WHAT OTTAWA IS TALKING ABOUT
🚨 An Ottawa bylaw officer driving a City car has been charged and fined for using cellphone on the Queensway. The Ontario Provincial Police say the uniformed driver was charged with distracted driving, which could result in a $615 fine, three demerit points and a three-day driving suspension. – CBC
🚊 Line 1 will be closed on some days and stations from tomorrow to October 2 for rail replacement between Rideau and uOttawa stations. Tomorrow, Line 1 will close at 8:00 pm. After 11:30 pm Sunday until Thursday, Line 1 will only be available on one platform at some stations. – City of Ottawa
🚲 The $260 million revamping of St Laurent Boulevard will require the City acquiring eight properties. The St Laurent Boulevard plan will see 5.2 km of the street ‘redeveloped with bus-only lanes, new two-metre cycle tracks, improved sidewalks and crosswalks and transit priority at several intersections.’ At start date has not been announced. – Josh Pringle at CTV
↪ The National Capital Commission board meeting Tuesday presented a vision of Wellington Street in front of Parliament closed to cars with a tram to Gatineau running down the middle.
🐏 The Black Sheep Inn in Wakefield is reopening after a five year closure. The 150 seat music venue will officially open October 10 but will play host to some unofficial gigs before then . – CBC
📈 The Ottawa Business Journal is looking for nominations to its Fastest Growing Companies list. Eligible companies must be headquarted in the National Capital Region or eastern Ontario and demonstrate significant year-over-year revenue growth over three years. – Ottawa Business Journal
THE DAILY POLL
What should be done about Wellington Street?
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Previously, in ottawan polls:
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We asked, ‘How do you get your mail?’
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34% I get home delivery
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54% I have a community mailbox
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2% I pick up my mail at the post office
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10% No one ever sends me anything
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Commentary
▪️ “I feel the post office employees need to wake up. They are going to strike themselves out of a job!!! Changes have to occur in order to get the post office out of the hole financially!”
▪️ “Delivery was spotty at best so nothing much will really change with less frequent delivery as it felt like it was already that!”
▪️ “Home delivery in an apartment building – so a hybrid community mailbox?”
▪️ “If I have to walk to a community mailbox to get my mail, why doesn't everyone? Shouldn't be two levels of service since we all pay the same. Everyone gets home service or everyone gets community mailboxes.”
▪️ “My apartment building had a mail room with boxes for each apartment. I think it’s long overdue that mail delivery be done only twice a week.”
▪️ “I’m almost exclusively digital. If I get something in the mail it’s either because they want to inspect my colon or give me a new payment card. Or health card. Or drivers license.”
▪️ “Honestly, Canada Post could have reduced delivery days years ago ... community mail boxes work well!”
▪️ “It’s mostly junk mail. Unfortunately, the odd time we get something important, it’s probably sat in the mailbox for 1-2 weeks. When it’s something like a speed camera ticket, this is a problem LOL.”
▪️ “We had our longtime home delivery switched to a community box at our previous home, I guess it’s catching up with us again, but now in a high density area.”
▪️ “Unfortunately we have a to go to the community mailbox.”
▪️ “If by community mailbox you include the mailroom in a high-rise apartment building.”
THE ROLLING THREE DAY CALENDAR
Is there an event we should know about?
Please use our easy event submission form
✳️ Means change from previous edition
FRIDAY
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✳️ Experience free and ticketed events at Ottawa Latin Jazz Conference, at the National Arts Centre until Sunday.
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Ottawa International Animation Festival continues with programming at Club SAW, Arts Court, ByTowne Cinema, National Arts Centre, Ottawa Art Gallery, and Srathcona Park
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If Life is A Highway, ride it to Hard Rock Live, where Tom Cochrane will be playing tonight.
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Irene’s Pub continues its 40th anniversary celebrations. Tonight, Main Street Revival, Wicked Mercy, Claude Munson, and Von Rex play live.
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Carp Fair continues.
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The Oktoberfest at Manor Lounge ticks all the boxes with live music from the Polka Brats, schnitzels, pretzels, and naturally, beer.
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Tonight marks the start of the 2025 season of Stittsville Haunted Heritage Walks (Fridays and Saturdays until November 8).
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ByTowne Cinema: Short Film Competition 4, Feature Competition 3: Olivia and The Invisible Earthquake, Feature 6: Decorado, Short Film Competition 5, KPop Demon Hunters: Sing-Along + Filmmaker Q&A
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Mayfair Theatre: Bay, Artist at War, Splitsville, The Room
Gigs
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Geordie Kieffer. Bronson Centre
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Tucana, Antenna93, Poste. LIVE on Elgin
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All Together Now. Dominion Tavern
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The Lifers. Red Bird
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Baby Richman, Gatlin Black, The Rua Mara, Jayden Ray. Rainbow Bistro
SATURDAY
Correction
Yesterday, we erroneously published The Great Ottawa Market Collective Destash Market in the Saturday listings. The event is actually taking place on Sunday September 28. We apologize for any inconvenience.
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✳️ Free programming at the Ottawa Latin Jazz Conference includes workshops, panel discussions, and conversations. Top these off with ticketed concerts on the NAC Fourth Stage.
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✳️ Experience a breathtaking view of the fall colours from the Calabogie Peaks chairlift, and feel good about giving back to Calabogie Food Bank.
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The University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation is offering an Apple Picking for Heart Health fundraiser at Shouldice Berry Farm & Market. Pick your own for $1 per apple.
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Do some shopping at Geeked Out: Ottawa's Toy & Collectible Sale.
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Construct a botanical witch’s hat out of vines and natural embellishments at Woodland Awakenings.
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Visit exceptional local Geosites on Geoheritage Day.
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Ian Tamblyn headlines the Irene’s Pub 40th Anniversary show.
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Enjoy free or discounted programming for everyone at Ottawa International Animation Festival All Ages Day.
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Build a Canadian content section of your closet with the Workshop & Flock Sample Sale, through Sunday.
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Have a scarily good time at Cannamore Orchard’s Acres of Terror, where the motto is ‘Never has fear been so much fun!’
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🆓 Flora Hall celebrates its eighth birthday with new beers, guest taps, and great eats from the kitchen. It’s one party you don't want to miss. Saturday September 27 from noon.
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⛓️💥 Road Trip: vote for your favourite getaway ride in the Jail Break Car Show at Historic SDG Jail.
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Teams of 10 will do their darnedest in the Ottawa Fire Truck Pull.
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Ottawa Native Friendship Centre will be selling Every Child Matters t-shirts at the match between Atlético Ottawa and Cavalry FC.
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ByTowne Cinema: Short Film Competition 1, Short Film Competition 2, Short Film Competition 3, Feature Competition 5: ChaO, Feature 6: Decorado
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Mayfair Theatre: Bau, Artist at War, The Sting, Saturday Night Sinema
Gigs
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Guerrilla Radio. Overflow Brewing
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The Scepter, Thunderor, Mokomokai, Uncle Midnight. House of TARG
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Loverboy. Hard Rock Live
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Comedian Sarah Millican. The Arena at TD Place.
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Barry and the Blasters. Red Bird
Art tours
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The New Edinburgh Artists' Studio Tour takes you to the workspaces of 31 artists, photographers, jewelry makers, and potters. Saturday and Sunday.
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It’s weekend 2 of the West End Studio Tour, where you’ll follow a map to peek behind the curtain at 19 artists’ workspaces. Today and tomorrow.
- 🍎 Road Trip: The 34th annual Apples and Art Tour visits the working spaces of more than 80 artists in Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry (SDG). Continues tomorrow.
Markets and Garage Sales
- 🏹 Road trip: Go treasure hunting at the indoor/outdoor Renfrew Legion Garage Sale (9:00 am to 1:00 pm).
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St Andrew’s semi-annual Rummage Sale supports those in need in the downtown area. Gently used clothing, shoes, toys, books, and more are all waiting to be discovered. 82 Kent St.
- Bring your own chair and blanket for to the Night Market & Movie Night in Navan.
- Happening alongside the Trunk Sale, Workshop & Flock present a curated collection of pre-loved clothing and accessories with Vpop613 at Next Door. Continues tomorrow.
Oktoberfest Events
Festivals
- Maulana RUMI Festival is a dynamic multicultural and interfaith festival inspired by the universal teachings of Maulana Jalal al-Din Rumi, the 13th-century Persian poet and mystic whose message of love, unity, and inner peace continues to inspire the world. Today and tomorrow at Shenkman Arts Centre.
- 🆓 Ottawa Farm Fresh’s Carrot Fest is the most fun you'll have pulling the veggies from the ground. Once you've helped with the harvest, check out the U-pick Pumpkin Patch.
- Pique, the artist-driven festival of the arts at Arts Court, brings local and global creatives together for one day of building-wide exhibitions, workshops, presentations, and a big party. Pay what you can.
- 🎸 Road Trip: Wander the charming streets of Prescott for Porchfest.
SUNDAY
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The Great Lawn at Lansdowne Park will be in cuteness overload as the Wiggle Waggle Walk & Run brings families and their pets together for Ottawa Humane Society.
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Dreamers Walk Canada's Walk & Family Fun Day at Clark Fields Park in Barrhaven isn't just about the 1K, 5K, and 10K walks in support of those living with Cerebral Palsy. There will be inflatables. kids entertainment, and concerts during the day and after the sun goes down.
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🆓 Just Food Community Farm’s 4th Annual Fall Farm Fest in Blackburn Hamlet will have live music, hay rides, and lots of free fun for the whole fam.
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🖌️ Road Trip: In Almonte, Reconciliation Through Art features art, storytelling, ceremony, teachings, and performances from local and Indigenous Artists. The three-day event will conclude with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Tuesday September 30.
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🆓 In the final day of Ottawa Latin Jazz Conference, Toronto-based musician Joanna Majoko leads Voice in Motion: African Roots in Latin Jazz at National Arts Centre.
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It’s small but mighty: The Ottawa Dolls and Miniatures Show brings diminutive items to Nepean Sportsplex.
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It closes at the end of the day, but there’s still lots to see and do at the Carp Fair.
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The teen-led Panorama Culture Fair will offer a marketplace with artisans and food purveyors, youth-centred entertainment, and a huge raffle.
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After two weekends today is your final opportunity to explore the workspaces in the West End Studio Tour.
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Artisans, take a few hours out of your festive crafting and visit the Great Ottawa Market Collective Destash Market: Overstock & Food Market at Bell Sensplex.
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It’s day 2 of the Vpop and Flock Vintage & Second-Hand Market and Trunk Sale.
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The Off-Broadway hit Menopause the Musical plays two performances this afternoon.
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Today is your final chance to visit 19 artists in the West End Studio Tour 2025.
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There’s still lots to see in the final day of Ottawa International Animation Festival.
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Rumi Festival 2025 continues at Shenkman Arts Centre.
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Day two of the New Edinburgh Artists’ Studio Tour takes you to the workspaces of 31 artists, photographers, jewelry makers, potters, and more.
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Irene's Pub concludes its week of 40th Anniversary celebrations with an epic Block Party.
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ByTowne Cinema: Universe Room – A Tribute to Clyde Henry, Short Film Competition 4, Short Film Competition 5, Best of OIAF 25: Grand Prize for Animated Feature, Best of OIAF 25, Best of OIAF 25
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Mayfair Theatre: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Sting, Piranha
Gigs
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Sunday afternoon. The Laff
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Teenage Bottlerocket, We Were Sharks, Full Throttle. The 27 Club
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Open Mic. Moose McGuire’s Orléans
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Lynn Miles. Motel Chelsea
MONDAY
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There’s something new brewing at the Canadian Museum of History. Retro: Musical Mondays with Monkey Rock is a 45 minute program of music to make the whole family get down. It’s free with the purchase of a museum addition.
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Ottawa entrepreneurs are invited to the Business Network Ottawa Meet & Mingle at Queensview Cafe starting at 6:00 pm.
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Learn about pollination, honeybees, and more at the Buzz & Bloom Workshop at Place d'Orléans.
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ByTowne Cinema: Eleanor the Great Ottawa Architecture Week – Movie Night
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Mayfair Theatre: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Jimmy and Stiggs
Gigs
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Village Trio. Kaffe 1870
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Endless Swarm, Pavel Chekov,. Dominion Tavern
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Yukon Blonde. National Arts Centre
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Joe Policastro Trio. Minotaure
JUST ANNOUNCED / NOW BOOKING
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After Hours V.2 will offer young art collectors 45 and under an exclusive look at the Norman Takeuichi New Work exhibition running at de Montigny Contemporary gallery from September 30 to November 7. Only 40 tickets are available for this event, which also includes a panel conversation and a dance party.
BUT, ONE MORE THING ...
University of Ottawa political communications professor Evan Harold Potter has recently launched a newsletter about city of Ottawa politics cleverly entitled City of Ottawa Politics.
Potter’s most recent edition has an interesting take on Lansdowne 2.0 – while he thinks that Mayor Mark Sutcliffe will not bring the plan to a vote at City Council until he is sure there is a majority, he believes that a ‘yes’ vote will result in those voting in favour losing their seats at the election in one year’s time.
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