Hello Ottawa

STATISTICS OTTAWA

NUMBER

• $2.5 million

• The actual surplus from parking fees collected by the City of Ottawa as calculated by Ottawa Citizen columnist Brigitte Pellerin. Of that, $1.3 million goes to the to the parking reserve fund.

• Pellerin says the City collects $19.62 million annually but spends $17.13 million to earn that.

• – ‘Why does Ottawa generate so little money with paid parking?’

OTTAWANS OF THE DAY

• Mariah Norell and Phil D’Urzo 

• The married couple have launched a new venue in Stittsville for gigs, events, and meetings: Space and Time Studios.

• Besides music, the duo would also like to play host to Dungeons and Dragons events, karaoke nights, poetry readings, improv events, comedians, open mic nights, and craft shows. 

– Lesley MacKay at Stittsville Central

QUOTE

“

• It was pretty crazy how we were able to have such an impact on our community. We were only five and seven at the time

– Eliza Andrew reflecting on how she and her sister Adela were wrapped up in ‘the most Ottawa story of all time’. 

Ten years ago this summer, the two were told to pack up their lemonade stand by a National Capital Commission junior conservation officer for lack of a permit.

The resulting bureaucracy-gone-crazy firestorm ended with an apology from the Commission and a young entrepreneurs programme for kids five to 17.

The sisters say they now use the story on their CVs.

– Matthew Kupfer at CBC

PLEASE SUPPORT THE OTTAWAN

WHAT’S GOING ON AT CITY HALL

WHAT OTTAWA IS TALKING ABOUT

THE DAILY POLL

Will Canada win tomorrow’s match against Morocco?

🔘 No, but good on them for our best Men’s FIFA showing ever

🔘 Yes, but that’s the end of the road

🔘 Yes, and the one after that but that’s it

🔘 Yes, and we’re winning our first ever Men’s FIFA World Cup!

🔘 No, just no. Don’t taunt us with hope.

• 
  Previously in OTTAWAN polls:

• Which of these Ottawa plagues can you tolerate the best?

  • 27% Scorching hot days and nights

  • 32% Bone chilling cold

  • 22% Unceasing thunder, lightning, and rain

  • 1% Waves of mosquitoes and black flies

  • 18% Regular OC Transit service

  • 
    Commentary

▪️ “Wow have to say that was a tough choice.”

▪️ “My theory is that you can always get warm by piling on clothes or blankets, depending whether you’re inside or out.”

▪️ “To tolerate regular OC Transpo service, it would have to happen first ...”

▪️ “Was the question not meant to be ‘irregular’ transit service? ;)”

▪️ “The more you persist in being in air conditioned environments (car, home, work) the harder it is to adapt to heat. Try being outside at least every day and you will.find the heat bothers you less in time. Stay hydrated, wear cool fabrics like cotton and linen.”

▪️ “I am very grateful to live on the top of a hill.”

▪️ “Alas, regular OC Transpo service is the only option in the list that’s actually fictional.”

▪️ “As long as I can add additional warm layers, I’m good.”

▪️ “Have been expecting sub-standard service for many years now and OCTranspo doesn’t disappoint – they provide sub-standard service and especially so with the LRT!”

HISTORIC OTTAWA LOGO T-SHIRTS

Talisman Motor Inn T-Shirt The Beachcomber Room tiki bar at the Talisman Motor Inn was where Ottawa swingers could be found in the early 60s 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 form

✳️ Means change from previous edition

FRIDAY

• Almonte Celtfest is a family-friendly, three day festival in the attractive town's Gemmill Park. Entrance to the festival, which features performances by local musicians as well as those from further afield, is by donation. Almonte Celtfest runs Friday July 3 through Sunday July 5.  

• Ease into the midway point of this extra long weekend (or celebrate the start of a regular weekend, you do you) with hot dogs, music and drinks at Henry Arlingtons (aka Happy Goat at 35 Laurel St). (Mechanicsville) 

• Capital Pop-Up Cinema screens The Princess Bride at Zibi (Albert Island, 8 Booth St). 8:30 pm. 

• Gibbs Honey opens the operation for behind the scenes tours of their home apiary, honey house, hives, and wildflower meadows. It's on every Saturday and Sunday until August 9. (Vankleek Hill)

Cinema

• ByTowne Cinema:  Pressure, Couture, Romería, In The Mouth of Madness

• Mayfair Theatre: Unidentified, The Sheep Detectives, Stop! That! Train!

Gigs 

• Little Bones. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa

SATURDAY

• 🆓 We all know how Wednesday's Canada Day festivities turned out. So maybe we should just consider the massive Canada v Morocco Watch Party at LeBreton Flats a do over. It's completely free, opens at 11:00 am, and will take customers until capacity is reached. Oh Canada, Go Canada!

• Don’t stress about missing the football action while you explore  the Ottawa On Tap Beerfest. They'll have two large tents with screens. You can also expect live music, line dancing, karaoke, and games for kids of all ages, plus local food vendors.(Bells Corners. 

• The dress code is baby dolls, PJs, onesies, or lingerie at the Pillow Talk Slumber Party drag show at House of TARG. 

• Cumberland Farmers’ Market has indoor and outdoor sections, so be sure not to miss any vendors. 

• Next Door and Big Baddies Secondhand present the Retail Rebels Punk Market, with more than 20 vendors, a punk craft workshop, and tons of vintage fun. (Wellington West)  

• The 2026 Music and Beyond Festival launches with the Celebrating Ottawa Gala at Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, featuring Bytown Barcarolle by Matthew Larkin. 

• Almonte Celtfest’s first full day of programming leaps into action with performances on the Main Stage,  the Celtic Market in the Park, an informative session with kiltmakers, and workshops at other locations around Almonte. 

• A new series of garden tours has dropped at the Central Experimental Farm. They’re free, but each person must register for each separate tour they wish to attend. First up: the WT Macoun Memorial Garden Tour on July 8. 

• 🆓 Live from the Booth launches your Saturday night on Spark Street. Get down from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm before you head off on your adventures. Thank the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition and Downtown BIA for this groovy collab.

• The Tea Party plays Hard Rock Casino & Hotel. 

Cinema

• ByTowne Cinema: Addams Family Values, Romería, Couture, Backrooms 

• Mayfair Theatre: Saturday Morning All-You-Can-Eat Cereal Cartoon Party Vol.41, The Sheep Detectives, Amores Perros 

Gigs

• Andrea Scala. Avant-Garde Bar

• Four-eyed Muscle Men. Irene’s Pub

• Experiment Specimen, Spirit of Rebellion, Mortal Rites. Dominion Tavern

• Mike Rudd Trio. The Robo Lounge

SUNDAY

• 🆓 PranaShanti presents yoga from 9:30 am to 10:30 am in Parkdale Park. 

• There’s more yoga, plus coffee and farm animals, at the Farmyard Coffee Club. (Findlay Creek) 

• 🆓 Buy Ontario-friendly plants for your garden and get advice from the volunteers on site at the Orléans Native Plant Sale. 

• Catch the Northern Super League action as Ottawa Rapid face Calgary Wild FC at 2:00 pm.(The Glebe) 

• Road Trip: On its final day, there’s a full afternoon of programming on Almonte Celtfest's Main Stage, and the Park is still hopping with kids' activities, the market, and the bar. 

• The Nepean Night Market is all about the kids this week. Littles will love the face painting, glow sticks, bubbles, and dance party. 

• Rarities take over the Mayfair Theatre today. First up, Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs  (1937) showcases the human-made animation artistry of the Disney animators. Next, don’t miss your first-ever big screen showing of the audacious early Joan Crawford vehicle Letty Lynton (1932), which was shelved in 1936 and only brought to light in May 2026. 

• There’s a lot going on at this year’s Critter Jungle Patio Paw-ty at Beyond The Pale (City Centre location); from the free doggie treats to the delicious food and locally brewed beer and for humans, plus goodie bags and otters fun stuff.(Centretown West) 

• The Heart & Crown has lots planned at their Footy Watch Party. Get there early for a prime spot. (ByWard Market) 

• Enjoy all that a local market has to offer without leaving Stittsville. Market @ the Barn runs 9:00 am to 1:00 pm with baked treats, crafts, handy stuff for the home, jewelry and gifts. 

• Unexpected Théâtre's First Annual Summer Cabaret is an invitation for theatre types from in front of the curtain and backstage to converge on SAW Centre. The Unexpected Cabaret and Summer Social celebrates slightly altered Broadway belters at the start of the evening; later on the Pour Back Backstage Social potluck plus SAW Centre’s bar will loosen any remaining nerves. RSVP now. (Downtown) 

• We have it on good authority (their Facebook event poster) that this multi-home Garage Sale will have decor items for DIY weddings as well as useful household items. (Legault Street, Orléans) 

• 🆓 You’ll find more than 130 vendors at Heart of Orléans Market. Bring the kids, bring your pup (it's dog friendly). 

Cinema

• ByTowne Cinema: Exhibition on Screen: Frida Kahlo, Couture, Pressure, The Burning 

• Mayfair Theatre: Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs. Letty Lynton, Amores Perros 

Gigs

• Sunday Blues with the Original Gangsters. Atomic Rooster

• Chuck Ragan, Rory Taillon. The 27 Club

MONDAY

• The UOttawa Tango Club is continuing its Tango Monday classes over the summer; the sessions cost $15 at the door (or free if you're a student).  

• The team at Questionable Behaviour Trivia has a new Barrhaven hangout.  Start the week at Broadway Bar & Grill, 3777 Strandherd Drive.  

Cinema

• ByTowne Cinema: Exhibition on Screen: Frida Kahlo, Couture, Pressure 

• Mayfair Theatre: The Sheep Detectives, Letty Lynton, Stop! That! Train! 

Gigs

• 🆓 Monday Happy Hour Show with Jesse Stewart and Linsey Wellman. The Robo Lounge

• Karaoke Mondays

JUST ANNOUNCED / NOW BOOKING

• Learn the fine art of mosaics at Maker House on Wednesday July 15.

• The Corkery Community Association in West Carleton has ‘Build Your Own Robot - Kids Summer Workshops’ on July 25 or August 8 but your junior mad scientists need to register early.

DEAL OF THE DAY

Desserts & Skirts is offering 20% off everything site wide, for three days only.    The Beach to Street Swim sale at Bear and roo means 20% off all in-stock swimwear styles. The savings are added at checkout. and the sale ends Sunday.   Shop Canadian-made House of Blanks essential styles and save up to 50%.

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BUT, ONE MORE THING ...

In the Ottawa Citizen, Nicholas Kohler tries to answer the question ‘What’s behind the boarded-up stretch of Bank Street?’. 

The four buildings taking up the eastern side of Bank between Nepean and Lisgar streets was purchased in 2022, with residents and businesses – including Wallack's Art Supplies and Framing – evicted. Since then, they have all be left empty.

RAPID RESPONSE QUALITY CONTROL

Comment of the Week: ‘Witty and informative as always!’

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.