Britannia Village Community Association (BVCA) January, 2014 THE VILLAGE NEWS 30 January at 7pm for the Britannia Village Community Association AGM at Britannia Yacht Club. Councilor Taylor will PUBLIC NOTICE: be presiding over the Election. The cash bar is open.

HELLO FROM THE BRITANNIA VILLAGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION (BVCA)

Happy New Year - January is the host er volunteering for a position, to lead to new residents and invite all to our month to the BVCA Annual Gener- an activity... or volunteer at an activity. meetings at 7 pm on the last Tuesday of al Meeting (AGM). Please join us on each month. During the winter months January 30, 7 pm. at the Britannia The BVCA is a volunteer community our meetings are held in a host home in Yacht Club for the BVCA year in re- group that relies on all residents of the the community to reduce rental costs view and election for the 2014 BVCA Village to join together to make our so that BVCA can donate to communi- executive and director positions. As community the special place that it is. ty activities. The location and time of always, every position is available for Every resident of the Village is a mem- the next meeting is at the end of the those who are willing to put their name ber of the BVCA. meeting minutes. Please contact Doug forward. Please contact Doug Biers Biers at [email protected] to be at [email protected] if you are 2013 has been a busy year in the Village on the mailing list and receive meeting interested in having your name stand and the BVCA has taken on several minutes. As always, we are grateful for a position. The BVCA executive new initiatives over the year. You can for the continued support of the Bri- positions are as follows: President, read more about these activities and tannia Yacht Club (BYC) as the club is Vice-President, Secretary and Treasur- upcoming events in this Newsletter – the venue for our spring/fall meetings er; there are 12 plus Director positions. for example, successful community and the High Water Social and our an- events like the 2013 High Water Social, nual general meeting (AGM). The 2013 executive and directors have Neighbourhood Party and Garage Sale. indicated that they will stand for the BVCA members also started new com- If you have any questions or com- positions in 2014; the same as last mittees like Friends of Britannia Park; ments, please call me - Carole Lums- year. I have been told that although we joined United Neighbours, Fed- don, BVCA 2013 President – at 613- everyone is committed, there is always eration of Community Associations 820-4653. Councilor Mark Taylor will room for newcomers to each position. and the Michelle Heights Homework preside over the BVCA election pro- The role of the community association Club. The most recent endeavor is the cess. Hope to see you at Britannia is to REPRESENT THE COMMUNITY neighbourhood rink in Britannia Park Yacht Club on the 30 January 2014 – – this is a forum for everyone in the – these are all volunteer initiated activ- 7 pm. community. We really need everyone’s ities, volunteer set-up, volunteer run. voice around the table. Please consid- We wish to extend a warm welcome 2746 CASSELS STREET PUBLIC GARDEN Cathleen Kneen’s Community Garden Although you are welcome to snacks was initially created to show our neigh- on all the plants on the east side of borhood that an equally aesthetic gar- the green fence please restrain your- den could be created with vegetables self from taking more than your equal as with fl owers. She wanted to create share. It’s for the whole neighborhood. ONGOING INITIATIVES a beautiful, edible and publicly acces- If you have any suggestions for vegeta- sible snack spot for Britannia. Her sec- bles that could be planted in Cathleen’s ond motivation was to teach children garden please do not restrain from let- KENNY HADEN’S that veggies are like candy, delicious. ting her know. She remembers as a child sneaking ICE SCULPTURES into her friend’s mother’s garden to eat Interview by Sophia Hahn, Kenny Haden is a chef who spends his the the home grown peas and she wanted middle school student * bulk of his professional time making culi- the children around her to experience nary creations outside of the garde manger. something similar to her childhood * Students needing community hours can For the non-culinary reader, the garde man- memory. volunteer to write an article for our next community newsletter. We are looking for ger (also known as the cold kitchen) is the The scrumptious, chemical free snacks articles refl ecting diverse community in- area in a kitchen that prepares and stores terests. Contact any BVCA board member Cathleen annually plants include cu- cold dishes. In the more elaborate culinary or come to any fi rst Tuesday of the month cumbers, peas, sweet basil and, my per- world of hotels and fancy restaurants, a chef meeting to make your pitch. garde manger’s repertoire includes ice carv- sonal favorites: tomatoes and dragon ing centrepieces, luges (sculptures), or fruit tong peas. One of her motivations is to bowls to add an extravagant fl air to an event inspire people into planting their very SKATING: MUD LAKE own veggies gardens. Her own garden via this limited lifetime art . Mud Lake skaters know or know of provides her with tomatoes and beans Chris Finnerty. For the non-skat- that last until the next harvesting sea- Kenny belongs to a group of chefs that are ers, Chris is one of the principal son. engaged by Heritage Canada to decorate volunteers that over the years has Ottawa’s Winterlude Festival. The group regularly prepared Mud Lake for builds ice sculptures, ice play structures for skating. He and his son run the children and ice features in support of Win- Chris Finnerty Hockey School for terlude activities including the setting for kids. Chris volunteers to do the the annual, by invitation only, ice sculpture Mud Lake rink maintenance in his competition. spare time. Via a hole in the ice, he scoops water into garbage cans To rekindle his technique and exercise his that he transports on a sled to fl ood skill set, Kenny carves a 300 lbs. block of an area on the lake. The Mud Lake ice in his driveway before the Festival each rink sees many shinny hockey year. His most recent carving was a gallop- games. ing horse; 2014, is the year of the horse in the Chinese horoscope. The temporal nature of Kids and adults make the trek this art form was especially felt during the across the lake or to the Treatment great thaw last week. His sculpture almost Plant road to skate. Other ambi- completely melted. Surprisingly, Kenny is tious volunteers, such as Matt Ow- undiscouraged. He has been protecting an- ers, in addition to snow clearing, other block of ice which he plans to carve organize hockey nets and shovels this week in his drive way. to replace the ‘sometimes un-gen- tly used or stray equipment’. Many When asked what inspires his art pieces, volunteers help make trails for Kenny said he likes to pick majestic and vi- other skaters to enjoy. You are en- sually appealing subjects such as dragons. couraged to try skating along the His power tools allow him to concentrate on cleared paths further out into the intricate details. The creation of his recent- lake. One of the few benefi ts of a ly melted sculpture took him a mere three rainy winter spell is the subsequent hours to complete much to the delight of potential fl ash freeze that turns the legion kids that live around him and play the entire lake into a skating rink. next door. This is a remarkable feature in our neighbourhood. NEW INITIATIVES SKATING: BRITANNIA PARK NEAR BRADFORD AND SALINA HIGH SCHOOL Sue and Andrew moved to the north- watering over the Christmas holiday VOLUNTEER HOURS IN west corner of Salina and Bradford the rink was fi nally fi nished. A plan is being developed by the City tre is a beach pavilion within the park. a few years ago and Andrew soon OUR COMMUNITY of Ottawa for the repair and mainte- We would like encourage participa- planned a skating rink and a snow hill It has been a huge success! The rink FRIENDS OF nance of the Ron Kolbous Centre. We tion from the community to provide If you are a high school student in his yard. Over 14 children live in the is in constant use. Kids hop on the ice would like to gather opinions on the community input to the city’s plans to and are looking to volunteer, vicinity and many of them catch the right after school until after dark. Some plan by the users of the park from our ensure that the park and its facilities here are a couple of suggestions: BRITANNIA bus outside their door. Their yard soon kids skip dinner. In the case of 8 year neighbourhood as well as the greater evolve in keeping with the needs of became the hub of after school activi- old Tristan, he skipped dinner and was community. Britannia Park is a re- our community as well as the current ties with toboggans jockeying for yard found by his Dad walking down Kehoe Homework Club PARK gional park and the Ron Kolbous Cen- use and heritage of the park. space with skaters for position in the street, dragging his hockey in his skates yard. Neighbours would clear the snow with his skate guards on, trying to make Michelle Heights has a homework and come with hot chocolate and watch his way home, dazed and exhausted. club for children from grade 1 to over the neighbourhood kids. Neighbours with no young children en- grade 6 that need tutoring in math BVCA JOINS FEDERATION OF CITIZENS’ ASSOCIATIONS OF OTTAWA joy watching the skating. In the words and French. An initiative is being As the children had grown and his yard of one neighbor -“this is the best thing started to encourage high school The FCA-FAC is the forum for commu- The organizations principal focus is: • Public engagement and consul- had not, Andrew approached his neigh- I have seen in a neighbourhood since students from Britannia to help out nity associations and similar non-profi t tation FCA seeks ways to improve bours with the idea of a skating puddle the empty lot across from my Frederic- at the homework club for their vol- volunteer groups in Ottawa. Member • “Building a Liveable Ottawa civic engagement and has been in Britannia Park. In late fall he and Sue ton house was turned into a rink many unteer hours. If you are interested associations share information about 2031” Ottawa’s master planning engaged with current City initiatives approached the City and held a public years ago”. contact Matilde via email, matil- issues facing their communities and, documents, including the Offi cial to examine ways to improve citizen meeting in their home to pitch the idea [email protected] or phone, when appropriate, take joint action. Plan, are in the process of revision. participation. to a City Manager and Jodi from Coun- The combination of determined volun- (613) 262-2140. The FCA encourages discussion of civ- FCA is working with the City in cilor Taylor’s offi ce. In addition the teers, enthusiastic children and support ic affairs. It does not endorse parties or encouraging public involvement in BVCA has attended monthly meetings adults at the meeting, there were 10 from the City, has brought to life the Community Newsletter candidates seeking offi ce. The FCA is improving these fundamental plan- and has decided to become a member. or 15 kids at this meeting (aged 5 to 12 fi rst skating rink in Britannia Park in Interviewer/Writer an incorporated non-profi t corporation ning tools and; years). Many of these young people ad- decades. All are welcome. For more under Ontario law and, as such, can ap- dressed their support of the rink. The info, or to help out, contact Andrew Van We would like assistance to commu- pear in its own right before the Ontario City has approved the initiative and af- Iterson at [email protected]. nicate interesting stories and careers Municipal Board ter many hours of snow stomping and of Britannia Village community mem- bers. We encourage students to bring their story ideas to the BVCA for de- velopment and publication (and com- munity hours). Write and/or illus- trate an article for publication in the Britannia Village Newsletter. Explore the points of view and diverse activi- ties that Britannia Villagers engage in. For example, in this newsletter, So- phia, a middle school student, wrote about Britannia’s public garden. COMMUNITY EVENTS COMMUNITY SAFETY SALINA ST. BLOCK PARTY JANE’S WALK – BRITANNIA MAY 2014 Jane Jacobs was a community activist Britannia Village Community Associa- UPDATE: BRITANNIA VILLAGE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT and author who inspired generations of tion members will host a Jane’s Walk - urban planners, architects, politicians Britannia in May 2014. City of Ottawa Bay Ward Councilor and timelines. You can refer to the • EA Approvals – Winter 2014 and activists worldwide. Jane champi- Mark Taylor hosted a ‘Meeting with full presentation on the Rideau Val- • Tender – Spring 2014 oned a community-based approach to It is meant to be a ‘moving conversa- the Britannia Community’ on Octo- ley Conservation Authority website at • Construction start to completion – city building; she was a fi rm believer in tion - offering insights into local history, ber 23, 2013. City offi cials, Rideau http://www.rvca.ca/britannia/ 4 months the importance of local residents hav- planning and civic engagement’. Valley Conservation Authority and ing input on how their neighbourhoods Planning for the Britannia Walk is un- consultant representatives updated The project is moving ahead - Next Britannia Village Community Associa- develop and work. Jane encouraged derway now; please join us at the next the community on the Britannia Vil- Steps and Timelines are as follows: tion has supported this project. Safety people to familiarize themselves with BVCA meeting to fi nd out more. lage Infrastructure Project – Britannia in the Village – including fl ood protec- the place where they live, work and Village Flood Control. It was an ex- • Easement discussion and design tion - has been the Number 1 priority play. Jane’s Walks are part of her leg- To learn more about Jane’s cellent presentation that documented adjustment – Jan/Feb 2014 for the BVCA. Needless to say, the fall acy - to celebrate her life and ideas in Walks in the City of Ottawa see the context, recent background, fl ood • Detailed design and 2014 completion of this project will your local community. http://www.janeswalkottawa.ca/ control structure project, next steps investigations – Feb 2014 mark a milestone in the community.

HIGH WATER SOCIAL The annual joint BVCA and Britannia UNITED NEIGHBOURS Yacht Club High Water Social was held The Pinecrest Queensway Communi- Thursday May 16th. The band for the ty Health Centre has an initiative to event called “The Dead Prophets” was address youth involvement in crimi- a hit. MC Stewart Bain did an outstand- nal activity in the west end. ing job of directing the social. Half of The Village’s 2nd annual block party the $1081 raised through ticket sales Moe Charlebois, the vice president of on September 6th, 2013 brought out and raffl e were donated to ‘Pathways to the BVCA, is on the Steering Commit- over 160 adults and 80 kids to enjoy Education’. Pathways is a youth orga- tee as is Crime Stoppers, the Ottawa live music by the Dead Prophets, tasty nization hosted by the Pinecrest-Queen- Police, and Crime Prevention Ottawa potluck food, and the buzz of commu- sway Community Health Centre that nity. Mark down Friday, September gives high school students in our area The program also promotes interaction Four small working groups have 5th, 2014, to join us for the next one! support to fi nish high school and be- BRITANNIA between neighbours. been established to design communi- To help out, contact Sue Merrill at come contributing members of society. ty-based action plans. These working [email protected]. NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH In case you have not yet joined, Neigh- groups focus on the following four Financially, this was the most success- Britannia Neighbourhood Watch was bourhood Watch is a crime-prevention areas: 1) Environment and Beauti- ful High Water Social to date. established in response to concern over program that gets citizens involved in fi cation 2) Community Safety 3) a rash of car break and enters, and over discouraging and preventing crime by Programmes and services 4) Drugs If anyone has any ideas to enhance this suspected illicit activities on Cassels watching out for their neighbours and and alcohol prevention and inter- annual event please let us know. Road. The community rallied together their neighbours’ property. vention. Each of the four working and Britannia Neighbourhood Watch groups shares a common vision to has 96 families out of a territory of If you have not yet been approached combat fear and perceptions around about 160 households, from Zephyr to by your local captain, contact youth violence, racism, and misper- BRITANNIA VILLAGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION MEMBERS Don, to Howe, to Britannia to Cassels. [email protected]. ceptions about religion and immi- Our monthly reminders about safety grant populations. The working Editor Photos Chairperson Photos Photos and crime prevention are being distrib- See more at: groups will meet once per month and Matilde Hahn John Doe John Doe John Doe John Doe uted to those families, specifi cally safe- http://goo.gl/8uHmxy are especially looking for more com- ty tips and reports on crime patterns. munity members to join. MUD LAKE CONSERVATION AREA By: Brewster Kneen, BVCA-NCC Mud Lake liaison

Mud Lake was designated a conserva- dogs. Dog urine signals danger for many “No changes on my side, so the news tion area and its trails established some creatures (as it is supposed to). is a surprise to me... can’t even take a years ago. It is under the administration guess what he might be referring to. Let of the National Capitol Commission, In early December my wife and I were me know if you fi nd anything else.” which makes the rules for its designat- walking the trail near the boardwalk/ ed conservation areas. For Britannia bridge and observed a handsome dog So, if you hear or know anything about residents, the No Dogs rule is probably running quite free with no human in a change in rules for Mud Lake, please the most signifi cant and, to some dog sight. When we spotted a man with a let me know right away so I can fol- owners/walkers, the most objection- leash, we asked if he knew no dogs were low up: [email protected] or able. As far as I am able to determine, allowed in Mud Lake. His response so 613-828-6047. there was no public or village consulta- surprised us that we neglected to ascer- tion about the designation of Mud Lake tain his name. He told us that the rules Note: as a conservation area and the No Dogs were going to change in the spring and In looking into this matter, I came rule. The reason for the rule is straight he knew this because he was on the upon an interesting history of Bri- forward: Mud Lake is the territory of a committee. tannia at: http://goo.gl/Y3yUtq surprisingly great variety of birds, ani- mals and fi sh, from beavers to the odd I got in touch with Mike Muir, the NCC deer and great horned owls, and such staff person responsible for Mud Lake, wildlife does not easily cohabit with to clarify the situation. Mike responded: LOCAL ARTISTS AND LOCAL BUSINESS VILLAGE ARTISTS LIZ CIESLUK FLASHBACKS RECYCLORE Stephen Clarke, Moe FIGURATIVE ARTIST Filled with tempting treasures 273 Britannia Road. Reseller of Charlebois, Marie Arsenault, Her studio, Artist by Design, and creative curiosities, refurbished bicycles. Donate Liz Ciesluk, and Beth Shepherd is located at 244 Britannia Britannia’s trend setting your old bike or pick up a used are some of the Artists that live Road. It can be visited by Antique and Vintage shop is bike for a reasonable price. & work in our village. appointment. 613 558 3103. run by Sandy at 273 Britannia. BREBNER REPAIRS OTTAWA PHOTO AND ANTIQUE HOARDERS MALENKA ORIGINALS Boat Tops, Covers, Himinis, ARBOUR HOUSE STUDIOS Antiques, Vintage, Collectables, Learn how to refi nish and Zippers, Windows, Screens, Showroom and studio space & Cool Stuff. 2728 Howe Street embellish furniture with chalk Patching, Custom Work, rented to artists. Contact Iris Cherryl and Gary have just paint and other fi nishes at 273 Tubing. 244 Britannnia Road. Ten Holder if you need studio opened this business and they Britannia Road. Katarina’s 613 729 8178 space or wish to view the serve coffee and treats at a web site is www.malenka.ca showroom or for Photographic reclaimed piano bar designed POSH PUPPIES projects. 105 Britannia Road. by Gary. If you want to rent Boutique &Grooming Salon for 613 828 6292. space and be a vendor contact Dogs and Cats. 246 Britannia Cherryl at 613 298-1013 or Road. Contact Meghan Burry Gary at 613 724-0500 613 321 3661.