. We see that a group’s common related systems evolving in relationship and in the relationship (if any) that and ultimately of individuals, each ‘mindset’ can be coherent, adaptive and to one another, and to an ecological follows, power is held by the party with mindset of its own. The economic fairly stable, but also deeply incoherent, context that includes them all. that cares least whether they can reach relationships and power relationships conflicted and maladaptive. Both Anthropology has been in a pickle agreement or not. In a ‘buyer’s market’ amongst such entities can be conceived ethnography and political economy for some years now because the pristine the customer knows that he can always and analyzed according to the ‘terms adapt accord-ingly. We find ourselves ‘cultures’ that it traditionally worked find other vendors to sell him what of trade’ between them. A fine-grained talking about something larger than with – e.g. in Samoa, New Guinea or the he wants. He walks away if the price analysis of these relationships and the global economy: the coherence, jungles of South America – no longer does not come down. In a seller’s terms will abstract from the goods competence and sanity of the global exist, if indeed they ever did. Every one market, the vendor knows that he can exchanged and the specific transactions mind. of the communities thought to live by find other customers and raises his negotated between them, and will seek such a culture had a history of contacts price accordingly. A similar “law of with other peoples and ways of life. supply and demand” holds when the All have had, and still have, significant transaction is not strictly economic, contact with the modern world, if only and when the price is not just a matter with the explorers who found them, of dollars and cents. The negotiation and with the anthropologists who and the contract (if any) that follows is studied them. Most have been subject always conditioned by the party who to missionaries, traders and colonial needs agreement least. adminis-trators as well. Thus, none of For this reason (if nothing else), them is truly ‘pristine,’ or structurally power has tended to flow toward centers self-contained. All are much more like of technological and organizational the urban ghetto (or wealthy, gated sophistication which could find their community) of interest to sociologists raw materials, their workers and than like the primitive tribes studied by their customers wherever. The world Margaret Mead. system as a whole has tended to self- Responding to this situation, organize around a core where such Immanuel Wallerstein and others power is concentrated, dominating have developed the concept of a a much poorer, weaker periphery ‘world-system,’ with any number of which supplies (relatively cheap) sub-systems of varying collective raw materials, and has to purchase mentalities or ‘mindsets,’ at varying (relatively expensive) finished goods. levels of wealth, autonomy, political Of course, the terms of trade between
Spring Melodies
performed by the Ottawa Regional Youth Choir under the direction of Kevin Reeves, with guests, the Ottawa Children’s Choir, on Saturday, May 12, 2012, 7:30 p.m. at the Canadian Martyrs Church, 100 Main Street. Admission at the door: Adults: $20; Students: $10; Children under 12: Free Page 22 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR MAY 2012 A Wonderful 8-Days in Paris By Marilyn Brown Cemetery. It is the largest cemetery - the beautiful Gothic Church with a cold drink. Back on to the Hop On/ (Dancey) in Paris. The land had belonged to amazing carvings and statues, and Hop Off to our hotel area for supper Pere de la Chaise, Confessor to King world renowned for its Gargoyles and that night at another outdoor café, Le y daughter, a family friend Louis the XIV. Such celebrities as Flying Buttresses. We arrived at 10 Beaujolais. It is so nice to be able to and myself planned a trip Jim Morrison, Oscar Wild, Edith Piaf, a.m., and it was Sunday, while Mass eat a meal, or stop for a drink at these to Paris for September of Chopin, Moliere, Proust, and Maria was taking place. We were surprised outdoor café’s and not be bothered by M Callas, to name a few are buried there. that there were so few people in any insects. We could even leave our 2009. When the time finally came, we were all very excited and headed out Some of the family Crypts, which attendance. We couldn’t use our windows open all night and not worry for our overnight flight to Frankfurt, were in all sizes, had beautiful stained flash, and had to be very quiet. The about moths, etc. Creepy crawlers Germany and then on to De Gaul glass, alters, kneeling benches and Relics of the Passion of Christ had are not on my likeable list at home or Airport in Paris. We took a taxi to candle holders. Oscar Wild’s huge been kept in Sainte Chapelle. These while travelling. our hotel, the Pullman Tour Eiffel, gravestone was covered with lipstick included the fragment of the Holy On our 5th day, we had breakfast 18 Rue Sufferen. We were a little too kisses from his female admirers. Jim Cross and the Crown of Thorns, but in the outdoor garden of our hotel. early to get into our rooms, so decided Morrison’s grave was very plain and they had been melted down during the We enjoyed our leisurely walk to sit and wait in the Lounge. All of a had been fenced off, with beautiful Revolution and the remaining ones are through the pretty park with a small sudden, I looked out the window and fresh flowers arranged, and thrown on now kept in the treasury of the Notre pond beside the Eiffel Tower. We fed discovered we were only a block and it. There had been a bust of him that Dame Cathedral. We continued on the birds and the ducks, and visited a half away from the Eiffel Tower. had been stolen, and that is why it is our bus tour and drove by many of the with many little dogs that were out What a bonus, and a great landmark now fenced, and has a security guard main sites of Paris such as the Gare for their morning walks. We got to on any of our trips, we always knew posted. We spent half the day at the du Nord, the entrance to the Jardin the main road and boarded the Hop where we were once we spotted it. Cemetery and then walked about Luxembourg, the Sorbonne, etc., that on/Hop off for the second day, which We finally got into our rooms and a block to A La Renaissance Café, we would visit further during our was headed to the Opera Garnier. freshened up, changed and headed out located at 41 rue du Repose. Once stay. We ended at the Eiffel Tower This Paris Opera had been the setting for our pre-booked O Chateau Wine again, a good meal, good service in and proceeded to the 2nd floor where for the famous novel of the Phantom Tasting, across from the Louvre. It had very pleasant surroundings which had we lined up to buy our tickets to take of the Opera. We toured it from top been Madame de Pompadour’s 17th many artefacts from days gone by. the elevator to the top. We spent to bottom and it was marvellous - Century Wine Cellar and was attached After our lunch, we taxied back to the quite a bit of time there, the view marble staircases with brass railings, through a tunnel to the Louvre. We Eiffel Tower. Anne and Karren got a was fantastic from all the angles, but beautiful chandeliers, carved wooden tasted some great French Wines, met lot of fantastic pictures from different I didn’t like the feeling of the tower panelling, etc. It was built in 1875. other tourists from Canada, the States angles, and underneath the tower as ‘swaying’. Afterwards we went for a snack and and other places. Had a ‘fun’ time, well as Statues, the Seine, and an old After a bit of shopping in the refreshments at the famous ‘Café de and of course bought some wines to fashioned Carrousel. Tower Souvenir Shop, we flagged a la Paix’ nearby. Our next stop on the bring home. We walked back to our favourite taxi and returned to Isle du Cite for bus was Place de la Concorde. This is After that, we ambled along and little Chez Ribe Restaurant/Bar where lunch at Le Soleil D’Or before going where the Guillotine was set up in days found a great Café/Wine Bar which it was great to relax, people watch, to Sainte Chapelle. It is a gem of high past. It now has an Egyptian Obelisk had been a 1940’s Smoking Lounge feed the pigeons and pass the time until Gothic architecture. It had been the and beautiful fountains, which was close to the Louvre in the Palais Royal supper. We heard a lot of cheering, seat of Royal Power from the 10th to more to my liking. You can gaze neighbourhood. Of course now, horns honking, etc., and a large group the 14th Century. The stained glass down the Champs Elysee and see the smoking is banned. It is said to have of men and women on bicycles passed has no words wonderful enough to Arc de Triomphe at the far end. Back been frequented by Hemmingway and by. Karren took pictures, and we describe it. Ste. Chapelle is now used on the bus and our next stop was right the likes. finally saw a sign that said ‘London for concerts and of course, tours. At at the Arc. It had been commissioned Back to our hotel and ate at a to Paris Cycle Race’. Amazing! Also the end of our tour, we bought our 2 in 1806 by Emperor Napoleon. After fantastic little café across the street watched a lot of tourists going by day Paris Pass (Museums). Tomorrow viewing the Grave of the Unknown called Chez Ribe. It was a pleasant in Horse Drawn Carriages. We had we are off to the Louvre. Soldier, and other touristy attractions surprise to find the food was great, as supper, and once it turned dark, the As mentioned, our 4th day’s first in that area, we stopped for lunch on opposed to some of the tales we had Eiffel Tower is lit up beautifully, but stop is the Louvre. It had started out Avenue Victor Hugo. The Hop on/ heard before leaving home. Off to every hour on the hour, they put it on as a 12th Century fortress. Once Hop off was finished so we took a bed for an early start next morning. ‘Sparkle’ for 5 minutes. Beautiful inside, we saw the Venus de Milo, the cab to the Montmartre area. We did On Day 2, we had the Buffet in the day, amazing at night, but on Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory (190 a lot of shopping as the souvenir Breakfast in the hotel and hailed sparkle, it’s ‘spectacular’. BC). Beautiful ceilings, you didn’t shops were one after another in this a taxi to take us to Pere Lachaise On our third day, we had our City know whether to look at the Art pieces famous section of Paris which had Tour. First stop was Notre Dame or the ceilings. It would take a solid been frequented by artists, including two months to see everything. We did Toulouse Lautrec. We had supper at see the Trojan Horse, and pieces in the the Café Montmartre and then headed Etruscan Gallery, as well as King Tut on another block or so to Sacre Coeur and many other Egyptian pieces, such Basilica, but it had just closed for the as the Louvre dungeons, etc. The night. It’s a beautiful Byzantine style glass Pyramid that has been added church set up high on a hill, accessible more recently and can be viewed by stairs or a funicular/elevator. We from the outside and the inside, is passed by Moulin Rouge on our way actually very beautiful. We bought home, and I had bought a lovely ink a lot of Souvenirs at the Louvre shop sketch of it. including the whole set of CDs of After breakfast on our 6th day, we Edith Piaff. Then, into Le Carousel had to meet our tour bus at the Statue du Louvre for lunch - best fast food of Joan of Arc at Place des Pyramid to service and menus I have ever seen. head out to Giverny to visit Monet’s We settled for a Quiche. After lunch, house and gardens. The gardens were into one of the most organized, clean, beautiful and while he lived, he and scented washrooms I have ever seen his children maintained all of them by in all my travels. Now, back onto the themselves. We saw the little Japanese Hop On/Hop Off Bus. bridge over the Water Lily’s from one We caught the bus right at the of his famous paintings. His house Louvre, and our first stop that we got was tiny, especially for the amount off was on the Champs Elysees. We of people that lived in it, but well couldn’t resist the Monoprix, which looked after as a museum, with all is considered the Dollar Store of Paris. Did a lot of window shopping, Cont’d on next page browsed the Café’s and chose one for MAY 2012 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR Page 23
Wonderful 8-Days .... Cont’d from previous page the skinny little side streets, window long trek home. It was a welcome shopping and browsing. There were holiday. Unknown to Karren and I, other book sellers, souvenir hawkers, Anne had picked up two of the Water and many oil and water colour Colours, one of the Eiffel Tower and paintings for sale along our route. one of Notre Dame, and had them We then boarded out Boat Cruise on framed as gifts for us at Christmas. the Bateaux Mouches for our cruise A wonderful trip, and although we down the River Seine under the many covered a lot - we barely scratched beautiful bridges with their Golden the surface. statues. Back to our Chez Ribe for supper, and to start packing up for Marilyn Brown (nee Dancey) grew up our early rising tomorrow. in Old Ottawa South and is now back Our 8th day, and we had to in the Ottawa South be up and out for 4 a.m., for the neighbourhood
Le Moulin de Fourges - beautiful little restaurant in French countryside his furnishings just the way they had It had been Rodin’s mansion and been. Then a tour of the little village gardens. We saw ‘The Thinker’, in of Giverny, where we wondered if the garden, the ‘Gates of Hell’, ‘The the bus was going to make it through Kiss’ and many other of his famous some of the narrow little streets. You pieces. It was really nice, not rushed could physically reach out and touch or crowded so we could wind down the walls of houses, etc., from either and do it at our own speed - which side of the bus if the windows were was beginning to slow down a bit. open. The little Church was beautiful. We travelled back to Notre We were heading now to Moulin des Dame, where they have the Fourges, which had been converted to Archeological Crypts in front. It a restaurant. Beautiful setting, lovely has the ruins of the Roman town meal, great travel companions and Lutece - the Roman settlement before to make everything even better, the Paris. A lot of old Roman ruins down wine flowed like water. This was all there. Then we crossed one of the included in the Tour, which was paid little bridges and found Shakespeare Chateau Wine Tasting in PAris for by my daughter as a Christmas & Company Book Store. They have present for the preceding year. books from all ages, all topics, Lunch over, we were back on but are mainly famous because of the bus headed to the Palace of authors like Ernest Hemmingway Versailles. It had been the Royal and other famous writers that used Chateau of Louis the XIV, from the to congregate there. In fact, I 1600’s. Once again, the gardens noticed that the owner, who had a here were beautifully laid out,,with little apartment upstairs, and was paths taking you to the vast areas of quite old, just died last summer. He sculptured evergreens, flowers, etc. hired students from the University Then, we were taken inside the Royal to classify the books, and they Apartments where we saw the Hall of would spend all nights, reading and Mirrors, the Queen’s Bed Chamber, classifying them. He was supposed the Royal Art collection. To feast our to have had a dog, and there was eyes on such luxury! Back on the one outside the day we went with bus for our return to Paris for supper his food and water dishes, and he and bed. greeted every one that came near. I On our 7th day we headed out to don’t know if he was the one and the Rodin Museum after breakfast. the same. Then we wandered along
Oscar Wilde’s gravestone in Pere Lachaise Cemetery, PAris Page 24 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR MAY 2012 5 Tips For Capturing The Perfect Flower Photograph By Richard Weintrager it’s always best to take a moment and depth of focus and change your angle look beyond the subject and at the full – stand close, stand far away, shoot here is no better place to be in the composition. up, shoot down, shoot sideways. With Tspring than in Old Ottawa South. TIP: Bring something with you digital cameras it’s so easy to delete To be in this community is truly such as a beautiful piece of fabric to the photos you don’t like. sublime; to be here as a photographer alter or contain the background. Activity: Take 25 different photos can be divine. of the same flower. This will open up Having grown up in the city I TIME: All perennials, especially your mind and your eyes to looking am more than familiar with its secret tulips, are fleeting. It seems that beyond the flower. passageways, the freedoms and hidden one day they are budding and then gems found at the ground at my own suddenly the petals are on the ground LOOK: Flowers have marvelous feet. After seasons of strolling the and the season is over. balance and often surprising streets of OOS, two years ago I made As a flower grows and blooms it symmetry. When I find balance in a the choice to move here permanently goes through many remarkable stages. photograph of a flower I’ve explored, with my family. Naturally, I brought The bud of a tulip can be as sensual I realize right there I am getting closer my camera. as the full petals. Explore it all. One to the thing itself. Take time with There are a lot of flower photos of my favourite photographs is one I your subject. Move around the flower, out there – a lot. Here are five took long after natural decay had set observe a single flower from different essential tips for moving your in. angles and see how it’s balanced. Think botany, if you wish. Think flower photograph from ordinary to Cameron Succlent extraordinary. engineering. Look how it physically some of the crowds! is where it is. LIGHT – Natural light illuminating TIP: One of my favourite times to Activity: Take time to observe a flower can make all the difference take photos is after a storm. The light your flower subject through your own between a photograph that is simple tends to be incomparable, and water eyes and not just the viewfinder. Take to one that is something simply on flower petals does amazing things a series of close-up photos of each part exceptional. On a typical sunny day, in a photograph. of the flower – the petals, the leaves, midday can be the toughest time to the pistils and the stamens. See what capture a photo. The sun can make BACKGROUND – We’ve all done it, you discover. everything appear harsh even with the set up the most amazing photograph use of filters. I find that the evening and then taken it; but when we’re back As a professional photographer I or morning, when sun is at a greater home or in the studio reviewing the can help you immortalize your garden. angle and the shadows are longer, is image we see a person in the edge of Contact me about my personal garden the best light. Additionally, you can the frame scratching at their bum. We photography packages, or view get great photos on an overcast day were so focused on our subject that my portfolio on my newest blog when the light is more diffuse and we forgot to look at what is in the rest http://welustdesign.blogspot.ca/, on dynamic. And if you’re going to the of the viewfinder! Fortunately, with facebook (Welust Design), or contact Tulip Festival, you may even avoid Photoshop and other editing programs me directly at welustdesign@hotmail. com or 613-842-7922. we can delete these “fails”. However, Harvard Railroad Vine
Activity: Take a picture of a flower in your garden or on the street every day for a week. Observe the changes. Celebrate each difference.
FEARLESSNESS: The photographs I’m most attracted to are the ones with compositions I might never have Windsor Orchid thought about. Experiment with your
TRINITY ANGLICAN CHURCH
COME EARLY TO THE GREAT Wildflower Datura at Tundra Video TRINITY BOOK SALE, Saturday, May 5 Book lovers have had to really rub elbows at past book sales at Trinity Church in the confined space of the Chapel – but on Saturday, May 5th, books will be spread all over Bender Hall. At Frosty’s Fair last November, there just wasn’t room for all the books collected to be put out in the Chapel. All these, plus the many more collected since, can be perused in comfort - novels, mysteries(lots of mysteries!), classics, romances, ‘book club books’, cookbooks, gardening and craft books, books for children, CDs, etc. The sale starts at 9.30 a.m. and runs to 3 p.m. Trinity Church is at 1230 Bank Street, at Cameron Avenue. Come early for the best choice!
OLD FASHIONED CHURCH RUMMAGE SALE on Saturday, June 2. Doing your spring cleaning? Bring any jewellery, household items in good condition, and clean, gently used clothing, linens and toys, to Trinity Church for the Old Fashioned Rummage sale the first weekend in June. Call the Church Office at 613-733-7536 for best drop off times.
Submitted by Sue Cherry MAY 2012 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR Page 25 Hello Brewer
By Tara Simpson Ottawa Farmers’ Market, Events Coordinator
he Ottawa Farmers’ Market Season Opens on May 6 at Brewer Park. On April 15, the Ottawa Farmers’ Market said goodbye to the original TCattle Castle by hosting an early spring market at Lansdowne Park. While Lansdowne Park is under construction, the market will be held at Brewer Park in Old Ottawa South. “Our April 15 market marked a turning point in the history of both the Ottawa Farmers Market and the community, said Robin Turner, President of the Ottawa Farmers’ Market Association. We opened our very first farmers’ market here at Lansdowne Park in 2006 with 19 vendors. With the support of the community, we’ve now grown to three locations across the city and over 100 vendors.” With farmers, and vendors of locally-grown and locally-made food coming from within 100 kilometres of Ottawa, the markets promote healthy eating and the local farmers who feed us. The markets also support the local economy – farmers, chefs, crafts people and entertainers – while providing the public an opportunity to get outside, learn about local food and culture, and to buy the freshest, local products the season has to offer directly from the people who produce it. Many of Ottawa’s favourite local artisans got their start at the Ottawa Farmers’ Markets. Suzie-Q Donuts just opened their first location in Hintonburg this year to rave reviews after selling their plum cardamom donuts, among others, at the market. Pascales All Natural Ice Cream is sold in ….. On Sunday, May 6th the season opens at the market’s new location at Brewer Park across from Carleton University on Sloan Avenue. As a haven for families, pet owners and athletes with lots of green space, waterfront, biking paths, sport fields, baseball diamonds, a splash pad and multiple play structures, Brewer Park offers an exciting market location just 2 kilometres from Lansdowne. Just a few weeks later, the market at Bayshore opens on May 16; and the Orleans Market at Centrum Plaza opens May 18. This year, the Ottawa Farmers’ Market has also hired new staff to assist with the growing markets and to offer culinary events to showcase the season’s freshest ingredients. The market will be hosting local chefs, artisans and organizations influencing the local food movement, and well, dancing on our tastebuds. Local chefs will provide recipes, cooking demonstrations and samples at the market while local artisans will show visitors the tips and tricks of the trade. While many are sad to see the Ottawa Farmers’ Market leave Lansdowne Park, with the new location, favourite vendors and a few new ones, and a host of new and engaging events, the market will be a highlight of the summer. See you at the market.
Ottawa Farmers’ Market at Brewer Park Sundays, from May 6, 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM The Market at Bayshore Shopping Centre Wednesdays, from May 16, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Orleans Market at Centrum Plaza Fridays, from May 18, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM For more details, including What’s in Season and our vendor profiles, visit the market online at www.ottawafarmersmarket. ca and follow on Twitter @OttawaFarmMkt.
To book an OSCAR ad call Gayle 730-1058 [email protected] Page 26 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR MAY 2012 OSCA Windsor Park Art Show Shop Your Local
By Brenda Lee recently collaborated with Charles on the CD, Old Blue Truck. It has a folk /rockabilly sound that will ark your calendars for Sunday, June 17 have the crowds on their feet! Check it out at www. for the first annual OSCA Windsor Park charlesdelint.com. Art Show! Our first ever, this event The BBQ will be held from 11-2, and will M feature hot dogs, sausages, and drinks for sale. will be held at Windsor Park, from 10 - 4 and will feature a community BBQ, live music and over 30 There will also be vendors at the site selling their artists and their original creations. food options. We have our musical line up confirmed and it is an Registration for artists begins on April 20 exciting and eclectic group. and a complete list of vendors will be up on the From 11- 12 Spencer Scharf will be playing -- website (www.oldottawasouth.ca) as of May 15. some of you may remember Spencer from the last We are looking forward to being able to provide Fall Fest. He is a young man with an amazing voice an opportunity for the many amazing artists in our and stage presence that is definitely at the beginning area to showcase their work and also to give the of a promising musical career. community a chance to see what a large variety of Next, from 12-1 we have Social Butterfly, art is available and to be able to see it all in one big an acoustic duet from Ottawa. Get a preview area. I love big art sales for just this reason, it gives On Saturday , April 14th the Firehall was filled of their sound at http://www.reverbnation.com/ me a chance to really know what is out there and to with area artists displaying their unique creations. socialbutterfly. A very Joni Mitchell, meet buy some things I would never have seen otherwise. Many took advantage of the opportunity to do some Fleetwood Mac kind of sound. So come on out, enjoy some time with your early Mother’s Day /Spring shopping. From 1-2 we have the Firehall’s own Darcy friends and neighbours, celebrate Father’s Day, Look for the next batch of artists and their Middaugh and Friends. Darcy is well known for the dance, eat, shop and make merry! Summer will work at our OSCA Windsor Park Art Show on June programs he runs at the Firehall, but he has another almost be upon us and what a great way to bring 17th at Windsor Park. side. His music is always a hit with young and old it in! Family, friends, community….all the good alike and we are thrilled that he has agreed to join things that OOS has to offer! us. See you there! From 2-3 we have Charles de Lint and For more information MaryAnn Harris. Charles and MaryAnn lived or to volunteer in OOS for years and some of you know Charles please call 613 2474946 Keeping our Kids Safe Online from his fantasy novels, many of which were set in or check out the website at By Michaela Tokarski makers often provide updates to OOS. MaryAnn is a musician on her own, and has www.oldottawasouth.ca address and repair known problems Creekside that could compromise your Communications software. • Halt! Who goes there! What’s the very generation’s parents password? Make sure your wireless try to instil “street smarts” router and wireless network are Ein their children. Today’s secured with passwords using parents are the first to need to extend protocols like WEP, WPA or WPA- those “street” smarts to cyberspace. 2. If you’re really concerned about Are you ready? others accessing the Internet over You don’t have to be a your wireless network, you can cybernaut to keep up with the pace add an additional layer of security of technological change, not to on many routers that requires you mention all the things that can go to personally approve a device sideways online. The best thing before it can access the Internet for parents to do is to take a deep through that network. Looking to breath, keep their heads and tap into go even further? You can set the the following safety tips – and their router to hide the network’s SSID own common sense. so that when people are looking for Besides sore backs from networks in your area, they can’t slouching and bugged-out eyes see yours (though there are ways from too much screen time, the risk around this). to families’ safety and health from Peace, Googling, and Good Internet-use fall under two main Conduct – Teaching Smart Online categories: technological risks and Skills to Young Kids behavioural risks. We have to think of online Technological risks result from space as fundamentally social vulnerabilities in your computer’s space. And just like we teach our programs and hardware from children to behave in certain ways external threats like viruses and when they’re in face-to-face social getting hacked. settings, we now need to adapt those Behavioural risks result from teachings when they are online. the decisions that we make when Clearly, these teachings will we’re online, whether we’re 7, 47 vary based on age, but here are some or 77 years old. Ultimately, it’s up good habits for parents and young to parents to protect households children to cultivate together: from both kinds of threats – the Keep it out in the open. It might good news is this can be done fairly seem obvious, but set up a computer easily. station in a common area like the Tech threats – Three tips to kitchen, family room or living room. stay safe Explore side by side. Stay with The starting place for adults them when they’re surfing the web. wanting to keep their kids safe Keep an eye on what they’re doing! online is by protecting the It’s easy for children to click links technology itself. Here are 3 that can quickly take them places essential ways to do that: they don’t want to go. • Fight viruses! Keep your Set phasers to “fun”! Turn virus protection and anti- parental controls on in your Internet malware software up-to-date. Browser (Internet Explorer, Safari, • Stay current! Update your Internet browsing software to help avoid Cont’d on next page known security threats. Software MAY 2012 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR Page 27 CARLETON CORNER
arleton was pleased to have His Speedway from April 30 to May 3, coached the Ravens to eight Canadian research in Canada’s north. For the past Excellency the Right Honourable 2012. This is the first year that Carleton Interuniversity Sport titles in the past 10 three decades, Burn has been dividing CDavid Johnston, Governor will take part in the competition. The years and has won four coach-of-the- his time between central Yukon and the General of Canada, host the inaugural car was built from the ground up by a year awards. He is expected to stay on western Arctic. He holds an NSERC Governor General’s Roundtable on group of 21 students working under the as coach of the Ravens for the 2012-‘13 Northern Research Chair. He is the editor Volunteerism and Philanthropy at the guidance of Carleton faculty members. season. of a new book, entitled Herschel Island university on Monday, April 16. The The Formula Hybrid project is one of The Royal Canadian Geographical Qikiqtaryuk: A Natural and Cultural event was held by Carleton’s School several fourth-year engineering projects Society has honoured Carleton’s History of Yukon’s Arctic Island, which of Public Policy and Administration in available to mechanical and aerospace Christopher Burn for his contribution features a substantial representation collaboration with Volunteer Canada. engineering students as a mandatory as vice-president of the society. of authors with Northern origins. It The roundtable examined the impact full-year course. Each student is He was presented with the Queen was released at the International Polar of professional practices in volunteer assigned a specific component or Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, Year Conference in Montreal on April engagement. Following the Governor system while working in collaboration given to outstanding Canadians who 23, 2012. General’s address, Volunteer Canada with other team members. have contributed to Canada through will introduce the 2012 edition of Carleton University Ravens men’s their service and achievements. Burn Carleton Corner is written by their Canadian Code for Volunteer basketball head coach Dave Smart was closely affiliated with the society Carleton University’s Department of Involvement. has been appointed to coach Britain’s for 10 years and served as its vice- University Communications. As your Mechanical and aerospace men’s under-20 team in June and July president for five. He has been a part community university, Carleton hosts engineering students at Carleton have to prepare it for the European men’s of Carleton’s Department of Geography many exciting events of interest to built a hybrid race car that will perform junior B championship in Bulgaria. and Environmental Studies since 1992. Ottawa South. For more information against international universities in He is replacing Tim Lewis, who has His research centres on the impact of about upcoming events, please go to a competition in the United States coached the team from 2006-2011, climate change on permafrost terrain. carleton.ca/events. this spring. The Formula Hybrid but has moved onto the senior men’s He has been studying frozen ground International Competition will take team to prepare for the 2012 Summer for nearly 30 years and has an immense place at the New Hampshire Motor Olympic Games in London. Smart has amount of experience conducting Katimavik is Creating Well-Rounded Canadians By Katimavik volunteers considered a Canadian rite of passage. have related values and initiatives. Our of the last Out of the Cold Dinners at a Meeting people of all backgrounds volunteer work placements range from nearby church. The ovens were heated at the Sunnyside house in from the same country gives first-hand the YMCA to Ottawa Riverkeeper to and veggies battered! It was very Ottawa South perspective of how vast and diverse this Otesha. We were shocked and proud to rewarding to see how much great food country is – even the food we prepare hear that during the first three months we had made and distributed by the he reality of the Katimavik is quite different! However, we all have of our program, 33 volunteers in this evening. We also like to mingle with experience, meaning “meeting one common ground: a drive to make a region (including Katimavik volunteers the community during family events, Tplace” in Inuktitut, begins on difference. in Vanier and Gatineau) had already such as ones at the sugar shack. At these day one. Our Katimavik group consists A large aspect of Katimavik is volunteered over 15,000 hours – and we events we greeted parents and their of eleven volunteers and one project volunteering. Program volunteers are still have 3 months to go! children; facilitated arts and crafts, built leader. All of us come from a different challenged individually to be in new Other than our regular daily snow forts and lent a hand serving the place in Canada, from Sorrento, BC, situations and to be around new people volunteering, we also give back to traditional syrup pancakes. We have across to Cap Pele, New Brunswick. daily while providing a service to the the community at public events. This also participated in selling the famous We have Anglophone, Francophone and community. The theme for our program month, half a dozen of us (while the 50\50 raffle tickets during Senators’ Acadian roots. It is certainly a unique is “Eco-citizenship and Active Living” other half worked on other initiatives) experience that we believe could be meaning that all of our work placements spent some time in the kitchen for one Cont’d on page 29
Keeping Our Kids Safe ... Cont’d from previous page
Google Chrome, Firefox etc.) to help online devices of all kinds increases hooks, so they don’t fall for the bait. you’re browsing the web on someone screen against inappropriate content. exponentially as children grow into • Stop, watch and listen! Remind else’s computer. This gives them your If you’re not sure how to set these up, their teenage years, and the simple truth your teen that they can stop and think password! Log out when you’re finished you can search in Google for “parental is you can’t always be there to protect before they perform an action online using someone else’s computer. controls” and your Internet Browser’s them. that may be potentially harmful. If they Cultivate mindfulness – online name for instructions. Having said that, parents weren’t aren’t sure, they should ask someone. If and off Listen to them, and stay connected, born yesterday either, so muster your you’d like to be the one they ask, then Your children’s best tool to stay no matter their age. Children often want best interpersonal skills and try out see what you can do to be available and safe online is their brain! It’s important to share stories of the games they’re some of the following: approachable. Again, staying close and to help them learn to think critically, playing – and who they’re playing • Tread lightly. Staying “close connected is the best bet here. exercise common sense, and learn about them with. This is a good thing, so pay and connected” can be challenging • Be a scambuster. Show your teen tools and techniques that they can use attention. Soon enough, your child may sometimes, so often a gentle approach how to check if something is a scam. to make surfing the web safer, whatever stop sharing their online lives with you is best. If you want to broach the subject There are websites out there that can the device. so freely – so work at staying close and of young people getting into trouble help such as: fraud.org or scambusters. And parents’ best tool is staying connected as they navigate this brave online, try being inquisitive before org. close and connected – even in (cyber) new world of kid-oriented “multi- being judgemental. You’ll get further • One last thing, for all of us. Don’t space! player” games and social space. Listen asking open-ended questions than click “remember this password” if for any signs of bullying or coercive issuing warnings and condemnations. conduct. And of course, listen for any • Think security. Teach your teen plans to “meet” in real life! about creating strong, secure passwords. Beware “in app” purchases. Be Did you know that a password such sure to click the setting so children as “Janelovestoswim42timesaday!” can’t purchase games online without is much harder to crack than re-entering the password, on tablets “J1zqw%d#”? It’s also much easier for especially. It’s not uncommon for you to remember! children to rack up hundreds of dollars • Diversify your security portfolio. in real charges, thinking they are Teach your teen about using different playing with game money. This of passwords for different things. course can be reversed and resolved by Changing up your passwords makes it online retailers, but save yourself the harder for a potential hacker or thief to headache! break into everything all at once. The teenage years: When things • No phishing! Talk to your teen really get “social” about phishing scams. Phishing is a Here’s where it can get hairy for technique used by scammers to try to parents, and where youth can really put get you to send personal or financial the “social” in social media. Access to data. Teach them to watch for the th Page 28 The OSCAR - OUR 40 YEAR MAY 2012 Red Apron Cooks
ay is always a busy time at Drop in and visit our store. We would Bring a pot of salted water to a featured recently in an Ottawa Citizen the Red Apron, but this year be happy to help you assemble a gift boil and cook the pasta according to article where we provided a recipe. If Mwill be especially busy. We box. directions. While the pasta is cooking you can’t get Red Fife, then substitute kick off the month with Bon Appétit The really exciting news this May prepare the sauce as follows. I with all-purpose whole-wheat flour. on May 1 at the Capital Exhibition is that the Ottawa Farmer’s Market I think that this scone would be Centre. This brand new, state-of-the-art is moving to our community! On In a large saucepan cook the bacon lovely served with fresh strawberries, or conference centre promises attendees Sunday May 6, and every Sunday until on medium heat until golden. Remove rhubarb compote (or both), and a dollop shorter lines, more seating, and more November 18, from 8am to 3pm, you bacon and set aside. Add the garlic of whipped cream. Make a batch for parking. For the last 16 years, this can stock up on local produce, baked and Asparagus. Cook for 1-2 minute. your mother this Mother’s Day! event has been benefiting organizations goods, and much more. The market Remove Asparagus and set aside. Add like the Boys & Girls Club, Meals on will be located on Sloan Ave. just south the stock, cream, lemon zest and turn 4 cups Red Fife Flour Wheels, Operation Come Home, and of Sunnyside & Bronson, parallel to heat up to high. When it begins to boil, 1.5 teaspoons baking powder many, many more. It’s always a fun Bronson right across from Carleton add the peas and continue cooking 2 teaspoons salt night and we hope to see you there. University. The Glebe’s loss will be our for about 3 minutes. Turn off heat. ¾ pounds butter, chilled & cubed On the 3rd of May we are gain so get out and show your support! Drain the pasta (do not rinse), and add 4 eggs celebrating our first year in our new Local asparagus will be some back to the pot. Pour in the sauce and ¾ cups cream (35%) location. We have been polling our of the earliest produce we see at the mix to coat the pasta. Add the lemon ½ cups maple syrup customers to find out what their all-time market, along with rhubarb, followed juice, basil, Parmesan, asparagus, juice from 1 lemon favourite Red Apron meal is and on the by strawberries. Our recipes this month salt and pepper. Toss again and serve zest from 1 lemon 3rd of May we will be serving that meal will focus on these early crops. immediately – garnish with double 2 teaspoons of organic lavender buds. up for those customers signed up for the For more information on the Red smoked bacon. If your grill is on, Fresh Meal Service. We promise it will Apron Dinner Service or Gourmet Food consider grilling the asparagus lightly Whisk together all of the dry be very special. Shoppe, visit www.redapron.ca or call tossed in oil first. The flavour is ingredients until combined. Cut the On Sunday May 6th we continue us at 613-695-0417. delicious! butter into small pieces and work into our Gold Level Sponsorship of the Variations: You can top this lovely the flour by hand until the mixture 10th annual Hike for Hospice. From Pasta with Peas, Asparagus and pasta with grilled chicken or fish, or resembles small peas. Tip: we often 9:00 am to noon, Hikers follow a 5 km Double Smoked Bacon serve it beside a grilled steak. do this step in a food processor on the hike through the streets of Old Ottawa Note 1: We recently pulse setting but be careful not to over South, starting and ending on the 8 oz dry pasta See Note 1 introduced Morelli Organic Pastas from mix. grounds of The Hospice at May Court. 2 tbsp olive oil Italy. We have four varieties in our retail Whisk the eggs with the cream and The Red Apron will be supplying lunch 2 cloves garlic, minced store: Whole Wheat Ricciolina, Tacconi maple syrup & lemon juice. Make a to all Hikers featuring items from our 1 cup chicken or vegetable stock Pasta with Wheat Germ, 100% Spelt well in the flour mixture and pour in the new ‘Lunch Service’. There will be 1 cup whipping cream Tagliatelle and 100% corn Linguine. liquid. Add the zest & lavender. Fold music, reptiles, face painting, and 1 bunch asparagus We have tested this pasta a couple gently until combined. Do no over-mix. belly dancers. To get involved, visit 1 cup shelled green peas (may of different ways and have found the Scoop out the dough onto a baking hospicemaycourt.com. substitute frozen, thawed) flavour and texture to be outstanding. sheet lined with parchment paper using In case that’s not enough, Sunday 1 lemon, zested and juiced It is nice to find a good quality organic a ½ cup scoop. May 13 is Mother’s Day. As mothers 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil or tarragon pasta made with healthy ingredients Bake at 325 degrees for 30 to 40 ourselves, we feel that this is a leaves that cooks up to a tender and flavourful minutes or until golden brown. Test particularly important day of the year - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan al-dente! centre for doneness using a toothpick. an opportunity to ‘thank Mom’ for all ¼ pound Double Smoked Bacon – All ovens cook differently so baking she does. We have stocked our shelves cubed (Piggy Market’s is the best!) Maple Lemon Lavender Scones time can vary significantly. with lovely treats and treasures that will salt and fresh ground black pepper to While scones are still warm, you make it easy for you to let Mom know taste For this recipe we are using organic can drizzle with a little bit of maple how much you appreciate all she does. Red Fife flour, which was locally grown syrup or sprinkle with maple sugar. We have even baked a special cake! Preparation: and milled by CIPM. This flour was Ottawa Tennis and Lawn Bowling Club - A hidden jewel in the heart of Old Ottawa South
ich in history and steeped in tradition, the connected – you would be forgiven for thinking of with “right sized equipment, soft slow-bounce balls Ottawa Tennis and Lawn Bowling Club is the OTLBC as a stodgy old exclusive club. But that could and modified court and nets so they learn to enjoy the Roldest tennis club in Ottawa. Established in not be further from the truth. game quickly. 1881, the Ottawa Lawn Tennis Club was originally The Club has grown from its original 35 members But it is not all about tennis – though the 18 clay situated on Elgin Street between Lisgar and Cooper to nearly 700 members, forgone the white only tennis courts dominate the site. There is a lovely pool (where Knox Presbyterian now stands). It remained at tennis attire and made a concerted effort to welcome surrounded by grassed enclosure perfect for relaxing that location until 1887 and then moved no less than families. Over the years the Club has transformed into with a book or a refreshing swim. On hot summer four times before landing at 176 Cameron where it has a vibrant and welcoming summer “cottage in the city” days and evenings, the pool is alive with frolicking remained since 1923. Nestled between Brewer Park, for hundreds of families from Old Ottawa South, the children and families looking to cool off. the Rideau River and the quiet residential street of Glebe and surrounding neighborhoods. More recently the club added four beach volleyball Cameron Ave – the club is almost hidden and many Members are able to participate in the numerous courts on one of the old lawn bowling greens, which people are unaware of its presence. social round robins offered daily or challenge their had not been in use for several years following a With the early history and traditions of lawn tennis skills with more competitive ladder matches steady decline in lawn bowling membership. The tennis – known as a past time for the rich or socially and tournaments. Juniors get introduced to tennis benefit of this partnership is that most evenings the volleyball courts are available to the Ottawa Sports and Social Club for their summer volleyball leagues. This means that Ottawa residents from across the city get to sample the club’s wonderful atmosphere and OTLBC members can enjoy beach volleyball when not in use by OSSC . Social life at the club has always been a major feature and benefit of membership. And why not, there is nothing better than sharing a beverage or snack with friends after a match. The Club’s café and bar – known as the Cameron Avenue Café – is situated on the upper deck of the historic clubhouse overlooking the courts and it has become
Cont’d on page 33 MAY 2012 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR Page 29 More Music at Southminster United Church By Margaret Macpherson sonata for cello and piano No. 1 in G major. This work was originally for two flutes, viola aturday March 3 was the occasion da gamba and harpsichord continuo, and its Chopin Piano Concertos June 2 2012 or yet another fabulous concert at presentation by the two young players formed 7:30pm Southminster United Church Southminster. This lovely venue was a fitting conclusion to the evening of music S by the great master, Bach. the perfect setting for an evening dedicated Attend the two piano concertos by Frédéric to Baroque music, specifically to the works The concert was well attended by 150 Chopin peformed by Mikolaj Warszynski & Zuzana of J. S. Bach. The two soloists were Roland people. Proceeds were contributed to Simurdova from Montreal with String Quartet. This Graham, piano, and Octavie Dostaler- Southminster’s outreach programs which concert will feature a Weber grand piano, fabricated Lalonde, cello. include 4 AA groups, a mood disorders and in 1875, courtesy of Alan Whatmough from Pianocraft. First, Roland Graham played the lovely parents’ lifeline support groups, as well as Prelude and Fugue in E-flat minor, with its our well known Saturday Out-of-the-Cold For more information contact 613-730-6874. hauntingly slow and beautiful prelude. This Suppers, offered in collaboration with other work, familiar to lovers of the 48 prelude and area churches. fugues of Bach, was immediately appreciated Our neighbourhood in Old Ottawa South by the substantial audience present for the is very fortunate to have these opportunities concert. The prelude has that universal to hear live music, especially by such appeal, its minor key and slow beautiful wonderful young Canadian players. Both theme evoking perhaps loneliness, grandeur award winning musicians have trained in the and resignation all in the same breath. Roland Ottawa/Montreal region, and are contributing followed with the English suite no. 5 for actively to the Canadian music scene, Octavie keyboard solo, which shows a variety of as a performer, and Roland as a performer virtuosic and lyrical Baroque dances. His and composer, in multiple genres, classical, fellow young artist for the evening, Octavie choral music and jazz. Thousands of hours Dostaler- Lalonde then presented the suite for of dedicated work go into these performances solo cello no. 2 in D minor, a work similar which keep the traditions of live music, to the keyboard suite, having the same dance real music for real audiences, alive. Our movements, but for the string instrument. community should be grateful and we should Her playing mesmerized the audience with also support the upcoming concerts – such its combination of her artistry and the beauty as the Chopin Piano Concertos event June 2. of the solo instrument, the cello, with its dark Margaret Macpherson is a musician & piano tenor range and singing voice. The program teacher, resident of Old Ottawa South and concluded with the two artists playing the member of Southminster United Church. Roland Graham Roland Graham came to Southminster as music director in late 2009 from Montreal where he continues as artistic director of the Verdun Music Society (VCMS). He is a skilled organist, pianist, composer, teacher and choir director with a Masters in Music from the Université de Montreal and an undergraduate degree in music from the University of Ottawa. His connections in the music worlds of both Ottawa and Montreal have inspired the collaboration for the concerts in March.
J.S. Bach performed by Roland Graham & Octavie Dostaler- Lalonde at Southminster United Church. Photo by David Wong
Katimavik .... Cont’d from page 27 games. The organizations and charities that also during the evenings with my billet family. facilitate the raffle always need some more Through this experience, I had an insight on enthusiastic people to sell tickets and cheer on how it would be if I had two kids of my own. the home team, which we did as a whole team: During my billeting period I would put the kids GO SEN’S GO! to bed, play sports and even bake cookies with In addition to the volunteering opportunities them! It was a very refreshing time.” we do, we make sure a portion of our time is also We have one more billeting period left in used to discover cultural venues like museums, our program. In May we will each be placed sustainability-related workshops or neat social at an environmentally friendly organic plant or justice talks. Finally, we push to make room in produce farm in the region. During this time, our busy schedules for working out, whether we will not be attending our regular work it is at the YMCA, or just replacing regular placements, as we will be fully immersed in transportation by running or biking. The change learning about sustainable food production. it brings to our lives is exciting, and each day Katimavik is an incredible opportunity for has its share of surprises! youth to get work experience, life experience, Another aspect of Katimavik we especially build their résumés and gain insight into what enjoy is billeting. It is a 10 day experience, fields they are interested in. It is a good way to where we live one-on-one with a family in the discover Canada and build lasting relationships. community. Volunteers come away with work and life skills “My billeting experience was awesome,” that they can use for the rest of their lives. says Celine, a volunteer from Cap Pele, New If you know someone between the ages of Brunswick, “I lived on McLeod Street with 17 and 21, whether they are interested in taking a family of 4. I had the opportunity to share a gap year or in need of a structured adventure, daily activities with a big-city-family. My billet tell them to visit www.katimavik.org and GET family was really involved with the YMCA, so A LIFE! not only was I there during the day for work but Page 30 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR MAY 2012
M.P.P. OTTAWA CENTRE 2012 Ontario Budget: Strong Action for Ontario By Yasir Naqvi, to move forward with building new Our $600 million commitment to Ottawa by $4.4 billion without raising taxes. libraries at Carleton University and light rail transit is firm. Additionally, the That means the accumulated deficit will MPP Ottawa Centre the University of Ottawa. A strong Eastern Ontario Development Fund will be $22.1 billion lower in 2014-15 than education system will keep Ontario continue to provide essential support to if no action were taken. uilding a stronger Ontario competitive in a demanding global entrepreneurs in our region, spurring Our government’s five-year requires strong action and the economy. economic development. plan will keep Ontario on track. The right choices. B We will keep wait times short for The status quo is not an option. McGuinty government has beaten its The 2012 Ontario Budget lays out key surgeries and reform our health We all have a role to play to meet our deficit forecasts for a third year in a row the government’s five-year plan to keep care system to provide the right care, goals. Our government is making the and will continue its strong record of Ontario on track to balance the budget at the right time and in the right place. right choices that speak to the needs of beating fiscal targets. by 2017-18, while protecting education The government remains committed to all Ontario families. These choices will The choices we are making are the and health care in Ottawa. health care in Ottawa and will move achieve the highest value for their hard- right choices for today’s challenges. The single most important step forward with the planned redevelopment earned tax dollars. They are fair, balanced and reasonable. we can take to grow our economy is to of the Ottawa Heart Institute, expanding To meet the goal of a balanced Success will take time and an balance the budget. A balanced budget Queensway Carleton Hospital and the budget, our plan includes maintaining unwavering commitment – but we will will make the economy stronger and Hawksbury Hospital and building the a low rate of growth in spending. get there, together. better able to create jobs, while keeping Orleans Health Hub. A strong health The government will achieve this by For more information about education and health care strong. care system will ensure our workforce transforming the way it delivers the the 2012 Ontario Budget, please We will keep full day kindergarten in Ontario is healthy and productive. vital public services that Ontarians visit www.ontario.ca/budget or for our early learners and protect small To help create jobs and spur have come to rely on by making www.yasirnaqvimpp.ca, or call my class sizes. By making these choices, economic growth in Ottawa, the service delivery more efficient and cost Community Office at 613-722-6414. we will protect 20,000 education jobs. government is moving forward with effective. We remain committed to the 30% Off planned infrastructure projects including The plan includes $17.7 billion in Yasir Naqvi, MPP Ontario Tuition grant for eligible full- fixing “the Split” on the Queensway and savings and actions to contain costs over Ottawa Centre time undergraduate university and completing the Hunt Club interchange. three years while increasing revenues college students, and we will continue
THE WINDSOR CHRONICLE PART 33 Construction
For nearly eight years, from he weather gets warmer. The Pup seem to matter that they were at the cooler in the summer, and there’ll be February 2000 to August 2008, OSCAR has his bicycle out -- still with cross walk and there was a stop sign. enough squirrels to keep us entertained. carried a monthly column, The Windsor Tthe training wheels on. Maybe A car ploughed through nonetheless, Grassy strips between the sidewalks Chronicles, written by Zoscha the this summer your pup will get a bicycle passing the car that had stopped for and the curbs, so that when we piddle, Wonder Dog. Zoscha became something as well, so you’ll learn there are certain the pedestrians, and nearly clipped the it soaks into the earth and doesn’t run of a celebrity in our neighbourhood, and advantages, and one disadvantage. pedestrians as it rushed by. I’m hearing across the sidewalk. And how about her observations on the passing scene, One advantage is that we spend more of these stories in the afternoon doggie-treat dispensers at every cross- from a canine perspective, attracted her more time in Windsor Park. The romps in the Park. walk?(4) share of loyal readers as well as critics. Pup wants to practice riding his bike Bank Street has become “Take back control of our OSCAR is reprinting some of several times a day. This means taking transformed in recent weeks as well. neighbourhood streets,” I keep hearing Zoscha’s musings from eight years ago. a few runs along the pathways before Lots of new smells. Lots of big holes Alpha say. I couldn’t agree more. Let The editors have annotated where we gravitating toward the swings and the where the humanoids try to bury these the motto be: “This neighbourhood is feel that today’s readers may need to play structures. Taken all together, it huge blue bones. You gotta hand it to going to the dogs!” be informed of references that may no adds up to more quantity of Windsor humanoids: when they decide to bury a longer be remembered by readers today, Park moments. bone, they don’t go for half measures. Watching the cars and the world or where recent scholarship has shed And it improves the quality of (2) go by, further light on the world described in Windsor Park moments as well. When I’m able to keep a close eye on the Zoscha the Windsor Chronicles.. the Pup’s cycling around the river path, developments on Bank Street because Alpha leaves me to sniff around at my Alpha brings me along when he meets (1) Calista McCaffrey, “A Dog’s April 2003 leisure. When we get to the swings, with the neighbours to complain about Eye View; Zoscha and the world of Old there’s lots of opportunities for ball what is happening on Riverdale. These Ottawa South,” Carleton University Dear Boomer, tossing -- and lots of other humanoids meetings take place nearly every day, Review, Summer, 2009, notes that who, I know, want nothing more than to which is a good thing for a dog who Ottawa traffic police sometimes wait at throw a ball for an eager doggie. wants to go out into the world and be the corner of Riverdale and Cameron to So lots of advantages. But the seen. catch motorists who run the stop signs. disadvantage is a certain shortness of Alpha and the neighbours meet at (2) In her unpublished Master’s temper in Alpha when he tries to herd different coffee shops. I’m becoming thesis, A Dog’s Eye View, Zoscha and the Pup, his bicycle, and me across quite a connoisseur of which ones I like Windsor, (Carleton University, 2010), Riverdale Avenue to get to the park. best. Some let you sit and wait at the Monica Tardif reveals that Bank Street It’s bad enough most years. This front door. Others don’t. Some give was under construction during spring year, Alpha is testier than usual – and you overhead protection against April and summer of 2003. She concludes the traffic is enough to give even a showers; at others, you sit and look that the “huge blue bones” were, in fact, dog of fortitude and ambition pause to miserable as your fur grows more wet. water mains. reconsider whether it’s worth trying to At some, you end up tied to trees and (3) Tardif, op. cit., lists the possible cross Riverdale Avenue. can sniff the tidings of doggies who Bank Street coffee shops referred What’s gotten into this crazy world? have been there before you; at others, to at that time as the Second Cup at The stream of traffic is unrelenting. The you’re tied to a parking meter with no Sunnyside, Starbucks at Hopewell, humanoids seem very grumpy indeed. scent but the dust of street construction. and Tim Horton’s near Riverdale. At The only things that cheers them up is (3) the time of her thesis she observed that to see one of those cars with the flashing So when I hear Alpha talking dogs continued to wait patiently outside lights chase another car down the street. with the neighbours about how they Starbucks. (1) want these streets to look when the (4) Zoscha wrote this article before Our friend Jacob the German construction is all finished, I’m all for it. doggie boutique stores such as “Wag” Shepherd tells me that he and his Fem- I think we should submit our wish list and “Global Pet Foods” opened on Alpha were almost hit the other day as well. A fire hydrant on every corner. Bank Street. No doubt she would have while they crossed the street. It didn’t More trees so that the concrete will be approved. MAY 2012 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR Page 31
Local Veterinarian - Dr. Emily Black
“Jimmy’s Down The Well?” And Other Famous Conversations With Pets
ome of the best conversations hadn’t and both parties were obviously similarity to the way I talk to pets ! behaviour common in three year old I have on a daily basis are with affected. Interestingly a study out of Hungary children termed “Fast-mapping” which Sanimals, my own and those of Before you all ask, all the animals found that owners felt their dogs obeyed allows a child to form quick and rough others. Now these aren’t simply me have different voices. Bulldogs (I grew them and therefore demonstrated hypotheses about the meaning of a new talking to the animals, these are full- up with those) have their own voice, understanding under all circumstances word the first time they hear or see fledged conversations where I provide Boo had hers (she was exceptionally 31% of the time. This number leaps to it. This article showed that a border both sides of the dialogue. I’ve done clever but had the mouth of a sailor) an astonishing 53% when the context is collie named Rico was able to perform this for as long as I can remember. and our new dog Sid, a beautiful Red right. My pretty dog knows something above the level of a three year old in Sometimes, at work, when I’m Heeler, has a totally different voice (all is happening, he’s ready! He just doesn’t similar tasks having not only mastered conducting an exam, I choose to keep I’m going to say is it’s a good thing he’s know what it is! understanding of 200 distinct words but the conversation exclusively in my pretty!). Two of my cats have their own As for cats, the famous saying still also being able to embrace concepts such head as I feel the owner (never the pet voices, the third is so chatty she doesn’t holds – a dog will come when called, a as “When I’m asked to get something of course) will be unreceptive. More need me to speak for her. cat will take a message and get back to I’ve never heard of, it must be the thing times than not however, the entire So, for this month’s article I decided you! I’ve never seen” reliably 70% of the dialogue comes right on out. It’s good to do a little perusal of the scientific Now here is an interesting time. A statistic many spouses would for a laugh and generally pets are quite research, stuff they didn’t teach us in offshoot to the conversation with pets’ be jealous of! As for cat’s we are still funny even if they do use a lot of cuss vet school. understanding of language. Dog owners waiting for a reply. words! Apparently when we talk to animals report higher satisfaction with their So here’s the thing, if you enjoy My favourite talking to pets story we talk very similarly to the way we emotional, social and physical states, talking to your pet, do it, it’s good revolves around two important ladies talk to babies. The psychological while cats have been proven to alleviate for you and I can guarantee your pets in my life; my old dog Boo and my explanation being for both we choose negative moods but are unlikely to enjoy it, but do them a favor, try longer best friend (also a vet) Liz. One day, the best modality for talking to” limited promote positive moods. I’d say this sentences with less orders! They are Liz came over to run errands and she and inattentive addressees”. This hardly is pretty good. I think it’s because you capable of so much more than we give walked into the front door. As usual seems fair to the pets! We use a high can talk it out with them, and they listen them credit for! Boo came to meet her and she said “Hi pitched voice, repetitive grammatically really well and always have really sage Boo, How are you today” Boo didn’t acceptable words and present-tense things to contribute to the conversation! Dr. Emily Black owns Centretown answer. Liz was visibly shocked! verbs. When talking to animals, our It’s like having your very own therapist, Veterinary Hospital and is herself Normally, I provide a running dialogue sentences tend to be shorter, with more right there sitting on your chest! owned by three cats and a dog. of response, translating obviously the orders but less questions. Recent studies reported in the subconscious messages from the dog! I I must admit bears very little journal Science revolve around a Scoliosis Awareness By Susan B. in a six-month period. (We followed the protocol of a hospital visit every six months; had we known ast summer, two Ottawa-area teenagers how aggressive the curve would be, we could have volunteered to lead the Curvy Girls Scoliosis started bracing earlier.) Because there is no required Support Group of Ottawa, a new chapter of screening in schools or doctors’ offices, many L curves go undetected until they are greater than 40 Curvy Girls, an organisation founded in the United States in 2006. Curvy Girls Scoliosis Support Group degrees—and therefore approaching the threshold of Ottawa has been working to promote awareness for spinal-fusion surgery. Parents and guardians can of scoliosis in Ottawa as well as to provide a forum check for signs of scoliosis themselves using the for those affected by this spinal condition. Group Adam’s Forward Bend Test. In this test, the examiner members participated in an information night at stands behind the child and looks for asymmetries CHEO this past February, and they are currently in the back when the child bends forward. One planning a Scoliosis Awareness Walk for June 2 common sign is the presence of a “rib hump” (how (see links below). Given that many parents are my daughter despises that term!) Such a test is not a not familiar with scoliosis, much less aware of its substitute for a medical examination, of course, but potential severity, there is certainly a need for such it can signal the need for a professional assessment. public education. Deciding on a treatment plan can be a difficult When my daughter was diagnosed with and sometimes confusing process for patients and Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis three years ago, I their parents or guardians. Several types of braces knew something about the condition; however, I have been developed for the treatment of scoliosis. knew very little about treatment options. I soon came A simple online search will find references to the to realise how fortunate we were to have a family Boston, Charleston, Spine-Cor, and Rigo-System- doctor who checks for scoliosis during his younger Chêneau braces—to name just four. The existence patients’ routine annual physical examinations—not of these different designs does not mean, however, all doctors do. The early diagnosis meant that we that all options are available at any one health-care could pursue a conservative management plan of facility. Scoliosis-specific physiotherapy (e.g. the bracing and scoliosis-specific physiotherapy. Schroth Method) is not available in all communities. Scoliosis is generally defined as a lateral Moreover, the challenges are not limited to the curvature or deviation of the spine that measures more physical treatment: think of the adolescent girl who than 10 degrees. When moderate or severe, scoliosis is told that she has to wear a brace 16-20 hours per may be associated with chronic back pain, reduced day. lung capacity, compromised internal-organ function, One of the goals of The Curvy Girls Scoliosis and significant physical deformity. Its most common beyond 25 degrees, bracing is recommended until Support Group of Ottawa is to provide individuals form is Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS), the the individual reaches skeletal maturity. (Patients and families the opportunity to share information and term “idiopathic” indicating that the etiology (its are encouraged to remain physically active, but they to address the myriad issues associated with scoliosis, cause / origin) is unknown. While this condition— may be expected to wear the brace for 16-20 hours whether physical, emotional, or just practical— which is found in 2-4% of the population—affects per day.) Surgery becomes the main treatment option clothing, for instance, becomes a major concern for both girls and boys, severe cases of progressive when curves exceed 50 degrees. brace-wearers already concerned with body image. scoliosis are seen much more often in girls. AIS can Early diagnosis, then, is crucial to treatments For more information on the group and the upcoming develop quickly at the onset of puberty, so regular designed to slow or stop the progression of the curve. Scoliosis Awareness Walk, go to the website
OCDSB TRUSTEE REPORT
Some Good News Stories
By Rob Campbell very real budget challenges, we have areas as well, with some of the smallest also been investing a lot in facilitators also consciously taken greater control equity gaps anywhere in Ontario and it and in many many discussions around y columns are not exactly of our budgets, and have balanced the remains a focus as part of the Board’s improved decision-making flows and cotton-ball sales pieces budget the last couple of years with a shiny new multi-year strategic plan it Board culture. We have a new Director as my readers will know. small surplus. recently committed to. of Education we have a lot of faith in M Though I really do resist the EQAO It is very hard for a large ship also. An ad hoc Trustee-led Committee I mean to set out as best I can in this small space some of the more important score ranking madness as artificial and (about 70K students) to rise above a recently reported (see last column) issues for your knowledge and possible partial - it really is not whole child provincial average or to see significant on further improvements which engagement. However it is important, thinking, many do look to them as a sustained improvements. All of these might be made to special education occasionally, to provide some balance guide in terms of how school districts continued various EQAO successes provision. We have new focuses on and to report on some of the truly big are doing. Our board, the last three have been noticed and Board staff English language learners, the arts, and successes we are having as well. This years, has been amongst the fastest have played host to visiting European aboriginal supports. And, with the fruits column then is unabashedly about a improving boards anywhere in Ontario, educators and been asked to present of a (controversial) student census, and variety of District good news stories. if not the fastest improving. We are at Ministry-organized conferences in now staff census, starting to roll in the More classically ‘interesting’ items now consistently above provincial Ontario and also in Europe. We have next couple of years, we will be in an we continue to struggle with will be averages in most dimensions and been attracting a lot of interest this way even better position to target needs and reported on in subsequent columns. continuing to improve. A lot of and are becoming known as a leading opportunities. First, we are now, likely will be for this can be credited to a continued edge Board in Ontario others want In short, around the Board table, some time, and have now been for about focus on professional development increasingly to come work for as well. though very real and very serious two years, a slow ‘growth’ District in opportunities, our continued funding Our students have been short- challenges remain and will continue Ontario. Board watchers will recall some of a large team of instructional coaches changed for years as well when it comes to pop up, and sometimes passionate tumultuous years of student population to support teachers and principals, a to student transportation provision. The debate will continue to occur around contraction which put extra pressure focus on sustained supports to teachers Board has recently charted a reliable the issues, it really does seem to me that on budgets and raised questions about and students in other ways in spite of path forward which should lead us a general sense has developed that we school accommodations. We have not budget pressures, and an invitation to to sustained funding increases in this really are for now a Board on the move. moved to close any downtown schools and willingness of all of our school area and hopefully allow us, perhaps If you have a suggestion or a now for some years. Our over all staff to develop as creative and collegial as soon as two years from now, to start concern, or would like to be added to funding slowly goes up with our slowly learning communities. to offer transportation to high school my e-newsletter list, then please contact increasing student numbers. Right now When it comes to EQAO equity students far from their schools inside me via [email protected] or at 323- indeed, we are only one of six school gaps, re gender, immigrant language the Greenbelt as well, which we simply 7803. Meeting and document info boards in Ontario, out of 72, which are barriers, special education students, we have not been able to afford for many available at www.ocdsb.ca growing. While we continue to have certainly have a ways to go: we have years. This is very exciting. become provincial leaders in these At a governance level, the Board has
Found in Canal OTLBC ... cont’d from page 28 By Paige Raymond Kovach work? aimportant fixture in the community. Always open to the public Clean up has already begun. In Ottawa, – many families regularly pay a visit for the popular Friday barbeques and weekend breakfasts and others come for the ver wondered what happened to the as part of Parks Canada’s agreement with the weekly Wednesday pub night where the atmosphere is always stuff in the Canal that shouldn’t be NCC over use of the canal for the Skateway, lively and energetic. Many of our tennis and volleyball players there? OSCAR asked the folks at Parks the NCC is responsible for the clean up of the E canal between Ottawa and Hartwell Locks, replenish their fluids with a pint or enjoy a healthy pub fare while Canada. enjoying the cool summer breezes. What interesting things does your staff but Parks Canada retains responsibility for The OTLBC also offers summer camps that provide a great find in the canal to get it ready for navigation? clean-up of the lock stations in this area. As mix of tennis, other outdoor sports and lots of fun for children Bikes? Shopping carts? Bottles? Garbage? you can imagine the debris removed from the ages 6-13. Over the course of the eight weeks of summer over Every year we find much the same type canal is not in a usable state and Parks Canada 300 children enjoy the enriched, safe and playful environment of rubbish in the Rideau Canal: Beer bottles, will recycle and dispose of hazardous items while making lasting friendships with fellow campers and staff. bikes, shopping carts, garbage and garbage following proper waste handling and disposal Members of the OTLBC coined the phrase “our cottage in bags full of garbage, television sets, lazy boy procedures. the city” because the comfortable and easy camaraderie that recliners, couches, engine blocks, Christmas When do you add water and when does the develops between members is a bond that grows with each year trees, brooms, shovels, old tires, batteries, road canal open for navigation? and can last a lifetime. When you add it all up – OTLBC retains construction signs, old clothing, etc. Parks Canada will begin to slowly raise the charm of an old fashioned country club setting with the rich What is the strangest thing you ever found? water levels on the Rideau Canal about the third friendships and welcoming atmosphere of your neighborhood Staff once found a fishing boat sunk at week of April, and navigation depths should park. It doesn’t get much better than that. the bottom of Manotick Dam. So far this year be achieved along the full 202km length of an 18 foot camping trailer has been the most the canal in early May. The Rideau Canal will unique item found in the canal and it will be open for navigation Friday May 18th. (Victoria To book an OSCAR ad challenging to remove. Day weekend). Seasonal lockage and mooring What do you do with the stuff you find? permits can now be purchased online and are call Gayle 730-1058 When are you planning to do the clean-up available at www.parkscanada.ca/ekiosk. [email protected] Page 34 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR MAY 2012
OCCSB TRUSTEE REPORT “PUTTING STUDENTS FIRST”
Kathy Ablett, R.N. opportunity to celebrate our schools’ borrow pedometers from Ottawa Trustee Zone 9 excellence, faith and community. Corpus Christi Public Libraries? To find out Capital/River Wards This is the time to highlight all the At Corpus Christi School, spring more information about borrowing Telephone: 526-9512 wonderful educational experiences also means lots of great music. In pedometers as a way to stay active, go and activities that our schools are April, the school hosted TJ Wheeler, to ottawalibrary.ca Catholic Education Foundation already doing! Catholic Education an internationally known musician as For more information about EduGala Week begins on Sunday, May 7 and part of the Council-sponsored ‘Music physical activity call Ottawa Public Come join us for the seventh ends on Friday, May 11, 2012. The to My Ears’ program. TJ provided Health at 613 580-6744 or go to www. annual CEFO benefit dinner, auction theme for Education week this year music workshops and programming ottawa.ca/health & cabaret May 3rd, 2012. Remember is Catholic Education: ‘Walking in to all the students in the school and this unique event sold out last year the Light of Christ’. Please check performed a concert for students Board Spiritual Theme 2012 – 2013 and there was a waiting list, so book with your school for a list of activities and parents as part of his ‘week in The Board’s new spiritual theme early!!!! planned for this special week. residence’ at Corpus. is “By our works, we show our faith.” If you have questions regarding Nurses Corner: May is Physical This new theme calls us to live our ticket orders, please contact CEFO Immaculata High School Activity Month. Help Kids Get faith fully and to recognize that all we Board Member Karen Delaney Immaculata High School Principal Active! Celebrate physical activity do is born out of our life as children at 613-831-4567, or by e-mail at Danielle Novak will receive the month by getting kids moving every of God and is based on James 2: 16- [email protected]. Director of Education Commendation day in May! Kids need to do physical 18. This theme will provide a sound All proceeds from this and all Award at the Education Week Mass at activities that make them sweat and basis for actions, service and prayer previous highly successful Galas have Notre Dame Basilica on Tuesday, May breathe hard, like bike riding and ice at schools. The past two years the and will continue to go to CEFO’s 8 at 7 pm. Congratulations Danielle! skating, every day. Kids also need to Board’s theme has been ‘Though “Helping to Alleviate Poverty in Our Also during Education Week do activities that help build muscles Many We Are One Body in Christ.” Schools” program. Immaculata with celebrate with an and bones, like playing on monkey If, at any time, I can be of Hope to see you there!!! Arts Night (May 9) and a spaghetti bars and skipping. assistance to you please do not hesitate supper followed by a Silent Auction. Physical activity can help kids: to call me at 526-9512. Catholic Education Week Please contact Immaculata for dates • Improve their health Sincerely, Catholic Education Week is an and times. • Do better in school • Improve their mood Kathy Ablett • Learn new skills. “Your Trustee” Did you know families can Learning About How Ottawa Kids Think By Kimberly Connolly
re you fascinated by how much children change from the time they’re three-years-old to the time they’re six? You’re not alone! AThe members of the Children’s Representational Development Lab (CRDL) at Carleton University are too. They are a group of enthusiastic researchers who are interested in learning more about how children’s thinking changes throughout the preschool and childhood years. “We are called the Children’s Representational Development Lab because we study how young children understand different kinds of representations. We’re interested in what children know about symbolic representations like words, numbers, and pictures and how they can stand for ideas and concepts, or for actual objects in the world - the way the pictures on a map stand for the location of buildings and streets. We’re also interested in what children know about other people’s knowledge and intentions, which are considered mental representations.” says Dr. Deepthi Kamawar, head of the Children’s Representational Development Lab (CRDL) at Carleton University. “The researchers in my group, undergraduate and graduate students, use stories and games like those many kids are familiar with – such as Memory and Simon Says – to help them figure out more about how kids learn to use different symbols and representational systems. Representational understanding can be anything from using symbols on a map to find stickers hidden in a room, to keeping track of what different story characters know or do not know about story events.” said the Ottawa Professor. For instance, Andrea Astle, a PhD student in Kamawar’s lab, is looking into how children design and produce symbols and legends to help them find items in a memory game. She has children create a legend with crayons to keep track of where different toys belong, and then later has them use their legends to put the toys away. “The different symbol elements they use in their legends, like the colours and shapes of the toys, tells us a lot about how children’s symbolic understanding develops” says Andrea, “We are really interested in the kinds of things that kids think are important to include in their legends, and the kinds of things that they may leave out!” To look at kids’ ability to consider more than one property of an object, Gal Podjarny (another PhD student in the lab) is using picture cards.
Cont’d on page 37 MAY 2012 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR Page 35 Southside Southside Preschool Plans for its Future By Paige Raymond Kovach Southside for two years, beginning with his junior develop further nursery school age programming Southside Board Member kindergarten year at Hopewell,” said Julie Greene, options involving expanded age groups and/or hours mother of two. of care, workshops and speakers for parents and outhside Preschool currently offers programming “Since he spends the majority of his day at Southside, caregivers, and adding the Family Zone, a drop-in for for children aged two to nine and serves about most of the news we get about his days springs from his parents and their children once a week with an Early 100 Old Ottawa South families. It has been activities at Southside. Like many children of this age, Childhood Educator on-site to facilitate learning and S our son does not provide us with a fulsome report on answer any questions that the parent may want to ask. a part of our community for over 30 years. The current provincial government plans to make full-day his days, so I have to reply on snippets of conversation For the After School Program, in addition to adapting kindergarten available for all schools and at Hopewell to understand what he is focused on at “school” (which the new curriculum for the older age group, a variety of Avenue Public School full-day kindergarten will begin includes Southside).” “rejuvenation” strategies are being explored including in September 2014. “Over the last two years I have definitely noted new homework supervision, community involvement, longer This political reality required that the Southside topics areas entering Fin’s conversation – he tells us term projects, and specialty days centred on science, Preschool Board review its current programs, its little facts about the weather, the planets or insects, as weather or math. business model, and plan for the future without its what he has learned gets applied to our home, something All of these adaptations (and more) are being Kinders programs. This was obviously a serious we see in the car, or on our neighborhood walks,” said tested and refined during the next two years to enable challenge to the organization, and the goal was to keep Julie. “I distinctly recall the time he dropped the word the renewed and improved programs to “hit the ground Southside in existence and vibrant for Old Ottawa South ‘chrysalis’ into our conversation, and that’s when I running” in fall 2014. It will be a busy two years of families. knew that they were studying the lifecycle of a butterfly development and exploration, but one that the teachers In other communities, such as Barrhaven, where at school – although Fin certainly didn’t describe is that and board are excited about. full-day kindergarten already exists, all programming way!” Southside families save the date for children aged four and five has been drastically “Lately I have ascertained that they are focused on The famous end-of-year barbecue at Brewer Park reduced or has simply ceased. hockey at Southside right now – a topic of great interest will be held on Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. In February, the Southside Board unanimously to all the kids there, relevant given the 67s and Sens play- Families are encouraged to bring their own drinks. adopted a three-year plan to help ease the transition off runs and almost certainly organically derived from Please look for sign-up sheets for pot-luck foods on the for Southside into this new educational and economic the children’s own interest in the sport and its heroes. notice boards outside the classrooms soon. As always, reality. The focus of Southside’s programming will I understand from Fin that they have experienced and Joanne assures that the weather will be fabulous! See shift towards revitalizing and developing the nursery learned about hockey both through stories, magazines you there! school, focusing on curriculum development for the and discussions – as well as trying out their community’s youngest children, as well as continuing to skills in a paper-based/sock-feet game, as well offer an engaging and improved After School Program as learning to set up a hockey rink and follow the for Hopewell students. rules of the game. Their discussions also covered Starting this past fall, Southside educators began the violence in hockey and I got to probe around how process of implementing a new curriculum that is child- Fin feels about seeing fighting in this game.” centred and interest-driven. It builds on the relationship “I will say that while we don’t get a daily that already exists with the Early Childhood Educator report on what Fin has learned in school that and the children, and moves away from a focus on toys, day, I have learned to listen between the lines of equipment and pre-planned or repetitive structures and conversational snippets that are sometimes -- but activities. Early Childhood Educators are interactive not always – connected to our current context or with children during ‘play’ in order to develop activities conversation so that we can understand what he that increase skills geared to the interests of the child. is working on, how we can enhance learning at The child is at the centre of learning. Programming home or apply what he has learned to our context. is more spontaneous, far less linear, and focuses on For this is truly how learning happens!” implementing a particular interest through a range “Fin is always thrilled to run into Southside of pedagogical activities geared to different learning each morning, no doubt in large part due to the objectives. caring and committed staff there, who understand “For example, the educator would notice children that every child gets excited about different asking a lot of questions about the changes in the things and learn in different ways. I never feel weather, so she would lead activities about spring,” said that Fin is missing out on learning opportunities Joanne Iob, Southside Director. that full-day kindergarten can provide, as I know “As she talks about spring, she realizes everyone is Southside is very focused on learning through fascinated by bees. So she would take this interest and play – a nice transition between pre-school and focus on it using the different areas of skill development. Grade 1.” The first activity may be building a beehive with the big Southside’s Early Childhood Educators will blocks. They would talk about building the beehive, and also note a child’s attainment of a milestone on it would be used as a tool for expressive and receptive the Tree of Success. It is a visual tool for the language development, and the children would develop children, educators and parents to monitor the their large muscle group and co-operative play in the skills achieved by each child throughout the building process. The children may need to use their school year. problem solving skills with the large group social “The markers on our tree are Social, interaction surrounding the building.” Self-Help, Manners, Problem Solving, Task “The class may decide to include preparing a Completion, Pre-Reading, Pre-Math, Language, special snack with honey to enhance further language Fine and Gross Motor and Respect. When the skills while utilizing their sense of taste, sight, touch.” child masters a skill, his or her name is added “The children decide that they need bees to live in onto the branch of the tree,” the beehive so they would proceed to the free art shelf said Joanne. to make bees (depending on the skill level, the educator “We also inform parents may have tracers for the children and an example of a of our daily interactions with bee), this process would enhance the fine motor skills by their children using picture using the pincer grasp to hold a pencil, using the scissors boards, newsletters (updated and gluing the pieces together. The activity would on our web site www. also increase the children’s expressive imaginative southsidepreschool.ca), our development.” programming chart, Tree “Moving to the book area the educator would read of Success, and educators’ a book about bees sparking more language development conversations directly with and pre-reading skills in distinguishing the letter that parents and caregivers at bee begins with. This may open a dialogue about other drop-off or pick-up.” things that begin with ‘B’ or the letter that begins their Staff are currently name. Counting the bees (pre-math) and making a chart being trained in the new on what the children know about bees would lead to curriculum and it is being songs and perhaps ending our time with the children implemented in stages over using their imagination by pretending to be bees, “ said the next two years. Joanne. In addition, there are “Our now 6-year-old son Finley has been at also plans to explore and Page 36 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR MAY 2012
MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT OTTAWA CENTRE 2012 Budget Fails to Address the Needs of Canadians
By Paul Dewar income security strengthened through their transferable skills. are neglected leaving Canadians to live initiatives like expansion of CPP. The CAP provided computers and with the consequences. anadians should be concerned The government’s decision to internet access at community sites There is an alternative to the about the recent Conservative change the health transfer funding across Canada. These sites helped to federal government’s fiscal approach. budget. It was supposed to formula will cost Ontario $24 billion in bridge the digital divide, especially My colleagues and I have been calling C health care funding creating longer wait by increasing accessibility for those for the Conservatives to increase create jobs and invest in economic growth. Instead, it cuts over $5 billion times and fewer doctors and nurses. who are unable to afford a computer or targeted incentives to create good jobs, in funding to public services and It will also open the door to greater the internet. The decision to eliminate protect retirement security and provide programs, lacks any job creation plan privatization of our health care system. CAP will negatively impact the most the stable funding necessary to allow and fails to take action in areas that Cuts to CBC/Radio-Canada, vulnerable communities who rely on provinces to hire more doctors and are critical to achieving prosperity Environment Canada, Natural these sites for job searches, information nurses. New Democrats would like to for all Canadians, such as working to Resources, immigration settlement, sharing and educational opportunities. see a commitment from the government eliminate poverty and creating more health care transfers, Aboriginal Affairs I am also concerned about what did to reduce the small business tax rate affordable housing options. and Northern Development and more not appear in the budget. Most notable from 11% to 9%, which will help boost For seniors, changes in Old Age will have serious implications for is the lack of a job creation plan. In local economies. We would also like Security (OAS) and the Guaranteed the environment, culture, education, fact, budget cuts could result in a loss to see the government bring back the Income Supplement (GIS) means poverty reduction and health care. of 50,000 jobs in the public and private popular ecoEnergy retrofit program to they must work two extra years New Democrats and Canadians sectors combined. Cuts to the public help Canadians make their homes more before claiming their pension. The have already voiced their opposition to sector will have a great effect on local energy efficient, which reduces heating government has argued that the current the elimination of Katimavik and the economies as public sector workers and electricity costs and our overall OAS system is unsustainable. This is Community Access Program (CAP). support private sector businesses and environmental foot print. not the case. Both the Parliamentary Katimavik was a youth exchange and economic growth through their own New Democrats will not support this Budget Officer and the government’s volunteer experience program created spending. budget unless significant amendments own Actuarial Reports have confirmed in 1977 by the federal government to It’s evident that the impact of this are made as it fails to build a secure, that despite the increase in the number equip youth with new skills, knowledge budget will be felt both in rural and urban prosperous future for all Canadians. We of baby boomers retiring, the program and experience through placements in areas. Cities are effectively ignored will oppose regressive cutbacks while is sustainable. New Democrats have communities across Canada. When the with no money allocated for transit and working to ensure the priorities of job consistently argued against regressive youth unemployment rate in Canada affordable housing. Adequate funding creation, retirement income security, changes to OAS-GIS like those in the continues to remain in the double digits, in these areas helps ensure our cities are and adequate funding for health care budget, as they will hurt the poorest it’s short sighted of the government to vibrant, liveable places for everyone are addressed. seniors. Instead, we want retirement cut programs that help youth increase yet under the Conservative plan they
Tasty Tidbits from Trillium Bakery Gratitude By Jocelyn LeRoy is also eternal – it’s a sort of Zen experience. tiny tykes negotiate the big step, precious purchase I am always inspired by those who can imagine in hand. They chatter excitedly about what they love ife isn’t measured by the number of breaths we golden moments among even the most terrible life- about their cookies. take but by the moments that take our breath changing events. If we don’t stop and enjoy the moment regularly, Laway” My eyes fall upon a small typed paragraph titled smell the roses or the bread or the cookies, what do While napping on the comfortable leather couch “Alan’s Dream,” describing a deceased leukemia we have instead? A grind…ennui…flatness, or, even back at the Smyth Road Weight-loss Spa (as last- patient’s creation of this refuge from the sterile and worse, a downward spiral into the memories of our month’s OSCAR David calls the hospital), my eye sometimes intimidating hospital atmosphere. I’ll bet negative experiences. catches some small lettering high on the wall over a there was a golden moment for Alan and his family, It’s easy to live moment by moment in our bakery life-like painting of iris. I look around this “family friends and hospital staff at the finish line of “Alan’s because it’s a cauldron of activity. Surprises come room” and discover on another wall, cut-out silver Run,” witnessed by those who cared so much for Alan out of the ovens. (A new twist of flavour and texture letters that say “Love,” “Family,” “Dream.” and his dream. The moment of absorbing this legacy absolutely requires a bit of savouring.) Even when Behind a flourishing green plant draping over a he left is now part of my ever-expanding reservoir of a customer recounts an intense experience, these tall cabinet, a Tuscan-looking picture of sunlit fruit moments that take my breath away. moments remain with us. And when customers tell us and vegetable stands flanked by a row of mossy trees Back in the bakery, where lately I haven’t how much they appreciate what we do, we remember. shines forth, giving a vibrant cheerfulness to the room. been as often as usual, the customers love to let When I drop something on the floor – molasses is The fourth wall has a framed Monet print of gardens me know “you’re never there,” as if, as they say in lovely! – or my sifter filled with icing sugar explodes bordering flagstone paths meandering toward a forest Newfoundland, “I looked in the bakery and there she and flies everywhere, white powdery sweetness covers of pale Spring green trees. was – gone!” the whole counter and my shoes. These are moments Oh, and there’s a small framed print of three Oh well, kudos go to our staff, all of whom have that mark a career. There’s the moment when Gail children with wobbly ankles on ice, clutching hockey stepped up to the plate during the last few weeks and shouts “Wait!” as I’m going out the door; she picks sticks. Their skates are laced only half-way up. months. They deserve bunches of flowers, bowls of the icing off my collar or cheek. “Now you can go,” Any of these wall adornments, if coming to life, chocolate and a million or so dollars for their caring she says. would take your breath away. They beckon your and care-taking of Trillium. Ten years ago at Easter I said goodbye to my imagination to melt into their moment in time. Which The plates are filled with hot cross buns. We mother forever. Six months later I felt her with me share delightful moments of eye-rolling, lip- on a gusty, sunny canoe trip in Algonquin Park, in the smacking pleasure, watching customers of windswept pines, on the sparkling water, and in the all ages biting into our yummy Easter treats. bow of my canoe. “Of course it should be green,” Hilarious moments show up, too. There says mom. Now, any green canoe moment reminds are two adorable three-year-old twins who me of this. regularly shop at Trillium. Tiny they are, And here’s another: the moment my six-year-old but they come barreling in chattering a mile adopted daughter touched my knee and whispered, a minute, discussing with each other what “bonsoir, mama.” And her sister lifted her shirt to they want. They both look me in the eye proudly show me her bandage covering a horrific (way up!) and articulately describe the wound, received in a land far away and besieged by cookies they have chosen. They’re too drought. It was our first meeting, first greeting. short to see the cookies on the shelf, but I still feel “wow” when I let these moments in and they know what they’re after. Everyone in have them stay awhile. the room takes a pause of delight as these MAY 2012 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR Page 37
COMPUTER TRICKS AND TIPS What the Heck is Web 2.0? By Malcolm and John Harding, of below the articles and columns, inviting before it arrives in your home, while the allow comments from his readers if Compu-Home readers to weigh in on the subject, and online version might have been updated Blogger had existed 350 years ago? perhaps this is not the place to comment a few minutes ago. Social media sites, like Facebook, or the better part of a decade on the crude and drooling nature of Blogs (web logs) are another Twitter and Linkedin are the most now we have been hearing some of the contributions in online example of the increasingly interactive prominent and obvious examples of Fabout Web 2.0 usually with the publications where the “contributions” nature of the web. Anyone with Web 2.0 just now, and in our next blithe assumption that we know what are not moderated. Fortunately, this a personal, political, religious or column we’ll explore their recent it means. To us, Web 2.0 is simply sort of thing is in the minority. business-related reason to post a explosion in popularity as well as some a reference to the fact that that the Let’s consider the example of the public journal can easily sign up for of their dangers. Internet is evolving from a medium of online encyclopedia Wikipedia, which the web space to do just that – no broadcasting, to one of participation. is an entirely collaborative effort. It is html or gobbledygook programming We always enjoy hearing from Instead of passively reading or viewing not difficult to register as a contributor experience required. Commercial blog readers and we learn lots from you web pages, and learning from the to Wikipedia and that allows one to post sites, such as Blogger from Google, when you get in touch. Write or give us content or just enjoying it, we now have new articles, or even to edit or modify share the main characteristics of most a call any time. the opportunity to interact with the web existing ones under some circumstances. of the rest of the Web 2.0 services, in environment. We can react online, or This loose arrangement might make it that they are (1) free and (2) very easy Malcolm, Frances and John create and post our own content much natural for us to be suspicious about the to set up and use, with typing being the Harding are the owners of Compu- more easily than we could in the past. accuracy of the resource, (and lots of only skill required. Some people are Home, assisting home and business It has been observed that Web 2.0 us lamented the passing of the printed one-time bloggers, recording a vacation computer users. is not an entirely new concept, but just Encyclopedia Britannica last week) trip or special experience to share, while Be sure to visit our web site for an a part of the evolution of the web. After but the fact is that repeated tests have others have been faithfully maintaining archive of our columns. www.compu- all, you are “participating” in a website proved a very competitive level of their blogs with daily entries for many home.com when you type a search term into accuracy in Wikipedia when compared years. Some open up their blogs to Write to [email protected] Google, or log into your email website with traditional printed versions. Let’s contributions from readers, while others or phone 613-731-5954 to discuss and read and reply to a message. not forget as well, that a printed work choose not to go there. Do you suppose computer issues, or to suggest future Anyone who reads newspapers online might easily be months or years old Samuel Pepys would have chosen to columns. is familiar with the ubiquitous boxes Public Meeting May 6 To Reveal Likely Traffic & Parking ‘Numbers’ Learning How Ottawa Kids Think... Cont’d from page 34 For Lansdowne Partnership Plan here will be a public meeting on were not challenged by City Staff but the She is interested in how young Members of CRDL have been Sunday afternoon May 6 from Consultants were not willing or able to children sort things into groups. busy presenting their work at T4 to 5:30, at St Margaret Mary provide the model they would / should? ) “Looking at something in more conferences in Ottawa, Montreal, Parish Hall ( @ 5 Fairbairn, just below have used to arrive at their numbers. than one way is very important to Denver, San Antonio, Philadelphia, Sunnyside) to explain the real numbers and In all events, the only way in which the things like creativity and empathy. and Oxford. You may recognize impacts on Old Ottawa South, The Glebe City has been proposing to deal with the So far, research has shown that kids the CRDL from research they have and Old Ottawa East, of the Lansdowne inevitable traffic and parking situation, for cannot simultaneously consider been conducting in daycares and Partnership Plan. Three inner - city, citizen- day to day traffic was to tell us all that they more than one property of an object preschools in Ottawa over the last experts and analysts, have done a lot of would be ‘ monitoring ‘ the impacts when until they are about 7-years-old” ten years, or from their posters homework over a three month period, to they occur. A lot of use that is, once the says Podjarny, “but we found that and advertisements at the Public determine just what the traffic and parking mall and condos and overall project have if we use simple instructions and Library, in centers and kids’ stores impacts are likely to be in our section of already been built. On the other hand our coloured pictures of everyday items, throughout the community, or from the inner city. Their calculations have been Ward Councillor is in the process of seting 4-year-olds have a lot more success their booth at the Capital Parent and based on the City’s own numbers. After up a with this task. We are looking into Kids Show. several failed attempts to meet with City So come and hear and provide your why, so that we can suggest ideas to The CRDL also has research staff and their transportation consultants to input to the real numbers on Sunday May teachers and parents that might help space at Carleton University where verify the numbers, they finally did meet 6 at 4 pm. Our Ward Councillor will be an young children with this skill.” they invite parents and children to them recently. Our citizen expert numbers active participant in this meeting. Other research, by PhD student participate in their studies. If you Corrie Vendetti, looks into young or someone you know has a child children’s understanding of the between 3- and 6-years-old, we TRILLIUM RECIPES difference between truths and lies, encourage you to contact the CRDL and the different kinds of lies that to find out about participating in “I have never tasted any better sugar 8” square baking dish. In a small bowl people tell. She tells children short one of their great projects at crdl@ stories about child characters that carleton.ca or by visiting www. than what has been made from the maple, combine syrup and pecans, and mix well. either tell the truth or tell a lie about carleton.ca/crdl when it has been properly refined. It In a large skillet melt the butter over a story event, and she asks children has a peculiarly rich, salubrious and medium heat. Add the onion, celery and questions about what the characters pleasant taste.” garlic. Stir for 5 minutes or until the onion said, what they felt, and whether Samuel Williams, A natural and Civil is golden. Add the parsley and sauté for or not they should get in trouble History of Vermont, 1794 1 minute. Add the syrup mixture and corn bread and blend well. Add the stock and for what they’ve done. Corrie is cook, stirring, until heated through. investigating what factors children Transfer the stuffing to an ovenproof consider when determining Maple Pecan serving dish and bake covered at 350º for whether a statement is a lie or the 15 minutes or until lightly browned on top. truth, and whether children think Cornbread Stuffing Makes approximately 6½ cups. those statements are good or bad, This is a gluten-free recipe. You can depending on the story context. 1 loaf Trillium corn rice flax bread substitute regular cornbread if you wish. The lab is also currently ¼ cup maple syrup The gluten-free cornbread’s stronger investigating children’s 1 cup toasted and chopped pecans flavour, however, goes beautifully with understanding of the difference 1 tbsp. unsalted butter maple syrup. I pour a little more syrup between actions done “on purpose” 1 cup finely chopped yellow onion over the finished product. and “by accident” and children’s 1 stalk celery The stuffing can be used as a side dish, strategies for saving resources for 1 tsp. minced garlic main dish for lunch with salad, or a bed 1 tbsp minced flat-leaf parsley future use. They are excited by this under roast chicken. It’s also an excellent 1/3 cup chicken or vegetable stock work and can’t wait to learn more stuffing for Cornish hens. And, last but not about it. least, it is great with beans! Preheat oven to 350º F. Grease an th Page 38 The OSCAR - OUR 40 YEAR MAY 2012 When Should One Start Collecting CPP by Rick Sutherland, CLU, while at a younger age. Some examples reduction penalty will be 36% for a then you will receive more money by may be for travel, hobbies, assistance person starting CPP at age 60. So if a deferring the date that you start CPP. CFP, FDS, R.F.P to children, etc. If not needed then the person is eligible for the maximum CPP But how can you ever know how long extra money could be invested and benefit and ignoring any increases due you will live? his question was submitted by saved to build a larger estate or used for to inflation, by 2016 the monthly benefit As with many personal financial one of our Old Ottawa South other purposes later in life. from CPP for a person age 60 will be planning issues the only answer is “it residents. We always appreciate T Recent changes to CPP have reduced to $631. depends.” Only you can determine your your comments, questions and article increased the penalty reduction for Oh, and by the way, you can defer personal goals. If you will have enough requests. If it is within our field of those who take CPP early prior to age taking CPP until age 70. This will have income from other sources to provide expertise we will do our best to give 65. Under the old rules, if one started the opposite effect and increase your your desired retirement lifestyle beyond you our honest answers and opinions. CPP early at age 60 it took until age CPP benefit. By 2013 the gross-up rate your mortality, then CPP becomes a The normal age to start drawing Canada 76 to accumulate the same amount of will increase to 0.7% per month. Using bonus. Only then can you answer the Pension Plan, CPP, is age 65. You can payments as if you had deferred until the same maximum benefit figure above question of whether or not to begin CPP begin drawing as early as age 60. But age 65. When the new rules have been and ignoring inflation increases the benefits early. there is a penalty for taking CPP early. completely phased in, by 2016, the monthly benefit for a person who begins The foregoing is for general So this is an important question that breakeven point reduces to age 74 for drawing CPP age 70 will increase by information purposes and is the should be carefully considered. those who take CPP early at age 60. 42% to $1,400 per month. opinion of the writer. This information In order to answer this question Let’s put some numbers to these As you can see there is a lot of math is not intended to provide personal there is another question that needs to ages. The maximum CPP benefit involved. Many people agonize, stress advice including, without limitation, be answered first. “Do you need the payable to a person age 65 in 2012 is and worry about their decision to take investment, financial, legal, accounting income in order to live?” If yes, then $986 per month. A person starting CPP CPP early or not. My view has always or tax advice. Please call or write to Rick taking CPP early is a must and should at age 60 in 2012 would see a penalty been that money in the hand today is Sutherland CLU, CFP, FDS, R.F.P., to be started as early as possible. reduction. Under the old rules the always better than money in the hand in discuss your particular circumstances If you do not necessarily need maximum reduction penalty was 30% the future regardless of the breakeven or suggest a topic for future articles the income for day-to-day living then or 0.5% per month for each month point. at 613-798-2421 or E-mail rick@ there may be other reasons one would that a person starts CPP prior to age I guess the absolute and correct invested-interest.ca. Mutual Funds want to start CPP early. It becomes a 65. Beginning in 2012 the reduction answer to this question can be found in provided through FundEX Investments supplement to current income from penalty will be increased by 0.02% per your longevity. How long will you live? Inc. employment, pension, RRIF, savings month and increasing by 0.02% each If you plan to live past age 76 under the etc. It allows more money to do things year until 2016. By 2016 the maximum old rules or age 74 under the new rules As A Sole Proprietor, You Are Indispensable By Anna Sundin you became seriously ill or died? press for immediate payment, and your business and family if you chose Your business would lose its key accounts receivable might become business life, disability and critical hen you own and run your person and your income source may uncollectable. illness insurance. These products could own business, you’re disappear. There may not be enough If you die or become ill, your family help you and your family carry out your responsible for all aspects income to manage all the business would face three alternatives: plans for the business if you were to W liabilities if you died. Creditors could 1. They could continue the become critically ill or die - for example, of the business. What would happen if business, requiring family members life insurance can provide funds to to have: the ability and experience to buy the business under a purchase run your business; sufficient cash after agreement, and disability insurance debts are paid; and, the ability to retain can provide income if you become your customers. disabled. Critical illness insurance can 2. They could liquidate the business. help you pay off debts, stabilize your A forced sale attracts bargain-hunters credit position, offer cash values or loan and with “goodwill” gone, the value of options or establish a fund for personal the business may be drastically reduced income at retirement, independent of - by as much as 40 to 90 per cent. the business. 3. They could sell as a going Your advisor can offer you an array concern. However, finding a qualified of life, disability and critical illness buyer may be difficult; the cash for insurance products to suit your needs. purchase may not be readily available Your advisor can help you develop a and the agreement on a fair price may solution that best fits your family and be difficult to reach. business needs. Alternatively, you could protect Abbotsford @ The Glebe Centre Good ‘til the Last Rock By: Julie Ireton chairs, volunteers raise pledges and members of the community and local ast year 92-year-old Dorothea businesses come out to rock and donate Torunski dressed up like a hippy money. But this year will be bitter sweet. to rock it out. The rocking chairs are coming out to the L street for the last time. This year, she’s not giving away what her costume will be. “This is like the series finale,” “I’m not a spring chicken, but I can explained Karen Joynt the Glebe still rock,” she said. Centre’s Manager of Development. Torunski looks forward to the Joynt says the Glebe Centre will look Glebe Centre’s annual Rock-a-thon to other kinds of events to raise money every spring. For several years this going forward. resident of the long-term care centre The Rock-a-thon has often had a has joined volunteers and staff to rock theme and this year the theme will be the day away – in a rocking chair -- to TV series finales. She expects teams to raise money for the organization and its dress up as characters of well-known programs. and loved TV programs that had big The 2012 Rock-a-thon and block wrap-ups such as M.A.S.H. or the party is set to take over Monk Street Golden Girls. (directly behind the Glebe Centre) on Fifteen years ago the Glebe Centre Saturday June 2 between 11 am and 3 pm. Organizers bring out the rocking Cont’d on next page MAY 2012 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR Page 39 Carleton Sports Down Memory Lane: Carleton’s First Sojourn as a Basketball Powerhouse By Joe Scanlon Carleton’s first two trips to the movement. He also has a collection which he does as a volunteer. Nationals, there was almost a complete of funny hats, anything to get people Although he usually performs on t’s now considered normal for turnover in the team with Stewart one of relaxed. “Hats are just hilarious,” he his own, his wife Linda – who can play Carleton’s men’s basketball team to two still around. That season he recalls says. “It almost becomes a party when the piano by ear – does come along on go to the Canadian Interuniversity as “brutal” – teams Carleton had once someone puts on a goofy hat. I’ll call one regular engagement and she (he I defeated easily were beating the Ravens. them up from the audience and have helps out) runs a program for graduating Sport (CIS) championships and most of the time when they do so, they win. The The next season Carleton found himself them sing songs like, “My Bonnie lies High school students with learning male Ravens have won eight of the past without a gym – a new floor was being over the ocean,” or, “She’ll be coming difficulties both at Algonquin and at the 10 championship tournaments – winning installed and the firm doing it was hit around the mountain when she comes.” Paul Mention Centre at Carleton. The seven times in Halifax and once when by a strike. The team never got to play Stewart will try anything that works program is designed to make young the tournament was held at Scotiabank on its own floor until the conference – everything from the funny hats to people heading to college or university Place. championship when it defeated Loyola weird musical instruments. He plays the aware of what support systems are in It’s largely forgotten now but almost by a single point. penny whistle, guitar and the ukulele. He place and to make them aware that 50 years ago -- from 1964-65 to 1968-69 That team included Don Cline who can teach people to make music with a they have to reach out if they want – the Ravens were also regular attendees went on to become one of Canada’s comb and wax paper and recently he has that support. Such students are quite at the Nationals. They didn’t win – many most respected basketball referees. It decided to incorporate playing spoons naturally nervous about starting post- of the teams they played were stocked also included Dennis Bibby (who was at with the entire audience. One instrument secondary education. Linda Stewart’s with American imports -- but in Ernie the time in training to become an Oblate he uses is the “boom whacker”. It is a goal is to help them feel more confident. Zoppa’s four years as coach they made priest) who had joined the team when plastic tube which comes in different He is involved in another initiative it to the championship tournament three St. Patrick’s College became part of lengths and striking it produces a note. with Bruce Marshall, the senior times. Carleton. It melded so well former team Hit several different ones at the same physiotherapist with Carleton’s athletics Their performance attracted so members still get together – as they did time and you have a chord. department. Reaching out to Carleton much attention that twice Ottawa radio this past winter when Cline died. He has also been experimenting staff and faculty, Marshall helped station CFRA sent sports broadcaster That season was Stewart’s final with bodhrán an Irish frame drum. developed a program which encourages Ernie Calcutt to broadcast the games. season with the Ravens. Graduating Another one of his fortes is the university personnel to work at all Paddy Stewart was captain on two of that spring with a degree in Sociology, hambone or Juba dance which involves aspects of physical fitness –everything those three teams and he has memories he moved back to Edmonton – where stomping as well as slapping and patting from nutrition to weight training. of those trips – first to Halifax, then to he had grown up – and did a Bachelor the arms, legs and cheeks. Once people Although it’s nearly half a century Calgary and then – after missing a year of Education degree. He then returned get the hang of it he makes them go since Paddy Stewart played basketball – his favourite memory – the trip to the to Ontario first to Renfrew (the area faster and faster. Different parts of the for Carleton he has never lost his interest Nationals at Antigonish. However his where his wife, Linda, grew up) then body produce different sounds. It’s easy in the sport. He has stopped playing in best game was not that year but two to Ottawa’s Gloucester High School. to do slowly but speed things up and annual alumni games but he had his seasons earlier. (His former coach, Ernie Zoppa left everyone makes mistakes. “Nobody wife, Linda, not only have season tickets In 1964-65, the Ravens went direct Gloucester the year he arrived; however, can get it right,” he says. Stewart makes for Carleton basketball, they show up to the Nationals as champions of what Zoppa was principal at Hillcrest when them stand up and pump their fist when in their front row seats at almost every was then the Ottawa-St. Lawrence Paddy’s son Andy went to school there they make an error. That helps people game. Conference. In 1965-66, however, the and Paddy coached Andy’s junior and get over the fear of making mistakes. Paddy’s interest and ability in Ravens were forced to play Waterloo senior basketball teams with Peter When he deals with teen-agers – basketball was passed on to his son Lutheran (now Wilfrid Laurier) to Scobie at Hillcrest.) one of his regular stints is at an Ottawa Andy who, like his father, not only decide which team – Carleton or From Gloucester however Stewart high school – he knows they can be an played for the Ravens but like his father Waterloo – would go to Calgary. The moved on to what is known as an inhibited or aloof audience. “I do all was team captain for three of his five organizers were so certain the winner Alternative Program where he dealt sorts of things to lighten them up and years with the team. Andy was in his would be Waterloo they even announced with young people who were having loosen them up.” With a group of 20 third year with the Ravens when Dave the tournament schedule, a schedule that all kinds of difficulties. While there he or 30 for example he will have them do Smart became an assistant coach but made no mention of Carleton. (learned about group facilitation and some stretches or the Wave. he finished his eligibility before Smart In the first half of that game, co-operative games. (He had already A lot of his work is done with people took over as head coach and the Ravens Carleton couldn’t stop Lutheran’s star, become an entertainer.) He wanted to be in health care facilities. For example, he headed back to the Nationals. However, Pete Misikowetz – he had 18 points and was someone who can get people to performs regularly at a shelter for people Andy has remained an important part of well before half time – so Coach Zoppa relax even laugh at their own problems. who come to Ottawa for cancer treatment the team: he is responsible for seeing turned to 5’8” Stewart and told him to Bit by bit he began to use those skills and live too far away to commute. His that team members are physically fit cover Misikowetz. Stewart played the to entertain persons of all types – from goal is not to perform but to get people and supervises their strength and weight game of his career. Misikowetz scored challenged children to seniors with involved. “I try to make things as much training. He does weight and general only four more points and Stewart – not dementia. as I can participatory. I don’t sing for fitness training with the team helping noted for his scoring ability – scored 19 Part of his work involves team people. I have people sing with me.” acquire the physical fitness they need to – the most he ever scored. building. To do that, he uses cooperative Stewart now does more than 100 play a demanding sport. The following season, after games and music and laughter and engagements a year – about a quarter of
Abbotsford @ The Glebe Centre .. cont’d from previous page
held it’s first ever Rock-a-thon. a barbeque, and bouncy castles for others at the Rock-a-thon Block Party 3 pm. Everyone is welcome. It was a novel fundraising event the kids. Neighbours, local business on Saturday June 2 between 11 am and for the long-term care facility and people, Abbotsford members and Glebe senior’s centre. The annual event has Centre staff, residents and their families raised thousands of dollars over the past are all expected to attend. decade and a half. Joynt says the centre Organizers are currently looking is hoping to raise $20,000 this spring. for more volunteers and donations from One of the people who has raised the community. thousands of dollars on her own over Dorothea Torunski says she doesn’t the years is Beba Poole, a nurse at the like asking for money, but she says Glebe Centre. it’s a good cause so many friends and “I usually raise close to two family like to contribute to programs thousand dollars,” said Poole. She for seniors. Torunski says she likes her always gathers together a team and home at the Glebe Centre. always wins the prize for the most “I’m very pleased with everything. money raised by a member of the staff. I don’t have anything to complain “I really care about the people here about. Everyone is very nice to me. and the centre,” said Poole. But they’re good to everyone. I know At this year’s Rock-a-thon block I can’t go back to my old life. I’m very party, Sneezy Waters will provide the fortunate here,” she said. musical entertainment. There will be Come out and join Torunski and Page 40 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR MAY 2012 Sips from the Poetry Café My Mom Knows Things! By: Susan Atkinson is in full swing and Mother’s Day is us. I think when we do stop and ponder everything – like she really did have just around the corner. For most of the wonderful women in our lives we those ‘proverbial’ eyes in the back of s May approaches there’s lots to us it really is a time to thank all the marvel at the gift of knowledge they the head! This month I thought it would Acelebrate and lots to be grateful mothers in our lives and to perhaps possess. To me it always seemed that be fun to honour that gift with a piece for. The tulips are popping up, spring remember those who are no longer with my mom knew everything and I mean written from a child’s perspective.
My Mom Knows She knows when I’m supposed Without extra care. She knows when I’ve had She knows how to help To be cleaning my room A really bad day, When things seem wrong. Things! I push everything under She knows when I feed She knows what to do The bed with a broom. The dog left over food And just what to say. She knows how to cuddle My mom knows when I wear And she knows when I’m If I wake at night, Socks three days in a row. She knows when I have mean, She knows if I’m nervous She knows how to put And she knows when I play My feet on the couch, Unkind or rude. About something at school. A bad dream right. Without gloves in the snow. Or my elbows on the table She knows what’s hip, When I slouch. She knows without looking What’s in, what’s cool! My mom even knows She knows in the morning If I stick out my tongue my favorite food, When I’m in a rush She knows when I don’t Or pull a face my favourite colour I don’t put toothpaste Finish my drink Or do something wrong. She knows what it takes and my favourite mood. On my brush. It ends up poured To make me smile Down the kitchen sink. But best of all And she knows I have My mom she knows She knows when I don’t My mom always knows My very own style. Everything you know: Wash my face at night. She knows when I don’t how to help with She knows how to support And she knows when I Eat the greens on my plate, my highs and lows. She knows how to soothe And give love just so. Read using only a flashlight. And She knows if I dawdle And take tears away. We’re bound to be late. She knows when to cheer She knows how to teach To all the moms in the world – She knows when my coat If I’ve done well And how to play. and you know who you are! – Isn’t done up right She knows when I haven’t And when to listen Happy, happy Mother’s Day. And my laces are knotted Combed my hair If there’s stuff to tell. She knows the words Instead of tied tight. Or have done my homework To my favourite song. For Whom Are You Investing?
ou may, on occasion, through the fluctuations of the financial and the uncertainties of tomorrow? should they require assistance? And ask yourself why you markets, the worry over interest To answer this question, you may will you be able to leave the type of Yare investing. Why go rate movements, the fears of today need to ask yourself one more: For legacy you desire? As you can see, whom am I investing? when you’re investing for your family, Consider the following: you’ve got a lot to consider • You’re investing for yourself. It . sounds selfish, but it’s not. You may • You’re investing for your beliefs. be investing in your Registered Throughout your working years, you Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and may try to give as much money as other investment accounts so you you can to charitable organizations can enjoy a comfortable retirement whose work you support. Yet you lifestyle after working your entire may wish you could do even more. adult life. But you’re also investing And eventually, you may be able to so you can become financially do more. For example, if you sell an independent — free of worries that asset that has appreciated in value, you’ll become a burden to your grown there will be tax implications. But if children or other family members. And you were to give securities that have given the real possibility of spending appreciated in value to a charitable two, or even three decades in an organization, you could avoid taxes active retirement, it’s imperative that on the appreciated amount, and you you put as much as you can possibly may even get a current income tax afford into investment vehicles that break for your contribution. You can help you pursue your financial might also want to include charitable independence. organizations in your estate plans, after consulting with your attorney or • You’re investing for your family. If other estate tax advisor. you have children or grandchildren, you may well want to help them pay As you can see, you’ve got some for college or university. And, as you “key constituencies” counting on know, post-secondary education has you. By keeping them in mind, you gotten much more expensive in recent should have the motivation you need years, so you’ll need to save and to overlook the day-to-day ups and invest from the time your children are downs of investing — while you very young, and you’ll need to choose keep your focus on your important the right investment accounts. But long-term goals. If you would like you’ll also need to think about other assistance in formulating how to family members, too. Have you built achieve these goals, please give me a up enough in your retirement accounts call at 613-526-3030. so that the money would be sufficient to support your surviving spouse Bob Jamieson, CFP should anything happen to you? Will Edward Jones, Member Canadian you have enough financial resources Investor Protection Fund. to help support your elderly parents MAY 2012 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR Page 41 Sale of Yoga Mat Bags Supports Blue Ridge Mountains Early Child Care in Rural Nepal Shenandoah River by Tineke and Michael interests. The Government of Nepal is supportive of organizations that Casey like to help a village establish a Old Ottawa South centre. So together with the Canada Foundation For Nepal (CFFN.ca) we e started our travels to have done that in one village and are Nepal about 15 years well on our way to repeating that in Wago, first like everyday another. tourists interested in trekking off Helping a village create a child into the hinterlands and then later, care centre is one thing but making after becoming more integrated into it sustainable is something else. a Nepali family, to see the country The Madhi Centre has two floors, with different eyes. the second for use as a community Oh Nepal is still achingly meeting place, a location for a clinic beautiful but now we see with clearer or, in time, a place where tourists eyes what could be. What we once can stay. We are also working with judged as cute or quaint we now see the village to capture a market in a as barriers to progress. nearby city for high value crops in The clearest example of this is the dry season, grown in their own the way that young children, say 5 bamboo and plastic greenhouses and Massanutten zipline or 6 years old, become the caregiver using micro irrigation technology. to their younger siblings. Seeing a Our projects are small and very By Don Cummer don’t miss the opportunity to take a day- young girl carry her little brother on focused and so can be done on a long bus trip to Washington, D.C. – a two- her back might make you smile the modest budget. With a small amount n 1862, Stonewall Jackson posted his hour drive to the north and east. way you would if you saw the same of fundraising we can do quite a lot. scouts on the summit of a mountain This year, we were lucky enough to thing here in Ottawa. After a while The sale of our yoga mat bags goes ridge running down the centre of the hit Washington during a heat wave that though, you see it is not a game; it’s directly to this effort. I had lured the city’s cherry trees into bloom Shenandoah Valley. From high above the what she does. There are two actions we are town of Harrisonburg, Virginia, they had a weeks before the famous cherry blossom If you find affordable child supporting with the yoga mat bags. clear view of the movements of the Union festival. The air was rich with the scent care difficult to find here in Ottawa, The first is that the bags are made by armies for miles up and down the valley. of magnolia. imagine it in rural Nepal. The a women’s co-op (Nepalese Women Today, most people ascend The 14-hour drive down Interstate situation is the same – both parents Skills Development Project) which Massanutten Mountain by chairlift. From 81 to the heartland of Virginia can be are working – who will care for the helps rescue Nepali women who the top, they can schuss a 350 meter easily divided into two parts. If a family, children? So it often falls to the oldest have no income. This co-op teaches vertical to the ski lodge. Then they can taking advantage of the March Break, child, or the oldest girl to take this on. them a skill and then gives them a continue by car to the foot of the mountain leaves shortly after school is let out for That means no school for her until job. We have the bags custom made for a tee-off time on one of the resort’s two the day on Friday, it’s possible to reach the youngest reaches school age. By at this facility in Pokhara, Nepal. 18-hole golf courses, or to an indoor water southern Pennsylvania in time to find then the elder sister is 11 or 12 and The profit from the sale of the park that draws visitors from hundreds of accommodation for the night. must attend Grade 1. It’s no wonder bags goes to supporting the creation miles around. The next morning, rather than they drop out in such huge numbers. of more rural village child care Ontario’s March Break corresponds pushing on to the Shenandoah Valley For girls in rural Nepal getting past centres. with the shoulder season at Massanutten right away, we usually poke around the Grade 2 is better than average. You can learn more about the Resort http://www.massresort.com. The Amish communities west of Philadelphia, The Nepalese know this is an project at cffn.ca and clicking on the daffodils are in bloom, but the snow is still or explore the battlefields of the Civil War. issue and, as best they can, they are 4C link. You can also reach Tineke or packed on the ski runs. This year marks the 150th anniversary of helping villages establish child care Michael at (613) 730-4963 or through Some of the resort’s summer facilities, many of the most notable engagements, centres but progress is slow as the yoga instructor Andrea Robertson. including the outdoor swimming pool and including Antietam – a short detour in the government has so many competing canoe trips down the Shenandoah River, Maryland leg of the trip – and Stonewall have yet to open. But the zip lines and Jackson’s Valley Campaign, which trail rides, go kart tracks and tennis courts continues to be studied in the military are all waiting for the Ottawa travelers academies. fleeing the last vestiges of our winter. Or maybe you’d prefer just to drive Massanutten Resort also offers bus along the Blue Ridge Mountains or along tours to nearby vineyards and historic those byways John Denver used to sing sites associated with former Presidents of: of the United States, including Thomas Jefferson’s remarkable mansion, West Virginia, mountain mama, Monticello. Many Ontarians, however, Take me home, country roads. How Can Stretching Improve Your Health?
lexibility often gets over looked while, make sure to get up and move stress and tension. Taking the time to • Do not overstretch. Do not stretch when we talk about fitness and around! unwind with 20 minutes of stretching to the point of pain. If the stretch hurts, Foverall wellness. With current • Preventing injury: Stretching can help promote sleep and slow your you’re pushing too hard. lifestyles forcing us to sit too often for can help improve flexibility. heart rate. • Do not rush! Give yourself too long and our stress levels being When flexibility is improved, your Stretching Tips: adequate time to stretch after a work high, we often carry a lot of muscular performance with physical activities • Warm up first: move around, out or at the end of your work day. tension. Daily stretching will help to may also be improved and your risk of go for a short walk or march in place Stretching through out the day will help ensure your muscles and joints stay injury reduced. For example, if your while swinging your arms to warm up keep you limber and reduce soreness limber and will help to make you feel Achilles tendon is tight and you do a your muscles. Muscles, tendons, and and stiffness at the end of your work better! Some of the health benefits of lot of hill walking, your foot will be ligaments are more flexible and stretch day! stretching include: unable to go through the entire range of more easily when warm. Stretching Following these tips will help keep • Increase circulation: A common motion. This will increase your chance cold muscles can cause injury. your muscles and joints healthy. contributing factor to poor circulation of developing tendonitis over time. • Hold each stretch for 10 to is lack of body movement. With our By stretching your calf muscles and 20 seconds, allowing the muscle to Dr. Melissa Baird is a Chiropractor current lifestyle of sitting all day at Achilles tendon, you will improve the lengthen slowly. with Glebe Chiropractic Clinic. She work, and then sitting to get to and from ankles range of motion and decrease the • Do not bounce! Quick movements can be contacted at 613 237 9000. You work in our cars, we often neglect our risk of microtraumas overtime. can cause muscle fibers to shorten, not can also follow Glebe Chiropractic on bodies’ need for exercise. So, whenever • Managing stress: Stretching can lengthen. Bouncing will not give you Twitter @GlebeChiro or on Facebook at you notice you have been sitting for a help to elevate mental and physical an effective stretch. Glebe Chiropractic / Massage Therapy. Page 42 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR MAY 2012 Tax Planning For Post Retirement Life Nessie the Loch Ness Monster Provided by Linda M. Hancock, BSc., advantage of the tax-sheltering benefits of your By Anna Redman CFP, Senior Financial Consultant, RRSP by making your maximum contribution er name is Nessie. She is the star of many a folk Investors Group Financial Services Inc. up to the end of the year you turn 71. At that age, the government requires that you wrap up tale, urban legend and film. It is rumoured that she o save the most during your working years, your RRSP(s) and convert the proceeds, usually Hswims in the depths of Loch Ness and hides among to build the largest possible retirement to a RRIF. After you reach 71, consider putting the suspected underwater caves. Nessie, the Loch Ness nest egg, tax planning is an absolute any extra money into investments held within a Monster, is believed to resemble a dinosaur, but has only T TFSA where the funds can continue to grow tax- been captured in grainy, indistinct photographs. While many necessity. And it becomes even more important after you retire when you’ll need to maximize free and/or contributing to spousal RRSP eligible have tried, no one has managed to gather indisputable proof your (perhaps) limited income so you can live investments until your spouse/partner turns 71. of Nessie’s existence. your dreams for all your retirement years. Here It has been suggested that the myth of the Loch Ness are some essential strategies for making that Consider a guaranteed investment fund This monster emerged in 565 AD, with sightings being reported happen. is a segregated fund that contains a guaranteed ever since. However, such sightings increased after the turn minimum withdrawal benefit so you can enjoy of the 20 century when a new road was built along the edge Income split Aim at reducing your family’s total the potential investment growth of a mutual fund of the Loch. Former inn owners, the Mackays, reported a along with a guaranteed regular income which tax liability by allocating up to 50 per cent of sighting on April 14, 1933, shortly after the road was built. will not decrease. your eligible pension income (monthly pension They informed the man in charge of regulating salmon fishing payments and, when you reach age 65, RRIF Consider a Monthly Income Portfolio This in Loch Ness, Alex Campbel. The regulator responded to income) to the lower income spouse/partner for their report by announcing several of his own sightings tax purposes. mutual fund option is more flexible and tax- advantaged than other non-registered options shortly afterwards. like a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) A year later, in 1934, Arthur Grant reported seeing the Share benefits Sharing CPP/QPP benefits with monster crossing the road. The description Grant provided of your spouse/partner can save significantly on which locks in your money while locking it out Nessie suggested she was a plesiosaurus, an aquatic member taxes. of potentially higher returns and creating an immediate tax bill on redemption. A monthly of the dinosaur family, believed to have been extinct for more than 65 million years. Plan withdrawals RRIF withdrawals are income portfolio is designed to provide maximum fully taxable; manage your taxable income by investment returns along with a monthly income, Almost 30 years on, in 1960, the first video footage of withdrawing as little as possible. a part of which is treated as return on capital – a Nessie was captured by Tim Dinsdale. Sceptics argue that tax-deferral strategy that can increase your after- what was captured was actually a motorboat, but Dinsdale Take full credit Reduce the amount of tax you tax monthly income. disagreed. So intrigued was he by his alleged sighting that pay by taking advantage of all the federal tax Save on taxes now and after you retire by using he quit his job as an aeronautical engineer and spent twenty credits (some with equivalent provincial credits) all the tax-reduction strategies you can. Your years attempting to locate Nessie. He reported two more that apply to you including the Pension Income professional advisor can show you how. sightings of the creature, but was never able to gather more Credit, Age Credit, Medical Expense Credit, and concrete evidence to prove her existence. Charitable Donations Credit, among others. This column, written and published by The American Academy of Applied Science decided Investors Group Financial Services Inc. (in to devote a study to Nessie during the 70s. They captured Allocate assets efficiently Reduce taxes by Québec – a Financial Services Firm), and evidence with sonar searches and underwater cameras, but Investors Group Securities Inc. (in Québec, a holding fully-taxable, interest-generating once again, sceptics dismissed such notions, explaining firm in Financial Planning) presents general investments inside a tax-sheltered RRSP, RRIF everything away. or TFSA and keeping eligible investment assets information only and is not a solicitation to buy or sell any investments. Contact your own advisor But as it turns out, Nessie doesn’t need proper evidence that generate capital gains or Canadian dividends to garner fame. A recent report released by the Metro and are taxed less outside your registered plans. for specific advice about your circumstances. For more information on this topic please contact newspaper suggests that the monster is the most famous Scot. your Investors Group Consultant. Beating out competition like tennis-player Andy Murray and 71 – before and after Be sure to take full actor Sean Connery, Nessie earned 29% of the votes. Results were based on responses from more than 2,000 adults across Britain. In 2011 Nessie graced movie screens across the globe in her very own short film, proceeding Disney’s latest instalment in the Winnie the Pooh series. The short, titled ‘The Ballad of Nessie,’ was narrated by comedian Billy Connolly and tells the story of how Nessie came to find her home in Loch Ness. Other notable film and television moments include the 1996 film Loch Ness, staring Ted Danson, and a guest appearance in a 2004 episode of Scooby-Doo. An exhibition has been opened in tribute to Nessie at the Drumnadrochit hotel in Inverness-shire. Visitors to the area can also sign up for guided tours that include a visit to Loch Ness. Nessie stars in a myth that has survived for thousands of years, suggesting that she too, has done the same. If seeing is believing, then few would be willing to pass on such tales, but perhaps, in Nessie’s case, the desire to see is enough, and as a result, she will live on forever. Library is More Than Books
Along with books, dvds and cds, it is possible to borrow magazines from the Library. The magazines can be borrowed for a one week period with one renewal possible. In the children’s department the titles vary as widely as Amercan Girl to Sports Illustrated for Kids. We have Ladybug ChickadeeOwl, Ranger Rick Wild, Big Backyard and Nintendo Power which is never on the shelf. We also have a Spanish language magazine called Iguana. In June, we select magazine titles for the coming year. If you have any suggestions, let us know; we might be able to add to or change our selection. MAY 2012 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR Page 43
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE LIBRARY
Sunnyside Branch Library
Sunnyside Branch Library help develop works-in-progress Thursday, May 3, 6:30 pm (120 1049 Bank Street, Ottawa Mother-Daughter Book Club Ages for publication. The workshop min.) 613-730-1082, 10-12 will provide writers with Adult Services, A place for girls and the special encouragement and constructive Job Hunting and Career extension 22 women in their lives to share books. criticism from their peers. Education Children’s Services, Registration. Registration. Are you looking for a job or extension 29 Mondays, 7:00 p.m. (60 min.) May 14 Mondays, 6:00 pm (120 min.) trying to decide on a career? Children’s Programs May 28 Come and find out how the library Babytime guysread can help you with your search. For babies and their parents or Share the love of books. For boys Adult Special Programs Registration. caregiver with stories, rhymes, songs and a significant adult. Ages 8-12. Thursday, May 10, 7:00 pm (60 and games. 0-18 months. Registration. Improving Health Through min.) Tuesdays, 2:15 p.m. May 8-May 29 Wednesdays, 7:00 p.m. (60 min.) Dynamic Posture May 16 Come and join Dr. Chandan Wiebo’s War - NFB Film Storytime Brar of the Glebe Chiropractic Documentary Stories, rhymes and songs for Teen Programs Clinic, for interactive classes on Soon after natural gas wells were preschoolers and a parent or TAG Teen Advisory improving your posture naturally. drilled near the Alberta home of caregiver. Ages 3-6. Group (Ongoing Event) You will learn how posture is Reverend Wiebo Ludwig and his Mondays, 2:15 a.m. May 7-May 28 Sunnyside Teens--join our new connected to your digestion, clan, the Christian community started experiencing health problems. After Teen Advisory Group and have a breathing and even a healthy Storytime (bi-lingual) five years of being ignored by the oil say in which programs, activities prolonged life. Topics to be Stories, rhymes and songs for and services will be offered to and gas industry, Ludwig decided to preschoolers and a parent or covered will include posture and youth and also help plan and fight. The story of a man’s relentless caregiver. Ages 3-6. the workplace, effective strategies struggle against powerful industry Contes, rimes et chansons pour les implement them. Ages 14-18. To for stress management, and join, stop by the branch. interests. Registration. enfants préscolaires et un parent ou nutrition. Registration. Thursday, May 24, 6:30 pm (90 gardien. 3-6 ans. Thursday, May 17, 7:00 pm (60 min.) Wednesdays 10:15 a.m. May 9-May Mother-Daughter Book Club min.) 30 A place for girls and the special women in their lives to share Adult Book Clubs Toddlertime books. Ages 13-15. Registration. Clicking, Flicking and Tweeting: Cercle de lecture For toddlers and a parent or caregiver Mondays, May 28, 7:00 pm (60 Social Networking Controversy Partagez avec nous le plaisir des with stories, rhymes, songs and min.) The explosion of social livres dans une ambiance détendue. games. Ages 18-35 months. Adult Programs networking websites such as Tuesdays, 10:15 a.m. May 8-May 29 Conversation en français Flickr, Facebook, blogging sites Les mardis, 8 mai, 19 h (60 min.) OR and Twitter has raised more Thursdays, 10:15 a.m. May 10-May Improve your spoken French and than privacy concerns. Join the 31 meet new friends in a relaxed Sunnyside Adult Book Club setting. discussion with Chris Taylor and Meet new people and join in Children’s Book Clubs Thursdays, January 12 – May Andrea Wells from the Ottawa PC stimulating discussions on selected Mother-Daughter Book Club Ages 31, 7:00 pm (60 min.) Users’ Group. Andrea describes titles in a friendly and relaxed 7-9 the value of social media and atmosphere. Registration. A place for girls and the special The Writing Workshop Chris cautions about using Fridays, May 25, 2:00 pm (60 min.) women in their lives to share books. An opportunity for writers of these tools so that you don’t Registration. fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and compromise your computer, Mondays, 7:00 p.m. (60 min.) May experimental forms to gather to your job, your identity, or worse. 7 Registration. Coming soon...Imagine yourself in the club this summer! WHAT is the TD Summer Reading As soon as school finishes in theme Imagine, they will have their months if they do not continue to read Club? June! heads in the clouds reading tales and while they are out of school. Summer novels set in fantasy worlds where reading clubs first started when library t’s a free program just for kids, WHY should I join the club? strange, magical creatures mix with staff realized that they could make that runs at libraries across Because it’s going to be SO robots and other fantastical machines. a difference. When further studies ICanada every year. Kids who MUCH FUN! There will be cool The whimsical illustrations of Dušan demonstrated that children who do register will receive a free poster and programs, games and activities, and Petričić make these imaginary not learn to read fluently in fourth activity book, and a sticker with a lots of other neat things to see, read worlds even more exciting. - features grade will likely never feel totally secret code for every book they read and do. This website is also going civilisations from the past. comfortable with the printed word, during the summer. There are nine to be full of lots of amazing stuff, Come to the Sunnyside branch to our job was clear. Keep those children stickers to collect, and the secret including secret content, just for club join and receive a Club poster, nine reading and make sure they have fun codes will unlock reading rewards on members. stickers and an activity booklet full of doing so! this website. See if you can collect fun ideas. them all! The fun starts in June. See you then! This program offers families fun, Ottawa Public Library is TD Summer Reading Club - free activities to encourage children joining libraries from across Canada WHO can join the club? Imagine to read and continue developing their in this joint initiative between TD Any kid in Canada can join the We want your students to come literacy skills throughout the summer. Bank Financial Group, Library and club, and it’s free! and participate in this year’s TD Research has shown that the Archives Canada and the Toronto Summer Reading Club as the TD playful approach of these clubs is Public Library. WHERE can I join the club? Summer Reading Club will enchant extremely effective in getting more Working together to support Check to see if the club is running our youth in 2012! children to increase their reading literacy for all our children. at your local library, then drop in to This year, the focus will be on skills. For years, studies have shown get your poster and activity book. fantasy literature, which will be sure that school-age children lose many of WHEN can I join? to amaze young readers. With the their reading skills over the summer Page 44 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR MAY 2012
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE LIBRARY
Alta Vista Branch Library Programs Offered At The Alta disponible avec les mathématiques, la Rencontre littéraire Vista Library lecture et les sciences, en français et/ N.B. Registration for programs Auteur francophone de la région, Programmes Offerts A La ou anglais. Pour les 7 à 18 ans. Ins- starts on April 25./ L’inscription des Michèle Vinet, présente son nouveau Bibliotheque Alta Vista cription. Offert en partenariat avec programmes commence le 25 avril. / roman « Jeudi novembre ». Alta Vista Branch E.A.G.L.E. Centre. (5 p.m.)/ (17 h) (90 Registration for all programs requires mercredi, 2 mai, 19 h – 20 h 2516 Alta Vista Drive min.) a valid OPL library card for each Register: www. registrant./Toutes les personnes qui Introduction to Korean Yoga for (Bilingual) Wednesdays, Jan 18 - May biblioottawalibrary.ca souhaitent s’inscrire à des programmes Good Health and Well-Being 30 / (Bilingue) Les mercredis 18 jan- Or call 613-737-2837 x28 doivent être titulaires d’une carte Learn about the 5 steps to wellness, vier-30 mai valide de la BPO. as well as simple, easy and effective exercises (sitting or standing) to Children/Enfants Special Storytime The Alta Vista Library is located relieve stress and improve well-being. Family Story & Theatre Time Storytime / Contes at 2516 Alta Vista Dr. For more Adults 55+. Families share stories, are introduced information, please call 613-737-2837, Friday, May 18, 2:00-4:00 p.m. Stories, rhymes, and songs for pre- to the theatre, make basic prop crafts schoolers and a parent or caregiver. ext. 26 / La bibliothèque Alta Vista est and participate in role-playing scenes située au 2516, promenade Alta Vista. Knit 2 Together Ages 3-6. / Contes, rimes et chansons from a favorite children’s book. Ages pour les enfants préscolaires et un Pour de plus amples renseignements, Love to knit? Bring your needles, 4+. veuillez composer le 613-737-2837, yarn and good cheer. No need for parent ou gardien. Pour les 3-6 ans. Saturday May 12 (2 p.m. (75 min.) (10:30 am)/ (10 h 30) (30 min.) poste 26. expertise, we knit for the pleasure of it. Teens/Adolescents Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. (1.5 hr.) (Bilingual) Monday May 07, - May Alta Vista Library Adult Programs May 5, June 2 28 - Session 3 / (Bilingue) Les lundis 7 Teen Book Swap 2516 Alta Vista Drive mai-28 mai – Session 3 Expand your reading repertoire and Register online at: French Conversation Group share your favourites. Choose a book www.biblioottawalibrary.ca Improve your spoken French in a Family Storytime related to the theme; read, share then or call 613-737-2837 x28 relaxed setting. For those with an Stories, rhymes and songs for children swap suggestions with other mem- intermediate level of French. of all ages and a parent or caregiver. bers. Title suggestions available at the Book Banter Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. (1.5 hrs.) All ages. (2 p.m.) (30 min.) branch. Ages 13-17. (7 pm ) (60 min.) Drop in to share the enjoyment of April 3 – May 29 Monday May 07 - May 28 - Session 3 Tuesday , May 22 - Crime’s the Thing good books in a relaxed atmosphere. Toddlertime / Tout-petits à la biblio Thursdays, 2:00 p.m. (1 hr.) English Conversation Group Stories, rhymes and songs for ba- Slam Poetry Night May 3: Essex County by Jeff Lemire. Improve your English and meet new bies and a parent or caregiver. 18-36 Head to Alta Vista for an unforgetable friends. In partnership with months. / Contes, rimes et chansons high-energy poetry slam. There will Tuesday Book Group Somali Family Services. pour les tout-petits et un parent ou gar- be two rounds of competition, perfo- Share the enjoyment of good books in Mondays, 6:00-7:30 p.m. dien. Pour les 18-36 mois. (10:30 am)/ mances will be limited to 3 minutes a relaxed atmosphere. Join us for a Tuesdays, 12:00-1:45 p.m. (10 h 30) (30 min.) and each poem must be the original discussion of The Great Books (Bilingual) Tuesdays, May 08 - May work of the competitor. Call 613-737- (First Series, Part 2) Café Alta Vista for Adults 55+ 29 – Session 3 / (Bilingue) Les mardis 2837 x29 for more information and to May 8, 7:00 p.m. (1.5 hrs.) Drop in for coffee and conversation 8 mai-29 mai- Session 3 register for the competition. First and with others in the community. second prizes. NEW! Nonfiction Book Club Last Thursday of the month. Babytime / Bébés à la biblio Friday May 04, (6:30 pm ) (2 h) Thursdays, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Stories, rhymes and songs for babies May 10: Theme: Water May 31 and a parent or caregiver. 0-18 months. Homework Club / Club de devoirs Read any book about the subject / Contes, rimes et chansons pour les Get tutoring and help with homework and join the discussion. bébés et un parent ou gardien. Pour les after school. Help is available in math, Used Book Sale 0-18 mois. (10:30 am )/ (10 h 30) (30 reading and science, in French and/ Alta Vista Sleuth Hounds Pick up great books at great prices! min.) or English. Ages 7-18 Registration. Share the enjoyment of good Check out the Friends of the OPL Offered in partnership with E.A.G.L.E. bookstore half-price book sale. (Bilingual) Wednesday May 09, - May mysteries in a relaxed atmosphere. Center/ Reçoit du tutorat et de l’aide Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 30, - Session 3 /(Bilingue) Les mercre- Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. (1.5 hrs.) avec les travaux scolaires. De l’aide May 12 dis 9 mai-30 mai –Session 3 May 17: Read any Louis Kinkade title disponible avec les mathématiques, la by P.J. Parrish. Celebrating Cultures in Our Homework Club / Club de devoirs lecture et les sciences, en français et/ Community Get tutoring and help with homework ou anglais. Pour les 7 à 18 ans. Ins- Infusions littéraires cription. Offert en partenariat avec Partager une tasse de thé ou de after school. Help is available in math, Celebrate the children of the world! E.A.G.L.E. Centre. (5 p.m.) (90 min.) tisane en discutant de livres. reading and science, in French and/ Join us for stories, songs and dance. (Bilingual) Wednesdays, Jan 18 - May Les mardis, 14 h (1 hr.) or English. Ages 7-18 Registration. Refreshments will be served. 30 / (Bilingue) Les mercredis 18 jan- 15 mai : La tulipe noir de Alexandre Offered in partnership with E.A.G.L.E. Saturday, May 5, 2:00-4:00 p.m. Center/ Reçoit du tutorat et de l’aide vier-30 mail Dumas. avec les travaux scolaires. De l’aide Volunteer & Make the #1 City Even Better By Chandan Brar, B.A, DC always seemed to find space in their more valuable is your time. We are Committee of Ottawa. It’s indeed been lives to donate time or resources to all busy and pressed for time and that an exciting journey and has only just ne concept that many of us in worthy causes. Perhaps this is one of the is precisely what makes this the most begun. Imagine how much better we Ottawa are very familiar with factors that has contributed to Ottawa cherished commodity to give away. So, could make our communities if all we is that of giving back, but O being the #1 ranked best city to live in find a community event to help out in, did was to dedicate an hour a week to what does that mean? It is probably the third year in a row. Seeing others get involved with a local church group, volunteering. This can be a fun and more important to ask yourself the inspired me to make a commitment to volunteer to teach English to newcomers fulfilling way to give a part of yourself question ‘why’ one should consider it. do the same. or do talks in your community on to improve your community, but in the Several years ago, I had the privilege of Perhaps you give money on a topics that you have a specialized process develop your character even starting my chiropractic practice in the regular basis to charities or donate interest in. For example, being a health further. city ranked as “the best place to live in perishables to the food bank when you professional, I wanted to share ideas So remind yourself frequently Canada” by MoneySense; that city is can---you may be wondering how else on health and wellness and therefore that you live in a great city and start Ottawa! I quickly learned how much you can give back to you community. started giving public presentations on this week by finding opportunities Ottawans love to support their local Remember, that as valuable as your various topics like posture and nutrition. to volunteer and give out the most communities by volunteering. I also hard earned dollars are---in our fast This lead me to get involved with our priceless gift you can give to make our realized that many regular volunteers paced go-go culture something even local arthritis society and with the AIDS communities better--your time. I met were very busy people but they MAY 2012 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR Page 45
CLASSY ADS CLASSY ADS are free for Old Ottawa South residents (except for businesses or for business activity) and must be submitted in writing to: The OSCAR, at the Old Firehall, 260 Sunnyside, or sent by email to [email protected] by the deadline. Your name and contact information (phone number or email address) must be included. Only your contact info will appear unless you specify otherwise. The editor retains the right to edit or exclude submissions. The OSCAR takes no responsibility for items, services or accurary. For business advertising inquiries, call 730-1058. or call 613-730-6575. care, fun loving attitude and CPR/ Child care available! I am a 4th For Sale ------First Aid trained. Rates are flexible and year University student looking for Old Home located in beautiful I have great availability as well as do part time child care work for the Large number of Kodak carousel slide Ottawa South for rent mid-June not mind working on weekends! Also beginning of the summer (May-June). holding trays (140 each), in excellent (time frame flexible) Rent 1950.00 open to after-school walks and or help Growing up in Ottawa, I am familiar condition $10.00 o.b.o. 733.6315 + utilities - great for young families/ with homework! Please contact me with the area, parks, museums, bike ------professisonals - Call Cara at 613-249- (Holly) by email at holly-mohr@live. paths, bus routes, etc. I previously Solid Wood Bedroom Set, Light Stain: 9453 com or by telephone: (613) 795-4758 taught swimming at Brewer Pool, and A) Queen-size Bed B) Dresser - 65” ------would be more than happy to provide wide and 32” tall with Mirror- 52” HOME CARE IN OLD OTTAWA swimming lessons! Love kids! Please wide and 39” tall C) 2 night tables - Child Care SOUTH - In September, due to feel free to contact me anytime each 22” wide and 24” tall $850 the result of a move, I shall have 3 at [email protected] - references Can e-mail pictures. Call 613-730- Home Away From Home Daycare. openings for full time day care. If you available» 2411 OOS/Glebe. Loving and committed are looking for care for your little one ------caregiver with 20+years childcare please contact Natalie - nhcare98@ Babysitting: Babysitter available for Accommodation experience. French, English, Spanish hotmail.com children ages 3+. I have completed spoken. Excellent nutrition – organic, ------the babysitting course at the Firehall. homemade food. Playgroups, library, Bev’s in-home Daycare. Riverdale Please call Matthew 613 730-1441. For sale. 178 acres land surrounding parks, museums, music. Full-time. Rd. I have 2 full-time openings in pristine, stream-fed lake suitable Certified in infant CPR and first aid. my fun-loving and very busy daycare for single estate cottage or dividing. Found Please call Rocio @ 613-730-0729 for September. ECE, over 34 years Hydro to lakefront, meadows, mature ------experience, CPR/First-Aid trained, forest, amenities nearby, paved road Mature and responsible university non-smoker. References. Receipt Found: Gift certificate for Taylor›s to 1 km of gated access. 120km student available to babysit children given at end of year. phone: 613-594- Genuine. If you think it might be from Old Ottawa South, west along of all ages in the Old Ottawa South 5986 cell: 613-983-5986 yours, please call Carolyn at 613 730 Highway 148. For photos, details, Area! Extensive experience in child 0051. price see http://lake-estate.net76.net Join “Bike to Work Month” by Mike Buckthought “The idea is to bring a simplified helping people ride safely in traffic. To participate in “Bike to Work version of the celebration stations we’ve Cycling to work provides many Month”, visit www.biketoworkottawa. ay is “Bike to Work done in the past, right to your door. health and environmental benefits. It com. When you pledge to bike to work, Month” in Ottawa, and We’ll let the public know where we’re increases the productivity of employees, you’ll be eligible to win some great EnviroCentre is collaborating going to be each week on Twitter and and reduces rates of sickness-related prizes. Prizes will be awarded at the M through our online events calendar,” absences. It is also a key way to Bruce Timmermans Cycling Awards on with workplaces across the region to encourage people to cycle to work. says Jessica Wells, EnviroCentre’s reduce our community’s emissions of June 2. Last year, 861 people pledged to Programs Coordinator for Sustainable greenhouse gases. The online pledge system has bike to work, covering a total distance Transportation. Ottawa’s motor vehicles produce been expanded to track statistics such of 759,040 km. Participants reduced EnviroCentre is also encouraging 1.6 million tonnes of greenhouse as distance travelled, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by an people to develop their cycling skills. gases a year. Emissions from the city’s emissions, calories burned, and dollars estimated 191 tonnes by biking instead The organization has teamed up with transportation sector have increased, saved. Workplaces can combine their of using motorized modes of transport. City Wide Sports to offer cycling Lunch thanks to the presence of large numbers pledge totals to compete against other The 2012 edition of “Bike to and Learns and on-bike workshops at of SUVs. Exposure to traffic-related air organizations to see which group has Work Month” promises to encourage workplaces. pollution increases rates of asthma and the largest number of green commuters. even more people to cycle to work. “Based on surveys and feedback other respiratory diseases. EnviroCentre is a non-profit EnviroCentre is offering an updated we’ve received, there is a clear demand “Cycling is a convenient, fun, organization that works to reduce information kit, workshops, cycling for practical, hands-on bike safety healthy, and cost-effective way to greenhouse gas emissions in Ottawa safety information, multimedia tools, training. Cyclists will learn essential travel. In Ottawa, the average commute and Eastern Ontario by delivering and an online pledge system. safety habits like shoulder checking, is 7.8 km and one-third of us travel energy-efficiency programs and This year, EnviroCentre and the using hand signals, and choosing to take less than 5 km to work,” says Wells. services. EnviroCentre has coordinated City of Ottawa will be introducing the the lane,” says Wells. “There is therefore a huge amount Bike to Work since 2010. To download BikeMobile, an interactive display The cycling safety workshops will of potential to reduce transportation- an information kit or pledge to join booth on wheels, greeting employees teach introductory and intermediate related greenhouse gas emissions, road “Bike to Work Month”, visit www. with prize give-aways outside eight skills, with practice sessions in parking congestion, and noise and air pollution. biketoworkottawa.com. workplaces. lots and on city roads. The training will Small steps can have a significant enhance the confidence of commuters, impact.” Around Town Great Trinity Book Sale - the Ottawa community for a week of 20/20 Vision Conference, which will be celebrating 50 years. The Saturday, May 5. 9:30 a.m. to 3 nostalgia, networking, and fond CU Empowering Women - The Centre bus stops in Rimouski, Rivière du Loup, p.m. at Trinity Anglican Church, memories. More than 20 events taking for Research and Education on St. Siméon, La Malbaie, Baie St. Paul, 1230 Bank Street. Novels, mysteries, place for you to choose from including Women and Work is hosting a half day St. Anne de Beaupré and Hudson - all classics, romances, “book club books”, lectures, workshops, tours, milestone conference and dinner in celebration on the itinerary. cookbooks, books for children, and anniversary celebrations, and reunion of the 20th anniversary of the Cost: Members $499, others $525. much more. Don’t miss this great festivities. We are also pleased to Management Development Program Single supplement add $205. Package opportunity to stock up for all your showcase a number of dynamic guest for Women. The event takes place includes bus & ferry transportation, summer reading. speakers including André Picard, public Friday, May 11, 2012, at Carleton hotels, entrance fees, tips, and some health reporter at The Globe and Mail University. For more details please meals. Come back to campus and and Nejolla Korris, an expert in the field visit: www.sprott.carleton.ca/mdpw/ For more info: 613-230-3276, celebrate at the sixth annual of linguistic lie detection. [email protected], www. Carleton University Alumni Week, For more information and to Visit the Gardens in Quebec - July friendsofthefarm.ca May 8-12, 2012. Join old friends, register, please visit: cualumni.carleton. 15 to 18 - This four-day bus tour features former classmates, fellow alumni and ca/get-involved/alumni-week. a visit to Grand-Metis (Reford Gardens) Page 46 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR MAY 2012 YourMarketplace
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