Hello Ottawa
In Today’s Edition
→ New report says underperforming Federal public employees should be identified
→ Join in the IFOA Pinball Tournament tomorrow at the House of TARG
→ Deals of the Day on Christmas fabric from Mad About Patchwork and wanderleisure from Encircled
π Compendium of Christmas Festivity
Visit our 2026 OTTAWAN Compendium of Christmas Festivity to find that perfect gift.
– Martha and Darren
STATISTICS OTTAWA
NUMBER
-
$9.4 million
-
– The cost of a new community veterinary clinic in Vanier to be opened by the Ottawa Humane Society in 2027. The clinic will open in a former post office and provide for income-qualified pet owners who otherwise would not be able to access veterinary care. The Humane Society has a dedicated website with all the details here.
-
OTTAWANS OF THE DAY
-
Brenda Duke and Sheri Macki
-
The two are co-moderators of the Buy Nothing Old Ottawa East group. Buy Nothing groups, which have flourished over the world, encourage people to give away freely working items they don’t need to people who could use them.
QUOTE
-
“
-
Relatively early in the new year, we’re going to see the testing happening
-
– Mayor Mark Sutcliffe on when the O Train East extension into Orléans will open. There is currently no timetable on when construction will finish.
SPORTS
-
π NHL Ottawa Senators 3 – Winnipeg Jets 2, yesterday
-
PLEASE SUPPORT THE OTTAWAN
the ottawan was launched in 2020 as the daily answer to the questions: What’s going on? What should I do? Where is somewhere good to eat?
Please consider joining the many other readers with a monthly, annual, or one-time donation to keep the ottawan on its mission.
All annual or one-time donations over $60 include an ottawan or historic logo t-shirt of their choice.
Membership levels
β $5 mo / Technically Beautiful
β $10 mo / ByTowner
β $20 mo / City that Fun Remembered
β $25 mo / Truly ott
β Or make a one-time donation
Join Us
WHAT’S GOING ON AT CITY HALL
Joint Planning and Housing Committee and the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee
Wednesday, December 17 at 9:30 am- Development Application Study Policy and OPA 47: Housing Acceleration Plan Update
- New Zoning By-law – Final Draft
WHAT OTTAWA IS TALKING ABOUT
π Three children between the ages of five and nine have died from the flu this month. The reports came from the Ottawa Public Health and the Eastern Ontario Health Unit. CHEO says there were 300 reports of flu in the first 10 days of December versus 11 reports in the same period last year. – CBC
βͺ The Medical Officers of Health for the Eastern Ontario Health Unit and Ottawa Public Health strongly urge everyone six months and older to get their flu vaccine as soon as possible. Vaccination information is on the City’s page here.
ποΈ Underperforming Federal public employees should be identified, says a new report. The Working Group on Public Service Productivity calls on Statistics Canada to ‘explore and report on the development of a “productivity measurement program” for the public service’ and for ‘agencies to develop productivity metrics for departments and agencies’. – Josh Pringle at CTV
π₯ It may have taken until the end of the first quarter of the 21st century, but the City can now issue open air fire permits over the Internet. Residents of eligible properties – that generally means rural (look up your address here) – can now use the Firepermits Ottawa website to apply for a permit.
And, good news, the City says ‘Account information and permit details from the old portal are not carried over to the new portal – we’re starting fresh!’. Wait a minute ... – City of Ottawa
π§ Some new local podcast episodes have dropped:βͺοΈThe Better Ottawa podcast discusses the 2026 budget,
Tim Tierney’s Ottawa Citizen op-ed criticizing other councillors, the Mayor’s public safety message and his breakfast with Prime Minister Mark Carney, and the election messaging that is starting to emergeβͺοΈThe CBC’s This is Ottawa, Robyn Bresnahan has the Mayor on for a year-end interview.
βͺοΈThe Algonquin Times podcast from Algonquin College talks about the professor leading research into energy-positive homes.
THE DAILY POLL
Do you listen to podcasts?
π Yes, in addition to reading mainstream media
π Yes, and they have pretty much replaced regular newspapers and radio
π No, they’re a pain to organize
π No, I am just not interested
π I make my own podcasts
-
Previously in ottawan polls: -
We asked, ‘What is your stand on raisins in butter tarts?’
-
14% Proper butter tarts have raisins
-
15% They are no longer butter tarts if they include raisins.
-
28% Cannot stand them with raisins
-
15% Never eat butter tarts, don’t want to start
-
-
Commentary
βͺοΈ “Yes to raisins in buttertarts.”βββ
βͺοΈ “Butter tarts ... drool ... raisins, no raisins, whatever ... drool.”βββ
βͺοΈ “The Gingerbread House in Manotick has the best buttertarts a number of ways. My favourite is with raisins, but honestly, a great runny tart with not too much crust and lots of filling is hard to find. They are worth any drive.”βββ
βͺοΈ “Never with walnuts – that is a way to wreck the tarts!”βββ
βͺοΈ “Butter tarts have raisins PERIOD!”βββ
βͺοΈ “Raisins on their own or in trail mix – delicious! Raisins in butter tarts or cookie – crime punishable by deep disapointment.”βββ
βͺοΈ “Best butter tart include pecans in my opinion. And maple syrup butter tarts rule!”βββ
βͺοΈ “Give us pecans as god intended or give us nothing.”βββ
βͺοΈ “A Christmas tradition! Raisins must be included!”βββ
βͺοΈ “But of course!!”βββ
βͺοΈ “Not my type of snack.”βββ
βͺοΈ “I’m sure they’re nice and may the best answer prevail. It’s like cream or jam first on a cream tea – like d’uh, cream first, obvs!!!”βββ
βͺοΈ “Why defile a butter tart with raisins!?!”βββ
βͺοΈ “Enough said. Oatmeal cookies are better with raisins too.”βββ
βͺοΈ “I love all kinds of butter tarts! Some are much better than others but it is not raisin raisins or no raisins that makes them that way.”βββ
βͺοΈ “Love it when there are nuts in butter tarts!”βββ
βͺοΈ “Butter tarts and walnuts ... only way to go!”βββ
βͺοΈ “Raisin free! With, and you’ve got Funeral pie!!”βββHISTORIC OTTAWA LOGO T-SHIRTS
If you are thinking of one of our t-shirts as a Christmas gift, it’s too late for delivery.
Club Zinc T-Shirt
For underground Ottawa of the 80s, Club Zinc was a short, dark light.
Help support the ottawan by buying one of our historic logo t-shirts.
Shop for t-shirts
THE ROLLING THREE DAY CALENDAR
Is there an event we should know about?
Please use our easy event submission formβ³οΈ Means change from previous edition
TUESDAY
-
Mountains on Stage is a film festival that aims to bring the mountains into cities with a selection of the world’s best films related to mountain sports. At The Mayfair. (Old Ottawa South)
-
The OrKidstra Centre Hub Holiday Concert is an uplifting concert for the entire family. (Centretown)
-
Magician Magnus the Magnificent has captured the secret to Santa’s magic and it is up to you to find it and save Christmas before it’s too late. Burn off excess holiday excitement at Manor Lounge (Downtown).
-
Ottawa crooner Genna G and her jazz trio play Hollywood holiday music and seasonal festive favourites on the NAC’s Fourth Stage.(Downtown)
Cinema
-
ByTowne Cinema: The Secret Agent, Peter Hujar’s Day, Fargo
-
Mayfair Theatre: The Librarians, Mountains On Stage Film Festival
Gigs
-
Trivia Tuesday. Barley Mow (Orleans, Merivale), Broadhead Brewing (Orleans), Moose Mcguire’s Hunt Club
-
The Office Trivia Night: Holiday Bash. The Prescott
-
The Huge Groove Trio Xmas Show. Night Oat
- Artists can keep up their skills with live model Life Drawing at Art House. (Chinatown)
WEDNESDAY
-
β³οΈ Swing by Mad About Patchwork for last minute gifts and stocking stuffers that your fabric friends will love, and you just might bump into Santa Claus. 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at 2477 Huntley Road (Stittsville)
-
β³οΈ The IFOA Pinball Tournament runs every Wednesday and tonight is no exception. Whether you’re a pinball wizard or new to the game, come along and have fun. Ottawa Pinball Arcade (Queensway Terrace South)
-
Few pieces of music have the power to send shivers down the spine faster than 100s of voices singing the “Hallelujah” chorus of George Frederic Handel’s Messiah. Tonight and tomorrow it’s the NAC Orchestra’s turn to bring the magic, accompanied by some of the best Canadian vocal talent (Downtown)
-
Feel the excitement of the season as you drive through the Magic of Lights show (Corkstown Road)
-
π Take a leisurely Winter Wander down Sparks Street and let the festive lights fill your spirit. For maximum effect, bring a date (Sparks Street Mall).
-
You have just under a month to check out Retro - Popular Music in Canada From the 60s, 70s, and 80s at Canadian Museum of History (Hull)
Cinema
-
ByTowne Cinema: The Secret Agent, Holiday Slumber Party! Love, Actually, Peter Hujar’s Day
-
Mayfair Theatre: Sentimental Value, Clairtone, Eyes Wide Shut
Gigs
-
β³οΈ Peter Woods annual Holiday Jazz Night. Bar Robo
-
It’s Christmas and I’m in Love: Andre L. Collins. NAC Fourth Stage
-
The Irish Descendants. National Arts Centre
-
Jazz Jam. Night Oat
-
Hip Hop Jam. Red Bird
THURSDAY
-
Experience a winter wonderland blending sparkling lights with vibrant Indigenous traditions at MΔdahòkì Farm. You’ll find family-friendly festivities such as the Trail of Lights & Traditions, an Indigenous Craft Market, interactive beaded earring and ornament workshops, and cozy Indigenous Christmas feasts all waiting for you. Thursdays through Sundays until December 28.
-
Visit the Chateau Laurier and be inspired by the Christmas trees decorated by community groups and local businesses in the 28th annual Trees of Hope. Then, enjoy classic holiday-inspired cocktails in a setting of vintage charm and festive sophistication at the 1912 Yuletide Lane pop-up at the Chateau Laurier. (Downtown)
-
Road trip: Upper Canada Village’s 25th annual Alight at Night Festival is more than a festive sound and light show. There are activity stations, add-on features like a horse-drawn carriage ride and a miniature toy train ride, a Village Store with gifts for everyone on your list, dining, and old-fashioned carolling. Select nights until January 15. (Morrisburg)
-
Silent Book Club Ottawa Chapter meets at Absinthe on the third Thursday of the month. There’s no assigned reading; it’s just introvert-friendly quiet time for reading with a nice glass of something. 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm (Wellington West)
-
It’s Bingo Night at Broadhead Brewery, where games are free to play and prizes are waiting to be won (Orleans).
-
There’s no cover at Stray Dog Brewing Co’s Open Mic Night. (Orleans)
-
There’s also no cover at Moose McGuire’s Hunt Club Open Mic, but there is a guitar amp, bass amp, electronic drums, mic, and mic stand. (Hunt Club)
-
Few pieces of music have the power to send shivers down the spine faster than 100s of voices singing the “Hallelujah” chorus of George Frederic Handel’s Messiah. Tonight it’s the NAC Orchestra’s turn to bring the magic, accompanied by some of the best Canadian vocal talent (Downtown)
Cinema
-
ByTowne Cinema: Bugonia, The Secret Agent, Detour: Female Trouble
-
Mayfair Theatre: The Librarians, Safe
Gigs
-
Season’s Beatings 2025: Slo’ Tom & The Handsome Devils, The Bushpilots, the Retreads. House of TARG
-
Paco Dvoi Altfolk Trio0 with Lloyd Smiley: Strung Together. Night Oat
-
Moose Knuckle Boylesque: Deck the Balls. LIVE on Elgin
-
Questionable Behaviour Trivia. Royal Oak (Stittsville)
JUST ANNOUNCED / NOW BOOKING
-
Next Door Ottawa will be kicking off 2026 with The Makers Table, a series of hands-on creative workshops on Thursdays and Saturdays in January and February. Local artists and makers will lead workshops on cake-decorating, illustration, collage art, mixed-media, watercolours, calligraphy, florals and more. (Little Italy)
-
Book your tickets for the 2026 Undercurrents Festival by Ottawa Fringe Festival. Undercurrents is “a bold incubator for new and evolving works that are in direct conversation with the world we are living in right now.” February 4-14 at Arts Court. (Downtown)
MADE IN CANADA DEALS OF THE DAY
SHARE THE OTTAWAN
If you find THE OTTAWAN useful, please share us with your friends.
Your referral count: 0
Or copy & paste your personal referral link:
BUT, ONE MORE THING ...
Simon McKeown in the Ottawa Citizen has some news about the sledding sites in Ottawa: The Great Lawn at Lansdowne: closed to build a smaller arena; Mooney’s Bay Park: closed; Greens Creek (Blackburn Hamlet): open and also has cross county and snowshoe trails; Craig Henry Park (Nepean): open for daytime use; and finally Walter Baker Park (Kanata): open, has the longest routes, and is lit at night.
RAPID RESPONSE QUALITY CONTROL
What did you think of today’s ottawan?
THE END
the ottawan is written and edited every working weekday by Martha and Darren.
Is there something that Ottawa should know about? Email to us at hello@theottawan.com. We read every single comment.
Historic Ottawa Logo T-Shirt shop
Made in Ottawa Podcast Collection
Silver Award 2023
Best Email Newsletter Design
Canadian Online Publishing Awards
Suite M162, 110 Didsbury Road | Ottawa, Ontario
K2T 0C2 | Canada
613 229 6347 | hello@theottawan.comEmail sent to: newsletter@theottawan.com