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Ottawa South News

December 22, 2016 | 36 pages

Also serving Manotick, Osgoode and Greely

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Senators bring Christmas cheer to CHEO

BY ERIN MCCRACKEN erin.mccracken@metroland.com

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Tanner Stevenson had no idea about the surprise that was in store for him when he went in for another dose of chemotherapy.

It was quite literally the stuff that hockey dreams are made of.

The 15-year-old Orléans resident and avid hockey fan learned the Ottawa Senators would be coming to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario that same day for a visit and to bring several Santa-sized sacks full of toys to put under the hospital’s Christmas tree.

By the end of the hour-long visit on Dec. 15, Tanner had a handful of signed hockey cards from many of his hometown hockey heroes.

“I’ve gotten them to sign a shirt when they were walking down the hall to get to the ice, but that’s the closest as I’ve ever got to meeting them,” Tanner said after chatting with most of the Senators’ players inside CHEO’s cafeteria.

“It just fills my heart huge,” said Tanner’s mother Kalisa Dickenson. “It’s amazing for me because I know how he lives and breathes hockey.”

Tanner is known for either playing or watching it live, talking to his friends about the sport, even watching Youtube video highlights when he gets the chance.

“He’s hockey 24/7,” Dickenson said. “This is a huge deal for him.”

Her son grew up with the sport, starting out in minor hockey in Orléans at age six. Dickenson’s brother, Lou Dickenson, also served as a mentor having played with the Ottawa 67’s and then as a professional hockey player in Europe.

Erin McCracken/Metroland

Sarah Telford, 18, of Merrickville, Ont., meets with the Ottawa Senators’ Chris Neil, a Carp resident, during the team’s annual Christmas visit to CHEO on Dec. 15.

Tanner most recently played with the Cum“I miss it so much,” said Tanner, a left-handberland Dukes, but his battle with Stage 4 ad- ed rightwinger. vanced lymphoblastic lymphoma, which is a See IT FILLS, page 32 type of cancer, is taking precedence.

Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah & Happy Holidays My office is here to help!

My staff and I are here for you. Please contact us if you require assistance.

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1828 Bank Street, Ottawa, ON K1V 7Y6 | T: 613-736-9573 | F: 613-736-7374 | jfraser.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org

Muslim leaders remember slain Hunt Club sisters home.

The lives of Nasiba A-Noor, 29, and her older sister, Asma, 32, were Ottawa’s Muslim community con- honoured in prayer and during a futinues to grieve in the wake of the neral at the Jami Omar Mosque in murders of two sisters at a Hunt Club Bells Corners prior to a service at

the Ottawa Muslim Cemetery in the Manotick and Greely area on Dec. 18.

The community gathering drew more than 1,000 people, including many from the Somali community, and several more who did not know

BY ERIN MCCRACKEN

erin.mccracken@metroland.com

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the victims, but who wanted to show their solidarity and support.

“The reason was they were very good girls and they tried to make a positive contribution to society and the community specifically,” said Imam Anver Malam, senior founding imam of the Jami Omar Mosque.

Imam Sikander Hashmi, the spiritual leader of the Kanata Muslim Association and mosque, said he was more familiar with the younger sister, Nasiba, who taught at Tarbiyah Learning, a private Islamic school located beside the Bells Corners mosque.

Nasiba had taught Qur’an studies to children in grades five to eight in recent years.

“Precious life cut too short.

It’s a tragedy.”

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She was quietly dedicated to her faith and to helping others with their studies. In addition to teaching children, she also taught women here and abroad through online courses.

“She had students in Australia and the U.K. I heard there were messages coming in of shock and condolences,” Hashmi said. “(She was) someone who would sneak in and sit at the back (during orientation sessions) and be very quiet, but as you learn more and more about her you realized she actually really did have a great impact and was very passionate about what she did.”

Malam said both women were accomplishing much and “doing good things.”

“Precious life cut too short. It’s a tragedy.”

For the family to lose two daughters is a terrible loss, he said, but noted there is a third loss because their brother is now behind bars.

The suspect is charged with fatally stabbing his sisters at the Quarry Cooperative housing community in Hunt Club on Dec. 16.

“The family has lost three people,” Malam said. “The whole thing is upside down, haywire.

“Personally, I am still under the shock of how things can be happening like this. You’re supposed to be safe in your home,” said the Kanata resident.

“It is a very sad story.”

While police are remaining tightlipped about Ottawa’s 23rd and 24th homicides of 2016, a number of media reports reveal the suspect may have mental-health issues.

“My message out of this, as a community leader, is that (we need to) look into the social development,” Malam said of the message he shared at the funeral service. “Let’s go beyond with a step now, with feedback (and) to reflect and think, how can we prevent such a tragedy from taking place again in any family, regardless of where we come from (or) which language they speak?”

A collective effort is needed to ensure the lines of communication are open about mental-health issues so that people feel comfortable asking for help, he said.

“This is touching across the community. It has no religious boundary or ethnic boundary,” said Malam. “It is across the board.”

Families and individuals need to speak more openly about these issues and proactively educate themselves to better recognize the signs and symptoms.

“By the time you see something like this happening, it’s too late,” said Malam, who planned to deliver a mental-health-themed sermon on Dec. 23.

INVESTIGATION

Patrol officers were called to a home at the Quarry Co-op, a collection of attached townhouses located on McCarthy Road near Paul Anka Drive on Dec. 16 at 9 p.m.

Major crime investigators took over the case, and soon announced the sisters had been found dead.

A male suspect was taken into police custody near the train tracks off McCarthy Road north of the co-op.

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Freelance reporter Charlie Senack was driving northbound on McCarthy Road away from the co-op around 11 p.m. that night. Police had blocked off the road near the train tracks, and there were three or four police cruisers and that many officers on site.

“I saw two males – one was on the ground and one was standing up – and they were both in handcuffs,” Senack said. “As we were turning around paramedics were rushing to the scene as well as a few other police officers.”

Police said one suspect was taken into custody that evening.

The next day, forensic investigators could be seen combing the Quarry Co-op crime scene for evidence. Officers also searched the train tracks where the suspect was apprehended.

Investigators gave declined to reveal if police had previously been called to that townhouse.

Major crime investigators want to speak with anyone who knew the A-Noor siblings or who may have information about the case. They are asked to call the major crime unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5493.

Musab A-Noor, 29, of Ottawa, has been charged with first-degree murder and second-degree murder. He was initially slated to appear in court on Dec. 17, but that was rescheduled to Dec. 19 and then to Dec. 21.

Erin McCracken/Metroland

Sisters Nasiba and Asma A-Noor are being remembered for their goodness and for giving back to their community.

The women were found fatally stabbed at a home in the Quarry Co-op community in Hunt Club on Dec. 16.

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Pedestrian, 64, hit by SUV in Manotick Woman suffers life-threatening injuries: paramedics “There was a vehicle that was goBY ERIN MCCRACKEN ing eastbound on Bridge Street and erin.mccracken@metroland.com the collision occurred just past the intersection of Richard Street,” said A female pedestrian suffered life- Const. Chuck Benoit, Ottawa police threatening injuries after she was spokesman. That crossroads is just struck by a small sport-utility vehicle southwest of Van Vliet and Long Isin Manotick on Dec. 16. land roads.

Emergency responders were called to Bridge and Richard streets on Dec. CROSSING STREET 16 at 6:20 p.m. A 64-year-old woman “The collision occurred while (she had suffered injuries to her head, chest, abdomen, pelvis and her ex- was) crossing Bridge Street,” Benoit added. tremities, according to paramedics.

The streets in that area were closed “She was stabilized and treated on scene by paramedics and subsequent- for some time as investigators examly transported to the Ottawa trauma ined the crash scene.

Given the ongoing nature of the incentre,” Brian Morris, operations superintendent at the Ottawa Paramedic vestigation, Benoit said it’s not known whether any charges would be forthService, said in a statement.

The patient was listed in critical coming.

Anyone with information about the care upon arrival at hospital.

The Ottawa police collision investi- incident is asked to call the section gation section is continuing to investi- at 613-236-1222, ext. 2481, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. gate the case.

Basement fire causes $250K in damages A fire that broke out at a home in the Elmvale Acres neighbourhood caused $250,000 in damages Dec. 19.

Firefighters responded to two 911 reports of a basement fire at 808 Cork St., not far from Camrose Street and Pleasant Park Road, at around 5:30 p.m.

Crews that were first to arrive on scene saw smoke coming from the single-storey home.

No injuries were reported, according to fire dispatchers.

Neighbours provided shelter to two residents impacted by the fire, according to paramedics.

Damages to the structure and contents are estimated at approximately $250,000.

A fire investigator was called in, but the cause of the fire was not immediately known.

— Erin McCracken

Fire prompts candle warning Flameless candles should be considered by people who enjoy the ambiance of a flickering candle.

That’s the message from the Ottawa fire department after a bathroom fire at a Manotick home on South Island Park Drive on Dec. 18. The fire was caused by a candle burning close to a wicker basket. “Consider using battery-operated flameless candles, which can look, smell and feel like real candles,” said Capt. Danielle Cardinal, Ottawa fire spokeswoman.

— Erin McCracken

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Wrestling club rolls out training mat to welcome Syrian refugee tional wrestling champion and Middle Eastern gold medalist. erin.mccracken@metroland.com He also served as head coach As Ibrahim Ayyoub trans- of the Syrian men’s national lates Mohammed Alkrad’s wrestling team before civil war hopes and dreams for a new broke out in his homeland. future in Ottawa, his own eyes light up and his enthusiasm ADVICE bubbles over.

“It’s actually very inspiring.

I’m not going to lie, it’s emo“His advice to me and everytional,” says Ibrahim, a Grade one out there is to never wait 12 Brookfield High School student who aspires to win a med- for achievements,” Ibrahim says al in wrestling at the provincials during a recent practice with and at the Ontario Federation the National Capital Wrestling of School Athletic Associa- Club at St. Patrick’s Catholic High School. “You have to go tions championships.

“It’s my last year and I want out there. It’s all hard work. to go hard. I want it so badly,” You can’t expect to win if you Ibrahim says in English before don’t put in the work.

“That’s what made him a translating his goals into Arachampion – passion and hard bic for Alkrad.

Alkrad, knowing what it work.”

Just days after Alkrad, his takes to turn his dreams into reality, offers words of advice parents, his pregnant wife Asto the 17-year-old, which he maa and their three-year-old honed as a 12-time Syrian na- son Taym al Malek arrived

BY ERIN MCCRACKEN

in Ottawa on Nov. 23, he was already training hard with his new teammates.

When club president Dean Sherratt was contacted by Ottawa Welcomes, which helps newcomers adapt to life here, he jumped at the chance to welcome Alkrad to the club.

Alkrad’s addition makes him the only Arabic-speaking wrestling coach in Ottawa.

“And he’s a very good one,” says Sherratt, a Riverside Park resident.

“He’s already effectively taking on junior coaching responsibilities. Once his English improves we will be putting him through a coaching certification process and at that point he can lead practices.”

Alkrad has effectively hit the ground running at the club, largely due to his experience despite the language barrier.

See ALKRAD, page 7

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Erin McCracken/Metroland

Mohammed Alkrad (left) and Hunt Club resident Ibrahim Ayyoub, 17, prepare to train during a practice session with the National Capital Wrestling Club at St. Patrick’s Catholic High School. Alkrad is a Syrian refugee and 12-time national wrestling champion who joined the club less than a week after arriving in Ottawa.

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Alkrad seeks return to podium after war forces competition hiatus Continued from page 6

“Wrestling is a very universal language if you can use your hands and you can demonstrate,” Sherratt says. “But, at a certain point, language is important.”

For that reason, Alkrad will begin private English lessons in January thanks to one of the club’s coaches, who teaches English as a second language.

WAR INTERRUPTS LIFE

Alkrad’s dreams to compete have been on hiatus since he and one of his brothers and their families fled their homes in southern Syria after there was an attempt to recruit Alkrad to join a pro-regime militia. They escaped into northern Jordan and found refuge at the Za’atari refugee camp, said to be one of the largest refugee camps in the world with an estimated 80,000 people.

What Alkrad thought would be a months-long stay turned into more than four years.

Hope was hard to come by given the harsh realities of life at the camp, where water is often scarce and families deal with extreme hot and cold while sheltering in metal trailers.

But a seed of happiness emerged early on when he began training young Syrian refugees in the sport he loves. He started with three boys, and the group evolved into 25 kids.

Over time, Alkrad acquired a tent, mats and weights, eventually attracting the attention of non-governmental organizations Mercy Corps and Unicef, which now fund and support the wrestling centre.

Through hard work and perseverance, Alkrad built a program that has seen 25,000 kids

Erin McCracken/Metroland

Mohammed Alkrad trains on the mat during a National Capital Wrestling Club practice session at St. Patrick’s Catholic High School. Alkrad, who now lives in Heatherington with his family, is dreaming once again of entering competitions in the search for a medal after civil war in his homeland interrupted his aspirations. come through in the past four years, or about 250 a day.

“Wow, 250 a day,” Ibrahim says in shock.

Under Alkrad’s tutelage as head coach and supervisor, the centre attracted the attention of Canada’s Gov. Gen. David Johnston, who visited in October, and Hollywood actor and Unicef goodwill ambassador Liam Neeson, who visited in November. Alkrad’s story has also been featured in a short documentary by U.S.-based filmmaker Daniel Levitt.

“He knew he didn’t want to give up,” Ibrahim says of Al-

krad’s goal. “He said it was a very, very harsh life for him, but he knew not to give up and he had something in his heart telling him to keep going and going, because that’s what he loves.

“That’s his life – wrestling.”

In mentoring the young Syrian refugees, Alkrad pulled from the lessons he began learning through wrestling at age 14 thanks to his uncle, who is also a Syrian national wrestling champion.

“It’s more than a sport, it’s a life experience,” Alkrad says, adding that he tries to pass on sportsmanship and kindness,

a desire to be the best, to never give up and always keep training. “You’re never good at anything unless you practice.”

Despite his achievements and those of his students at Za’atari, he always envisioned starting fresh beyond the camp’s walls.

“As soon as he knew that Canada was accepting more refugees, that opened his heart and made him more happy,” says Ibrahim.

But leaving the wrestling centre and his young students has proved almost as tough as saying goodbye to his brother, a fellow wrestler who emigrated with his

family to Germany.

“Before he left, he had mixed feelings,” Ibrahim says. “He was so sad and at the same time happy, but what’s even more, his (wrestling) kids were also sad.

They said, ‘Please don’t travel, please stay with us.’

“It’s a family.”

Now that he and his family have settled in an apartment in Heatherington, Alkrad says he is already planning to study a field that will allow him to give back to refugees and others in need.

“He said he had a very hard and painful life so he knows how the others feel, not just in the

Middle East,” Ibrahim says.

Alkrad has also set his sights once again on wrestling competitively, which, according to Sherratt, is not unusual at age 34 since there are open tournaments in the club system.

“He hasn’t gotten a medal in years because of the wars,” Ibrahim says.

The Syrian refugee also hopes some of the Syrian children he coached in Jordan can one day also get to Canada.

“He wants to teach them wrestling here,” Ibrahim says. “(And) to show them there’s faith.”

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Ottawa South News - Thursday, December 22, 2016 7

OPINION

Connected to to your your community community Connected

Kids are the true stars of Christmas

I

n a world in which bad news often overwhelms the good, it is so easy to be cynical.

But at this time of year, with Christmas fast approaching, it is always a good idea to retreat back to basics and there is nothing more basic than the joy and wonder that can be seen in the faces of our future during the holiday season — the faces of our kids.

As adults there is always something we can find to whine and moan about at this time of year— it’s too cold, there’s too much snow, our credit card bills are burying us under an avalanche of debt. As adults, we can always find something to turn into a ‘woe is us’ moment.

We need to remember how we felt when we were as young as our kids, and recall the excitement of knowing we’ll soon be gathering with our families, as we await the arrival of Santa and the joy that comes from gathering around a Christmas tree to share in the joy of not receiving, but of giving.

At this time of year stories like that of Richmond’s Mariela Harkins, an eight-year-old girl, truly embrace the spirit of the season.

Back in August when Mariela’s birthday was approaching she decided to be Santa’s little

helper instead of thinking of all the goodies she could get for herself on her birthday. She didn’t ask for birthday gifts, but asked friends and family to provide donations of toys for the Stocking Project, a three-year old initiative to fill stockings for people in need over the holidays.

What she was able to collect though her efforts — in the grand scheme of things not a staggering amount — was about $500 worth of items. The total is not important, the act is.

“She knows some children don’t have a lot and she wants other children to be happy at Christmas time,” her mom Laura told Metroland Media. “We’re very proud of how thoughtful and generous she’s been.”

Mariela’s parents should be proud of her efforts, as should our whole city. We should be proud that kids such as Mariela is but just one example of the many similar efforts that show us all what the true meaning of Christmas should be. From all of us at Metroland Media, to all our readers, have a truly special Christmas with your families, and please follow in Mariela’s footsteps and remember the true joy of the season is in giving of ourselves to help create a better community for all of us.

Let’s offer a helping hand to others this winter

I

n our white collar society, where the normal challenge is slow WiFi or limited parking, we don’t get much of a chance to be heroic.

That’s probably why we welcome the first big snow.

Most of us do, anyway. We’ll talk later about people who don’t.

You can tell the people welcome it. They have big smiles when they arrive at the office, telling tales of the adversity they overcame. Big drifts at the end of the driveway after the plow came the second time.

An hour’s drive in to work on a route that normally takes half that.

They are beaming because they have triumphed.

They are heroes. Just got the snow tires on last week: good thing! The neighbour came by

CHARLES GORDON Funny Town with the snowblower just when it looked like we wouldn’t get out!

You should have seen the puppy!

Didn’t know what to make of it.

All of these stories, told as we shake the snow off our coats, are told with a smile. We puff up even more when we learn of the people who postponed their appointments, the school buses cancelled.

Later, as we get used to it, as a week of snow turns into a month, turns into two, the smiles fade.

But for the moment, they are our acknowledgement that we have defeated the elements once again.

As Canadians, we take our triumphs where we can. We don’t push other countries around. We don’t have the tallest mountains or the whitest beaches. We don’t even win the Stanley Cup any more. But we have snow and we can handle it.

In Ottawa, we take pride in how well the road crews do their work, getting rid of the snow in a hurry, clearing the streets. When a winter storm cripples some normally warm part of the States, we smirk as we watch the cars not moving on the Interstate.

In the Christmas cards we send to friends in southern places, we brag about this. Eight inches dropped overnight. There’s three feet on the ground.

Dropped down to minus-15 last night. But it doesn’t bother us.

We’re still getting around. How is

DISTRIBUTION INQUIRIES Traci Cameron - 613-221-6223 ADMINISTRATION: Vice President & Regional Publisher Peter Bishop Donna Therien - 613-221-6233 pbishop@metroland.com HOME BUILDERS ACCOUNTS SPECIALIST 613-283-3182 Geoff Hamilton - 613-221-6215 DISPLAY ADVERTISING: Gisele Godin - Kanata - 613-221-6214 80 Colonnade Road, Unit 4 Director of Advertising Cheryl Hammond Connie Pfitzer - Ottawa West - 613-221-6209 cheryl.hammond@metroland.com Ottawa, ON, K2E 7L2 Cindy Gilbert - Ottawa South - 613-221-6211 Phone 613-221-6218 Carly McGhie - Ottawa East - 613-221-6154 613-224-3330 Jill Martin - Nepean - 613-221-6221 Editor-in-Chief Ryland Coyne Catherine Lowthian - Barrhaven/Bells Corners Published weekly by: 613-221-6227 rcoyne@metroland.com Mike Stoodley - Stittsville - 613-221-6231 General Manager: Mike Tracy Annie Davis - Ottawa West - 613-221-6217 Rico Corsi - Automotive Consultant - 613-221-6224 mike.tracy@metroland.com Blair Kirkpatrick - Orleans - 613-221-6216 CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING SALES: Sharon Russell - 613-221-6228 Member of: Ontario Community Newspapers Association, Canadian Community, Newspapers Association, Ontario Press Council, Association of Free Community Papers 8 Ottawa South News - Thursday, December 22, 2016 ottawa COMMUNITY

news .COM

Ottawa South News Also serving Manotick, Osgoode and Greely

OttawaCommunityNews.com

it down there? Still playing golf ?

It’s even better when this happens around Christmas. Sure, it’s easier dragging the tree back to the house when it’s dry and warm, but where’s the fun in that?

Where’s the story to tell? Where’s the snow all over the carpet?

Where’s the sense of superiority over those who live in warm places all year?

For Canadians to be truly superior, however, we need to do a better job of looking after our fellow citizens for whom there is no easy escape from the climate.

Homeless people can’t smile at winter, the way many of the rest of us do. They can’t escape it as easily. They can’t just go inside and turn up the heat. They won’t be at the mall buying the Digital Santa package for their kids.

All kinds of excuses have been EDITORIAL MANAGING EDITOR: Theresa Fritz, 613-221-6225

theresa.fritz@metroland.com NEWS EDITOR Brian Dryden 613-221-6162 brian.dryden@metroland.com REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER: Erin McCracken erin.mccracken@metroland.com, 613-221-6219

offered for not helping more, including blaming the victim.

But this is a time of year when analyzing causes is less important than simply giving assistance.

It gives us all the more reason to enjoy winter to know that we are helping others escape the worst of it.

Editorial Policy The Ottawa South News welcomes letters to the editor. Senders must include their full name, complete address and a contact phone number. Addresses and phone numbers will not be published. We reserve the right to edit letters for space and content, both in print and online at ottawacommunitynews.com. To submit a letter to the editor, please email to theresa.fritz@metroland.com, fax to 613-2242265 or mail to the Ottawa South News, 80 Colonnade Rd. N., Unit 4, Ottawa ON, K2E 7L2.

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Read us online at www.ottawacommunitynews.com

OPINION

Connected to your community

Putting much needed food on the table

O

n a recent trip out of town, I found myself eating at restaurants three times a day. For five days, I found myself eating takeout in the car, sitting in the hospital drinking coffee, and eating very salty restaurant food when I could grab a proper meal.

By the third day, the thought of another restaurant meal made my tongue raw. In fact, my entire mouth was raw. And my head hurt, and my glands were swollen.

And my back ached. A quick Google search on the subject told me I likely had an autoimmune disease with limited time to live (which is why one should never Google one’s symptoms).

Upon my return to Ottawa, feeling exhausted after an eight-hour drive and quite slothful after a weekend of indulging in various pub-type sandwiches and all-day breakfasts, I immediately went to see my doctor.

She checked my glands, my tongue, my gums, the inside of my mouth, and made her careful diagnosis: “You need to drink more water and eat more vegetables.”

That’s it? More water? Vegetables? I wasn’t convinced, so she took a swab and prescribed an anti-fungal mouthwash just in case. Meanwhile, I went home, got on my comfies, drank a litre of water and went to bed. I slept for the next 10 hours, minus three trips to the washroom in the night.

The next day, I felt like a new woman!

No autoimmune disease for me.

Water. Fresh food. It got me thinking about how much we take for granted. For many people – even in Canada — access to

BRYNNA LESLIE Capital Muse clean drinking water and fresh food is out of reach. And yet, sitting here in our Ottawa condos and castles, many of us have it all right there in the tap and at the grocery store. Of course, some of us don’t.

Food insecurity affects more than one in 10 Canadians. Approximately four million people are limited in some way to accessing affordable, nutritious food. According to Senator Art Eggleton, Canada’s Senate will attempt to prioritize the issue heading into 2017.

In December, Senate Liberals (who are no longer actually Liberals) held an open caucus to address issues of food security and how they are interrelated to agriculture, education, health care and, of course, poverty. Although many policies that affect food security fall under the purview of provincial governments, Eggleton believes the feds can play a key role in addressing the complexity of factors that play into food security.

It’s no surprise that Canada’s indigenous people, many of whom live in remote communities and some of whom continue to lack of access to clean drinking water, should be a top priority at the federal

level.

Approximately 12 per cent of Ontarians lack access to affordable and nutritious meals. In Nunavut closer to half of people are affected by food insecurity, according to the University of Toronto’s PROOF, an interdisciplinary team of researchers that examine the issue. Across Canada, one in six children – nearly 18 per cent, are impacted by food insecurity.

Food insecurity is arguably one of Canada’s premier public health crises, affecting physical, mental and social health and having a considerable impact on health costs.

According to data compiled by PROOF, back problems are the No. 1 health issue affecting malnourished Canadians, followed by mood disorders, hypertension, migraines and arthritis. For an individual that lacks access to good food, health care costs can be upward of $4,000 per year, argue PROOF researchers.

On Dec. 7, the P.E.I. legislature voted in favour of a motion to introduce a basic minimum income in the province, in partnership with the federal government.

“A universal basic income could enable the greatest unleashing of human potential ever seen,” said the province’s Green Party leader, Peter Bevan-Baker.

Besides income, however, experts who presented to senators earlier this month, agree that comprehensive policies on food education, agriculture and targeted programs for the most vulnerable Canadians need to be top priority. As we head into a new year, it’s promising to see that GDP may not be the only measure of wealth and economic prosperity in Canada.

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Volunteer Dianne Proulx reads with Grade 2 Marie-Curie French public school student Sundus, 7. The Elmvale Acres school’s grandparent reading program is in need of new French-speaking volunteers interested in spending an hour a week reading one-on-one with students.

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Week In Review!

Osgoode Public School had an assembly for Grades 3-6 to kickoff the 2017 Postcard initiative to encourage their friends and family who live out of town to visit Ottawa during 2017 and join in the many events that are planned for the 150th anniversary. The children were very excited to participate by writing the postcards and sending them out before Christmas to make sure they would reach their destination in plenty of time for people to make plans to come and visit. What a great way to encourage more people to come to town to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday!

There were many great activities that took place in Metcalfe this past weekend, starting with the annual Christmas parade. This year, there were even more floats, some of which included beautiful horses marching down the streets passed the sidewalks lined with excited families taking in the show. After the parade, the Metcalfe Community Centre had a cookie decorating event where residents could get their picture taken with Santa. Joining the crowd were the Greely Players singers who were carolling as they walked the crowd down the street to Victoria Park for the tree lighting ceremony. Fries for Charity was also at the lighting ceremony, helping to raise hundreds of dollars in funds for the Metcalfe Skating Club.

As it became darker, the Castor Valley Primary Choir began to sing in the gazebo and the trees were lit simultaneously by members of the Metcalfe Community Association (MCA). The new lights were part of a grant from the City for the Village earlier in the year. All of the hard work by the MCA board members and the many volunteers really made for a spectacular day!

My second last Open Door of the year was a very busy one to say the least! Many people dropped in quickly to discuss minor issues and others simply stopped by to say “hello” and extend Christmas greetings. Two such special people were Order of Ottawa recipient Vera Mitchell and Metcalfe’s very own Matt Kulcsar! It was wonderful to see everyone.

I was very pleased when City Staff dropped by my Open Door to show me the final plans for the traffic lights at Mitch Owens and Manotick Station Road. It’s been a very long process since being elected to office, but this important project is finally starting to take shape. Now, barring anymore hiccups in the schedule, we can begin to make plans to get the shovels in the ground by summer of 2017!

A quick reminder that next week will be my last Open Door Drop In for the 2016 year. It is hard to believe that we have had this community initiative going for over a year now and it is still going strong! I always look forward to Tuesdays in the Ward!

This is your last chance to get some beautiful crafts and tasty baked goods from the Metcalfe Farmers Christmas Market. The crafters will be at the Greely Community Centre on Saturday, December 17th from 9am to 2pm. Hope to see you there!

The past few weeks have been very busy at City Hall as all of the committees met to scrutinize the 2017 Draft Budget. On Wednesday, all of that hard work finally paid off when City Council met as a whole to discuss and pass the 2017 Budget.

There was a great deal of lively discussion as all the various Councillors shared their thoughts and had questions and concerns addressed by staff. After five hours the 2017 Draft Budget was voted on and unanimously passed by all 23 Councillors and the Mayor.

This year’s budget was a strong one for Osgoode Ward, with many major initiatives receiving the funding we have been pushing for, as well as the replacement or repair of 47 culverts across the ward, a number of road treatments and resurfacing projects, and investment in our parks. Some of the specific projects that are being undertaken this year are, renovations to the Larry Robinson Arena in Metcalfe, as well as at the Community Centre and Stuart Holmes Arena in Osgoode, replacing the roof of the Historical Society Museum in Vernon, major intersection modifications at Mitch Owens and Manotick Station, as well as Apple Orchard and Stagecoach Rd in Greely. Aside from the items specific to our ward the budget focuses on a number of other key city initiatives. One of the highlights is that we’re adding 24 paramedics and 5 vehicles to the Ottawa Paramedic Service. I will be sending out my annual report in the New Year outlining all of the capital funding Osgoode Ward is receiving in 2017.

The Greely Community Association (GCA) had their last meeting of the year on Wednesday with a guest speaker from Ottawa 2017 giving an overview of what’s to come for the big celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday. It was quite interesting to listen to her and see the video of events. I provided a community update, covering such items as 911 house blades being replaced at local Service Centers, increases to paramedic services, the Greely Loop, some budget items and the traffic lights to be installed in the coming year at Mitch Owens and Manotick Station Road. I also spoke about the communities need for a Rink Operator in Greely. As of yet, they still do not have anyone, so if you know of anyone that would be interested, please have them contact my office and I will be happy to connect them with the staff in charge of filling the position.

Ottawa: 613.580.2490 Metcalfe: 613.580.2424 x30228 George.Darouze@ottawa.ca @GeorgeDarouze www.facebook.com/GeorgeDarouze Ottawa South News - Thursday, December 22, 2016 9

DNA match leads to Greenboro Mental-health awareness key to equipping families in supporting divisional chief car-jacking suspect:role: police long list of offences.” hicle travelling do needsouthsupport, that it’s there,” Moments before Laite and her while hus- you A 25-year-old man is bound. band took Ottawa on the controlled car fire to- she said. “When it’s right there for now facing robbery, turned …closer. It’s easier to you,theit’scorner one step gether,charges she saidofthat equipping“He families wouldn’t wish on their worst enemies, Months after a violent car- dangerous driving and failing at a rate of speed that was too access.” with more insight can make firefighters and they need that good support when jacking in Greenboro, the sus- to remain at the scene. much for the corner and that’sis very familiar with Her husband mentalthey homehas – to be able to talk, to more comfortable sharing any pect’sgetDNA been matched There are just a handful of why he lost control and crossed the unique work of first responders, they may experience. be ablea to getwho someisofalready that stuff of health issues with man be-offcar-jackings in Ottawa each over into the oncoming lane,” given his 25 years as a medic with the in acase, strength role, you said. their hind chest.” bars for another crime, ac- year on “When average.you’re In this Haarbosch Canadian Armed have to have that outward strength,” Al Pellegroms, a training officer cording to investigators. a man in his 20s went to purThe suspect then fled onForces.

“WhatonI Hunt appreciate most about said. inside a gas foot, heading west with Services, said chase the she “ItOttawa was aFire DNA offender something it is hardClub to admit goal of the training match thatnew ledfamily to this,” Staffsession station at“Sometimes the corner of Lorry Road. (this new firefighter family training) we have when you’re feeling strong.“It’s just byis virtue was only to serve as anhead introducSgt. not Michael Haarbosch, Greenberg Drive not and Hunt of all thethe se-same training in the We have the family resource “Whether one-on-one contion to aOttawa specialized but Club also Road of the policecareer, robbery on Maywe 24 go around verity of the military. offences involved, support fidentially or we have a spouse that is centres educate the p.m. squad, the said family Dec. members 14 beforeon 11:45 it’s fortunate there towere no our spouses,” said praising “the wonders of forenWhitman,said a Barrhaven resident. “It’s aware howreturned to take on thingsHaarbosch mental-health issues that could deWhen the of victim to those injuries,” of sics” and the Centre of Foren- his car,orhe to see that notice behaviour that good velop. was differences approachedinby the car-jacking victim and thethe city is doing the sic“It’s Sciences in Toronto. a lone male suspect,from who pulled driver of thesame other vehicle thing for itsinfirefighters.” are different the norm, I think to show them … how imporis)to a significant numhim from vehicle and struck thethe hit-and-run.

The special access that spouses and it’s athe really good thing to have suptant“(There they are the firefighter starting ber of offences now that youimportant get and threw tosaid. the ground The suspect charged in conother family members were recently port,”him Laite out their new career, how a (court) orderis,that it before jumping in and out driving nection with this caseoffered is schedgranted him a better behindEven seeking the right people their support andgoes howwith important to bemental-health sampled and components added to a away, said. times can uled appear in court on Jan. the-scenes view of the work his wife during challenging beto a difthe are Haarbosch Jennifer McIntosh/Metroland DNAbeing database,” he said, addTheficult suspect spedreason out onto 24. equip- will be doing and the important role he process, why better with a first responder,” said Peling that samples are taken Hunt Club lostmake con- a difference There havewill been 416asrobberhave the spouse of a firefighter. ping Road, familiesbutcan legroms, who modelled thefrom introducErin McCracken/Metroland offenders who are convicted for trol of the sedan as he rounded ies in Ottawa this year, down 17 “I think I’ll have aRowan good starting down the road. tory training after a similar program Orléans resident Sean Wright helps his wife Samantha in full Burke, 3, front, takes advantage of the Christmas season weatherdress and enjoys assaults, break-ins and robbery, the corner onto Cahill Drive. per cent from this time in 2015, point in understanding that,” Whit“It is good to have a support system offered at the Mississauga Fire and bunker gear before heading out to fight a mock car fire at the Ottawa taking a ride down the toboggan hill at Mooney’s Bay on Dec. 18. among several others. “It’s a He collided with another ve- which saw a total of 500. (so) that when you do need to vent, man said.

Emergency Services.

Fire Services training centre on Industrial Avenue on Dec. 10.

BY ERIN MCCRACKEN Continued from page 28

erin.mccracken@metroland.com

Slip n’ slide

Church Services PARKDALE UNITED CHURCH 429 Parkdale Ave. (At Gladstone) Ministers: Rev. Dr. Anthony Bailey Lay Minister: Melodee Lovering CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES DECEMBER 24, 2016 5:00 pm FAMILY CHRISTMAS SERVICE 10:00 pm CANDLELIGHT SERVICE and SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION Audio Loop System and Ramp A WARM WELCOME TO ALL

Good Shepherd Church Anglican & Lutheran 3500 Fallowfield Road, Unit 5 in the Barrhaven Crossing Mall.

Phone: (613) 823-8118

Sunday Services 9:30 AM & 11:00 AM www.goodshepherdbarrhaven.ca

Christmas Day - December 25th Family Worship - 11 am Christmas Preparations: How?… Thankfully, together Minister: James T. Hurd Everyone Welcome

Gloucester South Seniors Centre

10 Ottawa South News - Thursday, December 22, 2016

613-232-9854 / www.centretownunited.org

CHRISTMAS SERVICES December 23rd : 7pm December 24th : 4 & 6pm December 25th & January 1st : 10am

Dominion-Chalmers United Church Sunday Services Worship Service 10:30am Sundays Prayer Circle Tuesday at 11:30 10:30 a.m.

Rev. James Murray

205 Greenbank Road, Ottawa www.woodvale.on.ca info@woodvale.ca a (613) 829-2362 Child care provided. Please call or visit us on-line.

355 Cooper Street at O’Connor 613-235-5143 www.dc-church.org

Building an authentic, relational, diverse church.

The Redeemed Christian Church of God

Heaven’s Gate Chapel

Giving Hope Today

Heb. 13:8 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever

Tel: (613) 276-5481; (613) 440-5481 1893 Baseline Rd., Ottawa (2nd Floor) Sunday Service 10.30am – 12.30pm Bible study / Night Vigil: Friday 10.00pm – 1.00am Website: heavensgateottawa.org E-mail: heavensgatechapel@yahoo.ca

Family Worship at 9:00am

4550 Bank Street (at Leitrim Rd.) (613) 277-8621 Proclaiming the life-changing message of the Bible

Dec 24th Christmas Eve Service Enjoy Wassil at 7pm, Candlelight Service at 7:30pm FULLY ACCESSIBLE / NEARBY PARKING

Sunday Services at 9 or 11 AM

Christmas Services

Christmas Eve - December 24th Service of Lessons and Carols – 7 pm Christmas Preparations: When?... Now!

located at 2536 Rideau Road (at the corner of Albion) 613-822-6433 www.sguc.org UNITED.CHURCH@XPLORNET.CA

Worship services Sundays at 10:30 a.m.

Saturday 7 pm, 507 Bank Street Sunday Services at 9 or 11 AM

205 Greenbank Road, Ottawa www.woodvale.on.ca (613) 829 2362

South Gloucester United Church

Watch & Pray Ministry

We are Centretown United

10 Chesterton Drive, Ottawa (Meadowlands and Chesterton) Tel: 613-225-6648 parkwoodchurch.ca

The West Ottawa Church of Christ

Ottawa Citadel

A warm welcome awaits you For Information Call 613-224-8507

R0011949704

You are welcome to join us!

Sunday 11:00 a.m.

Worship & Sunday School 1350 Walkley Road (Just east of Bank Street) Ottawa, ON K1V 6P6 Tel: 613-731-0165 Email: ottawacitadel1350@gmail.com Website: www.ottawacitadel.ca

St. Timothy’s Presbyterian Church

St Catherine of Siena Catholic Church Christmas Mass Times:

2400 Alta Vista Drive (613) 733 0131 Sunday Worship at 10:00 a.m.

Sunday School; Ample parking; A warm welcome OC Transpo route 8 awaits you.

Rev. Dr. Floyd McPhee sttimothys@on.aibn.com www.sttimsottawa.com

Saturday December 24 : 7:00 pm Sunday December 25th: 7:00 am & 11:00 am Confessions are available 20 minutes before all Masses Sunday Mass times: 9:00 am, 11:00 am, 7:00 pm in Metcalfe on 8th Line - only 17 mins from HWY 417 613 821-3776 th

www.SaintCatherineMetcalfe.ca

WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Worship 10:30 Sundays

meets every Sunday at The Old Forge Community Resource Centre 2730 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K2B 7J1

Sunday Services: Bible Study at 10:00 AM - Worship Service at 11:00 AM

265549/0605

Minister - Rev.William Ball Organist- Doretha - Alan Thomas Organist Murphy Nusery & Sunday School, Loop audio,Wheelchair access

470 Roosevelt Ave. Westboro www.mywestminster.ca

Email: admin@mywestminister.ca

613-722-1144 Nepean-Barrhaven News - Thursday, December 22, 2016 29

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Ottawa South News - Thursday, December 22, 2016 11

U.S. marines deliver holiday cheer to Ronald McDonald House

BY ERIN MCCRACKEN erin.mccracken@metroland.com

While smiles brightened the faces of youngsters when they got a look at Santa Claus, some parents had tears in their eyes.

For Tammy Demarchi, of South Porcupine, near Timmins, Ont., watching her daughter sit on Santa’s knee and shyly share her Christmas wishlist proved to be very emotional.

“It means a lot to see Dillon smile,” Demarchi said before breaking down in tears.

“It’s incredible to see the caring from everybody,” said her husband Dennis, as children continued to visit with Santa and youngsters played with a mountain of toys delivered by U.S. Marines and Navy personnel on Dec. 15 as part of their annual Toys for Tots campaign.

While sitting on Santa’s knee, Dillon asked for a purse, lipstick and high heels, which caused her dad to chuckle.

“She’s only six. We’re in trouble,” he said with a smile.

Ronald McDonald House has become the family’s new home base, having relocated here after Dillon was diagnosed

Erin McCracken/Metroland

Dillon Demarchi, 6, of South Porcupine, near Timmons, Ont., shyly shares her Christmas wish list with Santa Claus during his visit to Ronald McDonald House Ottawa near CHEO on Dec. 15. U.S. marines and naval personnel were also on hand to drop off hundreds of toys for the children who stay at the house. with lymphoma at the end of 10-year-old brother.

Dennis and Tammy are now August. They were able to get home — which is an eight-hour counting down the days until drive away — in recent weeks they can go home for Christmas.

“She has a treatment on the to spend time with Dillon’s

23rd, so hopefully we’ll be home for the 24th,” Demarchi said.

“It’ll be nice to be home.”

It was thanks to the U.S. Marine Corps personnel stationed

at the U.S. Embassy in downtown Ottawa and U.S. Navy personnel based at CFS Leitrim that Christmas came a little more than a week early.

They have been collecting and delivering toys to Ronald McDonald House in Ottawa every Christmas over the past 10 years.

“It makes you feel really good. How could it not?” said Bruce Heyman, the American ambassador to Canada. “You can just see the joy, not only on the kids’ faces but on the parents’ faces, bringing happiness to the kids.”

Over the past couple of years, the toy drive has generated more than 600 gifts for those staying at the house. The campaign, which dates back to 1947 in Los Angeles, means toys can be handed out throughout the year.

“The toys last us a good year.

I put them in my special room called Narnia,” said Cheryl Levasseur, director of family services for the house. “When the children are having a bad day or when it’s their birthday or they’ve just had a bad treatment I ask them if they want to come to Narnia and they can pick a toy.

“It makes a big difference.”

Abagail Ritchie, 17 months, was placed into Santa’s arms and given a toy moments after she arrived from CHEO where she is being treated for stage four neuroblastoma.

Her brother and sister, Carley Lambert, 5, and Colton Lambert, 3, also relished the chance to sit on Santa’s knee.

The visit meant a lot to their parents Angela Ritchie and Derek Dupuis since the family will be spending Christmas at the house, and the better part of the next year.

The home’s staff and volunteers “have been more than supportive, like a shining ray of light at the darkest time of our lives,” Dupuis said. “They take everything off our plate and put it on theirs.”

That has helped the parents focus on Abagail and her siblings. The marines’ gift-giving campaign also helped deliver some much-appreciated Christmas spirit to the family at a time when it is especially difficult to be away from their home and lives in Cornwall, Ont. “It’s really nice,” said Ritchie.

“It’s a little bit of home basically that came here.”

Pet Adoptions This is Vegas! Vegas is a fiesty Boston Terrier/Miniature Schnauzer mix - a little guy with a BIG personality! He runs like the wind, catches his frisbee in the air, and then shakes it and growls at it as he brings it back for another throw. When he decides the game is over, his next game is keep-the-frisbee-away; he loves to run while his people chase him! He likes to nibble at weeds, houseplants, and anything that you toss his way.

Vegas also enjoys long walks

VEGAS 12 Ottawa South News - Thursday, December 22, 2016

along the canal and sleepovers with his big buddy, Nick.

What a lucky fella!

NESTOR (ID# A195090)

Keep Your Furry Friends Safe This Holiday Season With the 12 Pet Safety Tips of Christmas The Ottawa Humane Society is reminding pet owners that the holidays present many hazards for pets. Here are the OHS’s 12 Pet Safety Tips of Christmas to keep your companion animals safe, healthy and happy this season: 1. Ensure your pet is microchipped and has a tag. With more frequent comings-and-goings, it’s easy for your pet to slip out of the house unnoticed.

2. If you’re entertaining, you may wish to keep pets in a quiet room away from the noise and activity. If they’re mingling among the guests, monitor them so that they don’t share the holiday food.

3. Keep your ornaments pet-friendly. Don’t use tinsel on trees, as curious animals are attracted by the shiny strings and may swallow them, which can lead to serious injury. Ornaments hung on lower tree limbs should not be breakable. Keep your tree free of decorations made of food.

4. Barricade the water trough around your tree to prevent your pet from drinking it. The water may be dirty and will contain pine needles.

5. Be careful with Christmas lights. Secure electrical cords and conceal outlets, as pets may chew on cords. Keep pets away from open flames.

6. Some Christmas plants are toxic to pets. Keep your pets away from mistletoe, holly, poinsettias and amaryllis. If eaten, they can cause serious problems. If your pet has eaten something you’re unsure of, call your vet right away.

7. After gifts have been unwrapped, throw away the wrapping paper and ribbons, which can be dangerous for pets.

8. If you don’t know what’s in a package, don’t leave it under the tree.

You may find out the hard way that Aunt Jane got you a box of Belgian truffles. Chocolate is toxic for cats and dogs.

9. Holidays are a busy time for visiting — you may be away for extended periods or have a house full of guests. If you’re away, have someone check in on your pet or board your pet. Note that your pet’s vaccinations will have to be up-to-date to be accepted at a boarding facility.

10. Table scraps and left-overs aren’t good for your pets. And, bones in meat can lead to serious complications or death.

11. Ensure that edibles in Christmas stockings are unreachable by your pet.

12. On colder days, limit your dog’s time outside. Cats should live inside all year round.

Pet of the Week: Nestor (ID# A195090) Meet Nestor, a friendly boy looking for his purr-fect match.

Nestor is an energetic young cat who would love a new home with a variety of interesting toys to play with. After playtime is over, he’ll snuggle up beside you on the couch for some affection.

Nestor can be a little shy at first, so he’d like a patient new family that will help him adjust to his new surroundings.

For more information on Nestor and all the adoptable animals, stop by the OHS at 245 West Hunt Club Rd Check out our website at www.ottawahumane.ca to see photos and descriptions of the animals available for adoption.

Please note: The Ottawa Humane Society has many other companion animals available for adoption. Featured animals are adopted quickly! To learn more about adopting an animal from the Ottawa Humane Society please contact us:

Website: www.ottawahumane.ca Email: Adoptions@ottawahumane.ca Telephone: (613) 725-3166 x258

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Monday–Friday 10am–9pm Saturday 10am–6pm Sunday 11am–5pm Ottawa South News - Thursday, December 22, 2016 13

Zack Noureddine’s legacy lives on in gift to Charles Hulse students

BY ERIN MCCRACKEN erin.mccracken@metroland.com

Fatima Ishmael patiently waits as the grownups around her sift through a large pile of new winter boots seeking a size five.

She watches as, one-by-one, her peers are outfitted with pairs of the new footwear, until her size is found.

The Grade 4 student at Charles H. Hulse Public School in the Ridgemont community is helped into a black pair fringed in pink. Her face lights up with a shy smile when she nods her head to signal that they fit.

The nine-year-old says she likes them “because they’re for girls and they’re fuzzy.”

Her brand new boots were just one of 60 pairs donated to the school on Dec. 16 by Hassan Noureddine and his wife Magda Khatib, the parents of Zaher Noureddine, who was fatally wounded during a robbery in Toronto on Dec. 30, 2015.

Zack, as he was known, was attacked outside a restaurant at Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue. Three suspects have since been arrested in connection with the crime.

Khatib begins to cry when asked how old her son – the eldest of three sons – was when he passed away in hospital.

“Twenty-five,” she says, before she is overcome with grief.

But as she and her husband help the young Charles Hulse

students pick out new boots, her tears stop and she focuses on the task at hand.

The Kanata couple had been seeking a way to spend some of the $8,000 they have raised through the Zack Noureddine Foundation at special events and with the sale of their son’s photographs. Zack, who grew up in Vanier, had been building a name for himself as a music journalist and photographer following his graduation from Algonquin College.

When his father heard about an Ottawa boy who asked Santa Claus for a pair of shoes that he wouldn’t have to share with his siblings, Noureddine called the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board with the idea of donating

Erin McCracken/Metroland

Hassan Noureddine and his wife Magda Khatib, of Kanata, donated 80 pairs of winter boots to students, including to Fatima Ishmael, 9, at Charles H. Hulse Public School on Dec. 16. The donation was made in honour of their son Zack, who was killed in a robbery in Toronto a year ago.

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14 Ottawa South News - Thursday, December 22, 2016

new footwear to a school in need.

“There’s a Snowsuit Fund, but there’s no snow boot fund,” Noureddine said.

“My son loved shoes,” Khatib added. “He donated shoes three weeks before he died.”

The goal of the donation was to keep Zack’s memory alive, give back to the community and also help the family cope amid their grief and devastating loss.

“I’m trying to think positive,” Noureddine said. “Everything I do I am thinking of him. He is always on my mind, the way he was.”

The donated footwear proved

the perfect fit for the foundation, through which the family seeks to avert violence among youth and show kids that their community cares.

“He was very generous,” Noureddine said of his son, adding that even in death he helped.

Seven of his organs were donated to people in need.

Noora Hussein, a multicultural liaison officer with the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization, helped identify about 25 children at Charles Hulse who could benefit from the foundation’s gift.

“This year we had a lot of ref-

ugees from Syria who came in,” said the Blossom Park resident who works in four south Ottawa schools, helping new Canadian and refugee students adjust. “At the beginning they are coming with nothing, but slowly they are establishing themselves. So it takes them time.”

‘BEAUTIFUL THING’

The Charles Hulse students had no idea that morning they would receive such a gift.

“It’s a beautiful thing,” said principal Laurie Kavanagh.

“There is an overwhelming need for winter clothing, winter boots, winter hats and mitts.”

Noureddine is already working on developing other projects he hopes to launch through the foundation, such as introducing art to schoolchildren or creating a downtown space where special arts programming can be offered.

“This is the beginning,” he said.

For details about the Zack Noureddine Foundation, visit zacknoureddine.com.

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Ottawa South News - Thursday, December 22, 2016 15

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Only one game play is allowed per individual/business. $17,000 Credit Awards are regionally distributed across 3 regions as follows: (i) Western Region (BC, AB, SK, MB, NV, NWT and YK); (ii) Ontario Region (ON); and (iii) Eastern Region (QC, NS, NFLD, PEI and NB). Western Region: four (4) $17,000 Credit Awards; Ontario Region: three (3) $17,000 Credit Awards; Eastern Region: three (3) $17,000 Credit Awards. Correct answer to mathematical skill-testing question required. Excluded 2016 vehicles: Acadia, Terrain, Canyon 2SA; excluded 2017 vehicles: Canyon 2SA. For full rules and program details, visit us at gmcconnectandwin.ca. ** Offer valid at participating dealers to eligible retail lessees in Canada who enter into a lease agreement with GM Financial and who accept delivery between December 1, 2016 to January 3, 2017. 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16 Ottawa South News - Thursday, December 22, 2016

o g e w Here

Janharder

Merry Christmas Ottawa! www.JanHarder.com @BarrhavenJan

.JanHarder.com

facebook.com/BarrhavenJanHarder

SILENT NIGHT

Joseph Mohr 1818 Franz Gruber 1818

Silent night! Holy night!

All is calm, all is bright; Round yon Virgin Mother and Child, Holy Infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace. aShepherds quake at the sight; Glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing Hallelujah.

Christ, the Saviour is born!

Christ, the Saviour is born!

Bob Chiarelli, MPP Ottawa West-Nepean 201-2249 Carling Ave, Ottawa ON K2B 7E9 T: 613-721-8075 F: 613-721-5756 bchiarelli.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org www.bobchiarelli.onmpp.ca

Silent night! Holy night!

Son of God, love’s pure light Radiant beams from Thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord at Thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.

WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS

Wishing you health and happiness this holiday season and in the year to come!

English

We wish you a merry Christmas, We wish you a merry Christmas, We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

(Refrain)

613-599-6447 www.bridlewoodanimalhospital.ca

R0013580998

7-701 Eagleson Rd., Kanata South (Stonehaven Plaza) across from Shopper’s Drug Mart

Good tidings we bring to you and your kin; We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy William Hayman Cummings Charles Wesley

Hark the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King,” Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!”

Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies, With the angelic host, proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem.”

(Refrain) Hark, the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King.”

Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord, Late in time behold Him Come, Offspring of a virgin’s womb, Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail, the incarnate Deity, Pleased as Man with man to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel!

Hail, the heaven born Prince of peace!

Hail, the Son o Righteousness!

Light and life to all He brings, Risen with healing in His wings, Mild He lays His glory by Born that man no more may die, Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth.

DECEMBER 23 7:00PM DECEMBER 24 4:00 & 6:00 PM Woodvale Pentecostal Church, 205 Greenbank Rd, Ottawa Ottawa South News - Thursday, December 22, 2016 17

! ! ! g n i l o a car JOY TO THE WORLD

Isaac Watts 1719 Lowell Mason 1839

George Fredrick Handel Joy to the world! the Lord is come Let earth receive her King Let every heart prepare Him room, And Heaven and nature sing.

Joy to the earth! the Saviour reigns, Let men their sons employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow Nor thorns infest the ground, He comes to make his blessings flow Far as the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness And wonders of His love.

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid and Donner and BlitzenBut do you recall the most famous reindeer of all?

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Had a very shiny nose And if you ever saw it you would even say it glows. All of the other reindeer used to laugh and call him names, They never let poor Rudolph Join in any reindeer games.

Then one foggy Christmas eve Santa came to say: “Rudolph with your nose so bright Won’t you drive my sleight tonight?”

Then now the reindeer loved him As they shouted out with glee “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer You’ll go down in history.”

O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL

John Francis Wade (English)

O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem Come and behold Him Born, the King of Angels; O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

Sing, choirs of angels Sing in exultation, Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above “Glory to God In the highest”; O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

Smile....It's Christmas!

SEASON’S GREETINGS

MERRY CHRISTMAS Have a safe and happy holiday season.

From all of us at The CPI Team.

Catherine Pulcine

cpi.decoratingden.com

Merry Christmas! and Happy

New Year.

MICHAEL Q QAQISH Cityy C Councillor

Merry Christmas from

Marianne Wilkinson

Councillor, Kanata North 613-580-2474

www www.mariannewilkinson.com @mar @marianne4kanata mar marianne.wilkinson@ottawa.ca

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18 Ottawa South News - Thursday, December 22, 2016

R0013582346

City Councillor (River Ward) Wishing the residents of River Ward and the City of Ottawa a Merry Christmas and a Safe and Happy New Year.

613-580-2486 Riley.Brockington@Ottawa.ca www.RileyBrockington.ca

HON. CATHERINE

MCKENNA MP—Ottawa Centre

MerryChristmas,HappyHannukah andSeason’sGreetings!

Joy heu x JoyeauxNoel,Hanukkahheureux Joyeux oel,H ¨ ˆ etjoyeuxtempsdesFetes!

107 Catherine Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 0P4 T 613-946-8682 • F 613-946-8680 www.CatherineMcKennaMP.ca @CMcKennaOttawa

o g e w Here

JINGLE BELLS

James Pierpont

Dashing thro’ the snow In a one horse open sleigh, O’er the fields we go, Laughing all the way; Bells on bob-tail ring, Making spirits bright, What fun it is to ride and sing A sleighing song tonight!

(Refrain) Jingle bells, Jingle bells!

Jingle all the way!

O what fun it is to ride In a one horse open sleigh!

A day or two ago I thought I’d take a ride, And soon Miss Fannie Bright Was seated by my side; The horse was lean and lank, Misfortune seem’d his lot He got into a drifted bank, And we, we got up-sot.

/McKenna.Ottawa

Now the ground is white, Go it while you’re young, Take the girls tonight, And sing the sleighing song.

Just get a bob-tailed nag, Two forty for his speed, Then hitch him to an open sleigh, And crack! you’ll take the lead.

IT CAME UPON THE MIDNIGHT CLEAR

Arthur Seymour Sullivan Edmund Hamilton Sears

It came upon a midnight clear, That glorious song of old, From angels bending near the earth To touch their harps of gold:“Peace on earth, goodwill to men, From heaven’s all-gracious King!”

The world in solemn stillness lay To hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come. With peaceful wings unfurled: And still their heavenly music floats O’er all the weary world; Above its sad and lowly plains They bend on hovering wing.

And ever o’er its Babel Sounds The blessed angels sing.

And ye, beneath life’s crushing load, Whose forms are bending low, Who toil along the climbing way With painful steps and slow, Look now! for glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing; O rest beside the weary road, and hear the angels sing.

For lo, the days are hastening on, By prophet bards foretold, When with the ever circling years

Comes round the age of gold; When peace shall over all the earth Its ancient splendors fling, And the whole world give back the song Which now the angels sing.

DECK THE HALLS

Welsh

Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa la la la la la la la la. ’Tis the season to be jolly, Fa la la la la la la la la.

Don we now our gay apparel, Fa la la la la la la la la.

Troll the ancient Yuletide carole, Fa la la la la la la la la.

See the blazing Yule before us, Fa la la la la la la la la.

Strike the harp and join the chorus, Fa la la la la la la la la.

Follow me in merry measure, Fa la la la la la la la la.

While I tell the Yuletide treasure, Fa la la la la la la la la.

Merry Christmas from the team at

Ottawa South News - Thursday, December 22, 2016 19

! ! ! g n i l o a car O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM

Phillips Brooks 19th Century Lewis H. Redner 19th Century

For Christ is born of Mary; And gathering all above, While mortals sleep, the angels keep Their watch of wondering love.

O morning stars, together Proclaim the holy birth, And praises sing to God the King, And peace to men on earth.

How silently how silently, The wonderous gift is given!

So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of His heaven.

No ear may hear His coming; But in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive Him, still The dear Christ enters in.

THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY

Katherine Davis, Henry Onorati and Harry Simeone

Come, they told me, Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum, A new born King to see, Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum, Our finest gifts we bring, Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum, To lay before the King, Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum, Rum-pum-pum-pum, Rum-pum-pum-pum, So to honor Him, Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum, When we come.

www.jamiesondance.com

Rum-pum-pum-pum, Rum-pum-pum-pum, Shall I play for You, Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum, On my drum?

Mary nodded, Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum, The ox and lamb kept time, Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum, I played my drum for Him, Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum, I played my best for Him, Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum, Rum-pum-pum-pum, Rum-pum-pum-pum, Then He smiled at me, Pa-rum-pum-pum

Greetings of Joy and Goodwill to all residents.

Merry Christmas Allan Hubley Councillor, Kanata South Ward 613-580-2752

email: Allan.Hubley@ottawa.ca.

Web: www.councillorallanhubley.ca Twitter: @AllanHubley_23

Merry Christmas

Little Baby, Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum, I am a poor boy, too, Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum, I have no gift to bring Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum, That’s fit to give our King, Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum,

AY ONE D !

ONLY

SCHOOL OF DANCE

150 Katimavik Road, Kanata Town Centre • 613.592.1136

Jack MacLaren, MPP & Staff 100-240 Michael Cowpland Drive Kanata, Ontario, K2M 1P 613-599-3000

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O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie!

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The silent stars go by; Yet in the dark streets shineth The everlasting Light; The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight.

O Holy Child of Bethlehem, Descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin, and enter in; Be born in us today.

We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel.

Merry Christmas Linda Jamieson

Ottawa South News welcomes your stories STAFF

Do you have a story you’d like to share with the Ottawa South News?

Have a sports event you would like covered?

The Ottawa South News wants to hear from you.

Our editorial team is looking for story ideas and story submissions, such as coverage of sporting events at the community and high school level.

Deadline for submissions is Fridays at noon for the following week’s issue.

To send in your articles and photos or to submit a story idea, please email reporter erin.mccracken@ metroland.com or call 613-2216219. You can also contact Ottawa South News editor Brian Dryden by emailing brian.dryden@metroland. com or calling 613-221-6162.

Erin McCracken/Metroland

Steve Maclean Public School student Finn Uchman, 8, recently launched a clothing drive as part of his teacher Tracy Brouse’s Who is Nobody project in support of W.E. Gowling Public School students in Carlington.

Steve MacLean student helps turn Nobody doll into a somebody

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Finn Uchman knows what it takes to become a somebody.

The eight-year-old was chomping at the bit for his turn to take home the ‘nobody doll’ for an assignment on giving back.

“Every Grade 3 class Miss Brouse does a Nobody Project to spread kindness,” said Finn, who is in Tracy Brouse’s class at Steve MacLean Public School in Riverside South.

“You try to spread kindness to other people. You have to accomplish something, like donating clothes, donating food to the food bank.”

‘Nobody’ is a denim cloth doll that has no face, but as the students take turns bringing it home and spearheading a kindness project, they each add a memento to the doll.

By the time the week-long projects wrap up in June, the doll will look like and become a somebody.

At this point in the process, Nobody has been outfitted with a Tshirt, and Finn recently added blue mittens to represent the clothing drive he launched in support of students at W.E. Gowling Public School in Carlington, where Finn’s mom, Tatum Uchman, teaches Grade 2.

“That represents your project perfectly,” Brouse said.

“Nobody comes as this blank denim doll and it doesn’t have a gender, no ability, no skills, no ethnicity, no culture – that’s the whole idea,” she said. “No interests, no character. And so it’s a character education project.”

In addition to building character, the project requires students to do research, write a report and present their findings to their classmates.

“The main idea is to teach Nobody to be a somebody through these acts of kindness,” said Brouse, a Barrhaven resident who was first introduced to the Who is Nobody? project six years ago and tried it out at Queen Elizabeth Public School in Ottawa’s east end.

Her students over the years have spearheaded a variety of campaigns, including cleanups, recycling and collection drives for the food bank and the humane society.

Finn got the idea to help the westend school after he overheard his mom telling his dad about the need at her W.E. Gowling school.

“Our principal put out an S.O.S. that we were missing certain sizes of stuff,” Uchman said, especially for students in junior kindergarten to Grade 2. Many are new Canadians and refugees who are still settling into their new lives in Ottawa.

Ri ve rs id e

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Look at retirement living differently!

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See THIS, page 23 Ottawa South News - Thursday, December 22, 2016 21

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22 Ottawa South News - Thursday, December 22, 2016

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Steve Maclean Public School student Finn Uchman, 8, officially presents the items he collected through his clothing drive to Kim MacDonald, principal at W.E. Gowling Public School in the west end on Dec. 15.

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“That’s kind of when the light bulb went off and he thought, ‘I could do that for our Nobody project,’” Uchman recalled.

At first she wasn’t sure the project would work, but then Finn wrote a post on the Riverside South Community Association’s Facebook page on Dec. 6. The response to his request for clothing donations was overwhelming, attracting 76 likes and 42 comments, many of them from Riverside South residents wanting to help.

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Finn and his mom went together to W.E. Gowling on Dec. 16 to officially present the vast array of new and gently used donated items to principal Kim MacDonald. The items have since been sorted and added to the school’s donation room, where students can pick out items they need.

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26 Nepean-Barrhaven News - Thursday, December 22, 2016

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623 Arnprior 692 Manotick 256 Almonte 257-253 C. Place 258 Kemptville 259 Lanark 267-264-326 Perth 268 Maberly 269 Merrickville 273 Westport 272 Portland 275 Toledo 278 McDonald’s Corners 279 Sharbot Lake 283-284 Smiths Falls 342-345382-498 Brockville 359 Elgin 382 Gananoque 448 Chesterville 479 Ompah 489 N. Gower 624 Pakenham 774 Winchester 838 Richmond, Munster 924 Athens 926 North Augusta 928 Delta 989 South Mountain

COUR SUPÉRIEURE (Chambre de la famille) SHERI BEHRENS Demanderesse Et MICHEL WELSH Défendeur Et SHAWN WELSH Et L’AGENCE DU REVENU DU QUÉBEC Mis-en-cause ASSIGNATION PAR ORDRE TRIBUNAL :

DU

AVIS est donné à la demanderesse que le défendeur a déposé au greffe de la Cour Supérieure du district de Gatineau, une demande en annulation de pension alimentaire pour enfant et pour épouse. Une copie de cette demande et des avis à la demanderesse et au mis-en-cause ont été laissés à l’intention de la demanderesse et du mis-en-cause, au greffe du tribunal, au palais de justice de Gatineau, situé au 17, rue Laurier, Gatineau, Québec. Il est ordonné à la demanderesse et au mis-en-cause de comparaître dans un délai de 20 jours de la publication de la présente ordonnance. À défaut de comparaître dans ce délai, un jugement par défaut pourrait être rendu contre vous sans autre avis dès l’expiration de ce délai.

Soyez aussi avisé que la demande sera présentée pour décision devant le tribunal le 17 janvier 2017 à 9 heures en la salle 1 du palais de justice de Gatineau. À Gatineau, le décembre 2016

14

Annie-Claude PAGÉ, Avocate Aide juridique d’Aylmer 204 chemin d’Aylmer, bureau 403 Gatineau, Québec J9H 1A1 (819) 684 0333

The city’s budget sailed through city council unanimously on Dec. 14, despite some councillors raising major concerns about policing in the city and the ylack an audit sisterofAudrey being conducted thetoo first said Iinto asked stage of the light railquestions project. many which there Mayor Jimfor Watson referred were answers. didn’t she to theno budget as aBut balanced apknow everything? she the proach to the city’sWasn’t finances. smartest at the Northcote There pupil were few surprises, as School?

At stuck least, to I thought the budget the twoso. perI wanted to know why I thought cent annual property tax inthe happiest month of year crease that Watson hasthetouted was Christmas was as hisDecember. target since being elected. in December.

My birthday wasa The budget also includes in December, which didn’t 2.5 per cent hike in really the transit mean anything because Mother levy, as well as an extra $2 for said it was too close to Christgarbage disposal.

Water rates mas to celebrate with anything will up by five per moregothan a cake, andcent. with Those fee that hikesmonth, will there cost extra expenses the average exsimply wasn’thomeowner enough leftan over tra $72 on a home valued at for a present. $395,400.

And Emerson, my mischievous brother was especially TRANSIT good because it was a known fact Santa would fly right over ourThe house without much as a city also as approved a ‘by your leave’ if anyone was low-income transit pass, which naughty December.

And I will be inoffered to residents asked Audrey if that was enough whose household income is unreason me to like December der thefor low-income cut off as better than any month established by other Statistics Canof theThe year.pass She is justestimated sighed and ada. to told me had$2.7 to figure it outThe for cost the Icity million. myself. cost of the pass will be half that Saturday week of That a regular adultnight, transita pass. before Christmas, I was sure I A regular adult pass will be had my answer. It was going to bumped up to from be a big night and$113.75 supper was $105.75, and starting in Janurushed through, the kitchen ary the up higher express redded in jigcost time and wepass will be eliminated. five children were dressed in our next-to-best clothes. We would be going to POLICE Briscoes’ General Store where Mr. Briscoe handed outThe candypolice canes tobudget’s everyone details got the mosttheattention, who came through door, then off to church sing carols prompting three tocouncillors andvote haveagainst hot chocolate to it. Mostand of the cookies, and maybe stopthe at anaconcerns were around neighbour’s on theand way planned home if ture of policing there weretowas burning changes thea light police servicein a window, which was always an delivery model. invitation to drop in. will inThe police budget We had done it all, and were crease by $8.9 million to $320.2 back on the flat-bottom sleigh million. For the average homeheadingthat forequals home. $11.

It was late. owner Much later than we were usuGiven the record breaking ally up, but no one complained number of tired. homicides in the about being past year had and covered uncertainly over Father the bed who is footing the bill for of the sleigh with straw, andpomy licing of Canada 2017 were events sister and three brothers in the heavy city that mark the under horsewill blankets, nation’s 150thwith birthday, many three of them their backs councillors felt seat, the police against the one whichbudheld get wasand too Mother, optimistic.

Father with me Police between Chief Charles crammed them. BorIt was a crystal clear night,the deleau said he isn’t hitting

M

MARY COOK Memories Metroland file photo

Mayor Jim Watson said that an audit the first It was aofbitterly coldphase night, of ‘You hear LRT iscouldn’t not needed at this stage andtoo echoed but not cold forconcerns Father to of tuck hisleak chin about into theland collardeals of the city’s treasurer thatin a potential the horses hooves hisin coat and put a match to his could mean higher land prices the second phase.

The the fresh the snow, only city passed budget on Dec.pipe 14.and soon I could smell the

the soft crunching of the sleigh runners panic button and that 22 homicides in a year will be cutting throughthe city’s new normal. the drifts along the “It’s very important for me and my community that ofNorthcote Side Road. ficers are in the community, And the sleigh bells, working proactively,” Somerset Coun. Catherine McKenney of course. Both horses said, expressing reservations about on the bells police services’ had and I new delivery model. was sure couldwillhear “The new Imodel mean we know less about what’s hapChristmas carols and pening with the community,” old church hymns, as she said.

“We will only deploy whenploughed a neighbourhood is in we through trouble.” the snow heading Kitchissippi Coun. Jeff Leiper urged home. ’ the police chief to

ask for more officers next year if the department can’t all handle but it had snowed gently the workload. day, and the moon was like a “We huge dishcan’t up in arrest the sky.our The way out of the problem,” Bordesnow-covered fields we passed, said, looked addinglike Ottawa Ileau thought, they isn’t unique in experiencing inwere covered with millionsanand crease inofviolent crimes. millions shining diamonds.

Baygate Coun.

Mark Taylor Barns, posts, trees stoodsaid thatagainst the solution to some of the out the clear sky, looking like someone hadcrime painted them problems with don’t alon a post card. ways come from more officers couldn’t hear the horses onYou the street. hooves the fresh onlyhe “Weinneed new snow, players,” the soft crunching of the sleigh said. runners cutting through the drifts alongLAND the Northcote Side NO LRT DEAL AUDIT Road. And the sleigh bells, of course.

Both horses had on A push

by Coun.

Diane bells and I was sure I could hear Deans for an audit of land acChristmas carols and old church quisitions forploughed the first phase of hymns, as we through the snow city’sheading light railhome. project was the How down by an 18-6 Ishot loved the sound of thevote. bells, Watson chided Deans hanging loosely around the for what he called her “last-minhorse’s necks.

home-cut tobacco, laced with molasses, and turning my head aute” tad,motion.

I could see the red in the bowl.

Andchairs I put my “The ofhead the onaudit Father’s shoulder and felt the committee, FEDCO (finance most that and wonderful economicwarmth development had nothing toand do with fur committee) the the Mayor’s blanket holding us tight, or the office didn’t get the motion bewool scarf wrapped around my forehand,” he said. face.

Deans said she did to provide Then Mother started sing. the motion thethen mayor’s Softly at firsttoand whenchief of staff.joined in, their voices Audrey not asasifbells I and haven’t rang“It’s out as clear I shared concern was sure Imy could see thewith face inthe lack of audits the moon smile around down onLRT all offor over year,” sheinadded.

“I was us on athat night December.

Ijust triedcompletely not to cry,ignored.” but the sheer treasurer expressed joy The of thecity warmth on that sleigh flooded and I could feel concernover thatmeshould the land adeals tear slide downpublic, into theit scarf become could covering my face.

Notphase a tear two drive prices up for of ofsadness, LRT. but of the utmost happiness. then I knew.

It CollegeAnd Coun.

Rick Chiarelwas on that cold a week li said there’s nonight market hystebefore Christmas that place I knewand ria that could take why December was my drive up land prices. favourite month the year.

Audrey was “Weofrevert to expropriation, right after all. It took the magic also known as land value,” he of a special night when finally, I said. figure “Haveit out we for not learned could myself. anything from Orgaworld?

To all my faithful readers IWe are my saying, ‘don’t even show send warmest Christmas us.’ Who the public have wishes anddoes gratitude.

And may then?” each of you enjoy this special calledloved theones notion timeWatson of year with that a leak land Christmas deals involvaround you.ofMerry to ing stage one of wouldn’t each and every oneLRT of you and affect deals “ridiculous.” may thefuture coming year be one of The budget the result of good health and is happiness.

— Mary Cook an attempt to build consensus, Watson said, and has an extra Interested $150,000 forin an electronic arts momenversion of Mary’s books?

Go to tum fund, as well as $610,000 https://www.smashwords.com and for the city’s 94 social services type MaryRCook for e-book puragencies and another $500,000 chase details, or if you would like will go to Canada 2017 celebraations hard in copy, theplease city. contact Mary at wick2@sympatico.ca.

Ottawa South News - Thursday, December 22, 2016 25

Norad tracks Santa’s progress Break-and-enter cops grappling with Ottawa’s soaring break-in rate of the other (policing) juristime last year.

“A 22-per-cent increase dictions outside of Ottawa in any type of crime is sig- are going through something Break-in rates at business- nificant,” said Haarbosch, similar,” said Haarbosch.

Comparing Ottawa could es and homes across Ottawa who leads the Ottawa police help police here understand are skyrocketing this year, break and enter unit.

The numbers also reveal the trend and what’s responthough the experts that specialize in investigating those that residences have been the sible for the boom in this hardest hit, so far accounting type of crime. crimes can’t explain it.

“I think trying to under“I think this will shock for 1,547 in 2016. That resome people,” said Staff Sgt. flects an increase of 350 over stand what’s behind the inMichael Haarbosch, before this time last year, represent- crease could potentially help revealing there has been 460 ing an approximately 27 per us depending on what the reason is,” said Haarbosch. more break-ins to houses and cent hike.

For now, there is no clear Ottawa businesses wereSilk/Canadian businesses across the city so Master Cpl. Allan Armed Forces/Submitted answer, including whether a bit&better offSquadron’s in terms ofDelta far this year, representing Members of 21 Aerospace aControl Warning Flight, from 22 Wing North beby socio-economic overalltravel numbers, there there 22-per-cent comBay, Ont., goincrease over Santa’s projected route but into Canadian air may space using a Norad factors atMersereau, play. have been 942trackers so far ininclude 2016. Capt. pared this timechart. in 2015. radar to coverage The Canadian Santa Jim mission “I can’t, at this That is Lieut.-Col. up 113 or Michael 13.6 perHarmon, Thecommander grand total (left), for 2016 crew U.S. Air Force and Master Cpl.point, Chrispoint to any specific reason now hovers at 2,552 break- cent over this time last year. tian Turcotte.

“I’m curious to see if some to justify or rationalize the ins, up from 2,092 by this

BY ERIN MCCRACKEN

erin.mccracken@metroland.com

is also in Eve chargejourney of, has 10 Kids can follow Santa on his global Christmas investigators and two serBY ERIN MCCRACKEN

and letting eager children know when the jolly old elf will likely reach their house on Christmas Let the countdown to Christ- Eve. mas begin.

Now that operations in the HOLIDAY COUNTDOWN North Pole are in full swing, The Norad Tracks Santa uniformed and civilian mem- website, which is available in bers of the Canadian and U.S. eight languages, is already live, militaries and their families are as is the holiday countdown.

Metroland file photo gearing up to keep a watchful “Norad unit Trackshas Santa is truly The Ottawa police break-and-enter seen a eye on the skies when Santa a global experience, delighting ‘significant’ increase in the number of residential and Claus embarks on his magical generations of families everycommercial break-ins compared to last year. round-the-world flight. in 2016 where,” the Canadian Armed For the past 61 years, the Forces said in a statement. increase,” Haarbosch said, tion may play a bigger role.

North American Aerospace due, inand large part, to Theisbreak enter unit adding thatCommand, depending onwhich the “This Defence the efforts and services of nuinvestigators and answer, boosting the size of defends North American air has 11program contributors.” three sergeants while the robthe investigative unit maySanta not merous space, has been tracking have an impact since preven- bery unit, which Haarbosch

erin.mccracken@metroland.com

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According to Norad, when Many of theCanadian preventative Santa reaches airmeasures, such “proper space on ChristmasasEve, he will security steps alarm sysbe escorted by and CF-18 Hornet tems,”jetliepilots withand homeowners fighter crew chiefs and business he said. from 3 Wing inowners, Bagotville, Que. have systems setAlta. up and“We 4 Wing in Cold Lake, Tracking from the here with the ourskies community ground below will military police officers whobewill visit personnel with the specialized homes and businesses to do 21 Aerospaceto Control assessments try and and reWarning Squadron’sof being Delta duce the likelihood Flight at 22 North the victim of aWing breakinand enBay, Ont.they It will be their duty ter, but continue to hapto keep in radio contact with pen in significant numbers,” Santa and the Royal Canadian Haarbosch said.

Air Force pilots escorting him.

Break-ins by the numbers: • 2,552: so farFOLLOW, this year See page 27 • 2,092: by this time last year

613-221-6228 | 613-283-3182 | 613-432-3655

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26 Ottawa South News - Thursday, December 22, 2016

10x87ag

Nepean-Barrhaven News - Thursday, December 22, 2016 27

Ottawa firefighter put lovedgifts ones to work to share experience Follow Santa asrecruits he delivers at the Ottawa Fire Services fighter 28 years ago, he said CF-18 Hornet he has manrelied on his wife as more. he training centre on Industrialprogram, The Santa-tracker activities and pilot Capt. of Peterson Air Force Base in A Norad Tracks Santa app for cellprocessed tragedy after trageAvenue.aged In out addition to batFrédéric Lelaunched after adytypo printphones and tablets is also available for when he and his colleagues tling aColorado, mock car fire, they Dan Whitman keepsof akeeping “The responsibility tourneau ed in a U.S. newspaper in 1955 directedto downloading. responded fatalities at fires mental-health tight gripeyes on the a also received watchful overnozzle Northof American along with to call Santa’s telephone are also invited to track airspace 24/7 rests menawareness and kidstraining. andnumber. car crashes,Children among other hose, watching as with the our spray Instead of telephoning his chilly Santa’s location along his gift-giving CF-18 Hornet women of the Canadian Norad Re“(The recruits are) going incidents. begins to dampen flames the first child to“Icall theit’sroute on many maintenance gion,” think important forsocial media channels, to be home havingbase, stressful situlicking Maj.-Gen. at a car. Christian Drouin, commander of 1 Canadian Air Divi- number actually dialled the unlisted including Youtube, Facebook and Instechnician His wife Cheryl Laite has sion the Canadian Norad Region, number of the Continental Air De- tagram by searching for @noradsanta.

Cpl. Steeven his and back, calmly guiding fence Command Operations Centre in said statement.they battle him inasa together Cantin stand LET THE FUN BEGIN Colorado Springs, Colo. for the recruits is a duty fire anduntil honour think it’s important the“Itcontrolled it iswe“Ihold by at 3 Wing The fun begins on Dec. 24 at 2:01 “Col. Harry Shoup was on duty dearly: ensure Santa’s safe passage snuffed to out. in Bagotville, a.m. eastern standard time when that night, rather thantohanging tode-know that and they have rely on their through he can It wasNorth the America Nepean soresiQue., to esup, he had his operators find the loca- NORAD streams the big man in red liver joy and goodwill this holiday seadent’s chance to see his wife families as well.” cort Santa on preparing for his global trek by sleigh. tion of Santa Claus and reported it to son.” on the job of her new career, TERRY BRENNAN The North American Air Defence his trip across The Canadian leg of the annual every child who phoned in,” according OF TRAINING and learn mission from her what dedicated it DIVISIONALtoCHIEF Santa cams will also stream videos of Norad Santa Tracker officials.

North AmerChristmas is being takesyear to be When Norad formed in 1958, it car- Santa travelling around the world as ica. this to an theOttawa memoryfireof Capt. fighter. Laite and nine otherjet pilot ried on with the tradition. he delivers a bounty of goodies.

Thomas McQueen, a fighter Beginning at 6 a.m. eastern stanthat they recruits graduate on Dec. who diedwill when his CF-18 crashedations dur- and they’re going to the recruits to know time, kids can speak with a phone on their famihave to rely on their support have to rely dard 23 to become mission Ottawa’s GET CONNECTED ing a training innewest Saskatchewan operator about Santa’s whereabouts lies as well,” Brennan said. families to make things better firefighters.

Erin McCracken/Metroland late last month. McQueen escorted Join in on the free real-time tracking by calling (1-877-Dan Whitman watches his wife Cheryl Laite, who will graduate with the “They’re going to see 1-877-Hi-NORAD some Nepean resident career,” A in new addition to the throughout Santa 2014. servicetheir provided bysaid North America’s free. Or they can send of thenoradworst 446-6723) things thatforthey Brennan, divisional training regime saw spouses Terry military newest class of an Ottawa firefighting recruits on Dec. 23, work a water hose. The pair took skywatchers by visiting training.which also features games, email to noradtrackssanta@outlook. and family members join the chief ofsanta.org, part in a new program designed to introduce spouses and family members to the unique DEEP ROOTS Cpl. Jean-Roch Chabot/Canadian Armed Forces/Submitted After starting out as a firerecruits on the job on Dec. 10 Seecom.

MENTAL, page 29 job during a training session at the Ottawa Fire Services training centre on Dec. 10.

BY ERIN MCCRACKEN

erin.mccracken@metroland.com Continued from page 26

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CLUES ACROSS 1. Way to fish 4. Not us 8. “M*A*S*H” actor Alda 10. A store of valuable things 11. Bring on 12. Gave birth to horse 13. British poet Hunt 15. Swine-like 16. Asteroid 1532 __ 17. Devout 18. A boost 21. Licensed for Wall Street 22. Tooth caregiver 23. Political action committee 24. Make a soft murmuring sound 25. Porky is one 26. Taoism 27. 1950s sex symbol 34. Imprisonment 35. Small freshwater ducks

36. Happening later than it should have 37. Unit of measurement 38. Coen Bros’ “The Dude” does this 39. The destroyer (Hindu) 40. Kids take these to school 41. Flow or leak through 42. East Greenwich High School 43. Midway between south and southeast CLUES DOWN 1. Many-colored flower 2. Strangers 3. One who is outcast 4. Transmitters 5. Theory of interconnection 6. Happening 7. Native of ancient Asian kingdom 9. Black (Span.)

10. Destructive storm

12. Condemn beforehand 14. Baseball players do this 15. Exclamation that denotes disgust 17. When you expect to get there 19. Dreams up 20. Peacock network 23. Robbers 24. Beverage container 25. Celebrations 26. A way to change color 27. Bullheaded 28. Type of visual display 29. Easily purchased type of medication 30. City along the western Rhine 31. Animal disease 32. Martinis have these 33. Run away 34. Remove errors from 36. Slugger Ruth

This week’s puzzle answers in next week’s issue

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, someone is interested in what you have to say, especially with regard to a personal issue. You’re not quite sure if you’re ready to reveal all that much to others.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, plans go well for you this week and you will follow through with the tasks you need to tackle. You may need to tweak a few things in the days to come, however.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, you may not see eye-to-eye with a few close friends this week, but you can push past this and your friendship will endure. Try to find some common ground.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 A series of new ideas might make you everyone’s best friend this week, Cancer. Your brain is working overtime, and you may be shocked at what you can accomplish.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 Try something new this week, Leo. Make it something as simple as taking Here’s How It Works: a new route to work or school or trying a new recipe in the kitchen. New experiences may surprise you.

Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric Virgo, you have a strong sense of pride and don’t like to give up on things clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle! prematurely. But this week you have to respect another’s perspective and concede a point.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Libra, navigate a sticky situation as carefully as possible. Many may come to you for advice, but try not to get too involved in a conflict that has nothing to do with you.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 You will be full of energy this week and ready to handle just about anything that comes your way, Scorpio. You may gain some admirers after your even-keeled handling of a situation.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Big plans this week does not mean you can pass up on your existing responsibilities, Sagittarius. Try to make time for everything, and delegate any tasks that you can.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 Keep listening when others around you are talking, Capricorn. You can learn valuable lessons just by sitting back and listening to what others have to say.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Aquarius, others’ charitable spirits prove contagious this week. Explore the volunteer opportunities available to you and don’t be afraid to try something new.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 You may crave change this week, Pisces. Even small changes can make a difference. Try to incorporate new experiences into your days 1222

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OttawaCommunityNews.com 28 Ottawa South News - Thursday, December 22, 2016

Local events and happenings over the coming weeks — free to non-profit organizations Fax: 613-723-1862, E-mail: Ottawasouth@metroland.com The deadline for community event submissions is Friday at noon. Email your events to ottawasouth@metroland.com.

Dec. 30 and Jan. 4

Alta Vista – The Alta Vista branch of the Ottawa Public Library hosts a ‘Holiday Game On’ on Dec. 30 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. and on Jan. 4 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Roll the dice, pick a suit or grab a nunchuk and play cards, board games or the Wii. The branch is at 2516 Alta Vista Dr. For details, call 613-580-2424, ext. 30426.

Dec. 20

Greely – The Greely Legion branch hosts an afternoon Music and Dance Party from 1 to 4 p.m. Santa will be visiting to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Bring along an instrument to play, or come in to sing, listen and dance. Please come out and join in the festivities.

Admission is free. For more details, call 613-822-1451. The legion is located at 8021 Mitch Owens Rd.

Dec. 22

Downtown – Come join us at the OrKidstra Holiday Concert on Dec. 22, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., at the Bronson Centre, 211 Bronson Avenue. OrKidstra is a charity that helps empower kids from under-served Ottawa communities through music.

Admission is free but donations are appreciated. Seeing more than 200 OrKidstra children celebrating their achievements and the season will leave you feeling joyful and primed for your own festivities. The site is fully accessible and some parking available. To learn more visit OrKidstra.ca or call 613859-3559.

Dec. 31

Greely – The Greely Legion will welcome in 2017 at its New Year’s Eve Dinner and Dance.

The evening starts at 6 p.m. with cocktails. A roast beef dinner follows at 7 p.m. Dancing starts at 8:30 p.m. to the music of the Douglas Connection. The $50 tickets are available now at the branch by calling 613-822-1451 or from Linda at 613-822-0233 or Arlene at 613-826-6128. Also included in the price are party favours along with a balloon drop at midnight followed by a light lunch. On or after Dec. 15

the price goes up to $60. Please tion is not required. get your tickets as soon as possible as this popular event fills Jan. 12 to Feb. 16 up quickly.

Alta Vista – Enjoy toddlertime at the Alta Vista library on Jan. 2 to 5 Thursdays, Jan. 12 to Feb. 16, Osgoode – The Osgoode Youth from 10:30 to 11 a.m. RegistraAssociation is hosting a winter tion is not required. Toddlers camp for students in grades two aged 18 to 36 months and their to six from Jan. 2 to 6. You can parents or caregivers are welchoose single days or the whole come. The branch is located at week. The camp takes place 2516 Alta Vista. Dr. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Any three days cost $130, or $200 for the Jan. 12 full week. The per-day cost is Leitrim – The Ottawa South $45. The camp activities will Women’s Connection “RSVP include crafts, outside time and Ministries” will be hosting their group games, as well as sled- next event on Jan. 12, from 9:30 ding, a pyjama day and movie to 11 a.m. at the Fred Barrett as well as baking. To register in Arena, 3280 Leitrim Rd. Our advance, go to o-ya.ca/winter- feature is “Celtic Cross Danccamp. ers” with Laurie MacEachern.

Barry Francis will sing and JuJan. 5 lia Francis will read a faith stoNepean – The Ottawa Humane ry. There will be refreshments, Society Auxiliary welcomes door prizes and childcare will new members to help raise be available. The group is about money to support the animals. women connecting with God, Join us at our monthly business each other and the community. meeting 1:30 - 3 pm Thursday Admission is $6. Contact 613January 5th, 2017 at the animal 801-8758 for details. shelter, 245 West Hunt Club Rd behind Hunt Club Nissan. Jan. 13 Refreshments are served and Alta Vista – Alta Vista branch all are welcome. For more in- 6908 of the Knights of Columformation, call Linda 613-823- bus will hold its next macaroni 6770 or go to facebook.com/ and bean supper for the public OttawaHumaneSocietyAuxil- on Jan. 13 at the Sainte-Geneviary. iève parish hall, located at 825 Canterbury Ave. Doors open at Jan. 9 to Feb. 13 5 p.m. and dinner will be served Alta Vista – The Alta Vista li- at 5:30 p.m. The meal includes brary hosts babytime with sto- beans and macaroni, bread and ries, rhymes and songs for ba- butter, coffee, tea, onions in vinbies up to 18 months and their egar, and dessert. Cost is $8 for parents or caregivers on Mon- adults and children under 12 days, from Jan. 9 to Feb. 13, eat for free.

10:30 to 11 a.m. Registration is not necessary. The branch is at Jan. 14 2516 Alta Vista Dr. Manotick – Join the Ottawa PC Users’ Group for a free seminar Jan. 10 at the Manotick library branch Alta Vista – Ottawa Lifelong on Jan. 14 from 1:30 to 3:30 Learning for Older Adults (55 p.m. The session will focus on plus) will host Lisa Sullivan, Flicking and Tweeting: Social executive director of Hospice Networking Controversy. The Care Ottawa, on Jan. 10 at 10:30 explosion of social networking a.m. at St Timothy’s Church websites such as Flickr, Face2400 Alta Vista Dr. Everyone is book, blogging sites and Twitwelcome. For details, call Ann ter has raised more than priCoolen at 613-749-0704 vacy concerns. The discussion will delve into the value of social media sites and using these Jan. 10 to Feb. 14 Alta Vista – The Alta Vista li- tools so you don’t compromise brary branch offers family sto- your computer, your job, your rytime with stories, rhymes and identity, or worse. songs for all ages and a parent or caregiver on Tuesdays, from Thursdays Jan. 10 to Feb. 14, from 10:30 Alta Vista – Teens, ages 13 to 11 a.m. The branch is located to 18, are welcome to a dropat 2516 Alta Vista Dr. Registra- in “crafternoon” every other

Thursday at the Alta Vista library branch, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. The branch is located at 2516 Alta Vista Dr.

and 50 years old from Riverside South, Findlay Creek, Greely and Blossom Creek. For upcoming events, join the group at facebook.com/SingleInSouAlta Vista – Shout Sister! Choir thOttawa. offers practices every Wednesday afternoon, from 1 to 3 p.m., Alta Vista – Enjoy gentle yoga at Rideau Park United Church, on Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m., located at 2203 Alta Vista Dr. in starting Sept. 28 or on Fridays, the Brackenridge room. For de- 9 to 10 a.m. starting Sept 30, tails, email members@shoutsis- continuing through October terchoir.ca, or visit shoutsister- and November at Rideau Park choir.ca. The afternoon chapter United Church, 2203 Alta Vista of Georgette Fry’s community Dr. Join one or both of our new women’s choir takes an un- yoga classes. Instructor, Lynda orthodox approach to choral Spalding will lead beginner to singing. There are no auditions advanced students through a and members sing everything gentle flow mat class. Fees are from pop to Motown and folk $25 for eight weeks or $50 if to country. taking two classes per week.

The drop-in fee is $5. For more details, call the church office at Fridays Greely – The Greely Legion 613-733-3156, ext. 229. branch hosts a Friday Night Music and Dance Club on the Citywide – The Salvation fourth Friday of each month. Army needs Christmas kettle Bring along an instrument to volunteers. Two hours of your play, or come in to sing, listen time can make a lasting differand dance. Admission is free. ence. There are 38 indoor kettle The event takes place 8021 locations in shopping areas all Mitch Owens Rd. For details, around the city. For details or call 613-822-1451 or 613-826- to sign up at ottawaboothcentre.org/kettle-campaign or call 6128.

Kristine 613-241-1573, ext. 307.

Walkley Road – The VIP seniors’ mixed bowling league Leitrim – The Gloucester South at Walkley Bowling Centre is Seniors meet at 4550 Bank St. in seeking members for the 2016- Leitrim for activities every week 17 season. The league is a social from Monday to Friday afterleague, non-competitive, and no noon. The activities include bowling experience is required. carpet bowling, chess, contract Bowling takes place until May bridge, euchre (4 & 6 hand), on Fridays, from 1 to 3 p.m. and five hundred. Membership Members must be 55 years old. is $15 per year. The club is acThere is no registration fee and cessible by OC Transpo bus 144 the weekly bowling fee is $15. and parking is free. For details, There are two free weekly cash call 613-521-7540. draws. To register, call Roy Hoban at 613-731-6526, or email Alta Vista – The Divertimento royhiban@rogers.com.

Orchestra, an Ottawa-based group of musicians, is looking Heron Park – Most Fridays, for new members in the perthe Strathcona Branch of the cussion and strings sections.

Royal Canadian Legion hosts The orchestra began in 1984 a dinner and entertainment as a small ensemble playing in with dancing. The meal is typi- someone’s basement and has cally $12 for members or $15 evolved into a full-fledged comfor non-members. Each week munity symphony. For details, there is a different meal. There and audition requirements, is no cover charge to enjoy the email elsaslater@magma.ca, entertainment. The branch is call 613-823-1200 or visit dilocated at 1940B Bank St., near vertimento.ca. Rehearsals are the Pizza Hut. held Thursday evenings from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at L’Église St. Thomas d’Aquin, located at Ongoing 1244 Kilborn Ave. Findlay Creek – Single in South Ottawa is a new group of south Heron Park – The Strathcona Ottawa singles that will soon branch of the Royal Canabegin meeting in a social setting dian Legion hosts social euto expand their social circles. It’s chre every Monday at 1 p.m. for men and women between 30 and darts on Wednesdays at 7

p.m. Bowling also takes place at the Walkley Bowling Centre every Thursday at 1 p.m., with an after-party at the legion at 3 p.m. Call the branch at 613236-1575 for more information.

The legion branch is located at 1940B Bank St. Gloucester-Southgate Ward – Movie and animation fan volunteers are needed. The Kidney Foundation will be holding a major event in 2015 to sell a major collection of rare and fun movie and animation memorabilia, including tens of thousands of movie posters, books, photos, toys, original cartoon art and much, much more. Volunteers have been cataloguing the many items and more people would be welcomed. Please call 613-247-9207 for details.

Walkley Road – As part of the Walkley Bowling Centre’s learn-to-bowl program, sponsored by Heritage Canada, five-pin bowling can be enjoyed in schools to encourage physical fitness. The facility has two portable bowling lanes that schools and associations can sign out. Call 613-521-0132, or emailwalkleybowl@yahoo.ca to the attention of the general manager. The bowling lanes and instructions can be used by schools, associations and for fundraising events in the Ottawa area.

Walkley Road – Senior bowlers, ages 55 and up, are needed for the non-competitive VIP Seniors’ Bowling League at the Walkley Bowling Centre.

There is no registration fee and the weekly bowling fee is $14.

Bowling takes place on Friday afternoons, from 1 to 3 p.m., until mid-May at the Walkley Bowling Centre, located at 2092 Walkley Rd. To register, phone Roy or Jean Hoban at 613-7316526 or email royhoban@rogers.com.

Osgoode – Do you need to know how to send emails with attachments, how to forward emails, blind copy to a list, organize your desktop or create documents? Volunteers at the Osgoode Legion branch can help seniors better understand their computers. We will help them in their own homes. Call Gail Burgess at 613-821-4409 to arrange for an appointment.

Ottawa South News - Thursday, December 22, 2016 29

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Council passes 2017 budget unanimously

BY JENNIFER MCINTOSH jennifer.mcintosh@metroland.com

The city’s budget sailed through city council unanimously on Dec. 14, despite some councillors raising major concerns about policing in the city and the lack of an audit being conducted into the first stage of the light rail project.

Mayor Jim Watson referred to the budget as a balanced approach to the city’s finances.

There were few surprises, as the budget stuck to the two per cent annual property tax increase that Watson has touted as his target since being elected.

The budget also includes a 2.5 per cent hike in the transit levy, as well as an extra $2 for garbage disposal.

Water rates will go up by five

per cent.

Those fee hikes will cost the average homeowner an extra $72 on a home valued at $395,400.

TRANSIT

The city also approved a low-income transit pass, which will be offered to residents whose household income is under the low-income cut off as established

by Statistics Canada. The pass is estimated to cost the city $2.7 million. The cost of the pass will be half that of a regular adult transit pass.

A regular adult pass will be bumped up to $113.75 from $105.75, and starting in January the higher cost express pass will be eliminated.

The police budget’s details got the most attention,

prompting three councillors to vote against it. Most of the concerns were around the nature of policing and planned changes to the police service delivery model.

The police budget will increase by $8.9 million to $320.2 million. For the average homeowner that equals $11.

Given the record breaking number of homicides in the past year and uncertainly over who is footing the bill for policing of Canada 2017 events in the city that will mark the nation’s 150th birthday, many councillors felt the police budget was too optimistic.

Police Chief Charles Bordeleau said he isn’t hitting the panic button and that 22 homicides in a year will be the city’s new normal.

“It’s very important for

me and my community that officers are in the community, working proactively,” Somerset Coun. Catherine McKenney said, expressing reservations about the police services’ new delivery model.

“The new model will mean we know less about what’s happening with the community,” she said. “We will only deploy when a neighbourhood is in trouble.”

Kitchissippi Coun. Jeff Leiper urged the police chief to ask for more officers next year if the department can’t handle the workload.

“We can’t arrest our way out of the problem,” Bordeleau said, adding Ottawa isn’t unique in experiencing an increase in violent crimes.

A push by Coun. Diane

Deans for an audit of land acquisitions for the first phase of the city’s light rail project was shot down by an 18-6 vote.

Watson chided Deans for what he called her “last-minute” motion.

“The chairs of the audit committee, FEDCO (finance and economic development committee) and the Mayor’s office didn’t get the motion beforehand,” he said.

Deans said she did provide the motion to the mayor’s chief of staff.

“It’s not as if I haven’t shared my concern with the lack of audits around LRT for over a year,” she added.

“I was just completely ignored.”

The city treasurer ex-

pressed concern that should the land deals become public, it could drive prices up for phase two of the city’s LRT project.

College Coun. Rick Chiarelli said there’s no market hysteria that could take place and drive up land prices.

“We revert to expropriation, also known as land value,” he said. “Have we not learned anything from Orgaworld? We are saying, ‘don’t even show us.’

Who does the public have then?”

The budget is the result of an attempt to build consensus, Watson said, and has an extra $150,000 for an arts momentum fund, as well as $610,000 for the city’s 94 social services agencies and another $500,000 will go to Canada 2017 celebrations in the city.

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Ottawa South News - Thursday, December 22, 2016 31

Diane Deans Councillor/Conseillère Quartier Gloucester-Southgate Ward City of Ottawa 2017 Budget Deliberations On December 14th, City Council approved the 2017 Budget.

This budget includes a total operating spending of $2.9 billion for all City public services, an increase of $68 million from 2016. With Canada’s 150th birthday around the corner, City Council approved a temporary zoning for 10 City properties that will be used as camping sites for visitors to our city between June 29th to July 4th.

Also, Council approved a report confirming Ottawa’s bid to host the 2021 Canada summer games. Should the bid be successful, the games will be held the last week of July and the first two weeks of August.

2017 will be a year full of change and excitement. I hope to see you all celebrating our countries 150th birthday as well as welcoming others to join. For more information on the City budget and City programs and services, visit Ottawa.ca

Holiday Season Schedule Changes With the holiday season upon us, I want to remind you of a number of schedule changes taking place between Saturday, December 24th to Monday, January 2nd in our community and across the city.

The Sens Rink of Dreams, located at City Hall, Skating Court, located at Lansdowne Park, and the Ben Franklin Place Skating Rink, located at 101 Centrepoint Drive, will have shortened holiday hours. All pools and recreation centres will also be operating on modified hours over the holiday season.

All garbage, green bin and recycling will be collected on its regular day with no changes to the collection schedule. All Christmas trees will be collected on your regular scheduled collection day however, please remember to remove all decorations and Christmas trees in plastic bags will not be collected.

Remember to check the holiday schedules for OC Transpo before you head out as OC Transpo will be operating on a modified schedule, specifically a Saturday schedule on December 31st.

For more information about OC Transpo schedule changes visit octranspo.com or call 613-741-4390.

In our community, the Greenboro Community Centre, located at 363 Lorry Greenberg Drive, will have shortened holiday hours as well. For specific programs please visit the front desk at the community centre or http://ottawa.ca/2/en/residents/facilities/greenboro-community-centre.

December 23: 6:30am-6pm December 24: 8am- 12pm December 25-26: Closed December 27-29: 6:30am-9:30pm December 30: 6:30am-6pm December 31: 8am-12pm January 1: Closed For a full list of modified schedules and activities over the holiday break, please visit Ottawa.ca or call 3-1-1.

Winter Break Camp Are you looking for activities for the kids over the holiday season?

Winter break camp runs from December 27th-30th and January 2nd-6th 8am-5:30pm for kids aged 4-12 at the Greenboro Community Centre, located at 363 Lorry Greenberg Drive.

Kids will have a blast exploring the world of crafts, games and special activities!

For more information and registration visit join.ottawa.ca, call 613-580-2588 or stop by the Community Centre to register.

Space is limited so register early!

‘It fills my heart huge’: patient’s mom Continued from page 1

“I’m off hockey for a couple of years, but when I go back I’m definitely going to be happy,” he said.

The Ottawa Senators’ Chris Neil is known as a hard worker and a tough guy on the ice.

But as he mingled with CHEO patients, such as Tanner, his soft side was on full display as he stopped to chat, sign hockey cards, jerseys and hats and smile for photo after photo.

Even as the event drew to a close and players began filing out to visit children in their hospital rooms, Neil was the last player to leave the cafeteria, continuing to pose for a few more photos with fans.

“It lightens the day of some of these kids that are in here,” said Neil, who with his wife Caitlin, also serves as honorary co-chair of Roger Neilson House next door.

“At Christmastime they really want to be at home, and for us to take a little bit of our time to come down here and just put a smile on their face means so much.

“It almost lifts us up this time of year, too.”

Knowing some of the families he spoke with won’t be able to go home for Christmas stings, the father of three said, but Ottawa residents are fortunate to have a facility such as CHEO in their own backyards.

And if the Senators can help help out by spreading some Christmas cheer “then it goes a long way,” Neil said.

It was Stuntman Stu Schwartz, the Senators’ home game announcer who underwent treatment for leukemia earlier this year, who announced the name of each player as they entered the packed

Erin McCracken/Metroland

Alyssa Gauthier, 3, of Wendover, Ont., dances with excitement in her Disney princess dress as several Ottawa Senators players take part in their annual Christmas visit at CHEO on Dec. 15. room. Each came toting gifts, including a camera, video games, movies, blankets and plush Spartacat dolls.

“It’s one of the best parts of our job — being lucky in a situation where we can put a smile on somebody’s face,” said Kyle Turris, who plays centre for the Sens. “I think we should try to use that ability as much as possible.”

Like many of the young patients who eagerly awaited the chance to

meet the Senators, Turris said he too had hockey heroes as a kid growing up in the Vancouver area.

“I was a big hockey fan and Steve Yzerman was my idol growing up,” he said.

Turris was about Tanner’s age when he met both Yzerman, who grew up in Ottawa, and Wayne Gretzky — a memory that still puts a big smile on his face.

“That was a really cool moment for me,” he said.

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Wearing a white and greenstriped hospital gown and tethered to an intravenous pole, Sierra Andrews, 7, of Kirkland Lake, Ont., offered a shy smile to several of the pro hockey players as they approached to sign her Senators hat.

“It just gives them a sense of their community, that they’re giving back to their own hometown,” said Sierra’s grandmother, Judy Porter, as she held Sierra’s 10-month-old brother Ethan Smith in her arms.

The event was also the perfect opportunity to distract the patients and their families from their worries for part of an afternoon.

“At a time when it’s scary for them, they kind of make it fun so it’s not so scary,” said Sierra’s mom, Samantha Villemaire.

After signing Sierra’s Senators baseball cap, leftwinger Mike Hoffman said the visit offered just as many rewards for the players as it did for the families.

“This time of year is special for everyone and for us to give back to these kids means a lot to us. And I know it means a lot to them.”

It was the Kitchener, Ont. native’s third time taking part in the Senators holiday tradition at CHEO. “It brings you back to reality,” Hoffman said of the visits. “There are people who don’t have lives as easy as ours out there.

“It makes us thankful for where we are.”

FOOD

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Apple ice box cake is a holiday favourite Frozen desserts are perfect for holiday entertaining. They can be made ahead and wait in the freezer for last minute gatherings.

Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 12 minutes Freezer time: 4 hours or overnight Serves: 16 to 18 INGREDIENTS

Cake: • 1/2 cup (125 mL) apple cider or apple juice • 1/4 cup (50 mL) maple syrup • 1/4 tsp (1 mL) each ground cinnamon, ginger and cloves • 3 Ontario Apples, peeled and finely chopped • 8 cups (2 L) vanilla ice cream • 2 cups (500 mL) coarsely crushed vanilla wafer cookies (about 45 cookies)

• 1/2 cup (125 mL) chopped walnuts, toasted Topping: • 2 tbsp (25 mL) maple syrup Preparation instructions In large nonstick skillet, bring apple cider, maple syrup, cinnamon, ginger and cloves to boil. Add apples; stir to coat. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.

Remove lid, increase heat to medium and cook for two minutes or until apples are very tender and most of the liquid has evaporated. Cool completely.

Meanwhile, soften ice cream at room temperature, about 20 minutes.

Line 13- x 9-inch (3 L) glass or metal baking dish with parchment paper, leaving overhang at each end.

In large bowl, combine softened ice cream with apples.

Spread half the ice cream mixture in bottom of dish.

Sprinkle with half each of the cookies and walnuts; press lightly. Repeat with remaining ice cream mixture, cookies and walnuts. Cover and freeze for four hours or overnight.

Let frozen cake stand in refrigerator for 20 minutes. Using parchment paper handles, remove cake to cutting board.

Cut into squares.

Drizzle each serving with maple syrup.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

(one serving, recipe serves 18): • Protein: 3 grams • Fat: 10 grams • Carbohydrate: 31 grams • Calories: 219 • Fibre: 1 gram • Sodium: 80 grams — Foodland Ontario

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Ottawa South News - Thursday, December 22, 2016 33

OPINION “That was way to easy!”

Connected to your community

The warmth of a hug at Christmas Mark Fisher “I just clicked and saved 90%”

Did you WagJag and get in on the savings?

“I can't believe I saved so much... ”

School Trustee - Zone 7 Ottawa Carleton District School Board 133 Greenbank Road Ottawa, ON K2H 6L3

613.668.2044 (T) 613.596.8789 (F) acebook/resultsfor you witter/MarkPFisher

Got Events?

W

inter is feeling extra Canadian this year. Our waterproof, chill-proof boots and coats are being tested, and we find ourselves searching for that extra-warm pair of mittens and favourite toque.

The snow is piling up in an insulating shield around the barn, keeping the cows cozy inside. Unfortunately the ground frost has frozen the water to the barn.

As in the winter of 2015, we have to string lengths of heavyduty garden hose together reaching from the house to half-barrels placed just over the barnyard fence. There the cows will shove and jostle for position so they can get their 5 to 7 gallons per day. The water barrels have to be filled several times, until the beasts’ thirst is quenched. This has to be done twice a day until, hopefully, the water fountain in the barn thaws out.

If my father were still alive, he would be out in the garage, revving up his Yamaha, in anticipation of snowmobile trails opening.

The smell of diesel fuel and the sound of the sleds ripping down the trail always bring back vivid memories of Dad in his puffy suit and helmet.

Skiers are no doubt hitting

D A E R P S E TH

D R WO NEW

DIANA FISHER The Accidental Farmwife the trails and slopes over the holidays, enjoying every cumulative inch of the fluffy white stuff. Even the bitter cold is welcomed by those who rely on it to finish up the ice on their backyard skating rinks. A truly Canadian winter is here, just in time for Christmas.

This weekend we will gather with our family to celebrate another year of blessings.

We will also be comforting those in our extended family who have lost a loved one just over a week ago. Suddenly I am back in that hospital room, losing my own father all over again. At times the pain is as fresh as it was in 2008 – and tears so easily take me by surprise. But the loss has taken on a dull shade now, and the happy memories rise up to the top. Dad’s spirit will be with us as we gather for Christmas and watch our newest family member open her gifts.

I bumped into an acquaintance recently in a store. She lost her husband this year – and though neither of them

were close friends of mine, because we have both lost someone dear, we have that in common. She showed me the book of photographs she was working on for her family, and her eyes filled up with tears. As I gave her a hug, I remembered someone saying the hugger shouldn’t determine the length of the hug. It should go on until the recipient lets go.

And so we hugged there, for nearly a minute, in the Walmart photo lab. It’s a simple thing but the transfer of energy is quite amazing. You can almost feel the serotonin rushing through your body.

I’m going to take the time to give out and receive a few more hugs than usual this Christmas.

It’s the gift that gives back – and it doesn’t cost a dime.

As 2017 looms on the snowsquall horizon, my new book project waits in the wings. It has been waiting for several years, for this moment.

Now that I am between fulltime gigs, I need to focus on getting the thoughts and mem-

ories of my three years in Asia up on the computer screen. I sit at my desk in the den and look out at the snow-covered pasture, free of distractions.

Chickadees and jays flutter at the bird feeder.

I try to remember the sounds and smells of Taipei – the clatter of a traffic jam, the hum of the subway, the sing-song language, the sweet scent of barbecued pork, the pungent odour of fermented tofu. The beer fridge behind me goes through its crashing cacophony and disturbs my train of thought.

The furnace echoes with a clunk and a bang. The cats chase each other, playing hockey with a fallen tree ornament. I will go through some old photographs to help me focus. Memories line themselves up and ask to be turned into stories.

It’s as good a time as any, to get this writing done.

Wishing you and your family plenty of time to focus on the things that you enjoy most.

The heat of a wood stove, meals made with love, and the occasional squeeze of a bear hug. Merry Christmas, from the Fisher Farm. dianafisher1@gmail.com theaccidentalfarmwife. blogspot.com

!

Please consider making a difference for

CHEO’s kids

with our FREE COMMUNITY CALENDAR

ottawa

COMMUNITY news .COM

Visit our website, click the calendar and start posting events FREE! 34 Ottawa South News - Thursday, December 22, 2016

at your local LCBO between

November 27th and December 31st as part of the

Giving Back In Our Community campaign Look for the donation boxes or make a donatio n with your purchase .

Ole Hendrickson/Submitted

Making every vote count

A Day of Action was held in front of Ottawa South MP David McGuinty’s constituency office in Heron Park on Dec. 13. The protesters were calling on the federal government to move forward with electoral reform and eliminate the first-past-the-post electoral system.

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Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ottawasenators and on Twitter: @Senators Ottawa South News - Thursday, December 22, 2016 35

36 Ottawa South News - Thursday, December 22, 2016