Hello Ottawa

STATISTICS OTTAWA

NUMBER

• 39

• The number of misplaced comments made by the public about a a controversial highrise development at O’Connor and MacLaren streets in Centretown. 

• The City says a technical glitch meant that the comments were not forwarded to City staff working on the file. The planning and housing committee, which had already approved the development, has declined to reopen public consultations.

• – Justin Ball at CBC

EGANVILLIAN OF THE DAY

• Izzy Sullivan

• The 11 year-old has published her first book, Izzy’s Pond, ‘a charming story about slowing down and looking at the small things’.

• Besides local bookstores, it’s also available at Chapters and online.

– Alex Lambert in the Eganville Leader

QUOTE

“

• The OPP would like to remind the public that if you find such items, please do not transport them to your local police station

–  A statement by  the Ontario Provincial Police Ottawa precinct accompanied by a picture of a hand grenade. A woman brought in the grenade but was asked to leave it outside when it eventually was picked up by members of th CFB Petawawa.

If you do have a grenade in need of disposal, the Provincial Police say give them a call and someone come by to pick it up. 

– Facebook

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WHAT’S GOING ON AT CITY HALL

WHAT OTTAWA IS TALKING ABOUT

THE DAILY POLL

How do you feel about public access to toilets in Ottawa?

🔘 There should be more clean, public-provided toilets across the city

🔘 It’s not up to the City to provide a series of toilets, only where it makes sence

🔘 There are plenty of coffee shops and hotels where one can make a quick stop

🔘 There is a direct relation between public facilities and clean streets

🔘 Obviously THE OTTAWAN is jealous and wants a Golden Plunger award of its own

• 
  Previously in OTTAWAN polls:

• Have you gone swimming in the Ottawa River?

  • 21% Yes, at the NCC River House

  • 4% Yes, at the East Dock or Museum of History

  • 21% Yes, at the Britannia Beach, Petrie Island, or Westboro Beach

  • 15% One of the other beaches or at a residence

  • 39% Not a chance, I will not be eaten by a sturgeon

  • 
    Commentary

▪️ “After being foiled by Sutcliffe in its best program (bike days on the canal), the NCC has admirably doubled down on its second-best program (swimming holes).”

▪️ “The one and only time I swam in the Ottawa River I came out of it glowing and bright green. It took a week for me to return to my natural self.”

▪️ “I went once in Britannia Bay and I likely never will again. That is not nice water.”

▪️ “The River House is one of my family’s favorite spots in the summer.”

▪️ “Too dangerous!”

▪️ “I really feel like sadly the Ottawa River is not a safe place to swim re: Pollution.”

▪️ “I would only go swimming there if you deposited approx ... a million dollars into my bank account ... or more. I might risk it if that is done!”

▪️ “Definitely not swimming in the river!”

▪️ “Can't swim o/.”

▪️ “Not a chance in hell!”

▪️ “Ummm not with the insane amount of poop in there ...”

▪️ “Geese and duck poop in the water. No thank you.”

▪️ “Definite no especially since the province cut back the daily testing for ecoli.”

▪️ “We swam in it when we went rafting. The company we were with left from Britannia beach.”

HISTORIC OTTAWA LOGO T-SHIRTS

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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

MONDAY

• The Draggers and Pullers Dog Training Workshop by the Ottawa Humane Society will teach you how to control your leashed dog. 

• A Company of Fools brings William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream to Strathcona Park. The show runs 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. Donations gratefully accepted. (Sandy Hill) 

• Partnered with Ottawa 200, Music and Beyond presents another in its Music of 1826 series of concerts. Bytown 200 -  A Musical Journey Through Ottawa’s History explores Ottawa's origins through archival images, music, and narration. Noon at Church of St. Barnabas (Centretown).  Next, the festival continues with multi-percussionist and drummer Lucy Landymore, who plays Hans Zimmer, Gustav Mahler, and her own compositions.  Finally, Denis Plante (bandoneon) and Stéphane Tétreault (cello) explore the world of the tango in Stradivatango!  

Cinema

• ByTowne Cinema:  Vivaldi Et Moi (Primavera), The Invite, Detour: Cube 

• Mayfair Theatre: Maddie’s Secret, Mildred Pierce, I Love Boosters 

Gigs

• Karaoke Mondays. Atomic Rooster

TUESDAY

• Partnered with Ottawa 200, Music and Beyond Festivalpresents another in its Music of 1826 series of concerts. Bytown 200 -  A Musical Journey Through Ottawa’s History explores Ottawa's origins through archival images, music, and narration. Noon at Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre(Centretown).   At 2:00 pm, the Festival continues as Les Bonéades perform at Church or St. Barnabas (Centretown). At the same location at 7:30 pm, Tom Allen & Friends present Brahms in New York, a program that speculates what the composer's life would have been like had he moved to New York. The day’s programming is rounded out by Trumpet Celebration: From Handel to Hollywood at Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre (7:30 pm).  

• Got a free Tuesday afternoon? Check out Robo Social Club from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Meet people, play games, and relax over coffee or lunch. (The Glebe)  

• 🆓 For the fourth summer, the Faerie Picnic PopUp will fly in Strathcona Park, thanks to the aerial artists at Cirquonscient. The hour long show is suitable for families. Bring a picnic blanket. (Sandy Hill) 

• Bring your own mat to City Hall Yoga (noon to 12:45 pm. (Downtown)

• Prog rockers Cohered and Cambria play Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa. (Gloucester) 

• The Wood Terrace Series at National Arts Centre is free. Tonight: Rum Ragged plays folk music. (Downtown)  

Cinema

• ByTowne Cinema: The Invite, Marie Antoinette: 20th Anniversary. 

• Mayfair Theatre: The Sheep Detectives, Maddie’s Secret, The Furious

Gigs

• Benin International Musical. National Arts Centre

• Trivia Night. Royal Oak Stittsville.

WEDNESDAY

• Every evening at 5:15 pm in the non-winter months the cows at Canada Agriculture and Food Museum make their way from the barn to the pasture. During the 5/15 Farm Run humans will also be making their way along farm roads, but for a cause. While it’s too late to get a personalized running bib, and the kids’ 1K is sold out, adults can still register to run, and a portion of your running fee will be donated to The Good Companions.

• As new day dawns at Music and Beyond Festival, Lucy Landymore delivers a Masterclass in Percussion and Writing for Vibraphone, for percussion and composition students. Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre (Centretown). At 2:00 pm Cameron Crozman (cello) and Meagan Milatz (piano) play Enescu, Louie, Debussy, and Rachmaninoff at Church of St. Barnabas (Centretown) Russian pianist and composer Arsentiy Kharitonov plays a diverse program (Church of St. Barnabas (Centretown), and Paradora Tango Ensemble with Tangodeoro will announce their program from the stage at Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre (Centretown). 

• Ottawa Lebanese Festival returns to St. Elias Antichian Orthodox Cathedral, running until Sunday (July 19). Entry costs a reasonable $3 per person (or $10 per 4-pack), but you'll get in for free if you go before 5:00 pm. There are multiple opportunities to sample the cuisine and you'll also find a market for shopping, a midway for playing, a stage for entertainment, and tours of St. Elias Antichian Orthodox Cathedral.

• 🆓 Road Trip The Almonte 5 Wednesdays in July concert series is a chance to slow down and enjoy local music under the evening sky. It's free, but donations collected at the event support not only the festival but a citizen-led park. This week, Spencer Scharf takes to the stage at 6:00 pm, followed by Nick Straccini at 7:00 pm. 

• Natasha Bedingfield headlines Bluesfest. 

• The 2026 season of Summer Maze Days at Saunders Farm starts today. Families will want to check out the maze and other activities such as the puppet show, play structures, wagon rides, and splash pad. Other attractions, the zipline and the Bear Factory are available at an additional cost. 

Cinema

• ByTowne Cinema:  The Invite, Steal This Story, Please! 

• Mayfair Theatre: Maddie’s Secret, Pinocchio  

Gigs

• Steve Boudreau Trio. The Robo Lounge

• Jazz Jam (with the Beeched Wailers). Irene’s Pub

• Hip Hop Jam. Red Bird

• The Space Between, Bella Donna. House of TARG

JUST ANNOUNCED / NOW BOOKING

• Ottawa Music Industry Coalition is looking for volunteers to assist with the running of Capital Music Week (October 2 - 10, 2026). 

DEALS OF THE DAY

It’s Plastic Free July and you'll save 15% on Eco Home refills at Elva’s All Naturals.

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BUT, ONE MORE THING ...

THE OTTAWAN has mentioned our fascination with the Ottawa Valley accent before. And, while we’re not sure that we haven’t featured this guy before, Michael Cristiano’s Polyglot Files has a new, quick primer on how to speak proper-like in the Valley.

RAPID RESPONSE QUALITY CONTROL

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.