Glebe Report March 2024

Adam Kourakis runs, bikes and snowshoes towards his next adventure

By Alexa MacKie

The wind chill was -13 C when Adam Kourakis and I met at Lansdowne Park. But Kourakis, sporting a red velofix-branded tuque and a winter jacket, was unbothered by the cold. As a skier, snowshoe racer and co-owner, with his wife, of Somersault, an event organizer that hosts year-round, multisport races, winter is a busy time of the year.

During the Family Day long weekend, Somersault hosted a race along the Kichi Zībī Mīkan trail. “The weather was like a snow globe all day,” Kourakis said. “Constant snow is challenging, but it wasn’t as challenging as winter can be – in the end it was fun.”

The company offers different distances so runners at all levels can get involved. The Family Day event offered races from one kilometer to a full marathon.

“Starting is the hardest part,” he says. “Someone might see a triathlon on TV and think, ‘those guys have fancy bikes and spandex.’ But if you come to our races, you don’t need those things. It doesn’t need to be as intimidating as it appears. I think leading a healthy lifestyle, physically and mentally, is incredibly important. Anything we can do to help that is the dream.”

While Somersault hosts some of the biggest races in the Ottawa area, Kourakis’s other project – TriRudy – is a “well-kept secret.”

TriRudy began in the 1990s when local triathlete Rudy Hollywood started a daily email newsletter for area athletes. Eventually, Hollywood trained and completed the Winterlude Triathlon, a marathon, a full Ironman, a cycling tour from Ottawa to Kingston and a 50-kilometre cross-country ski course in one year. The email list grew to almost 10,000 people, and the group started giving out the “Rudy Award” in 2001 to those who completed those same five races in a year.

“It’s obviously very hard to do, and it’s not very well known,” Kourakis said. “But if you go to someone’s house for a dinner party, and you see the TriRudy award on their wall, it’s kind of like an inside cult or a secret society.” He took over TriRudy in 2019 and continues to give out the Rudy Award, though he estimates fewer than 100 people remain in the group.

On the motivational power of sport, Kourakis understands what it means to cross the finish line, with all the highfives and sense of accomplishment.

“For some people, [these races] are like their Everest to a certain extent,” he said.

Kourakis recalled a runner who recently raced 10k in honour of his best friend who died 10 years earlier. And a race through Beechwood Cemetery where a grieving runner ran past her father’s gravesite to say another goodbye. “It’s just so powerful hearing these stories and seeing people’s lives change right in front of you,” he said.

I think leading a healthy lifestyle, physically and mentally, is incredibly important

After working in bike shops during high school and undergrad, Kourakis graduated from the University of Ottawa with a bachelor’s degree in human kinetics but wasn’t sure what to do with his life.

Then he saw a segment on velofix on Dragon’s Den in 2014. velofix is a bike shop on wheels, with franchisees across the U.S. and Canada who

come to clients in a huge van with the necessary tools to do repairs and tune ups. Kourakis, then 22, signed on and became the Ottawa franchisee by the end of that same week.

“I felt like I was meant to do more than work in a bike shop until retirement,” he said. “This gives me a chance to work with my hands and work with people, get to be outside, and go to events in more locations than one. I really enjoy that this is one customer at a time. I get to talk to my customers for up to an hour, 10 times a day.”

Kourakis keeps busy, as he always has. At university, he competed for uOttawa’s volleyball, track and field and swim teams. In 2013, he was ranked second in Canada in snowshoe racing. “My interest changes every few months,” he said, “Luckily I just love being active.”

While Kourakis still races on skis, snowshoes and bikes, his next challenge is fatherhood. His wife, Elizabeth Krause, was 39 weeks pregnant with their daughter when Kourakis and I spoke.

Kourakis anticipates his love for athleticism will play a “huge part” in his journey as a father. “I can’t wait to run with my daughter on the canal pathways and eventually take her skating,” he said. “I’m sure my daughter will grow up on a bicycle.”

Alexa MacKie is a Carleton student in Journalism and Law, a communications officer and a Glebe Collegiate graduate.

Adam Kourakis in Lansdowne Park, standing in the same spot where he proposed to his wife, Elizabeth Krause, in 2019. PHOTO: ALEXA MACKIE

THE ‘GO TO’ MAN

By Pat Marshall

Who do you go to for advice before calling in a plumber or electrician or for any other problems that arise around the house? Or if you’re a dog, who do you run to for the best treats going? Why, Clay at Capital Home Hardware of course!

Clay Anderson has been at Home Hardware for 20 years this month, so you might say he is a fixture there (pun intended!).

Let’s find out a little about the man.

Clay Anderson hails from Knoxville, Tennessee (aha, that explains his delightful accent) and came to live in Amherstburg, Ontario, near Windsor, in 1985 to start a family. He moved to Ottawa in 2004 to be near his three boys (who all attended Glebe Collegiate). As a former salesman, he immediately joined the Capital Home Hardware team and is now its longest-serving employee, much to the delight of customers.

Two of his sons have returned to live in Amherstburg: Lucas, who got married last year, and Armand, who is about to be married this fall. Guino, who got married in 2019, lives in Toronto and has a two-year-old daughter, Gigi.

Can you find romance in a hardware store? Absolutely!

Anderson met Ann Sanderson, a Glebite since 1989, through her frequent visits to Home Hardware. They have been a happy couple since 2006 and conveniently live five minutes away from the store. Sanderson was a long-time public servant and still

works as a consultant for the federal government. One of their greatest joys is spending time with Sanderson’s daughter Melanie, her husband, Geoff, four-year-old Charlotte and one-yearold Juliette. Melanie was raised in the Glebe, going to First Avenue School and then Immaculata before moving to Toronto to attend Ryerson University and work as an interior designer. She is thrilled to be back living in the Glebe now, close to her children’s “Grandma and Poppy.”

Looking back over his 20 years at Home Hardware, Clay particularly remembers 2012 when Marc and Isabel Clement took over ownership of the

store. They made a number of changes to modernize merchandizing (see those computer terminals?) and expand the selection of products available; it became not just nuts and bolts, but also a wider variety of household items. That year as well, Anderson had the honour of meeting Walter Hachborn, the main founder of Home Hardware stores in 1964, as well as renowned gardening expert Mark Cullen.

Anderson recalled that on one of his days off, he was going for a walk and met up with Marc Clement and his young son William. After a little visit, they parted ways and he overheard the young boy ask his dad, “Why isn’t he

working in the store today?”

Anderson’s friendly face and million-dollar smile are a treat for customers, as is the aroma of freshly made popcorn that he gives out on special days. He is a favourite of all the dogs who often pull their owners into the store to get a friendly pat and a treat from Clay and the other staff members.

Anderson is proud to be working at a store that features professional and friendly service for Glebe residents and visitors. We have all seen a number of stores change over time on this part of Bank Street, but Capital Home Hardware has remained a popular spot since 1970.

Clay loves to walk around the neighbourhood. So, if you see him, stop and have a little chat with him. It will be a pleasant encounter!

Pat Marshall has lived in the Glebe for more than 35 years and is a regular Home Hardware customer.

Clay Anderson has been a friendly and helpful face at Capital Home Hardware for 20 years this month.

A friend to any visiting dog PHOTOS: PAT MARSHALL

Dog sledding in Lapland for youth

By Marie Briscoe

Two adventurous women, who in their everyday lives are realtors working out of an office in the Glebe, are about to embark on an arduous dog-sledding trip through the Swedish Lapland in support of youth mental health.

Jen Stewart and Ami Jarvis from Engel & Völkers Office Central on Bank Street will leave on March 18 to travel to the city of Kiruna, Sweden, 145 km north of the Arctic Circle. From there, they will travel 180 km by dog-sled through the beautiful forests of the Swedish Lapland. Another realtor from their office, Michael McWilliams, will join them.

The goal of the trip is to raise at least $10,000 for the Ottawa Youth Services Bureau (YSB). The trip itself is selffunded, and 100 per cent of all money raised will go to the YSB.

Both ladies are experienced backpackers and campers but have never encountered such extreme conditions. Stewart did two previous charity treks at the last company she worked for: one in Iceland’s southern highlands in 2017, the other through the deserts of Morocco. She found these to be such wonderful and life-changing experiences that she wanted to continue both the adventures and the fundraising. Engel & Völkers is already involved with the YSB and donates a portion of every commission to it.

The trip will start with a training day to learn about handling and caring for the dogs and sled. None of the Ottawa group has any experience “mushing” dogs, and they will be on the sleds for several hours a day over a seven-day period.

“I am nervous about the unknown of what is required to physically manage the sled,” said Stewart. “My previous charity challenges were also extreme, but I could rely on my legs to do what was needed. This is a little scary because I have no idea what to expect. I am not concerned about the cold temperatures because I love winter – I’m even a cold plunger!”

Stewart said there is a lot of equipment and planning needed and mental preparation. They are going to be far from their lives in Ottawa, and they need to have confidence, respect nature and work as a group to get through it.

This is not a luxurious “glamping” trip. When the challenge begins, they will be off grid, travelling through frozen Arctic terrain and sleeping in Sami teepee tents on traditional reindeer skins. They will also manage and care for the dogs and themselves without electricity, running water or toilet facilities. They will be cooking, cleaning and collecting water each day.

The trio from Canada will be part of a group of eight with others from New Zealand and the U.K. Each participant will raise funds for their preferred charity. It will be very challenging but also rewarding. There will be the opportunity to spot reindeer, elk and moose and even the northern lights.

The YSB was founded in 1960 and employs 350 staff members who work from 20 locations across the city. They focus on the key areas of mental health, housing, employment and youth justice.

Stewart said she and her colleagues recognize the need for mental health services for youth, especially with the number of homeless youth on the

rise; the YSB does important work that they want to support. They’re hoping to raise awareness of the YSB among people who might want to access its services or become a volunteer or donor. It costs roughly $4,000 for one youth to be in a shelter room for a year. Their hope is to pay for three shelter rooms by raising $12,000. This is more than their stated goal for the trip, but they plan to continue fundraising after the trip.

If you are interested in donating, you can do so at: https://ysbfoundation.

akaraisin.com/ui/dogsledding4ysb/p/ EVdogsleddingchallenge.

Any amount, big or small, would be appreciated. Stewart also said that anyone who would like to come into their office at Bank and Third to chat about the trip is most welcome! She hopes that this is just the first of many fundraising initiatives.

Marie Briscoe is a long-time Glebe resident and graduate of Carleton University. She is retired from the public service.

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Please join us for a private tour of our residence so we can tell you about the care options available at Amica The Glebe, including Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory

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Ami Jarvis (left) and Jen Stewart, realtors at Engel & Völkers in the Glebe, will embark on a gruelling dogsled trek in Lapland, Sweden to raise money for the Youth Services Bureau. PHOTO: BAZ GHANNOUM

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Howick Place

Greetings, dear readers

Not another survey! Pshaw! [or a more spicy equivalent].

Well, let’s call it checking in then. The Glebe Report wants to check in with its best buddies – you, dear readers. Haven’t heard from you in awhile – how’s it going? More to the point, do you still love us?

Basically that’s what we want to know, but in more detail – just exactly how do you love us? Is there some particular page you turn to that gives you a frisson of pleasure? If you had to write a list of pros and cons, what would you put at the top of the pro list?

And dare I ask, what would you put on the con list? What are your

frustrations and “if only” thoughts about us? Last year we revamped our website – is it working for you?

We really do want to know. We’re a clutch of neighbourhood volunteers who gather every month to put this thing together and launch it onto the mean streets of the Glebe and into the ether, not knowing for sure what happens after that. We’ve been doing it for 50 years now, and so much has changed. The neighbourhood is not what it was in 1973, nor are we.

Don’t worry, we’ll try not to make the survey a burden. We’ll even throw in a prize to make it worth your while.

This is just a heads-up; the survey will launch in April. Watch this space!

Clocktower Brewpub at 575 Bank Street closed in January.

Sultan Ahmet Turkish Cuisine opened in early February at 575 Bank Street, formerly Clocktower Brewpub. “Experience the flavors of the Turkish tradition.” Sultan Ahmet also has restaurants in Mississauga and Hamilton. Sultanahmet.ca

McDonald’s on Bronson Avenue is closed for renovations (Reddit)

Northeast Corner of Bank and Fifth (formerly 99 Fifth) has been leased.

La Chingadera Mexican grocery store, 740 Bank Street, has closed.

Iva Apostolova

Raya Boicey

Micheline Boyle

Marie Briscoe

Ben Campbell-Rosser

Sylvie Chartrand

Eleanor Crowder

John Crump

John Dance

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Cassandra Ford

Cheryl Gain

Baz Ghannoum

Pat Goyeche

Marjolein Groenevelt

Joel Harden

Margaret Harvey-O’Kelly

Terrance Hunsley

Carolyn Inch

Julie Ireton

Bob Irvine

Lynn Johnston

Sarah LeBouthillier

Chris Leggett

Amy Longard

Alexa MacKie

Pat Marshall

Shawn Menard

Sasha Moonilal

Yasir Naqvi

Tim O’Connor

Rafal Pomian

Barbara Popel

Josh Rachlis

Sylvie Rankin

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Sophie Shields

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Tom Trottier

Bessa Whitmore

Della Wilkinson

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Zeus

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The Purolator bike deliverer can be seen most days in the Glebe. PHOTO: LIZ MCKEEN

Never on a Sunday?

Editor, Glebe Report

Re: “Restaurateur blasts City for $100 parking tickets,” Glebe Report, February 2024.

It seems that City parking enforcement guys have the Glebe in their sights. I agree with Caren von Merveldt about ridiculous law enforcement practices of late.

A visitor to me on Second Avenue was hit with a parking ticket at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 11, even though at 7 p.m. it was free to park. This was Superbowl Sunday when many were visiting friends and family to watch the game.

I was not aware that the two-hour restriction on parking applied on Sundays and have not heard of a ticket issued on Sunday in the 45 years I have lived in the Glebe. When I called the City about this, I was told that the parking bylaw was not usually enforced on Sundays but that it applied, and probably an inexperienced or overzealous attendant did it. He suggested that I had a reasonable case to go to court to fight it, but the ticket was valid. Going to court was not an option for my friend, but I pass this on in case others have had a similar experience.

“Never on a Sunday” doesn’t apply to getting parking tickets anymore!

Rafal Pomian

Vac Shack earns kudos

Editor, Glebe Report

Re: “Vac Shack marks 50 years in business,” Glebe Report, February 2024.

It was wonderful to read the 50-year history of this small business! Even as a resident of Kanata until two years ago, the word-of-mouth referrals from friends and the great website reviews had me driving to this business for great service! In which I was not disappointed!

John even takes the time to educate his customers on how to prevent visits to his shop for repairs!

Here’s to 50 more years!

Lynn Johnston

Editor, Glebe Report

In 2023 I got my vacuum cleaner repaired at Vac Shack. John was upfront and so friendly. These days it is rare to make a customer welcome and he has a gift to do just that.

But the best part was when I went to pick up my vacuum cleaner and asked John to call a taxi for me, he offered to drive me home.

John, please do not change, you are a gift and these days it is very, very rare.

Anant Nagpur

WANTED! Spare Area Captain

The Glebe Report is grateful to the dedicated team of area captains who deliver bundles of the Glebe Report to our carriers. A spare is needed to fill in when one of them is unavailable.

Our volunteers play a crucial role in our paper.

If you have a car and can spare up to 1.5 hours on an ad-hoc basis, we would love to hear from you! Please send an email to circulation@glebereport.ca for more information.

Council still a squabbling squad

Editor, Glebe Report

It sadly appears that the collegiality promised by the mayor, when running for office, was an empty promise.

In openly attacking Councillor Shawn Menard (responding to a developer’s donation to his ward), it turns out that both Councillor Tim Tierney and Mayor Sutcliffe (ex-officio) sit on the Planning Committee that discussed and passed the agreement between Councillor Menard and the developer, Group Katasa. Yet they apparently waited to openly criticize – indeed attack –Menard in the full council meeting. The mayor did nothing to stop it. Hmmm – perhaps there is a larger audience in the council meeting, including the press, to voice their concerns? Points scored?

Who benefits? Certainly not the citizens. Nor the council or mayor, who yet again appear reduced to a squabbling squad, with the referee mayor choosing not to intervene.

We had so hoped to move beyond the acrimony in city council, so evident under Mayor Watson. A “new era of collaboration” is badly needed, but apparently not this time.

It does not bode well for Ottawa over the next few years.

Bessa Whitmore

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A Kindness appreciated

Editor, Glebe Report

I would like to thank the kind person who came to my aid when I fell on the ice and broke my wrist on January 11th near Monkland Avenue. They helped me get to my feet, accompanied me back to my home, and waited until I was safely inside. They showed such kindness at a time when I was shocked and unsure of my injury. I am very happy to live in a neighbourhood knowing there are kind people like this nearby.

Thank you, Nick from Strathcona Avenue.

Margaret Harvey-O’Kelly

CORRECTION

In the February 2024 Glebe Report, the penultimate paragraph of the article “The Storied life of Brian Cox” should read: “In 2021, he and Kat were ready to leave Kingston with their two young children, Wyatt and Louisa, and return to the Glebe They found a home on Third Avenue and enrolled the children at Mutchmor Public School ” Apologies to Brian Cox and family for the error

CLARIFICATION

In the February Glebe Report article entitled “Stories of war, food and art intersect at Jericho,” the last sentence of the third paragraph should read: “His family settled there in 1948 ”

(Area captain not exactly as shown)

I’ve always wondered… PHOTO: WENDY DAIGLE ZINN

The back lane between Clarey Avenue and Regent Street PHOTO: LIZ MCKEEN

Making a difference each day!

Doug has just celebrated his 21st work anniversary at Villagia in The Glebe. When asked what has kept him here this long, he replies, “I truly enjoy coming to work every day. The residents are delightful, and the managers and staff are extremely professional and friendly. Their highest priority is the health and well-being of both the residents and staff. I am proud to work here.”

By Chris Leggett

The recently installed speed camera, officially known as automatic speed enforcement (ASE), near Glebe Collegiate is an excellent first step in making First Avenue a more people-friendly street. However, due to the teacher parking area on the north side of the street, it remains an unsafe place for kids, students, elderly people and pedestrians in general. Cars and trucks should not dominate pedestrians on our streets.

Funds generated by the ASE are mandated to improve road safety, and some of it should be used to address the problems on First Avenue. The fact that more than 2,100 vehicles in just one month have been caught speeding here clearly demonstrates a serious problem. The City is reaping a vast amount of money (2,100 x $175 = $367,500) from speeding fines on a badly designed street. Money from AES could be used on a demonstration project to show how a street can be changed for the better.

This stretch of First Avenue encourages speeding. There are no street narrowing measures, no bike lanes, no crosswalks or extended curbs, no on-street parking and no speed bumps on the block from Percy to Bronson.

While attending an on-site meeting last year with Jonathon McLeod from councillor Shawn Menard’s office to discuss the speeding issue, it was determined that access to and from the teacher’s 36-vehicle parking area on the north side of the street compromises most street calming options. As long as this parking area exists, it seems City planners believe there is nothing that can be done to make the street safer for pedestrians. Also, parked cars in this location create serious environmental concerns for ground water management, reflective heat-generating materials and the potential green space it takes up.

This parking area would be illegal under current zoning bylaws. Today, the area would have to be totally landscaped. Also, according to current bylaws, the school is required to have only 81 parking spaces, whereas it now has 104. That’s apparently more than are needed because on average, there are 26 vacant parking spaces every day. We have confirmed this.

As indicated on site plan A-2, teacher parking could be moved to the west side of the building and entirely located on school property (which would meet current zoning requirements). The existing walkway would be expanded to accommodate both a pedestrian walkway and a roadway access to parking. The overall dimensions of the field are slightly reduced; however, the dimensions of the regulation football field are unaffected.

With parking relocated, street narrowing could be put in place along First Avenue through a variety of

interventions, such as street parking, a stop sign at Chrysler Avenue, elevated crosswalks, traffic markers, painted lines and a segregated bike lane (see A-2). Also, trees and landscaping can replace the environmentally offensive, impervious, non-filtering, reflective heat-generating asphalt and concrete, as in Sketch C-2, which shows what a more people-friendly First Avenue might look like.

To our knowledge, there is nothing on record to indicate that the school board has ever obtained written authority to allow vehicles to occupy the area on the north side of First Avenue. A search of the zoning provisions for Glebe Collegiate does not indicate an “exception” to the parking requirements for the property. As such, it appears the non-conforming uses have never been formally accepted and could be returned to their original condition.

It’s time to take back our street from dangerous fast-moving vehicles, and now we have the funds to do it!

Sierra

Bronson Avenue survey – what you said

By Barbara Popel

In last September’s issue of the Glebe Report, I introduced the Bronson Team and its goals. Here’s a quick recap. The team wants to improve safety for all the pedestrians, transit users and cyclists who wish to use Bronson and to improve the environment (pollution, noise) for people who live on and near the street. Our five members are from both sides of Bronson between the Queensway and the Canal, including the Glebe Annex. We’re inspired by the Main Street Redevelopment project which focused on the immediate community rather than on commuters who drive through twice a day.

The Bronson Team has two sets of potential safety and environment solutions. One set of 16 changes are ones the City could implement immediately; we call them the “NOW” solutions. The other set are design changes that could only be incorporated when the postponed Bronson Redevelopment Project is restarted, perhaps sometime this year.

To determine the degree to which residents agree with the “NOW” solutions, we conducted an online survey in January. We’ll be using the results in our discussions with Councillor Shawn Menard and his staff, as well as with the city staff.

To solicit responses, emails went out via the Dow’s Lake Residents Association (DLRA) and the Glebe Annex Community Association (GACA), and notices were included in two emailed community bulletins from the Glebe Community Association (GCA).

Some 262 people responded – 61 from the Glebe Annex, 94 from the Dow’s Lake neighbourhood and 93 from the Glebe east of Bronson. Responses from 14 people who live outside the area were not included in the analysis.

For each of our 16 “NOW” solutions, a respondent could agree, disagree or say “don’t know/no opinion”. Only one question had a fairly high percentage (30.6 per cent) of “don’t know/no opinion,” perhaps due to the specific nature of the question – it was about

prohibiting left turns from Renfrew onto Bronson. We are confident that the results are a pretty reliable representation of the whole community.

We were gratified that a majority of respondents agreed with all 16 of our “NOW” solutions. The Bronson Team seems to be on the right track! These are the “NOW” solutions that 80 per cent or more agreed with:

1. Install permanent photo radar near Holmwood, Fifth/Madawaska and Kippewa. We learned after the survey had gone out that Councillor Menard had already requested that photo radar be installed near Senator Eugene Forsey Park when the City’s next annual purchase of photo radar equipment is made. His request is in competition with a lot of Ottawa groups asking for photo radar, and this survey result may add weight to his request.

2. Install permanent red-light cameras at Holmwood, Fifth/Madawaska and Powell. As with photo radar, Councillor Menard has requested that City staff install a red-light camera at the Fifth/

Madawaska intersection when the City’s next annual purchase of red-light cameras is made. A lot of Ottawa groups are asking for red-light cameras, so this survey result may help.

3. Designate Bronson between the Canal and the Queensway as a Community Safety Zone (CSZ). You’ve probably noticed CSZs elsewhere, including near Glebe Collegiate.

4. Install a gateway feature such as a colourful sign at Findlay to indicate that we’re a residential area and that there’s a nearby children’s playground.

5. Increase leading pedestrian interval times to at least 10 seconds at all signalized intersections.

6. Display “WALK” signal automatically at all signalized intersections, rather than requiring a pedestrian to push a “beg” button. This has already been implemented in Old Ottawa South – we want to catch up!

7. Paint “zebra” markings on pedestrian crossings at all signalized intersections.

8. Provide school crossing guards at the Madawaska/Fifth intersections. When the DLRA asked for crossing guards at this intersection a few years ago, the school board refused because they feared the guards would be hit by cars!

9. Prioritize sidewalk snow clearing and snow removal. If you’ve ever attempted to walk on Bronson after a snowstorm, you’ll know why this got a 97-per-cent “agree” result!

10. Facilitate community engagement preparation for the Bronson Redevelopment Project as was done for the Main Street Redevelopment Project. This too scored a 97-per-cent “agree”.

Members of the Bronson Team will soon be meeting with Councillor Menard and his staff. The team wants to move forward with the “NOW” solutions, as well as contribute to the design process for the Bronson Redevelopment Project.

Barb Popel is leader of the Bronson Team. She has lived in the Glebe near Bronson for over 32 years.

Fixture Overview

T1 (Railing Mounted)

T1 PA New Cut-Off Light (Radeon shown)

By John Dance

Finally, after years of complaint by Rideau Canal pathway and roadway users, the upgrading of the dysfunctional and obsolete lighting along both sides of the Rideau Canal from Wellington Street all the way to Hog’s Back has begun.

As Glebe Report letters to the editor have noted, the existing lighting situation along the Canal has been dangerous and frustrating. As asked by letter-writer J. Spiteri, “How long does it take bureaucrats to change a lightbulb?”

The National Capital Commission’s (NCC) answer is about a year and a half. However, it’s not a matter of “changing a lightbulb,” but rather rebuilding and improving the entire roadway and pathway lighting system on both sides of the canal.

Overall, at the end of the project in 2025, the number of lights will increase by 50 per cent for a new total of 1,224 roadway and pathway lights.

Currently, the Glebe’s four-kilometre section of Queen Elizabeth Driveway has many roadway lights that are not working, and there are sections of the pathway where more lights are required to improve visibility for pedestrians and cyclists.

The massive project with its 15-kilometre-long construction zone is necessary because the existing system is “beyond repair.” The work will respect the heritage of the Canal while

SR

allowing updates to new lighting technology, says the NCC.

Key changes in the Glebe/Dow’s Lake portion of the project are: modernized street lights along all of the roadway between Pretoria Bridge and Dow’s Lake with additional lights being added where necessary; additional lights where needed on the pathway between Pretoria Bridge and Bank Street; modernized “railing-mounted” globe fixtures around Patterson’s Creek; modernized globe fixtures on the lower pathway between Bank and Bronson; and the addition of supplemental and modernized lights on the pathway along Dow’s Lake.

Although new underground wiring will be primarily installed with

“directional drilling” rather than by digging lengthy trenches, there will be pathway detours. At a stakeholders’ session in November, NCC staff said there will be “relatively low impact on users” but it’s “too early” to provide a traffic plan.

The horizontal drilling phase for the roadway lights is largely completed, and the drilling for the pathway lighting is targeted for completion in May. This summer, some of the old lights will be removed and the new ones installed with targeted completion “winter 2025.”

The good news is that the new lights will be energized as the various sections are completed. It will not be a matter of waiting until the end of the project for a switch to be thrown to energize the entire system. Reinstatement of landscaping and additional planting should be done after the lights are energized and construction is completed. Old Ottawa East residents have been requesting that many more trees be planted on the eastern side

of the canal so that its tree coverage is comparable to what’s found on the Glebe side. However, the NCC has responded that trees cannot be planted until the lighting project is complete. One outstanding question is what obstacles will be found as the horizontal drilling occurs. There are no engineering drawings for much of the area where the drilling must be done. Rocks and other obstacles may delay the schedule.

Modernized SR

Modernized SR - Railing (Installed in line with railing)

Modernized SR illuminating both road & path (TBC)

Modernized PA

Modernized PA - Railing (Installed in line with railing)

Modernized T1

Modernized T1 - Railing (Integrated into railing)

The NCC was asked what the budget of the project was and whether lights on the ends of the Patterson’s Creek bridge were going to be reinstalled, but the information was not available at press time.

John Dance is an Old Ottawa East resident and an almost-daily visitor to the Glebe. This article originally appeared in The Mainstreeter and is used with its permission. The article has been revised by the author to reflect the lighting project’s progress in the Glebe.

NEW Contemporary Cut-Off Light

The new streetlights along Queen Elizabeth Driveway will retain their iconic style (“SR”). The pathway lights will be either the new “cut-off light” style or “modernized globe fixtures” (“T1”).

GNAG’s winter spirit thrives!

Amid the snow and chilly winds, our community spirit thrives! Families and friends braved one of the coldest days of this relatively mild winter to lace up their skates for our annual Mutchmor Rink party, co-hosted by the Glebe BIA. Our spirits were warmed by the generosity of our dedicated team of staff and volunteers and by the generous prizes donated by local businesses – the perfect incentive to get out of the house and connect with the folks in our community on a cold February day!

Thank you to the Glebe BIA – Darrell, Chloe and Lucia – for all the help and support with putting on this party together. A special appreciation extends to the local businesses whose generous prizes donations added excitement to the festivities and to Cinnaholic for adding an extra touch of warmth and sweetness to the occasion with hot chocolate for everyone!

As we close off this season, a special thanks goes out to the “rink rats” for keeping the rink open for so many days during a very challenging season. Peter Wightman, none of this would have happened without all your hard work!

The Drowsy Chaperone

– a message from the Director Comedy takes over in this spoof of silent era Hollywood romances. With lots of laughs, spectacular dance choreographed by Ciana Van Dusen (with Jean-Francois Harbour) and the fabulous music direction of Lauren Saindon, this is a feast of a show. Director Eleanor Crowder invites you to enjoy this Canadian smash hit. She says, “If you love musical theater, this is an insider’s view of how it works. The fun of it appeals to anyone ages eight and up.” Congratulations to the tech team of Monty Rogers, Luc Asselin and Mellissa Boicey whose offstage management keep the show rolling. GNAG Theatre celebrates 20 years in action, welcoming seasoned actors and newcomers to our stage. Come and enjoy the show! Tickets will go on sale online for The Drowsy Chaperone on March 12, please check for updates on www.gnag.ca.

Showtimes:

April 9 at 7 p.m. (Preview)

April 10-14 at 7 p.m.

April 23 at 2 p.m.

Spring registration and programming

Spring registration is coming, and we can’t wait for you to see the program line up! Please check out the guide online at www.gnag.ca. Registration is Tuesday, March 19 at 7 p.m.

Just a reminder that the Main Hall floors will be under renovation this spring for six weeks. There will be some disruptions to our regular programming after the Victoria Day Long weekend.

GNAG soccer is back

Join us for a soccer experience like no other. This program is a participation-focused league that is designed to ignite passion, teamwork and joy on the field. Centred on inclusion, sportsmanship and skill development, every child gets the chance to shine and grow, regardless of experience level. We are excited to announce a change to the league this year – we have hired GNAG’s own Liam Seaker to coach the program. A long-time soccer coach, Liam brings his expertise and enthusiasm to facilitate skills, drills and games each week. We could not be more excited to have him leading the program this year, and we know your child will agree!

Our league isn’t just about the kids –with opportunities for parent involvement at every turn, from cheering on the sidelines, to bringing orange slices, to coaching and volunteering, you’ll be an integral part of your child’s soccer experience. Please volunteer at registration to join Liam and help coach your child’s team – no experience required. Not sure if it’s for you? Come to one of our fun and informative coaching clinics, and we will set you up with the skills you need to succeed!

GNAG soccer runs from May 15 to June 27. Ages of leagues range from 3 to 8 years old; space is limited.

Adult Interest Coordinator – Welcome Maya Ethier!

We are very excited to have Maya on our coordinating team. She has 12 years of experience teaching at GNAG, with a background in music, choir and pottery. Maya is looking forward to fostering a vibrant and inclusive community where individuals can explore their interests and build connections. If you want to meet Maya, she is teaching our Soap Making and Shower Steamers workshop on March 24.

Maya is open to hearing from the community about what they would like to see at GNAG: email her at maya@gnag.ca with any adult interest program ideas!

The Mutchmor Rink skating party, sponsored by GNAG and the Glebe BIA, took place on February 24, probably the coldest day of the year. The hot chocolate was popular! PHOTOS: CHERYL GAIN

Garbage may not be exciting to talk about, but it affects every single resident and can be a divisive topic.

Most likely, the biggest financial decision our city will make this term of council (aside from Lansdowne 2.0) will be about how we deal with our waste.

The current statistics on garbage production and waste diversion (how we keep waste out of a landfill) are surprising. More than half of the waste that gets sent to landfill – 58 per cent – could be diverted: 45 per cent is organic and could be turned into compost and used in agriculture; 13 per cent could be recycled, repurposed and sold.

This status quo is untenable. The Trail Road Landfill could reach capacity as early as 2036 if we continue along the current trajectory.

Building a new landfill will cost upwards of $400 million, and that’s after we try to find a new location – no one is going to want a dump in their backyard.

To look on the bright side, we can see that there is a lot of room for us to increase diversion, lengthening the lifespan of the current landfill. It will take program and policy improvements from the City and some behavioural change from residents. We have a fantastic waste team at the City which is currently consulting on the Solid Waste Master Plan that determines the strategy to manage waste over the next 30 years.

This plan will help us respond to the growing amount of waste driven by Ottawa’s increasing population, limited capacity remaining at the landfill and greenhouse gas emissions released through waste management practices, particularly methane released from landfill organics. You can read about the plan and keep an eye out for consultation opportunities by visiting the City’s website: engage. ottawa.ca/solid-waste-master-plan.

We see a lot of potential in the 50 actions that the City has mapped out to reduce and reuse waste, increase recycling, manage residual waste, advance operational innovation and develop a zero-waste culture across the city. The waste hierarchy prioritizes reduction or prevention of as much waste as possible, followed by recycling, recovery and, finally, disposal.

There is political pressure at City Hall to veer from this thoughtful and reasoned approach. We saw it when council disregarded staff’s recommendation of a two-garbage bin limit

for curbside collection with a “payas-you-throw” approach in favour of a three-bag limit which was already being met by 91 per cent of residents.

We also see it with the renewed interest in waste incineration. Staff are currently conducting a feasibility study and business case analysis for waste-to-energy incineration. While it is important to understand our options, there is no greater action we can take than being thoughtful about the amount of waste we produce and diverting it effectively. It’s better for our environment, and it’s better for city finances. Staff estimate that an incinerator would cost the city at least $400 million, and it doesn’t eliminate the need for a new landfill. It also presents technical, legislative and environmental challenges.

The decision whether to incinerate will likely be made during this term of council, and we can do important work in the lead-up to this decision to make sure that waste reduction is prioritized and funded as the fundamental approach. Education and outreach are key components of this strategy (something the city hasn’t been great at in the past), as is hearing from residents about their particular situation. This is how we can craft a creative and accessible approach to waste reduction.

There are solutions that constituents in our ward have been calling for, such as prioritizing the implementation of green bins in multi-home buildings. I have passed motions for this, and we now see that it is mandatory for all new large buildings to have the green bin included, with existing buildings to adopt the mandatory practice shortly. We’d also like it to be easier for residents to safely get rid of hazardous waste in the core without having to drive to the suburbs. Repair cafés sponsored by the City have been immensely popular.

Cities like Winnipeg have a Salvage Supermarket where anyone can access used building material at reasonable prices. Twelve per cent of our curbside residential tonnage is home renovation waste, much of which could be reused or repurposed.

As you can see, there are solutions out there. It’s time for Ottawa take care of its trash.

Shawn Menard is City Councillor for Capital Ward. He can be reached at CapitalWard@ottawa.ca.

John Crump President, Glebe Community Association www.glebeca.ca

Coffee and climate literacy

Would you pass a Carbon Literacy Challenge?

I was pretty sure I would. No problem. Since one of the major sources of global greenhouse gas emissions is travel and having just retired from a career that had me on more airplanes than I can count, I was pretty sure I knew my personal contribution to the climate crisis. At least that’s what I thought as I settled into my seat at the Glebe Community Centre on a recent Saturday morning session on “Reducing Your Carbon Footprint.”

This was the second in a series of Coffee Houses on Sustainability coordinated by the GCA Environment Committee, funded by the Community Environment Project Grant Program and CAFES Ottawa and sponsored by Bridgehead, McKeen Metro, Starbucks, Wild Oat, Happy Goat and Second Cup.

The hundred or so attendees took an online survey to figure out personal carbon footprints. Our personal carbon footprints include not only transportation but home energy use, food and waste. So, while I was ready for my travel to be high, I was astounded to see that my biggest impact was in the food category. We don’t each much meat, but even a little bit was enough to shoot my numbers to the roof. It takes a lot of energy, water, etc., to grow one cow (or sheep) and get its meat to your table. It was an important lesson.

The next event on Greenspace and Water takes place Sunday, March 24 from 9:30 to 11:30 at the Glebe Community Centre. Bring your own cup. Registration for these free events is via Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.com/ cc/coffee-houses-on-sustainability-2828129.

Community safety

A small group including the co-chairs of the GCA’s Health, Housing and Social Services Committee, the councillor’s office and Glebe businesses continues to work on community safety issues, including holding a community safety forum in May and posting resources and contacts on the GCA website for whom to contact should someone be in distress (glebeca.ca/wp-content/ uploads/2023/12/Community-Safety-Poster-Final.pdf, and on page 12). Ottawa Public Health has also been in touch and is organizing a meeting with the GCA, GNAG, BIA and the councillor’s office in mid-March to talk about mental health issues, addictions and substance use being encountered in the community and to identify resources to help. This will be an opportunity to focus on issues specific to the Glebe community and how they might be addressed.

Transportation

The GCA board passed two transportation-related motions at its February meeting. The first was to adopt the Glebe Active Transportation Study Action Plan prepared by a consulting firm as a framework for future planning and consultation. The study took place last year and focussed on opportunities to improve active transportation

– walking, biking, and other non-motorized forms of travel. Momentum Transport Consultancy brought its international experience to the project and coordinated public input, including a public survey, a community open house, a stakeholders’ consultation and neighbourhood walkabouts to create a menu of options for future consideration. You can read the study on the GCA web site at glebeca.ca/ active-transportation-study/.

One of the strangest experiences during the early days of the pandemic was crossing Bronson Avenue and not seeing any traffic. It was surreal, and it didn’t last. Concerns about traffic safety on this major arterial route are long standing. Local residents have long lobbied the city to make improvements in traffic flow, especially at the dangerous intersection of Bronson and Carling where Glebe Collegiate students cross in large numbers. Therefore, the board was happy to support Councillor Shawn Menard’s efforts to have the city install traffic calming measures, including permanent photo radar and red-light cameras, on Bronson.

Street front office space?

A recent proposal asking the city to allow office use in units facing the street at 617-625 Bank Street led to some discussion. In general, there are concerns that permitting this kind of use would change the nature of Bank which is zoned “Traditional Mainstreet” to allow uses that are intended to ensure active street fronts and encourage pedestrian traffic and a vibrant streetscape. Given that the city is currently undertaking a Comprehensive Zoning By-law Review, with a first draft expected this month and final approval slated for the end of 2025, the GCA will write the city to oppose spot rezoning at this time and defer the proposal until after the bylaw review.

Wanted: Communications lead

Do you want to help the GCA get the word out to our community? The GCA board is looking for a new communications lead to take over from Janna Rinaldi who has had to step down (thanks, Janna, for all your efforts). If you are interested, drop a note to gca@ glebeca.ca.

The next Glebe Community Association board meeting takes place online Tuesday, March 26 at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

Dow’s

Betty and Ted Eligh skiing Dow’s Lake, camera looking northeast, circa 1943

Dow’s Lake map, believed to be 1923

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE GLEBE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Bell Street Public School

By Sue Stefko

In 1869, Mount Sherwood became a village, and families soon started moving to the neighbourhood. The village’s first school was built on Bell Street in 1876. While much needed, it was so poorly constructed that one could see through the gaps in the wooden board walls. Although there was a large box stove in the centre of the room, the children nearly froze in the winter.

Fortunately, the first wooden schoolhouse was soon replaced by the handsome brick Mount Sherwood School in 1877, on the site of what is currently Dow’s Lake Towers at 360 Bell Street South. After the 1889 annexation of Mount Sherwood by the City of Ottawa, the school was renamed Bell Street Public School. It was a two-room school in the district known as the cliff (due to an elevation drop-off between Bell and Lebreton streets), with one classroom upstairs, another on the main floor and a large bell on top which called the children to class.

The school was likened to a country school. The students drank from a large communal tin cup pulled from a pail of well-water, and in summer many children attended class in their bare feet. A 1928 Ottawa Evening Citizen article wryly remarked, “In those days nobody knew anything about germs and not knowing anything, the school was very healthy.”

In 1937, a former student penned a poem in tribute to the school, describing it as between fields, pines, flowers and marshes with cows ambling by, and even recalling a cowboy calling to his dog. Indeed, the surrounding land was undeveloped, enabling the children to use nearby fields or Stewart’s bush, a wooded area stretching from Bronson to Bank Street, as their playgrounds. In the field across the street, “circus folk yearly pitched their tent,” much to the delight of the nearby schoolchildren, according to a 1947 Ottawa Evening Citizen article.

By the 1890s, it was considered out of date, and the school board started to consider other locations to build a

larger, more modern school. However, when the Mount Sherwood trustees originally bought the land (for $400) from the Nepean Township, the deed contained a proviso that should the land be utilized for any other purpose than as a school, the property would revert to the Crown. While the Ottawa Public School Board contemplated building a school in a more central location, it didn’t want to lose the property. Fortunately, in 1892 an order in council was passed which granted the board a clear title to the land, providing more flexibility.

The poor condition of the school sparked a debate among school board trustees, with some preferring to fix the current property and others wanting instead to build a new school. Repairs were put on hold for two years while the debate raged, making the problem even worse.

Mr. MacNab, a local trustee from Dalhousie Ward, was perhaps the most fervent supporter of a new school. He argued that the children of the poor should have the same accommodation as others in the city and that space for a kindergarten was sorely lacking in the current location. A visit to the site finally convinced school board trustees that the school wasn’t worth trying to fix. Trustees described it as having a nauseating stench, with the halls icy cold, and the school’s shallow cellar filled with litter. One trustee commented that the Bell Street school belonged to the ‘60s rather than the

20th century – of course referring to the 1860s! When the motion carried to abandon the Bell Street school in November 1905, trustees even jokingly referred to the new school as “MacNab’s school” due to the trustee’s tireless efforts in advocating for a new school. The replacement school, the Bronson Avenue School, was opened at Bronson and Powell in February 1906. The school board decided to use the Bell Street site as an administration and workshop area. In 1950, the building was expanded to create a storeroom and parking garage for school buses,

before the space was turned a warehouse. The school board put the property up for sale in 1964 when it bought the old Coca Cola plant at Bronson and the 417 as its new warehouse and garage space. The Bell Street building continued to function as a warehouse until it was torn down to make way for the Dow’s Lake Towers building, which was built in 1972.

Stay tuned for a future article on the Bronson Avenue School.

Sue Stefko is vice president of the Glebe Annex Community Association.

Ottawa’s 1901 Fire Insurance map shows the Bell Street School at the corner of Bell and Ernest (now Powell) streets, near empty fields and JR Booth’s Fraserfield Lumber Yard.

Schools of the Glebe Annex

The Old Mount Sherwood school, the Ottawa Evening Citizen, December 29, 1928

POETRY QUARTER

Let’s get neighbourly

The theme for the Glebe Report’s May 2024 Poetry Quarter is “neighbours.” What does it mean to be a neighbour? What makes a good neighbour – simply someone who lives close to you, or does it go deeper? What about a country close to your borders? What do you want and what do others value in you as a neighbour?

As your neighbourhood newspaper, we are asking you to consider these questions – poetically – and if the idea inspires, we want to hear from you!

As usual, poems should be:

• Original and unpublished in any medium (no poems submitted elsewhere, please);

• No more than 30 lines each;

• On any aspect of the theme within the bounds of public discourse; and

• Submitted on or before Monday, April 22, 2024.

Poets in the National Capital Region of all ages welcome (school-age poets, please indicate your grade and school). Please send your entries (up to five poems that meet the criteria) to editor@ glebereport. ca. Remember to send us your contact information and your grade and school if you are in school.

Deadline: Monday, April 22, 2024

Skating on the Canal

The Rideau Canal Skateway officially closed on February 25 after being open for only 10 days, the second shortest skating season ever, after last year when it did not open at all. On the last Sunday of Winterlude, skaters and Beavertails abounded.

PHOTOS

PHOTO: TOM TROTTIER

Kilt skate

This

took place at the Lansdowne rink on February 18. Skaters were invited to wear their tartans in honour of all things Scottish!

Dave Johnson, Kilt Skate director

PHOTO: TOM TROTTIER

CRAFTING MEMORIES: BOUQUET & FRAME

By Sasha Moonilal

Remember those flowers you spent so much money on at your wedding? A new studio in the Glebe is now offering a way for newlyweds to keep at least some of them forever.

Flowers have long been symbols of love, celebration and gratitude and are often at the centre of the most cherished moments in life. Preserving them is a unique way to create a tangible keepsake, and that is exactly what Bouquet & Frame does! Located at 218 Fifth Avenue (formerly Fifth Avenue Spa & Nails), this new studio takes your flowers from a special occasion, like a wedding or a graduation, and transforms them into meaningful works of art.

Owner Rosie Breen Frank is an artist and Glebe resident with a rich background in the creative arts. She graduated with her Master of Fine Arts from the Rhode Island School of Design, moved to Ottawa with her husband and has been doing floral preservations since 2019.

“I love flowers and am a deeply sentimental person,” she says. “I wanted to work with people with meaningful flowers to create heirloom-quality works of art that they can share with their loved ones.”

Bouquet & Frame does more than just floral preservation. Breen Frank offers a creative service that takes delicate sentimental items such as fresh or dried flowers, ribbons, even special pieces of paper and transforms them into either functional or wall-based works of art. She can preserve them in pressed frames and limited resin items such as bookends, paperweights, trays and ornaments.

“It’s a very collaborative process that is based on the memories and lived experiences of the clients,” says Breen Frank.

She estimates that 75 percent of her business is preserving wedding bouquets but a surprising number of people show up with flowers from funerals.

“It sounds dark, but you have these beautiful flowers, and you get to

memorialize someone you love. It is very uplifting, believe it or not!”

Bouquet & Frame also offers various in-studio workshops where you can get creative with friends. Some of the workshops include “Mommy & Me Crafternoon,” held every month, where parents can turn their baby’s initial into a lovely floral keepsake, and “Crafts by Candlelight,” held on the last Friday of each month, where you can unwind with crafts, good music and happy times with friends.

Breen Frank started Bouquet & Frame in 2020, working at home until she opened her studio late last year.

The Glebe is the perfect location for her studio space. She loves being able to walk to work and that her kids can stop by with their friends to say hi when she’s at work!

The Bouquet & Frame studio has been everything Breen Frank has hoped for. The space allows her to consult with clients and easily meet with customers when they are dropping off or picking up their flowers. “Interacting with clients is such an important part of the process, and for the first time, I can do it in my very own studio.” The space is bright and colourful and displays pieces of her work. She hopes to introduce more ready-to-purchase items from local makers in the future.

The pandemic had a significant impact on her business when she was still working from home. Because of lockdowns and social distancing, she could only consult remotely when new brides came to drop off their flowers. “We would have to stand with my glass apartment door between us as we spoke on the phone,” she says. “It felt very surreal or like something out of a dystopian novel.”

Some orders were cancelled because weddings were postponed. But this challenging time did bring unexpected joys, such as having the opportunity to create floral preservations after backyard mini-weddings that felt more special than usual because of the circumstances.

Breen Frank is excited to continue to grow her business now that she has an in-person studio and to continue with her creative practice of pressing and preserving flowers. She is also excited to host more workshops and events in the studio. She can be contacted at @bouquet.and.frame or www.bouquetandframe.com

Sasha Moonilal is a communications professional and freelance writer.

Rosie Breen Frank, owner of Bouquet & Frame, showcases her work. PHOTO: SASHA MOONILAL

First Nations oppose nuclear disposal site on unceded lands

By Cecile Wilson

[Atmospheric CO2 at Mauna Loa, Hawaii on February 20, 2024: 425.27]

An ongoing struggle over the construction of a Near Surface Disposal Facility for radioactive waste is shaping up as a battle over transparency, Indigenous rights and environmental health. At stake, according to Chief Lance Haymond of Kebaowek First Nation, is the long-term health of all those who rely on drinking water from the Ottawa River.

In January, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) approved a licence for Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) to build the disposal facility next to the Chalk River Laboratories site. The laboratories and the future disposal facility are situated on unceded Algonquin-Anishinabeg lands. Although Pikwakanagan First Nation has agreed to CNL’s proposal for the facility, ten other Algonquin-Anishinabeg Nations have not.

An environmental assessment by the Kebaowek and Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg points out that all Algonquin-Anishinabeg have traditionally used the territory that spans both sides of the Ottawa River/Kichi Sibi (Great River). The assessment also documented the presence of culturally significant species – three active bear dens, wolf dens and disease-free black ash and American beech trees – on the proposed site of the disposal facility. As a federal agency, the nuclear safety commission is obligated to consult with the Algonquin nations and “where appropriate,” to “accommodate Indigenous groups” when considering potential impacts on their “Aboriginal or treaty rights,” according to Section 35 the Canadian constitution.

Flawed plan for nuclear waste site met with legal actions

At a rally on Parliament Hill on February 14, several Algonquin-Anishinabeg chiefs led by Chief Haymond indicated their firm opposition to the project.

Kebaowek First Nation has asked for a judicial review of the licence, and Chief Casey Ratt and the Council of Mitchikanibikok Inik (Alonquins of Barriere Lake) have asked for a retraction of the license.

They are not alone. Three civil society groups have united to launch a legal challenge as well.

From a health and safety standpoint, the main issues are the accurate classification of historical radioactive wastes and appropriate containment measures for those wastes. Several former employees from the Chalk River site say that a Near Surface Disposal Facility is insufficient for reliably preventing the leakage of radioactive waste into the Ottawa River.

According to the employees, before the year 2000, procedures for waste classification, identification and storage were haphazard and, in some cases, non-existent. It is their contention that waste identified as low-level radioactive waste may contain intermediate-level radioactive waste – radioactive atoms that can cause cancer, genetic mutations and birth defects.

The classification makes a big difference in how the waste should be stored long-term. The CNSC’s own website specifies that intermediate-level waste needs to be contained longer than “several hundred years” and is not suitable

for near-surface disposal. The International Atomic Energy Agency specifies that intermediate-level waste should be securely contained and buried tens to hundreds of metres below the surface.

CNL, a private company managed by a consortium that includes AtkinsRéalis (formerly SNC-Lavalin), expects the disposal facility to cost $750 million to build and run for 50 years. The plan is to build a mound with the capacity to store 1,000,000 cubic metres of radioactive waste about 1.1 kilometres from the Ottawa River. The mound will have a synthetic bottom layer and, once the site has been filled, a synthetic top layer. Some of the waste will be stored in containers. However, the mound will remain uncovered for the 50 years that it actively operates. CNL insists that the site will be able to withstand significant rainfall, seismic events and the effects of climate change.

Potential threat to drinking water and culturally significant sites

A wastewater treatment plant will be built onsite to filter any water in contact with the waste. However, if there is indeed intermediate-level waste contained in the mound, tritium – a radioactive element without an established minimum dose – cannot be filtered from the water. This water will drain into nearby Perch Lake, which in turn is drained by Perch Creek into the Ottawa River near Pointe au Baptême.

Pointe au Baptême and Oiseau Rock on the opposite side of the Ottawa River/Kichi Sibi are both sacred sites for the Algonquin-Anishinabeg. People already avoid the point due to fears of radioactive leakage from the Chalk River site. Any increased threat from radioactivity will further negate the First Nations’ ability to engage in their historical cultural practices: a right supposedly guaranteed by Canada’s adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Next steps

The approval of construction of the Near Surface Disposal Facility is just the first step. CNL still needs a licence to operate the facility. This is an opportunity for the federal government to put reconciliation into action, not just words, says Chief Haymond.

If you would like more information or to sign their petition, go to www.stopnuclearwaste.com.

Cecile Wilson has lived in the Glebe for 22 years and writes for the Glebe Report on environmental concerns.

A rally took place on Parliament Hill on February 14 in opposition to the proposed nuclear waste disposal site to be built near the Ottawa River. PHOTO: CECILE WILSON

By Ben Campbell-Rosser

On the afternoon of Friday, February 16, passersby on Oakland Avenue were astonished to see, at near street level, a fearless crowsized woodpecker chiselling into the gnarled trunk of a towering maple. The bird seemed almost tame. This was a pileated woodpecker.

Pileated woodpeckers (Dryocopus pileatus) are frequently seen in Ottawa, though it is more common to spot the much smaller Hairy (Leuconotopicus villosus) and Downy (Dryobates pubescens) woodpeckers.

The term “pileated” refers to the flashy red cap on the bird’s head. Pileated woodpeckers are year-round residents in forests across Canada, the eastern U.S. and parts of the U.S. Pacific coast. They are the most frequently seen large woodpecker in North America, with adults 40 to 49 cm in length and weighing between 250 and 400 grams. The birds are not shy, often allowing one to approach within a few metres.

Pileated woodpeckers consume mainly insects, including carpenter ants, termites and woodboring beetle grubs. They also eat berries, fruits and nuts. These woodpeckers typically chip out large, roughly rectangular-shaped holes in trees while searching for insect prey. This assists with wood decomposition and nutrient recycling and in regulating some beetle populations. Normally woodpeckers do not harm healthy trees. The tree on Oakland Avenue chosen by the woodpecker had extensive dead portions pruned away last summer.

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INSPIRED BY

sauerkraut

By Tim O’Connor

Last fall, when I wrote about a dish I made of ingredients that my friend MB didn’t like, I thought she’d probably never see the column.

She saw the column. I wouldn’t say MB was mad as bees, but she was mildly bothered, so I resolved to make it better.

“Why,” she asked, “couldn’t you write about something I like?”

“What,” I asked, “would you like me to write about?”

I don’t know if it was a small serving of payback, but she said, “Sauerkraut.”

I’m taking this challenge seriously, so I’ve created an elevated sauerkraut dish that is easy to replicate at home. We’ll mix sauerkraut with spicy mayonnaise, surround it with a pork tenderloin pounded out and seasoned like a bratwurst, then wrap all in a spring roll wrapper and serve with butter-poached potatoes and pickled beets. Danke schoen!

The dressing is simply mayo mixed with a bit of Sriracha. We’ll add jarred sauerkraut, from which we’ve squeezed out the juice, and mix with the dressing to give it a creamy texture.

Next, slice the pork thinly on the bias to create ovals. Arrange the pieces between plastic wrap and gently whack with a hammer to make the

Season each piece with the bratwurst seasoning.

You can buy spring roll wrappers at almost any grocery store. Lay out a wrapper and place pork on it, with a line of creamy sauerkraut down the middle. Leave a bit of exposed edge on the wrapper for a tight seal when rolled, as if you’re rolling a cigarette, or, er, something else you may have rolled at some point in your life. When rolling, turn in the ends of the wrapper a bit, so your filling remains inside.

Now bring out a cast-iron pot or another shallow pot or pan you use for deep frying. Add oil and fry as if you’re making fried chicken.

Because the pork is so thin and will cook quickly, our focus is getting the spring roll wrapper crispy.

For the potatoes, use russets or new mini potatoes. Use the same poaching method for the beets, which also get my easy pickling treatment.

When all is ready, scatter potatoes and beets around the plate. Add the spring rolls, cut in the middle, and there you have a beautiful dish inspired by sauerkraut.

I hope you like it. I hope MB likes it.

Tim O’Connor was raised in the Glebe and is head chef at Flora Hall Brewing.

Yes, sauerkraut can anchor and inspire a tasty and elegant dish!

Bratwurst seasoning

3 tbsp salt

1 tsp white pepper

1 tsp coriander

1 tsp nutmeg

2 cloves crushed

1 tsp chopped thyme

1 lemon zest

Potatoes

Place potatoes in pot with enough water to cover, bring to a boil then let simmer five minutes.

Turn off heat and leave potatoes in the water for eight minutes.

Drain water and let potatoes sit. When ready to serve, warm 1/4 cup of oil and 1/4 cup of butter in a pan. Add potatoes and gently poach until warm.

Pickling liquid and beets

1 cup vinegar

3/4 cup water

1 cup sugar

1 tbsp pickling spice

Bring to a boil.

Peel and cut beets, place in a pot with enough water to cover. Bring to boil and simmer for 5 minutes.

Turn off heat and let beets sit in water for 8 minutes.

Remove from water and allow to sit.

When ready to serve, in a pan warm 1/4 cup of oil and 1/4 cup of butter, place beets in pan and gently poach until warm.

Place beets into a container and strain pickling liquid over them. Cover in plastic wrap and let sit for at least an hour.

Warm clothes and ricotta for babies

By Marisa Romano

A message posted by Tanya Lary on Facebook’s Buy Nothing the Glebe on January 16 reads:

“Looking for: Gently used baby clothes (not summer clothes), blankets and snowsuits for babies and toddlers up to two years old, in support of One Plane Away (OPA), an Iqaluitbased charitable organization that provides much needed support to babies throughout the communities in Nunavut. A group of people from Glebe St. James is collecting and shipping the items to Nunavut.”

Shortly after, donations started flowing in: cozy sleepers, warm rompers, cold-defeating blankets, snowsuits, hats, mittens and boots, alongside adorable outfits for boys and girls. Glebe residents overwhelmingly responded to the call. “This project is part of our Glebe-St. James (GSJ) reconciliation journey,” says Marsha Hay-Snyder, one of the coordinators of the “mom and baby project.” The church community has become aware of the everyday challenges for moms and babies in northern communities through OPA and decided to help.

Born in 2015 from an idea by Caris Madsen, OPA is an all-volunteer-driven, non-profit charitable organization that has grown from a local body to a nation-wide force now stretching overseas. Madsen was a Grade 10 student in Iqaluit and an occasional babysitter when she became aware of the harsh reality for moms in northern communities, where essentials such as clothing, diapers and bottles for their babies are hard to come by. During a video call with the women engaged in

GSJ’s “mom and baby project,” Madsen recalled her earlier trips to Southern Ontario where she visited her grandmother and filled suitcases with baby clothes to bring back home.

To date, thanks to donations received, the small OPA’s headquarter in Iqaluit has packaged and distributed more than 1,000 care boxes to babies all over Nunavut, including 25 communities accessible only by air or water.

OPA executive director Celeste Gotell – the first paid staff hired by OPA – told GSJ that the organization cannot currently keep up with the requests for care boxes, mostly because of limited availability of some supplies, volunteer time and storage space. Her plan is to acquire corporate donations and form partnerships with other organizations to increase distribution capacity. GSJ wants to play a role in that.

By mid-February, Lary’s call to babies and their parents had generated 12 large bags of items sorted, sized and freshly washed (limited access to washing facilities is another reality of the North), ready for shipping to Nunavut by the end of February.

“We are very grateful for the generous donations of Glebe community,” says Hay-Snyder. “We encourage people to keep donations coming. Our plan is to keep sending boxes of clothing and blankets to moms and babies in the North as often as we have items to fill a box.”

All donations can be dropped off at Glebe-St. James United Church. For contact information and office hours: www.glebestjames.ca.

A big thank you to all Buy Nothing babies who donated their warm, gently used clothes, and to their parents who

packed bags and boxes and arranged for pick up by Lary and her son Jack.

Ricotta is a fresh, soft, mild cheese of Italian origin, low in salt and lactose, rich in calcium and proteins. It is easily digested and can be introduced into babies’ diet as soon as infants are ready for dairy products. Serve it as is or mixed with fruit or veggies. One favourite recipe of all Italian toddlers is Pasta with Tomato and Ricotta. Add ricotta cheese to a tomato sauce made without garlic and with very little onion – both potential irritants to young digestive systems – and mix with cooked pasta.

Marisa Romano is a foodie and scientist with a sense of adventure and fun, who appreciates interesting people and nutritious foods.

CBC’s Heather Hiscox interviewed Caris Madsen in December 2022. The recording “Nunavut’s babies get special care from One Plane Away” is available on YouTube. www.cbc.ca/ player/play/2151659075799

Tuscan gnudi (Ricotta and spinach gnocchi)

Ingredients:

300 g frozen spinach, thawed

11/4 cup ricotta cheese, drained

1 cup grated parmesan cheese

1/4 cup flour

1 egg

¼ tsp nutmeg

½ tsp salt

1/3 cup butter

1 sprig of sage

Squeeze the spinach with your hands to get rid of all water (a critical step). Chop finely with a knife.

In a bowl add spinach, ricotta, egg, ½ cup of parmesan, flour, nutmeg and salt. Mix well. Make small-walnut-size balls with your hands and roll them in flour (coat well).

Bring a pot of salted water to boil. Gently immerse the gnocchi in the water. When they rise to the surface, scoop them up with a slotted spoon. Melt butter with sage, pour over the gnocchi and sprinkle with the rest of parmesan. Good also when served with a tomato sauce.

Gently used baby clothes gathered by GlebeSt. James volunteers are sorted, sized and freshly washed, ready for shipping to Nunavut.

Tuscan gnudi (Ricotta and spinach gnocchi), a great recipe for both babies and parents!

Plant-based and rich in flavour

By Amy Longard

I love one-pot wonders! You know, the kind of recipe where you throw a bunch of veggies, a protein, herbs and spices into a pot and you find yourself with a delicious feast? This Curried Chickpea & Cauliflower recipe is just that! It’s very simple to prepare and is rich in flavour thanks to aromatic herbs and spices like ginger, garlic, cilantro and curry powder.

It’s also a nutritious and satiating vegetarian meal due to the combination of plant-based protein from chickpeas and healthy fats from coconut milk.

You can eat it on its own or pair it with a grain of your choice such as rice or quinoa and you will have leftovers for the week.

Curried Chickpea & Cauliflower Stew

Yields 4-6 servings

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil

1 onion, diced

1 red bell pepper, diced

3 cloves of garlic, minced

1 inch piece of ginger, finely minced

2 tablespoons of your favourite curry powder

1 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon cayenne, optional

1 can (14 oz/398 ml) chickpeas, drained & rinsed, or 1.5 cups cooked chickpeas

1 can (14.5 oz/411 g) diced tomatoes

1 can (14 oz/398 ml) full fat or light coconut milk

1 small head of cauliflower, chopped into bite sized pieces

1 bunch of cilantro, roughly chopped, for garnish

Sea salt and freshly ground pepper

In a pot, warm the oil over medium heat. Add the onions and a pinch of salt, and sauté for 5 minutes or until the onions become slightly translucent. Add the red bell pepper and sauté for a few minutes, until softened a bit.

Next add the garlic, ginger and spices and stir for a minute allowing the spice to become fragrant. Then add the chickpeas, tomatoes, coconut milk and cauliflower. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer, stirring every so often, until the cauliflower has softened (about 8-10 minutes).

Once the cauliflower has softened, taste and season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately with a hefty helping of cilantro. Enjoy on its own or serve with a grain of your choice.

This will keep in the fridge for five days stored in an airtight container or in freezer for upwards of two months.

Amy Longard is a registered holistic nutritionist, plant-based chef, speaker, author and consultant. An advocate of plant-based nutrition, she educates and guides people toward more conscious food and lifestyle choices. She lives in the Glebe with her husband and three-yearold daughter. Instagram @amylongard or visit AmyLongard.com for more recipes.

Curried Chickpea & Cauliflower is a one-pot vegetarian wonder that delivers rich flavour and aroma along with sound nutrition. PHOTO: AMY LONGARD

lyne and dominique team

Sylvie’s thriller& mystery review

By Sylvie Chartrand

Here is a summary of some of the books I have read so far this year, in the order in which I read them, not by favourites. I mostly like mystery novels but hopefully you can find something that appeals to you in the book reviews below.

The Girl from Widow Hills

by Megan Miranda

Megan Miranda is the New York Times bestselling author of All the Missing Girls, The Perfect Stranger and The Last House Guest, which was a selection of Reese’s Book Club. She has also written several books for young adults. She grew up in New Jersey and lives in North Carolina with her family.

The Girl from Widow Hills is the story of Arden Maynor, who made the news when she was six years old. She was swept away one night in a rainstorm while sleepwalking. Against all odds, she was found three days later, alive, clinging to a storm drain. She became famous, people donated money, her mother wrote a book, but Arden can’t remember those three nights and so, as soon as she is old enough, she leaves Widow Hills, changes her name and tries to put the past behind her. But with the 20th anniversary approaching, she worries the media will find her. She suddenly feels like she is being watched. She starts sleepwalking again and one night wakes up outside her house with the body of her saviour

of 20 years ago lying at her feet, dead. Arden is once again in the spotlight. What really happened 20 years ago?

Valentino Will Die

by Donis Casey

Donis Casey is the author of The Wrong Girl, Book #1 of the Bianca Dangereuse Hollywood mysteries set in the 1920s and nominated for the 2020 Oklahoma Book Award. She has also won an award for her Alafair Tucker Mysteries series. Casey is a former teacher, academic librarian and entrepreneur. She lives in Tempe, Arizona.

Valentino Will Die is the second book in the Bianca Dangereuse Hollywood Mysteries series. Bianca has become a famous actress and gets to make a movie with her best friend, Rudolph Valentino. Rudy, as they call him, starts complaining of stomach pains and ends up in the hospital fighting for his life. Rudy has been poisoned. He asks Bianca to find out who did this to him. Bianca enlists the help of private detective Ted Oliver with whom she has a past. Ted Oliver wants to help her, but he works for a mobster who is also interested in what happened to Rudy. Things become very dangerous when Ted and Bianca go to an illegal gambling boat floating away from shore.

The Burial Circle

by Kate Ellis

Frères Alexandre Jardin EU Book Club

Half-Blood Blues Esi Edugyan Helen’s Book Club

The Chancellor: The Remarkable Odyssey of Angela Merkel Kati Marton The Book Club

Focus, Click, Wind Amanda West Lewis Topless Book Club

Swann Carol Shields Sunnyside Adult Book Club

Under the Cold Bright Lights Garry Disher Sunnyside Mystery Book Club

The Testaments Margaret Atwood Sunnyside Second Friday Book Club

author of the DI Wesley Peterson detective novels, as well as the Albert Lincoln trilogy and the Joe Plantagenet mysteries.

In The Burial Circle, the body of a young hitchhiker who went missing 12 years earlier is discovered when a tree was brought down by a storm on an isolated Devon farm. The clues lead to a murder investigation. Meanwhile, in a nearby village, a famous psychic is found dead under suspicious circumstances while he was an invited guest at a luxury B&B. DI Wesley Peterson investigates all the unsolved murders in the town of Petherham over the last hundred years. They all seem connected to the old mill and Peterson thinks they are linked. Could the rumours of a burial circle really be true?

Funeral for a Friend

by Brian Freeman

Brian Freeman is a New York Times bestselling author of more than 20 psychological thrillers, including the Jonathan Stride series and popular stand-alones such as The Deep, Deep Snow and Thief River Falls. He won the ITW Thriller Award for Best Hardcover Novel for his book Spilled Blood. He

was born in Chicago, Illinois.

Funeral for a Friend (a Jonathan Stride novel) is my first read from this author, but it won’t be the last. You may want to start with his first book of this series, Immoral (2005).

Steve Garske, Jonathan Stride’s best friend, makes a shocking deathbed confession. He said, “You’re safe, buddy, I never told a soul about what happened at the Deeps.” Stride is shocked and after digging up a body in Steve’s garden, he realized that his friend was protecting him from a murder charge. But Stride did not kill this reporter who showed up in town seven years earlier, looking into anonymous allegations of rape by a prominent politician. Stride is again in the spotlight since he was the last known person to see the reporter alive. He is put on leave from the Duluth Police. His wife, Serena, starts investigating and the clues lead to a party that happened years ago. Someone was willing to kill to keep secrets from coming out and Stride had the strongest motive.

Sylvie Chartrand is a public service assistant at the Sunnyside Branch of the Ottawa Public Library.

Kate Ellis was born and brought up in Liverpool and studied drama in Manchester. She is the award-winning If

The Drowsy Chaperone: deliciously ridiculous!

By Eleanor Crowder

There’s going to be a wedding! No, the wedding is off! No, the wedding is on! Wait, there are four weddings! Spoofing the end of the silent film era, The Drowsy Chaperone, a Canadian hit musical, went on to Broadway, winning a Tony in 1998. In rehearsal since last September, GNAG Theatre’s production runs April 9 to14.

What does it take to put a musical onstage? The kids in the cast will tell you. And awful lot of practice! True. Veterans of GNAG Theatre will say the pleasure of getting stage-ready is when practice itself becomes more and more fun. 186 hours of rehearsal X 13 kids, six teens, 23 adults and a six-member creative team = 8,928 hours of fun! Before an audience even sees us!

I asked some of our actors about that investment of time and energy. What’s their experience? Here’s what they said.

Rod Hagglund enjoys “the camaraderie of the actors, the energy of the kids, the fun of learning harmonies, dance moves and lines, the excitement of the audience, the focus of building a world together. What sucks you in and keeps you coming back is that moment when you feel the character’s emotions rush through you.”

What brings Arden MacAlpine the most joy is “when our fantastic music director finally says we got it right after weeks of working on challenging harmonies! The hardest part is holding myself together and not bursting

out laughing mid-scene.”

John Wolfraim loves the sense of community. “Everyone is so welcoming and supportive, and out to have fun. Hard est is pairing the dance with the singing. By now we’re through the train wreck phase! The best part about this show is the characters. They are so over the top.”

Josh Shanbaum adds: “The lan guage of the show is hilarious, on point and quick witted. It is very satisfying when we pull it off and a big laugh in rehearsal when we don’t.”

Agatha Alstrom returns every year “because I love the people, they become great friends. We have a lot of young folks in our GNAG musicals, and I love to see them develop from being very shy to very confident! The hardest moment is when production week is over – I never want it to be over!”

Carol, who is new to the cast this year, told us how the repetition and demands

of rehearsal have changed her life. A concussion in 2013 left her struggling with migraines, cognition and and crew.”

student Isabelle

atre every year because

or so into rehearsals, everyone is like a big

dancing, but this is the first time that any of them are in a musical. “There are six of us; my mother, brother, sister, my sister’s two kids and myself. We will likely be singing these songs together for years to come.”

Agatha Alstrom exclaims, “A musical that pokes fun at musicals! We guarantee our audience a good time.”

Adds Erin Hetherington, “The Drowsy Chaperone is two hours of pure joy – something we all need in our lives, now more than ever.”

Eleanor Crowder has been directing GNAG shows since 2001. Catch her work with Bear & Co. at The Gladstone Theatre (www.bearandcompany.ca).

Choreographer Ciana Van Dusen and Jean-Francois Harbour play Feldzieg and Kitty. PHOTO: ELEANOR CROWDER

Arden MacAlpine is fitted by costume mistress Melissa Boicey and expert seamstress Susan Irvine. PHOTO: RAYA BOICEY

Film undresses human nature

The Children Act (UK/US, 2017)

Directed by Richard Eyre

Review by Iva Apostolova

The Children Act is a complex and layered story of love, betrayal, salvation, justice, temptation and sacrifice. Directed by the veteran English director Richard Eyre (Iris), the movie is based on the book of the same name by one of Britain’s most decorated living authors, Ian McEwan’s 2015 eponymous novel. For those familiar with McEwan’s opus (he is the author of Atonement, Nutshell and more recently Machines like Me), it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the story is full of unexpected psychological twists.

The brilliant Emma Thompson plays an English judge, Fiona Maye. Judge Maye’s American husband, expertly played by Stanley Tucci, is a university professor. It is clear at the outset that the well-established routines of their respective professions (the viewer will be treated to an esthetically beautiful, sneak-peek at the day-to-day life of an English judge), which have undoubtedly led to career achievements, have not done much for their marriage. The staleness, which soon turns into a stalemate, crescendos when Tucci’s character pro claims that he intends to have an affair with a col league. At the same time, a case involving a minor, Adam, who refuses a blood transfusion on reli gious grounds, lands on Maye’s desk. As it turns

out, these two events, albeit concomitantly occurring and on the surface unrelated, get entangled to the point of becoming the impetus and eventually the catalyst for one another.

The judge, shaken by what she perceives as a betrayal by her husband Jack, tries to handle Adam’s case with a stiff upper lip, only to be proven that human emotions cannot be ruled by custom or reason. The main twist in the plot comes from a decision which, at the time, may have appeared innocent or only logical but which triggers long-lasting consequences for all parties involved. After the pronouncement of the verdict, evoking the Children Act of 1989, an act outlining the privileges and limitations of parental care when it comes to the welfare and wellbeing of minors, Maye decides to visit Adam in the hospital where he awaits the court-ordered, life-saving blood transfusion. To her surprise, what she finds there is a sensitive, curious and open-minded-to-a-fault young man, played by the up and coming (at the time) English actor Fionn Whitehead, who has since gained fame with credits in such critically acclaimed productions as Black Mirror, The Picture of Dorian Grey Emily and Great Expectations. While Adam does seem to hold religious convictions, he is anything but the dogmatic or confused teenager that Maye may have expected to meet. On the contrary, he is bright, with a sharp

relationship between him and Maye, Maye and her husband, and finally her and her professional entourage, gets increasingly complicated at each fateful turn until everything unravels with Adam’s final decision. This is not a story about a failing marriage, and neither is it about human or religious rights or ethico-legal dilemmas. What McEwan is a master of is undressing human nature until the unrelenting desires of the heart are left exposed and demanding. But he does that with as much grace and compassion as possible and not a trace of moralizing or condescension. And with the cast assembled by Richard Eyre, the viewer will feel every last emotion and hear every last thought, spoken or unspoken.

Running time: 1 h 45 mins

Available for streaming on Prime Video

Rated R

International Film Festival opens March 13

The International Film Festival of Ottawa (IFFO) is set to open on March 13 at the Ottawa Art Gallery with Atom Egoyan’s Seven Veils. Egoyan will attend opening night to introduce his 2023 Canadian drama that stars Amanda Seyfried as a theatre director whose repressed trauma surfaces as she prepares to mount a production of the opera Salome Following the screening, Egoyan will participate in a short Q&A session.

The Canadian short film Heat Spell, directed by filmmaker Marie-Pier Dupuis, will screen before Egoyan’s feature.

“We are both thrilled and honoured to open the fourth annual IFFO with renowned, Academy Award-nominated Canadian filmmaker Atom Egoyan’s latest film,” says IFFO executive director Tom McSorley. “Egoyan has a long history with our organization, dating back four decades when we premiered his debut film, Next of Kin (1984), in Ottawa. Moreover, he was our first-ever Canadian Masters guest artist in 2016,” McSorley continues. “Given this history, it’s exciting and apt that his latest film will open IFFO 2024.”

Egoyan’s career breakthrough was Exotica (1994), followed by the critically acclaimed two-time Academy-nominated drama The Sweet Hereafter (1997). In 2009, Egoyan’s erotic thriller Chloe, featuring Seyfried in the title role, led to his commercial success.

The short film Heat Spell explores the dynamic between a mother who needs room to breathe and a child who needs space to exist as the afternoon heat turns oppressive.

Each short film at IFFO screens before a feature film and is paired based on narrative or thematic connections and how the films complement or contrast with each other.

IFFO 2024 runs from March 13 to March 24 and includes 25 feature films from 26 countries and 21 Canadian short films. IFFO passes and screening tickets are available to order in advance through the Festival’s box office at iffo.ca.

By Leslie Firth

Art Lending of Ottawa, a local artists’ cooperative created in 1970, is starting a new chapter in its story. Our next one-day show on March 16 will be in a new location, the Jim Durrell Community Centre on Walkley Road.

Art Lending of Ottawa holds four one-day shows a year, in March, June, September and December. This is our third location in the 50-plus years we have been in operation, the most recent being the RA Centre on Riverside Drive and before that the Unitarian Church in Westboro. Our new space is bigger and brighter, a perfect space for our artists to show off their recent works and for our visitors to enjoy a wider range of art styles, media and subject matter.

Who visits Art Lending of Ottawa shows? Who rents and buys our art?

Artists and art lovers – Artists are curious and always learning from each other. Art lovers love to browse and savour the experience of viewing local art. Art Lending of Ottawa shows are free to everyone. Art lovers looking for some beauty, artists looking for ideas or inspiration – all browsers are welcome!

Wall owners – Whether you rent or buy your space, at some point, blank boring walls need your attention. Art Lending provides an affordable option that allows you to fill your space with original pieces that you love. The option to rent allows you the flexibility to try out an artwork for a three-month period at very low cost. Re-rental is always an option and if you decide to purchase, all rental fees paid will go toward the purchase price.

Business owners – The ability to rent works of art is useful for businesses such as doctors’ offices. Businesses particularly value the ability to keep costs low by amortizing the cost over a long period of time and the ability to refresh the art on a regular basis. At the same time, they are

supporting the community by supporting local artists.

Real estate agents – Home staging in preparation for a sale is a common practice in today’s competitive real estate market. As any real estate agent can attest, sometimes it’s the small details that matter. One piece of art could make all the difference in a prospective buyer’s perception of the space. The ability to rent local art is a winwin for home staging. To assist in identifying high impact art, we have created a page on our web site devoted to larger pieces.

The curious – Some of our visitors are just passing by and drop in to see what we’re all about. That’s great – we love to show off our art! Some of those come back show after show and become one of our “regulars.”

Art Lending would like to take this opportunity to thank our loyal regulars and hope that they will follow us to our bigger, brighter space in our new location. To help us start off our new chapter, we are asking everyone to spread the word to colleagues, friends and relatives. Mark your calendar – Art Lending Show, March 16th, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in our new location, the Ellwood Room, Jim Durrell Recreation Centre, 1265 Walkley Road. Admission is free. Parking is free. We even have door prizes!

To see a list of our current artists and a sample of their works, visit our website at www.artlendingofottawa.ca. With our expanded space we will be able to welcome new artists this year. Established artist? Aspiring artist? Check out our website for details on the jurying process and how to apply.

Leslie Firth is an artist member and board member of Art Lending of Ottawa.

Art Lending of Ottawa Show March 16th, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Ellwood Room

Jim Durrell Recreation Centre 1265 Walkley Road

Abbotsford gives caregivers and dementia clients a Day Away

By Julie Ireton

Two mornings a week, David and Aggi Hutton arrive at Abbotsford Seniors Centre for the Day Away program for dementia clients.

Aggi, David’s bride of 53 years, stays for the activities and lunch, allowing David some time to do groceries, errands and chores before he picks her up at 3 p.m. “Sometimes I’m exhausted and I’ll sleep for part of that time,” laughed David, who is Aggi’s primary caregiver as well as the cook and cleaner in their Glebe home.

The Day Away program at Abbotsford Seniors Centre provides a safe, familiar environment for people with early- to mid-stage dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, while giving their caregivers some much needed respite. The program, offered to those who live in their own homes or in a retirement residence, runs from noon to 3 pm on Thursdays and 9:30 to 3 pm on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Three staff members, along with two or three regular volunteers, guide the 12 clients through intellectual, physical and social activities throughout the day.

“The activities run for about 45 to 50 minutes, considering their shorter attention spans, and we change rooms after each activity, so they get a change of scenery,” said Cassandra Ford, program facilitator. “We offer seated exercise programs, games such as headline hunter, singing and crosswords. We try to give structure to the day so there are similar activities, there’s a routine and they know what to expect.”

Each of these days, participants all get a hot meal which includes soup and a main course made in the Glebe

Centre’s kitchen.

“The best part is making a connection with the client, even if it’s brief, and seeing their faces light up when they’re able to contribute,” said Ford. “But the worst part is because you see them every week, you recognize the changes brought by this progressive disease.”

Aggi Hutton, a former intensive care nurse, gradually started to show signs of dementia a few years ago. Her husband says it’s now quite pronounced, and she can no longer be left on her own. “She’s still very cheerful and fun to be with, but she just doesn’t know what happened five minutes ago,” said David. “The program gives her lots of stimulation, more than I can give her, and it gives me time to do other things.”

She never hesitates to head to Abbotsford, the senior’s centre across from Lansdowne Park. “She loves it

there. The staff are well organized, and the program runs like clockwork,” he said.

There were funding cuts to the Day Away program in the spring of 2023, according to Karen Anne Blakely, director of community programs at Abbotsford. “So we’re creative with the money we still have,” she said. “We cut back on one day of programming and ended virtual programming in September.”

The catchment area includes the neighbourhoods of the Glebe, the Glebe Annex, Old Ottawa East, Old Ottawa South, Riverside Park, Heron Park, the Hunt Club area west of Bank Street and Carleton Heights. Caregivers looking for respite for someone with early to mid-stage dementia can call Home and Community Care for a referral. There’s currently a wait list and it could take a few months to get into the program, according to Ford.

“I feel very fortunate to have this service. It’s really good for Aggi and it’s really good for me,” said David Hutton. “The only way they could improve it would be to offer more days to more people. But what they give us is great.” Abbotsford Seniors Centre is for adults 55+. It houses the community programs of The Glebe Centre Inc., a charitable, not-for-profit, organization which includes a 254-bed long term care home. Find out more about our services by phoning 613-230-5730 during regular business hours or by checking out The Glebe Centre facilities and community programs on our website www.glebecentre.ca See Abbotsford Seniors Centre’s drop-down menu for a comprehensive overview of our services and our current program guide. Julie Ireton is a journalist and contributes to the Glebe Report on Abbotsford.

Aggi and David Hutton, clients of Abbotsford’s Day Away program PHOTO: PAT GOYECHE

Aggi Hutton PHOTO: CASSANDRA FORD

The second in a series of Coffee houses on Sustainability took place February 24 at the Glebe Community Centre. PHOTO: DELLA WILKINSON

The story of Janus is posted beside this year’s giant snowman on the Queen Elizabeth Driveway.

JANUS IV

Put a smile on your day!

Why does Janus have two faces?

As the original Janus came to life during the first year of the pandemic a decision was made to ensure the snowman could be enjoyed from both the road and sidewalk. The vision came to light as the snowman became so large you couldn’t see the opposing side of his body facilitating the placement of two faces.

The original Janus was adorned with a mask on one side (representing the period of pandemic isolation) and no mask and smiling on the opposing side (representing the future and end of the pandemic.)

Why name the snowman Janus?

A well-informed neighbour commented on the unique two-faced snowman and suggested it be named Janus. With puzzled expressions on our faces, he explained “Janus” is taken from Roman mythology. He was the God of abstract dualities such as life/death, beginning/end and war/ peace, and his image bore two heads looking in opposite directions.

From that day forward, the snowman was named Janus!

Dedication and key message

As a clinician working during the pandemic, constructing Janus was an outlet to de-stress and share a positive message during a bleak time. The larger-than-life snowman was initially dedicated to the many health care workers putting in long hours, under stressful and unknown conditions – to recognize their sacrifices.

Now in his fourth year, Janus has become a Glebe beacon welcoming everyone from near and far. The surprise of encountering a snowman made with seven tons of snow smiling as you walk or drive by can only put a smile on your day!

Keeping the spirit alive

Janus’s spirit is kept alive from one year to the next by carefully removing, preserving and then reimplanting his heart (snow samples from each year packed in a Rubbermaid container) into the following year’s snowman.

The heart is placed on life support and stored under the strictest of aseptic conditions. Once harvested, the heart

(found in basement) nestled carefully between the frozen FAQs

Featured in many news stories including a New York Times online appearance.

Hat is 4’ tall and constructed from insulation and garbage bags. Solar lights adorn the top of the hat as well as both his noses and pipes.

Historically, Janus appears mid-January and melts by the second week of April with a total life span of approximately 88 days.

PHOTO: LIZ MCKEEN

gather snow and no internal supports or structures used. He’s 100 % snow.

302-27 FIRST

305-29 MAIN ST OTTAWA EAST Luxurious

Helping

Last month, I joined my Ottawa caucus colleagues, Mayor Sutcliffe and members of Ottawa’s city council to announce an investment of $176.3 million under the Housing Accelerator Fund. This funding will allow for the construction of over 4,400 new affordable homes across our city.

The Housing Accelerator Fund will provide funding to local governments to incentivize local initiatives that remove barriers to housing supply, accelerate the growth of supply and support the development of complete, low-carbon and climate-resilient communities, which are affordable, inclusive, equitable and diverse.

By building more affordable homes quickly, our government is unlocking new opportunities for growth in Ottawa. Working together, we are creating more density around transit hubs, driving down the cost of new builds and fighting NIMBYism that exists throughout municipal zoning policies.

This investment builds on the work we have done to increase affordable and social housing in our community. Through programs like Reaching Home, Rapid Housing Strategy, Apartment Construction Loan Strategy, Federal Lands Initiative and more, we are making significant progress on combatting chronic homelessness and ensuring more Canadians have a place to call home.

Shorter wait times, better health care in Ontario

Canadians deserve a health-care system that gets them access to health services when and where they need them. That’s why we’re investing nearly $200 billion over the next decade in provinces and territories to improve health-care delivery across the country.

Within this funding, $25 billion is for agreements with provinces and territories to respond to the unique needs of their populations and geography.

On February 9, we announced an agreement with the Government of

Ontario of more than $3.1 billion in federal funding for health care over the next three years, marking a crucial step in a 10-year plan for collaboration. This agreement will deliver:

• Better access to family health services;

• More doctors, nurse practitioners and nurses;

• More access to mental health and substance-use services for Ontarians, especially youth and in rural areas;

• Better access to electronic health records and improved health data systems.

As part of this deal, there are reporting and accountability measures so the province of Ontario shows Ontarians how improvements will happen in their health-care system. By working together with the province of Ontario, this deal will support our health-care workers and deliver better health care for Ontarians all across the province.

In addition to improving health-care delivery, we are also expanding our support within the Canadian Dental Care Plan to seniors aged 72 and up.

Canadians deserve access to quality, affordable dental care. That’s why we announced the Canadian Dental Care Plan – helping families across the country get the care they need. So far, more than 400,000 Canadian seniors have been approved for dental care under the Canadian Dental Care Plan! The plan will cover a wide range of health services including cleaning, X-rays, and preventative care, so that seniors don’t have to choose between paying their bills and getting quality care.

Dental health is health. With this plan, we’re investing in a healthier, better future for Canadians.

If you have any questions about these programs or would like additional information, please contact my community office, located in Hintonburg. My hard-working team and I are here to help!

N

Putting climate at the heart of every decision in Ontario

Over the past few weeks, I have been having conversations with local environmental groups and climate change experts. It has been a welcome reminder of the great climate action work being done in Ottawa.

Meanwhile, climate policy debate in Ontario has been frustrating. Everything is reduced to discussions on carbon pricing, but local environmentalists say there is more to discuss, and we have an opportunity right now.

With the right approach, we can unite rural, suburban and urban Ontario by doing right by the planet and making life more affordable.

It starts with rejecting the claim that carbon pricing has caused today’s affordability crisis. That is false, and we have to say it’s false. The Bank of Canada and other economists have made this plain.

Pivoting from that, we must acknowledge the powerful actors who really are making life unaffordable and unsustainable in climate/environmental terms.

It’s the profit margins of fossil fuel companies, real estate speculators, sprawl developers and food giants like Loblaws that are driving up the cost of living and destroying the planet. And this is just a partial list.

These actors are paving over prime agricultural land, wasting food, gouging people at the pump, building sprawl housing and pushing the wrong infrastructure projects, like highways we don’t need or costly gas contracts – for energy generation, and for home heating – that will make everything else more difficult.

If we allow this to continue, we prevent people from getting the things they need.

Like a heat pump for their building, for their home, for their farm or their business.

Like public transit that gets you where you need to go on time or a charging network and subsidies that can make electric vehicles an option everywhere in Ontario. Or protected

infrastructure for pedestrians, wheelchairs and bicycles.

Like renewable energy projects scaled up through public utilities, taking advantage of public and community space and the expertise of Ontario firms and workers.

Like an affordable home or a small business location in vacant public land or buildings. Or subsidies to help retrofit buildings and homes. Or a fund like British Columbia’s that allows nonprofit housing providers to acquire buildings.

Like help for local farmers and farmers markets. Or support for programs that keep organic waste from landfills, textiles from landfills or tools and construction waste from landfills. Or a strategy in general that deals with our overflowing landfills!

Some might suggest these concerns are impossible to address, and I can appreciate that climate action can seem challenging. But I have heard from Ottawa groups with solutions, and we must empower them at every level of politics.

From safe cycling to home energy retrofits, from public transit to affordable and sustainable housing, from reducing food waste to supporting local farms and community kitchens, from ensuring equitable access to outdoor gear and home construction tools. Ottawa is home to environmental leaders that are putting action behind their climate commitments.

Now that business at Queen’s Park has resumed, I look forward to highlighting the local climate leaders who will benefit if we make smart moves at the provincial level. The public needs to know about the great climate work being done that deserves wide support.

At a time when Enbridge sponsors Winterlude, when our beloved Rideau Canal skateway is open for a scant few days, when we wrap ice sculptures in cold blankets to survive warm winters, we need to act.

It’s time to put climate at the heart of every decision in Ontario.

Community papers mostly defy the demise of print media

By John Dance

Two years ago, the Glebe Report (Glebe Report, January 2022) published a special report on the state of the 12 community papers in central Ottawa. Since then, the for-profit newspaper world continued to decline, so the author John Dance checked back with local editors, including the Glebe Report, to see how their not-for-profit community papers are doing.

This article was first published in The Mainstreeter and is reproduced here with consent of the author.

In September, Metroland Media Group announced the end of the print editions of 70 community papers resulting in the loss of 605 jobs and a key source of local news for many communities in Ontario. Although none of these papers served central Ottawa, the Kemptville Advance, the Renfrew Mercury and the Perth Courier all lost their print editions.

“When a community paper dies, it’s like if you shut a light in a room in a home and never opened it again,” says Christian Marcoux, editor of Perspectives Vanier. “The house is still there but somehow it’s not as welcoming at night as it once was.”

And Alayne McGregor, managing editor of the Centretown BUZZ, notes: “We’ve lost so many community papers in the last few years, and what they covered isn’t necessarily being replaced by the few remaining commercial news outlets. CTV Ottawa, which has always had a big local news presence, is now threatened with major cuts; we recently lost a local radio station as well. This means news is being missed – and in particular, local councils and boards aren’t being held to account.

“While the remaining local community papers do their best to cover our parts of Ottawa, publishing once a month or once every two months, with limited space, doesn’t allow us to cover

everything in a timely manner,” she concludes.

But despite their limitations and challenges, the not-for-profit community papers of central Ottawa continue to flourish with one sad exception. The Overbrook ConneXions published its last issue in the summer of 2022. “We hung on by our fingernails through COVID but could not grow to the point of hiring staff, and our volunteers could not sustain it,” reports Heather Amys, past president of the Overbrook Community Association.

Others, though, are doing well. “We’re thriving,” says Liz McKeen, editor of the Glebe Report. “Our board is recruiting new members and is quite active. Our advertising is robust.”

Similarly, OSCAR editor Brendan McCoy reports: “Ad revenues are down a little from 2018, maybe 10 per cent, but they are not bad and are holding up pretty well. In the community there seems to be continuing support for the paper, lots of articles, lots of volunteers to deliver the paper, that sort of thing.”

In the case of Perspectives Vanier, the last two years have been the paper’s two best years revenue-wise, and the paper has expanded from 16 to 20 pages.

The Mainstreeter has also had a strong year with expanded content and

advertising activity reported, according to editor Lorne Abugov. “Our advertisers are very loyal, and new ones seem eager to get into the paper, and our volunteer base of writers, editors and delivery distributors has never been stronger. Some of our newer community initiatives, like our annual outdoor art tour and our community calendar, have boosted community engagement and provided us with an important new fundraising source.”

“We just spent an enjoyable hour catching up via the New Edinburgh News ,” John Morris recently wrote to the paper. “It’s truly remarkable that your local, dedicated, volunteer group can deliver much more entertaining and relevant info than our horribly over-priced and underwhelming national-chain local newspaper. Incidentally, your latest edition weighed more than theirs. Keep up the good work!!”

The pandemic caused many difficulties for community papers: for instance, less advertising, difficulty of getting volunteers and delivering the papers and curtailed community activity. Several papers temporarily suspended their print editions but resumed after a few months.

Although the for-profit print media is being overwhelmed by online social media, particularly as Facebook and other sites have drained advertising from them, the not-for-profit community papers seem to survive primarily through print. “We have no intention of abandoning print now or in the foreseeable future,” says McKeen. “It’s one of the more appreciated aspects of the paper, with young and old readers alike.” As Marcoux succinctly puts it, “We print on paper and that’s that.”

Meta/Facebook’s blocking of Canadian news media has had little impact on the community papers – primarily because they focus on print and don’t

rely on an online presence.

Although most of the central papers generate sufficient advertising revenue, The Riverview Park Review has had to work very hard to achieve this. “Most businesses in our area are either corporate or with head offices across the country,” says Carole Moult, the Review ’s editor. “They have absolutely no interest in the community where they are located, nor are they allowed to advertise.” She also says, “Pre-COVID, we had a lot of restaurant advertising. Not so now. We have had to broaden our advertising base. Our advertising revenues remain about the same, however, we must continually work very hard to achieve this.”

In the face of static or declining advertising revenues, some papers have solicited donations from readers and, in a few cases, support is provided by community associations. Interestingly, a number of papers have advertising from the City of Ottawa and other levels of government while others have none.

One problem that Wes Smiderle, editor of the Manor Park Chronicle, raises is that “our printer just recently increased charges for delivering our print edition by quite a bit. The increase was enough to get us to look around for alternatives but there don’t seem to be many.” Indeed, McGregor wonders “if it would be worth meeting in person early next year or setting up a mailing list to talk about common issues, like city advertising or printer quality.” Also, as Moult notes, “Within the past five years, two of the printing companies we used folded, and the cost went up four times.”

Although the advantage of Facebook and other social media advertising is that it can be specifically targeted, the advantage of the community papers is that they go to everybody in a particular community so, in a sense, hit the target of all of those within 15-minute communities, the catchment areas for each paper.

The last words go first to Marcoux: “I feel very lucky, and I am aware how fragile a community paper can be in these times. . .Long live The Mainstreeter and Perspectives Vanier.” And then Moult: “We continually hear that people ‘love’ community papers.”

John Dance is an active member of the Old Ottawa East Community Association, a keen observer of municipal affairs and a regular contributor to The Mainstreeter and the Glebe Report

Word from the Board Glebe Report welcomes new member

By Bhagwant Sandhu

What makes a vibrant, healthy community? Ask anyone, and you’re likely to get the same answer: It’s the people. That answer is as true in Glasgow, Gambia and Gurdaspur as it is in our own neighbourhood, the Glebe. Sociologists, however, will tell you that it takes a bit more than just people. It also takes organizations, services and a community-based Glebe Report. For more than 50 years now, the Glebe

Have an Opinion?

Report has been connecting people, businesses, non-profit associations and everything in between with each other. It has become a veritable glue that binds us together as a diverse and multi-cultural community.

And it’s all done voluntarily, from the army of young and old who deliver 7,500 copies each month for 10 months every year to the board of directors. Not only are our carriers, area captains and production team members dedicated, but as luck would have it, we are able to have a good flow of new volunteers who want to pitch in.

Our most recent volunteer, Leigh Gardner, is a member of our board.

Leigh was born and raised in

Ottawa and graduated from Carleton University. She joined the federal public service where she works today. Leigh grew up loving the Glebe and feels lucky to call it home. Now, as a board member, she looks forward to contributing to the Glebe Report and increasing its presence on the web and on social media.

You too can join Leigh as a member of the board. Board meetings take place 10 times a year, lasting an hour. The process is simple: you email us at chair@glebereport.ca, and we meet up for a coffee to find the best fit for your skills and interest. That’s it!

Bhagwant Sandhu is a member of the Glebe Report board of directors.

Please note this article has general information only and is not specific medical advice.

What to do about low back pain

By Marjolein Groenevelt

It’s March. When the snow finally arrived this winter, you shovelled without a problem, using good body mechanics. But a few days later, you bend down to put on your boots, and suddenly your back seizes up in pain. You have difficulty straightening up, but after doing that slowly, you get moving and your back feels better. Then you sit down for a while and, uh oh, it is very difficult to straighten up again. Sitting on a toilet seat or turning over in bed are now dreaded events. This pattern continues for a few days, and it feels like there is little improvement.

If this has happened to you, either for the first time or in repeated episodes, you will likely remember how scary it was. Since movement hurts, it seems to make sense not to move. You may notice that you feel a need to tense your muscles to protect your back, and you may be worried about damage.

Low back pain can vary greatly and be extremely complex. If you have had an accident, worsening pain or have neurological signs such as numbness or tingling, you likely need to be examined by a medical professional. However, at least four out of five people are expected to have at least one episode of low back pain during their lives, and almost all will resolve without significant interventions such as surgery. There is a lot of research on low back pain, and there are consistent key findings and well-proven strategies that help people recover.

First, it is important to be reassured that a sudden episode of low back pain is very common and that in most cases, it is neither dangerous nor a predictor of longstanding chronic pain. The pain can come from joints or from the muscles that surround the joints to protect the underlying disc. Sometimes there has been too much movement in one direction.

Bending forward to shovel snow or having the back in an arched position, as for swimming or prolonged standing, may cause mild inflammation or tightness. The brain may then perceive danger where there isn’t any and send downward messages to the muscles to tighten. Stress and fatigue will add to this likelihood of perceived danger and muscle tension.

Despite the pain that often comes with it, movement

is one of the best ways to recover. Movement may be difficult and painful at first, and it’s okay to move slowly and cautiously for the first few days. But do move as much as possible. Go for frequent short walks, increasing distance and time as tolerated over the following days and weeks. Avoid sitting for long periods. Be sure to get up and move around at least once an hour.

Another good strategy is to learn to relax your tense back muscles. Carefully get on the floor or, if that is too daunting, onto your bed. Lie on your back, with your knees bent or straight out. Try not to talk or be distracted. Relax your mind and your body. Take a few deep breaths, then breathe in a relaxed manner. Stay in this position for five to 15 minutes. Then get up carefully by rolling onto your side. Try not to move suddenly.

Other exercises that may help are the cat and cow exercise from yoga. This one is on hands and knees and involves arching your back like an angry cat, and then arching your low back the other way to make a deep hollow in your back.

People sometimes have a preferred direction of movement until the episode settles. Some find extension or arching of the low back, such as cobra and cow, reduce the pain. Other people prefer the cat and other positions for bending the low back.

If you have a new onset of back pain, remember it is common and keep moving as best you can. If you have significant pain or the pain does not improve, be sure to see your health-care provider for an assessment and specific advice.

Marjolein Groenevelt is a sports physiotherapist who works at Glebe Physiotherapy and Sport Medicine Clinic at Lansdowne. She lives in the Glebe where you may see her out delivering the Glebe Report.

Tackling the ‘primary care iceberg’ in Central Ottawa

By Carolyn Inch

Community supporters braved freezing rain to support Ottawa Centre volunteer Terry Hunsley as he advocated for team-based primary care for seniors in central Ottawa.

Appearing before Ontario’s Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs on January 24, Hunsley spoke as co-lead for the Seniors Health Innovations Hub (SHIH). Working in partnership with Centretown Community Health Centre and Perley Health, the SHIH is making its case to secure provincial backing for a nurse practitioner clinic to address the needs of local seniors who don’t have a regular doctor or nurse practitioner.

Hunsley told the committee of studies that say the number of seniors without primary care in central Ottawa – roughly 7,700 now – is on track to more than double by 2026. He warned that having some 15,000 seniors in that position so soon is like “an iceberg that is surfacing.” A developing crisis, Hunsley added, is “on its way to becoming a catastrophe,” if the problem is not addressed.

The SHIH is a volunteer, seniors-driven organization working with the central Ottawa community, the service system and experts in a number of fields. Its goal is to support seniors determined to age independently in

their homes and communities. Because it is a volunteer organization comprised mainly of seniors, says Hunsley, we can “use our own experience to contribute to research and understanding of issues around the subject of aging.”

The SHIH strives to act as a catalyst to encourage the exploration of innovations in home care and community support services, caregiver supports, housing alternatives and adaptation, supportive technology, social inclusion, lifestyle and safety.

There is nothing theoretical about the work, said Hunsley. “Primary care is of life and death importance to older seniors, the fastest growing segment of the population. Failure to act now will result in human suffering and increasingly costly problems in the health and social care systems.”

Primary care detects and treats health issues early, promotes healthy lifestyles and provides ongoing support

Community Builder awards for seniors’ primary care

By Terrance Hunsley

Three local groups fighting to improve primary health care in Ottawa have been recognized with the Community Builder Awards.

Seniors Watch of Old Ottawa South (SWOOS), the Seniors Health Innovations Hub (SHIH) and Michelle Hurtubise, executive director of the Centretown Community Health Centre, were presented the awards by local MPP Joel Harden in late January at a New Year’s Levee held at the Beaverbrook Barracks.

Co-chair Ann Cuylits accepted the award for SWOOS while co-lead Carolyn Inch did so for the SHIH.

All three organizations, along with Perley Health, have partnered in a proposal to Ontario Health to fund a clinic with nurse practitioners to provide primary care for seniors in central Ottawa. Hopes are high, but all community builders emphasized that continued effort by residents to press for primary care and support of the SHIH proposal will be crucial.

Terrance Hunsley is co-lead for the Seniors Health Innovations Hub (SHIH).

for seniors. Lack of primary care results in more acute cases requiring specialized care, strains ambulance services, paramedic and emergency room services and extends hospital stays, with institutional care becoming more frequent and prolonged.

A clinic staffed by nurse practitioners provides a cost-effective means of offering primary care. Nurse practitioners can be trained faster and at less cost than medical doctors. Nevertheless, they are licensed to provide primary care and, in clinics across Ontario, have a growing record of good health outcomes and patient satisfaction. In cases where doctors are required, nurse practitioners can call on them.

In his concluding statement, Hunsley pointed out that the Financial Accountability Office has indicated the Ministry of Health has approximately $4.4 billion of unallocated funds budgeted over the 2022-23 to 2025-26

period but has signalled its intent to use the funds for projects other than primary care. Hunsley urged the government to reconsider its priorities and allocate more funding for primary care.

“Studies have shown that more investment in primary care leads to savings in emergency rooms and almost all of the other dimensions of the health care system,” he told MPPs on the committee.

Among the local Conservative MMPs present, Lisa MacLeod (Nepean) and Goldie Ghamari (Carleton) asked about SHIH and suggested it should contact groups in their ridings. MacLeod thanked Hunsley “for bringing some truly progressive ideas to this table today.”

Hunsley noted that the SHIH is asking interested citizens to encourage Ontario Health to fund the nurse practitioner clinic by emailing Sylvia Jones, the deputy premier and minister of health, at sylvia.jones@ontario.ca

Funding update

This request was not successful in this round of funding, but SHIH plans to continue its efforts. And there is reason for new optimism in the pursuit of funding for the Seniors Health Innovations Hub. On February 9, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford signed a $3.1-billion agreement for federal funding in healthcare. This deal includes money to fund new primary healthcare teams across the province, like the one proposed by the SHIH. The SHIH intends to redouble its efforts in 2024 to make its case to Ontario Health.

Carolyn Inch is co-lead for the Seniors Health Innovations Hub.

Terrance Hunsley advocated for team-based primary care for seniors before the Ontario Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs in January. PHOTO: COURTESY LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO.

From left: MPP Joel Harden, Carolyn Inch, Anna Cuylits, Michelle Hurtubise at a Community Builder award presentation

We’re all in, so she can stand out.

Elmwood is more than just a school, because she’s more than just a student.

To them, we’re a support system, a studio, a playground, a blank canvas. Here, they can explore beyond the curriculum, developing passions and skills that help them achieve whatever they can imagine.

Extensive co-curricular + sports program

International Baccalaureate World School, Pre-K to Grade 12

Robust financial aid program

Healthy meals prepared onsite

Transportation and before + after care available

Visit us online to learn more about what’s possible.

An independent day school for girls from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12 elmwood.ca

quick hits to organize & declutter

By Martha Tobin

Holding on to items “is like taking a deep breath, then holding it and holding it, refusing to exhale. If we won’t let go, we stop the natural flow of taking in what we need right now and releasing what we don’t. And if we won’t let go, we can’t make space for new breath.” (Peggy Fitzsimmons)

If you have decided that 2024 is the year you are going to tackle some organizing and decluttering, it is always best to do it in bite-size chunks. By doing so, you avoid burning out or becoming overwhelmed by the process.

Here are five organizing and decluttering tasks that can all be done in a couple of hours.

Do a closet audit: Most of us wear 20 per cent of our clothes 80 per cent of the time. To get a better idea of what you reach for regularly, try turning all your hangers around in your closet and then each time you wear an item, flip that hanger around the opposite way when you put the item back. At the end of the season, this technique allows you to quickly see what you didn’t wear (and then donate, sell or gift those items to someone else). For dresser drawers, you can do the same thing by putting those items you wear the most often at the front of the drawer.

Get rid of expired items: Expired items can be a variety of things including pantry items, medications, makeup, spices or unidentified packages in your freezer. Pick one area and focus on it for 15 to 30 minutes. On another day, do a second area and so on. (Note: check with your pharmacy to determine the proper disposal of medications.)

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Set up a “maybe” box: Many people hang on to items because they aren’t sure if they’ll need them again. Go around your home and put items that fit into this category into a large box labeled MAYBE. Date the lid of the box for three months from now, and put a reminder in your calendar to check the items in this box on that date. If there is an item you need before then, pull it out of the box and find a place for it to live in your home and then shut the box again. If after three months you didn’t need any of those items, put them in a donation box and drop it off. Items to consider for the “maybe” box: cookbooks, DVD movies, music CDs, socks with no mates, mystery keys, jewellery, unknown cables and cords.

Declutter your digital devices: Similar to the 20/80 per cent clothing rule, the same can usually be said about our mobile devices in that most of us really don’t need, use or want the majority of the apps, files, emails, contact info and photos on our devices. By decluttering our devices, we can gain more focus and clarity and reduce distractions, thereby improving our productivity. Another benefit is that your device will work more optimally due to increased storage space and less battery drain. Items to declutter on your phone: blurry or duplicate photos, unwanted subscription sign-up emails, unused apps, duplicate documents, old emails, outdated contacts.

Keep the memory and let go of the guilt: Throughout our lives we have all brought home items that we thought we’d use but then for one reason or another we did not. And that’s okay. What’s not okay is holding onto these items because we feel guilty that we bought them in the first place. Letting go of these items either by selling or donating them will make you feel lighter because you’ll also be releasing any regret, unmet expectations or sad feelings that surround them. Items to consider letting go of: clothing that doesn’t fit or that we are constantly passing over, unused exercise equipment, unused kitchen appliances or gadgets, unused inherited items.

The key to decluttering is to make space for the person you are today. By doing so you’ll be more in alignment with the person you want to be now and going forward. Decluttering is empowering and gives you the opportunity to review those things in your life that are essential while letting go of those items that no longer serve you. Take a big breath, let it out and move forward into 2024 with more energy, focus and calm.

Martha Tobin is the owner of Glebe business Declutter4Good –Organizing and Decluttering (Declutter4Good.ca).

When you tackle organizing and decluttering, it is always best to do it in bite-size chunks. PHOTO: MARTHA TOBIN

The

Glebe according to Zeus

A GUINEA PIG’S PERSPECTIVE ON THE GLEBE

Who is the GP behind Chat GP?!?

Even off-the-grid Luddites have been drawn into fears about Chat GP. Mainstream media abound with stories of the impending catastrophic demise of humanity, thanks to AI. Many argue that Helong Tusk is the multi-dollar pig responsible for Chat GP, and that he seeks to expand his empire.

Networks, reporters and pundits have all refused to directly engage with the portly pig alleged to be behind the machine. “He is an evil genius and a psychopathic madman!” emoted renowned anchor, Parsley Darton. Indeed, anyone even mildly interested in Tusk is charged with being a “Tusk Toady” or “Tuskateer.”

Last week, however, Bucker Gnarlson, the notorious right-wing rodent who was recently kicked off a prestigious national network for anti-dogist statements, sought and secured an interview with the infamous Tusk.

“Unfortunately, the interview is too long to air on any networks,” explained Gnarlson. Confirming this, GP-TV issued a formal statement: “Tusk talks too much. Our viewers prefer short sound bites so as not to interfere with their snacking.” Feline TV aired parts, and several cats commented: “We’re not really sure what he was talking about. But he looked quite scrumptious, and we did feel an urge to hunt him – but we were deterred by the tusks.”

In a strange turn of events – and after Gnarlson suffered a multitude of ad hominems by mainstream media – Zeus, the CEO, CFO and POO of GiddyPigs.com and close personal friend of Tusk, dropped a bombshell: “True, Helong Tusk was on the board of OpenAI, which developed Chat GP. But he left in 2018 because he was bored. He’s really more into batteries.”

Alas, the mystery remains, it seems! Who is Chat GP?

**The opinions expressed in this article are purely those of the author, Chat GP.

In the Glebe

By Josh Rachlis | SparkTheGenius.com

Borrowed Words

Potato, batata –multilingual vegetable gardens

By Sophie Shields

Vegetables are a staple of a healthy diet and a spring garden. But what messages are your “garden to plate” vegetables conveying for passersby from around the world? Before planting your seeds this growing season, take a moment to plan out the multilingual story of your garden.

Let’s start with the staples of an Ottawa garden. What could be more classic than a tomato plant or, should we say, tomatl? Derived from the Aztec’s Nahuatl tomatl, tomatoes arrived in England in the 16th century, becoming pomodoro (golden apple) in Italian and taking on multiple endings in English before finally settling on the “o” partly because of its association with another vegetable from the New World – the potato.

Well, you say potato, I say batata, the Haitian Taino word for “sweet potato” from which the Spanish patata derives. Another potato mix-up is still ongoing in Taiwan, with the Chinese word for potato, 土豆 (tudou) often confused with the similarly sounding Taiwanese word for “peanut!”

While not as common in Glebe gardens, you could always try to be adventurous this year and plant some melanzana (Italian, eggplant). Derived from the Latin “mala insana” meaning “mad apple,” the eggplant was historically believed to cause madness, so be prepared!

Of course, if you don’t have much of a green thumb, like me, then stop rzucać grochem o ścianę (Polish, “throwing peas at the wall”) and head out for a walk around to enjoy newly seeded Glebe gardens. But don’t let yourself succumb to Frühjahrsmüdigkeit (German, “spring fatigue”) and become a pa’gim’chi’ga doe’da (Korean, “a green onion kimchi”). Admire the Glebe gardens from afar, without sei come il prezzemolo (Italian, “being in the way like parsley”) until la primavera la sangre altera (Spanish, “spring alters the blood”). But whether or not you have a main verte (French, green hand), you can always relish the multilingual flavours of the vegetables on your plate and in local gardens this spring season.

Sophie Shields is a Carleton graduate working on her MA in Comparative Literature at Dartmouth College in the U.S. She loves writing and learning languages, and she speaks French, Ukrainian and German.

Vintage

Featuring Judy Grummisch’s PRIMETIME Jewelry Collection

Waterski show coming to Brown’s Inlet

By Bob Irvine

Fun things will come soon to Brown’s Inlet, subject to City Council’s approval. But first some background.

Every March, scientists of the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) test their instruments in advance of the upcoming field season in the high Arctic. They do this at various locations across Ottawa. Last March, they came to Brown’s Inlet before it filled in the spring. One of their instruments, a seismic sounder, found an unusual geological feature. Specifically, the geologists found a large reservoir of hot water – trapped under pressure and usually associated with nearby volcanism – close to the surface under Brown’s Inlet.

GSC staff prepared a report for the Minister on what they found. The Minister immediately ordered that the document be classified as confidential out of concern that residents of the Glebe and Old Ottawa South might fear a runaway geyser erupting in their midst. Under the terms of the Access to Information Act, a business group based here in Ottawa requested and received a copy of the report.

The group, headed by Ottawa entrepreneur Dollares Moneehustle, immediately rebranded itself as the Ottawa Geyser and Entertainment Group (OGEG). In a closed-door session of Council in December, OGEG outlined a proposal for Council’s consideration. The Glebe Report has obtained of a copy of OGEG’s submission. Here are its main recommendations.

OGEG is proposing a PPP – public-private partnership – to develop the geyser as a major tourist destination. OGEG would provide $100,000 toward the project. The City will make a contribution of half a billion dollars. These funds would go toward the following:

• Excavation work to carefully uncover the geyser.

• Installation of a “control cap” – a large steel and concrete structure – that will allow OGEG to control when the geyser releases its estimated 50-metre-high spray. (An OGEG team has been dispatched to Yellowstone National Park to study Old Faithful.)

• A heat exchanger at the outlet of Brown’s Inlet into the Rideau Canal to prevent warm water from seeping into the canal.

• A team of fish whisperers who will discourage carp and other fish in the canal from venturing too close to Brown’s Inlet.

• Reconstruction of Queen Elizabeth Driveway from the Bank Street Bridge to near where the large snowman Janus resides in winter. Heading south on the Driveway after Queen Elizabeth Place, cars will climb a gradient to an elevated roadway – three storeys high – to be named the Queen Elizabeth Skyline Parkway.

• The Parkway, in turn, will serve as the roof of a stadium located on the south side of Brown’s Inlet.

• Acquisition of a fleet of airboats –boats with huge fans propelling them from their sterns – from companies in the Florida Everglades. (This will ensure that the shallow bottom and delicate ecology of Brown’s Inlet are not disturbed.)

• Hiring and training a waterski team – modelled on the one at Cypress Gardens in Florida – that will perform year-round. This will include the team presenting a nativity scene at Christmas time, complete with sheep that have been trained to waterski.

OGEG is arranging for the City to recoup its investment through its receipt of five per cent of the anticipated waterfall revenue from the project over 30 years.

The Glebe Report caught up with Moneehustle to hear firsthand her thoughts about the proposal. Here is a key part of that exchange.

Glebe Report: “What arrangements are you making for consultation with the community before Council approves the proposal?”

Moneehustle: “Because we know that everyone loves this project, there are no provisions for public consultation.”

Glebe Report: “What excites you most about this undertaking?”

Moneehustle: “The fact that the experience of visitors will grow richer through the years. We are already working on Geyser 2.0, which will see the addition of a casino and nightclub to the site.”

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, April 1, Glebe Report readers who have not yet realized that this is Bob’s latest April spoof, are invited to come to the Glebe Report office to view a model of the completed project.

Brown’s Inlet will soon be the scene of a major sports development if Council gives the green light.

PHOTO: BOB IRVINE

April showers bring Mutchmor Book Sale

By Sarah LeBouthilier

Attention all bookworms, literature lovers and avid readers! Mutchmor Public School is thrilled to announce the return of the much-anticipated Mutchmor Book Sale April 18-21.

Whether you’re on the lookout for timeless classics, gripping mysteries, bestselling fiction or graphic novels, our book sale has something for everyone. In addition to acquiring fantastic reads, the book sale is also an opportunity to support our school and foster a love of reading within our community. Every purchase directly contributes to supporting local charities and schools in need as well as to purchasing classroom and library supplies and sports equipment, and to funding cultural presentations and other school needs. The main focus of this year’s

fundraising efforts continues to be the replacement of the play structure in the junior yard.

In 2023 we were blown away with over 20,000 books donated and a steady stream of book lovers shopping throughout the weekend. My kids were thrilled with their purchases of new Dog Man graphic novels, Harry Potter and a cranky bear story to add to our library. I found books that had long been on my “to read” list including The Brain That Changes Itself and the Giller-Prize-winning collection of short stories How to Pronounce Knife I’ve updated my reading wish list for 2024 and am looking forward to seeing you at Mutchmor April 18-21!

Sarah LeBouthillier is a member of the Mutchmor Book Sale Organizing Committee

Sign up for our weekly MPP email updates at joelhardenmpp.ca!

Joel Harden

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This year’s Mutchmor Book Sale will take place April 18 to 21 at Mutchmor Public School, 185 Fifth Avenue.

The Glebe Montessori School Choir recently had the honour of singing the Canadian anthem at an Ottawa 67’s game. PHOTO: SYLVIE RANKIN

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

ABBOTSFORD SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTRE

(950 Bank St ) BOOK SALE, Mon – Fri , 8:30 a m – 4:30 p m , until March 29 Pocket Book, $1 00, paperback, $2 00, hard cover, $3 00, or fill a $10 00 bag (available at Reception) with as many books as it will hold

ABBOTSFORD SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTRE

950 Bank St , Tel : 613-230-5730 Learn & Explore Speaker’s Series, Wednesdays, 1:00 – 2 30 p m MAR 13: Abbotsford Seniors Centre Community Support Services short presentation followed by Questions and Answers session with Abbotsford’s own Kirsten O’Brien & Jane Stallabrass LIVE only MAR 20: Nora Pat Marshall, when in her fifties, decided to answer the call of her Irish blood and took up the harp Pat will be playing Irish songs as you come in for a presentation on The History of the Irish Harp How did the harp become the symbol of Ireland? Where did it originate? What is the difference between an Irish harp and a concert harp? Did Queen Elisabeth I truly order all Irish harpers to be killed? After the presentation participants can try their hand at the harp if they wish LIVE only MAR 27: Pat Goyeche, Coordinator of Abbotsford Community Programming, has been traveling again! Last summer she and her husband had a remarkable trip to the islands of Haida Gwaii, off the coast of B C She will share photos and reflections of their journey It will be held LIVE and on ZOOM simultaneously APR 3: What’s important for students to learn in today’s schools? What special role do schools in democratic societies have? What kind of citizens do we want students to be when they graduate? Joel Westheimer is professor and former research chair in democracy and education at the University of Ottawa He will discuss the second edition of his now classic book, What Kind of Citizen? Educating Our Children for the Common Good. It will be held LIVE and on ZOOM simultaneously The lectures are free but one must register in advance for a seat or ZOOM link Tea/coffee and treats available for purchase in the dining room courtesy of your Members Council

CALLING GLEBE ARTISTS! THE GLEBE ART AND GARDEN TOUR 2024 will be held on July 6 and 7 We are accepting applications from local artists who live, work or have studios in the Glebe We are looking for a variety of high-quality, original artwork from painters, potters, sculptors, photographers We also have a few spots available for guest artists who may exhibit their work in the garden of a Glebe resident The deadline for submission is April 30 For information and an application form please contact glebearttour@ hotmail.ca or visit our website glebearttour.ca

COFFEE HOUSES ON SUSTAINABILITY are open from 9:30 to 11:30 a m at the Glebe Community Centre The topics covered are: Sun , Mar 24: Greenspace & Water Management, Sat , Apr 27: Transportation, Sun , Mary 5: Responsible Consumption, Sat , June 8: Climate Risk – Basement Flooding (N B : this one will be held at the Jim Durrell Recreation Centre, 1265 Walkley Rd ) For more information or to register for those free events, please go to www eventbrite com/cc/ coffee-houses-on-sustainability-2828129

GLEBE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION (GCA) next monthly meeting is on March 26 at 7 p m via Zoom Contact the GCA at communications@ glebeca ca for the link All are welcome

OLD OTTAWA SOUTH GARDEN CLUB MEETING, Old Ottawa South Community Centre (The Firehall), 260 Sunnyside Ave , Tues , March 12, 7 p m : Gardening for your Health Gardening may not come to mind when you think of an aerobic

or strength workout, but research shows that regular gardening activities and tasks can deliver health benefits comparable to those of a traditional exercise program Francisco (Paco) Paniagua, a specialist fitness instructor, will help us to discover that gardening work, done with purpose, delivers strength, aerobic and cardiovascular benefits Tues , April 9: A Garden for the Birds Wild birds across North America are currently facing a multitude of threats and many bird species are in decline Master Gardener and President of the Ottawa Horticultural Society, Julianne Labreche, will review the most common threats and provide gardeners with some practical, positive ways to make their gardens more bird friendly and encourage birds to visit their gardens year-round Membership: $25 per year, $40 for a family, drop-in fee $7 (Taxes not included) per meeting Info: 613-247-4946 or info@oldottawasouth ca

LET’S CELEBRATE THE ARRIVAL OF SPRING WITH YOGA! PATHWAY YOGA, located at 253 Echo Dr in Church of the Ascension, is hosting an Open House on Sat , March 23 from 1:00 until 3:30 There will be a free all-levels class from 1:00 to 2:00 followed by a tea social At 2:30, the Pathway Yoga teachers will provide a half-hour demonstration using the new rope wall We invite you to check the details on our website: pathwayyoga ca

PROBUS Ottawa is welcoming new members from the Glebe and environs Join your fellow retirees, near retirees and want-to-be retirees for interesting speakers and discussions, not to mention relaxed socializing See our website: www probusoav ca for more detailed information about the club and its activities as well as contact points and membership information We will be meeting on Wed ,

March 27 at 10 a m at Gloucester Presbyterian Church, 91 Pike St for a presentation from the Ottawa Riverkeeper

AVAILABLE

Hi Neighbours! I am a HOUSESITTER who is available in the GLEBE to move in and care for your home while you travel for short-term vacations or to a second home or cottage I have experience watering plants, collecting mail, gardening, supervising renovations, shovelling snow, packing and moving a home, etc I am a young lady who studies Theology (the Holy Bible) remotely at home with several years of recent HOUSESITTING experience in the GLEBE I have excellent references from many families in our neighbourhood I have cared for and lived in many homes over the last 5 years I also love caring for animals, especially puppies! Please contact Sarah 613-682-0802 (mayyouhope@gmail com)

FOR SALE

Beautiful solid CRYSTAL EASTER EGGS, purchased from Tiffany & Co New York, 1962 Larger unembellished egg is 3 5” long The smaller egg is etched with a ram for April’s zodiac sign and measures 3” in length $35 each Will sell the two for $60 Call Sue, after 4 p m 613-230-4327

WANTED

Very responsible Mt Allison University student, looking for a HOUSE/PET SIT for the months of May, June, July in the Glebe or OOS Will be working full time Unique situation, flexible Please contact 613-866-6604

WHERE TO

Abbas Grocery

Abbotsford House

Black Squirrel

Bloomfields Flowers

Bridgehead 1117 Bank St.

Capital Home Hardware

Douvris Martial Arts

Ernesto’s Barber Shop

Escape Clothing

Feleena’s Mexican Café

Fourth Avenue Wine Bar

Glebe Apothecary

Glebe Central Pub

Glebe Community Centre

Glebe Meat Market

Glebe Physiotherapy

Glebe Tailoring

Goldart Jewellery Studio

Happy Goat Coffee

Hillary's Cleaners

Hogan’s Food Store

Ichiban Bakery

Irene’s Pub

Isabella Pizza

Kettleman’s

Kunstadt Sports

Lansdowne Dental

Last Train to Delhi

LCBO Lansdowne

Little Victories Coffee

Loblaws

Marble Slab Creamery

Mayfair Theatre

McKeen Metro Glebe

Nicastro

Oat Couture

Octopus Books

Olga’s

Old Ottawa South Firehall

Quickie

RBC/Royal Bank

Subway

Sunset Grill

The Flag Shop Ottawa

The Ten Spot

Thr33 Company Snack Bar

TD Bank Lansdowne

TD Bank Pretoria

The Works

Von’s Bistro

Wall Space Gallery

Whole Health Pharmacy

Wild Oat

This space is a free community bulletin board for Glebe residents Send your GRAPEVINE message and your name, email address, street address and phone number to grapevine@glebereport ca Messages without complete information will not be accepted. FOR SALE items must be less than $1,000.

Dow’s Lake on the melt LIZ MCKEEN

For rates on boxed ads appearing on this page, please contact Judy Field at 613-858-4804 or by email: advertising@glebereport ca

Compu-Home is a highly regarded family business located right near you. Service is honest, reliable, affordable and prompt. 613-731-5954

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613-731-5954 info@compu-home.com

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