Hello Ottawa

STATISTICS OTTAWA

NUMBER

• 14

• – The number of projects that have received funding from Ottawa Tourism to help celebrate Ottawa 200. The indoor and outdoor events will occur between March 1 and December 31.

• Ottawa Tourism

•  

OTTAWAN OF THE DAY

• Mark Bourrie   

• The historian and journalist has been honoured with the Pierre Berton gong in the Governor General’s 2025 History Awards for his 40 years of writing the the ‘complexity and richness of Canada’s history’.

• Canada’s History
   

QUOTE

• I was like five when I fell off the fridge and I would be in cupboards. My mom just said, ‘well, at least if she goes to gymnastics, she’ll learn how to fall

– Ottawa Gymnastics Centre director of programs Amanda Pepin on how she got started in the sport. Celebrating 65 years, the non-profit centre has ‘put Ottawa on the map within the world of competitive gymnastics’.

• David Cummings in the Kitchissippi Times

• 

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  WHAT’S GOING ON AT CITY HALL

  City Council
  Wednesday, January 28 at 10:00 am

  • Appointment of Hearing Officers for the City of Ottawa’s Administrative Penalty System
  • Application to alter 290 Park Road, a property designated under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act as part of the Rockcliffe Park Heritage Conservation District
  • Beaverbrook Heritage Conservation District Feasibility Assessment
  • Development Application Study Policy and OPA 47: Housing Acceleration Plan Update
  • New Zoning By-law – Final Draft
  • Designation of 6019 Perth Street under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act
  • Conservation Design Guidelines - 284 King Edward Avenue
  • Designation of 300 Rochester Street under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act
  • Consideration of Objection to the Notice of Intention to Designate the Lauzon House at 6654 Notre-Dame Street under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act
  • Consideration of Objection to the Notice of Intention to Designate 158 Gloucester Street, under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act
  • Application for alterations to 231 Buena Vista Road, A property designated under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act

  Agenda

  

  WHAT OTTAWA IS TALKING ABOUT

  🗑️ The City has agreed to pay $95 million for the East End landfill. Capital Region Resource Recovery Centre, owned by the well known Taggart and Miller developer families, is already approved to accept up to 450,000 tonnes of waste annually, but is not currently active. – CBC

   

  🗓️ Kids attending Ottawa Catholic School Board schools next year could return a week before Labour Day. Schools traditionally start the day after Labour Day but Board trustees are voting today to return a week earlier. The Board says the Province requires 194 school days before June 30 and a September 8 start date would make that difficult. – Josh Pringle at CTV

   

  🚨 Court Circular

  •  A bulldozer operator found unconcious at the City of Ottawa municipal yard on Clyde Avenue has been charged by Ottawa Police with driving while impaired – Josh Pringle at CTV

  •  Twelve people have been arrested for shoplifting after Ottawa police officers were embedded in a Bank Street grocery store for two weeks. – Josh Pringle at CTV

   

  🗳️ The local pundits have commentary on the new candidates who have come forth for mayor and councillor in this year’s election.

  •  Evan Harold Potter talks about the candidacy of Alexander Lawson for mayor.   – City of Ottawa Politics

  •  The Better Ottawa podcast also discusses Lawson, as well as Barbara Daniela Gandolfo who plans to run for the Orleans-East Cumberland ward; and incumbent Orleans-East Cumberland ward councillor Matt Luloff’s current driving under the influence trial. – The 613

  
  A quick round-up of who is looking for people

  🏥 The Queensway Carleton Hospital is seeking new board members. If you ever thought that you could improve health care, this is your sign. – Queensway Carleton Hospital

  🌽 The Carp Farmer’s Market is accepting  applications from agricultural vendors to the producer-only market on Saturdays from May to October. – Carp Farmer’s Market Instagram

  ↪ If you are not currently an agricultural vendor, the Pakenham Horticultural Society has a series of speakers on February 18 on ‘exploring gardening as a side income’. – The Millstone

  🎶 The Ottawa Music Industry Coalition and the Ottawa Festivals Network want to know how the proposed cancellation of 30 Algonquin College programs will affect you, your workforce, or your organization. – Understanding the Impact of Algonquin Cuts

  🥌 There will be curling in the streets at Rideau Centre February 12 to 15 and the Ottawa Valley Curling Association needs people to help set up, take down, and staff the event. – Ottawa Valley Curling Assocation

  

  THE DAILY POLL

  What sports do you play?

  🔘 Indoor, like gymnastics, basketball, badminton etc

  🔘 Outdoor, like tennis, pickleball, etc

  🔘 Cold weather ones like skating, skiing, sledding, etc

  🔘 Hockey, indoor/outdoor/floor etc

  🔘 Being aware that sports exist is a sport in itself, possibly the purest one of all

  • 
    Previously in ottawan polls:

  • We asked, ‘Which business would you like to see return to the Capital?’

    • 7% Ogilvy’s

    • 7% Freiman’s

    • 12% Beaver Lumber

    • 48% Simpson-Sears

    • 26% Other

  • 
    Commentary

  ▪️ “Have to say I’m a little prejudiced when it comes to Ogilvy’s, as I worked there, but it was a great store.”​​​ 
  
  ▪️ “Frankly I’d like to see them all back ... not sure it's doable though ... loved Ogilvy’s in the day ...”​​​
  
  ▪️ “And so Pascal – the best hardware store ever!”​​​ 
  
  ▪️ “We need another general dept. store. I really dislike Walmart.”​​​
  
  ▪️ “Listen it’s a niche ask but I miss the Buzz at bank and Gilmour — the drink specials rocked but better yet was the brunch. I miss that steak Benedict with my whole heart!”​​​ 
  
  ▪️ “Tough decision. I would have picked “all of the above” if that had been a choice.”​​​
  
  ▪️ “Something to replace The Bay!”​​​ 
  
  ▪️ “And also Holt Renfrew and Eatons.”​​​
  
  ▪️ “For those who remember Stoney Mondays or On Tap, any of the fantastic bars that dotted the Byward Market in the 90s.”​​​
  
  ▪️ “There are no longer any department stores with good quality products. I miss Sears as decent quality and ok prices. I miss the Bay too but it wasn’t my go to.”​​​
  
  ▪️ “None of the above.”​​​
  
  ▪️ “Sears was a great store to buy absolutely everything. Sad that it's gone. Still miss it as all we have now is Walmart.”​​​
  
  ▪️ “Muji”​​​
  
  ▪️ “Bring back Sears!”​​​ 
  
  ▪️ “Eaton’s! Such a great store.”​​​
  
  ▪️ “A Canadian store.
  
  ▪️ “I don’t know what any of those businesses are.”​​​
  
  ▪️ “I loved Sears. It was the anchor store at Carlingwood and now we have a lot fewer places to shop as far as department stores so I definitely miss it.
  
  ▪️ “Barrymore’s!”​​​

  

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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

  TUESDAY

  • An evening of cozy camaraderie awaits at Willow ‘Yarn’ Club, where knitting, sewing, and crocheting are all on the menu. Or, just bring a book and come for the chatting.(Richmond)  

  • 🆓 The Wizard’s Tower Board Game and Chess Meet-Up Night happens every Tuesday. (Barrhaven) 

  • Ottawa Senators play Colorado Avalanche at Canadian Tire Centre (Kanata)

Cinema

• ByTowne Cinema: The Year of Hind Rajab, Banff Mountain Film Festival  

• Mayfair Theatre: Nuremberg, Father Mother Sister Brother, The Running Man  

Gigs

• Trivia night. The Robo Lounge (The Glebe), The Laff (ByWard Market), Moose McGuire’s (Hunt Club), Moose McGuire’s (Orléans) Overflow Brewing Company (Alta Vista), Broadhead Brewery (Orléans)

• Vacancy, Jai Vinyl.  Avant-Garde Bar

• Nic Code's Chronology Trio. Night Oat

WEDNESDAY

• ✳️ Lost Baggage Musical Theatre performs One Small Misstep at Gladstone Theatre until Saturday. (Little Italy)  

• 🆓 Improvising Chamber ensemble Collected Strands performs a program of Winter Impressions: pieces that consider the ways we feel about the deep, dark days of winter. Doors Open for Music at Southminster United Church (Ottawa South) 

• 🆓 Let’s talk about death, baby: Dr. Jospeh Rogers leads a discussion about the afterlife, and how the world's faiths interpret what's to come (Rockcliffe Park)  

• Try a single Lindy Hop class with Ottawa Vintage Swing (Centretown)   

• Test your knowledge and your dabber hand at Brew Revolution’s Music Bingo Night. (Stittsville) 

• Perfect if you can't commit to a weekly course, the Ottawa School of Art Winter Workshop Wednesdays are one-evening sessions on a variety of skills. Tonight: Paining and Drawing: Symbolism and Fantasy (Orléans campus)  

• Shake off the arctic doldrums with Atlantic Firth, who play Celtic dance music at Red Bird tonight. 

• Wine Wednesday at Manor Lounge means $17 half-litres of Manor Red or White and 50% off select bottles. Not a wine drinker? Consider the $9 desserts (select menu). (Centretown/Golden Triangle) 

Cinema

• ByTowne Cinema: Closed For Minor Renovations

• Mayfair Theatre: Father Mother Sister Brother, When Harry Met Sally…, Vampyros Lesbos

Gigs

• Jade LeMac: It’s Always At Night Tour. Algonquin Commons Theatre

• Red Maple Blues. Beyond the Pale (ByWard Market location)

• The Early Set with Yves Laroche. The Robot Lounge

• Taproom Trivia. Stray Dog Brewing

THURSDAY

• Dance Theatre of Harlem performs a repertoire of classic works by George Balanchine and contemporary pieces by Artistic Director Robert Garland at Southam Hall, National Arts Centre. Arrive early for the free pre-show talk with Garland. (Downtown)

• One Small Misstep continues at the Gladstone Theatre. (Little Italy)  

• Get inspiration for all your projects at the Ottawa Home & Remodelling Show at EY Centre until Sunday. (YOW) 

• There’s no cover at the Stray Dog Brewing Open Mic (Orléans)

Learn something new

• Make your own Junk Journal with Recreated Designs (Hintonburg / Mechanicsville)   

• The Piggy Market presents another of its craft butchery sessions on Sausage Making. (Westboro) 

• Get your hands dirty at the Introduction to Growing Microgreens workshop with Microgreens Ottawa. (Heron Park) 

Cinema

• ByTowne Cinema: The Choral, The Voice of Hind Rajab, Restoration: The Virgin Suicides 

• Mayfair Theatre: Mr. Nobody Against Putin, No Other Choice  

Gigs

• Justin Rutledge. Red Bird

• Countdown 2 Earplugs, Four-Eyed Muscle Man, The Burningtree. House of TARG

• Elmer & Allan. Night Oat

• Will Cook. Elmdale Oyster House and Tavern

• Staycation. Rainbow Bistro

JUST ANNOUNCED / NOW BOOKING

• Assemble your squad for a fun-filled Galentine’s candle-making evening at Lume Club on Friday February 13 (Manotick) 

• Divertimento Orchestra plays the music of love on Friday February 13 and Saturday February 14. (Ottawa East)

SHARE THE OTTAWAN

BUT, ONE MORE THING ...

• In the Carleton University students’ newspaper, The Charlatan,  Syd Robbescheuten  talks to three students who have created apps while still in school: Derek Patterson with Rent Referee, a tenant-led review app, Aidan Fitzmaurice with the soon-to-launch Next Room, a student housing search app, and Divine Eyo with Spequlo, an AI-powered fashion app.

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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.