Kitchissippi Times February 2021 by Great River Media inc.

p.30-31

Jeff Leiper City Councillor conseiller municipal

613-580-2485 kitchissippiward.ca

February 2021

1280 Wellington St West | 783 Bank Street | www.bloomfields.ca | 613

Winter walk for women's housing. Pages 16-17

kitchissippi.com

@kitchissippi

1280 Wellington St West | 783 Bank Street || www.bloomfields.ca | 613.230.6434 1280 Wellington St West | 783 Bank Street | www.bloomfields.ca 613.230.6434

kitchissippitimes

100% LOCAL

175 Carruthers Avenue

Brand New Retail Space for Lease! Ground Floor Great visibility

19 storeys of potential customers

CHRIS TURVILL Leasing Manager, Sales Representative Colonnade BridgePort Realty Inc., Brokerage cturvill@colonnadebridgeport.ca 613.225.8118 x350

LEAS

UNIT B

UNIT a

1280 Wellington St West | 783 Ba

OPEN safely WE ARE

TO CONTINUE TO SERVE YOU

8am-7pm Monday through Saturday & 8am-6pm on Sundays

1855 Carling Ave. producedepot.ca

SPONSORED CONTENT

Brand new retail space available NOW at 175 Carruthers Ave.

February 2021 • 2

kitchissippi.com

@Kitchissippi

kitchissippitimes

KitchissippiTimes

Do you have a long term business vision that needs a kickstarter retail space to run with? Are you ready to launch but still haven’t found what you’re looking for? The spaces you’ve seen so far are either way too big, or way too cramped, and seemingly dysfunctional in their aesthetics? Challenges like these will only frustrate you, ultimately leading to inefficiencies of your business and potential long term revenue loss over time. Whether it’s expansion of an existing business you envision, or a fresh new wave of creativity you’ve been dying to entertain, 175 Carruthers Ave has a brand spanking new retail space that is perfect for you and your business. Prepare to flourish in an already thriving neighbourhood! Gain access to a new market You might be asking yourself, ”Is it the right time?” There’s never been a better time to take advantage of the changing landscape in the Hintonburg hub. It’s no surprise the commercial hotbed made headlines in the most recent issue of the Ottawa Business Journal, featuring well-loved Wellington West small businesses that have been overwhelmingly successful despite the pandemic (all thanks to supportive, loyal patrons living right here in the community who insist on the survival of the small businesses that surround them). If you build it with passion and precision from the ground up, they will come! Hintonburg Connection’s Discover Local Program: A win-win At no additional cost, your business will have the opportunity to participate in the popular Discover Local program; a program created by Colonnade BridgePort to help connect the residents of its buildings to their community, encouraging them to get out and discover the local businesses in their neighbourhoods. The program is a perfect complement for local business owners who are in need of a little marketing boost to grow their audience and revenue. The welcome package is distributed to all Hintonburg and Westboro Connection residences which, combined, are home to more than 600 people! What are some ideal businesses for the space? Service based businesses share an opportunity to do very well below residential towers. Think barber shops and salons, nail and aesthetics parlours, simple

coffee shop and cafe concepts or juice bars who will benefit from local foot traffic from the area and benefit from eye-level visibility in the community. Signage space is critical, and Hintonburg Connection’s retail facades offer generous room for larger signs (larger than most signs on neighbouring Wellington Street West) boosting overall visibility. Perhaps this is a chance to revamp an existing business that is in dire need of a makeover? Make it your own, all over again! A brand new building means a clean slate and a chance to create a fresh start. You can mould your new, or existing business from the ground up — exactly how you want it. Stay tuned on Hintonburg Connection’s social media channels — a new brewpub will be launching at 175 Carruthers in Spring/Summer 2021, cheers to that! To see floorplans for Unit A and Unit B, visit colonnadebridgeport.ca.

KEY FEATURES:

• Located between two new OC Transpo LRT stops: Tunney’s Pasture and Bayview Station, pulling daily traffic and making your business easily accessible • Located in Hintonburg, Ottawa’s hub for fine restaurants, cafes, microbreweries, galleries, shops and more; your 175 Carruthers retail location means less competition than on Wellington West and Richmond Road. • Population within 3km radius: 40,955 • Annual household expenditures on food including restaurants with 3km: $12,000, 17,000 cars a day • Located on the ground floor of a new 19 story building with stunning amenities; 212 rental apartments and adjacent executive flats.

EDSED LEALESA

• Access to a direct market from residents in the building via Colonnade BridgePort’s Discover Local program.

(1,205 sq.ft.) UNIT UNIT B B

UNIT a sq.ft.) UNIT a (1,109

Both units are available immediately. To inquire, contact Leasing Manager Chris Turvil at cturvill@colonnadebridgeport.ca

• Large windows covering the exterior frontage means plenty of natural light.

p.30-31

Jeff Leiper City Councillor conseiller municipal

613-580-2485 kitchissippiward.ca

February 2021

1280 Wellington St West | 783 Bank Street | www.bloomfields.ca | 613

Winter walk for women's housing. Pages 16-17

kitchissippi.com

@kitchissippi

1280 Wellington St West | 783 Bank Street || www.bloomfields.ca | 613.230.6434 1280 Wellington St West | 783 Bank Street | www.bloomfields.ca 613.230.6434

kitchissippitimes

100% LOCAL

PHOTO CA036701 COURTESY OF THE CITY OF OTTAWA ARCHIVES.

Ready, set, skate! Young skaters line up at the Fisher Park winter carnival in February of 1956. Early Days looks back on the fun, frosty history of outdoor recreation. Pages 20-22

1280 Wellington St West | 783 Ba

OPEN safely WE ARE

TO CONTINUE TO SERVE YOU

8am-7pm Monday through Saturday & 8am-6pm on Sundays

1855 Carling Ave. producedepot.ca

HUMANS OF KITCHISSIPPI Humans of Kitchissippi is a special street photography project designed to introduce readers to some of the people who live, work and play in Kitchissippi. Each instalment of HOK contains three elements: a photo, a name and a quote from the subject that reveals a little bit about who they are. Go to kitchissippi.com to view our ongoing collection of humans.

Ottawa ON K1R 6K7 www.kitchissippi.com Kitchissippi, meaning “the Grand River,” is the former Algonquin name for the Ottawa River. The name now identifies the urban community to the west of downtown Ottawa.

Maureen McEwan editor@kitchissippi.com twitter.com/kitchissippi CONTRIBUTORS Hollie Grace James, Matthew Horwood, Kristin Perrin, Charlie Senack, Ted Simpson and Dave Allston. PROOFREADER Alicia Lim ADVERTISING SALES Eric Dupuis

PHOTO COURTESY OF JAKE GUAY

KitchissippiTimes kitchissippitimes @Kitchissippi kitchissippi.com

February 2021 • 4

250 City Centre Ave., Suite 500

EDITOR

Meet Jake Guay "I’ve lived in the area my whole life — 48 years, born and raised. I grew up on Laderoute Avenue and then we lived at Avondale Avenue and Island Park Drive for more than 30 years. I’ve lived right next to the lawn bowling club in Westboro, behind the Clocktower Brew Pub, for 12 years, but I just bought a house in Crystal Beach, so I’ll be moving in seven months — my Westboro time has come to an end for now. I’m going to miss the neighbours, the safety, the security, the quiet, having the shops around and being able to look at all these beautiful homes. I have a dog, who is like my child, so I walk a lot, like two and a half hours a day. When you’re constantly walking around here, you appreciate everything that Westboro has to offer. At work, we share a giant floor with Health Canada and I heard through Reddit on a Saturday that somebody [from Health Canada] contracted COVID-19. Originally, I thought, ‘who cares?’ Then I read it was on our floor, and so we probably had used the same washroom and the same elevator — I’m sure I got it there. And then [on a] Saturday, I went to a friend’s, and on Sunday those friends thought they had gotten the flu. On Monday, I started feeling body aches and then it just went downhill from there. I didn’t get tested right away because, at the time, one of the symptoms was a dry cough, and I was spitting up phlegm, so I thought that I definitely didn’t have it. But my brother’s fiancée is a doctor in a COVID[-19] ward and she advised me to get tested. So, I finally

KITCHISSIPPI TIMES

did and got the positive results back two days later (March 22, 2020). It lasted for about 12 days and it was like the worst pneumonia or flu that you’ve had in your life. I had aches and pains and was physically exhausted. At night, I’d go to bed thinking I beat it and I’d wake up with the bed literally soaked every night. And then I was just sleeping all the time and had no energy. I think the fact that we didn’t know much about it then (March), because it was so new, along with the fact that I didn't have difficulty breathing was somewhat reassuring, so I don’t think I had time to get too scared about it. I lead a very healthy lifestyle — I don’t necessarily think that [helps] dealing with COVID[-19], but it definitely doesn’t hurt it. I still believe that COVID[-19] exists. The experience made me realize that it’s no joke. I had a friend who was in equally good shape as me, and he has two young daughters, and he was a day away from death on a ventilator.

613-238-1818 x273 eric@kitchissippi.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Tanya Connolly-Holmes creative@greatriver.ca GRAPHIC DESIGNER Celine Paquette celine@greatriver.ca

It helps if you’re in shape, but it certainly doesn’t prevent you from getting it. I definitely take it (COVID-19) seriously. I’ll definitely get the vaccine. I have no fear of that. I’d get it tomorrow if I could. I was amazed at the kindness of people. People that I thought were just acquaintances were so kind and not only got me stuff but refused to take money, and their children wrote me little notes. It really showed me that communities can come together and how many good people are out there. I was surprised, but not surprised. You just never know who’s going to step up until you ask them to step up and then you see. I always live my life not waiting until later. I’ve gone to 82 countries so far and I plan to keep traveling as much as I can. This experience reinforces how I want to live my life [and] see as much as I can before I die.” Story collected by Hollie Grace James.

FINANCE Cheryl Schunk, 238-1818 ext. 250 cheryl@greatriver.ca All other enquiries 613-238-1818 info@kitchissippi.com Distribution A minimum of 15,000 copies are distributed from the Ottawa River to Carling Avenue between the O-Train tracks and Sherbourne Road. Most residents in this area will receive the Kitchissippi Times directly to their door. If you did not receive your copy, or would like additional copies, please contact us. Bulk copies are delivered to multi-unit dwellings and retail locations. Copies are available at Dovercourt Recreation Centre and Hintonburg Community Centre. info@kitchissippi.com The Kitchissippi Times is published by

PUBLISHER Mark Sutcliffe PRESIDENT Michael Curran

EDITOR'S LETTER

Building a healthy, active and engaged community through recreation

411 DOVERCOURT AVE., OTTAWA ON

Staying warm and staying well BY MAUREEN MCEWAN

Stay safe, Kitchissippi.

LEGO®, Leadership, Sports, Visual & Culinary Arts camps. Register now!

WINTER PROGRAMS

Swim lessons, Fitness, arts, music, dance, sports and more will begin as soon as lockdown is over. Check our website or Facebook for details.

STAY ACTIVE INSIDE & OUT OF DOORS! • ONLINE CLASSES: 9 online classes/wk with your Fit Pass (+ in-person, when they resume) • ENJOY THE SJAM TRAIL – Walk, ski, bike, snowshoe. Donations welcome! • SKATE Westboro & McKellar rinks. Check Ottawarinks.ca for ice status. Volunteers welcome!

5 • February 2021

To learn more about these crisis lines, visit crisisline.ca and ysb.ca, or head to OPH’s website at ottawapublichealth.ca.

MARCH BREAK CAMPS MAR 15-19

KitchissippiTimes

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) OPH has a list of a number of crisis lines available for youth and adults. “If you are in crisis, contact the Mental Health Crisis Line (24 hours a day/7 days a week) at 613-722-6914 or if outside Ottawa toll-free at 1-866-996-0991. If you have a youth in crisis, contact the Youth Services 24/7 Crisis Line (24 hours a day/7 days a week) at 613-260-2360 of if outside Ottawa toll-free at 1-877-377-7775. If you (or your child) are experiencing thoughts of suicide or harming yourself, call 9-1-1,” OPH’s website states.

Registration begins Feb 2, 2021.

kitchissippitimes

Distress line: 613-238-3311 Crisis line: 613-722-6914 or 1-866-996-0991 (toll free) The organization’s chat (dcottawa.on.ca) and text (343-306-5550) service is available 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

SUMMER CAMPS

@Kitchissippi

Distress Centre The organization operates phone lines 24 hours a day, seven days a week that offer mental health support and resources.

WINTER UPDATE kitchissippi.com

Dear readers, As I write, we’re having one of our classic heavy snowfalls in Ottawa. A blanket of 5-10 cm has covered the city, making it look like a winter wonderland. I hope you are all staying warm and staying well. Here’s a brief overview of the February edition: In Community News, a few themes emerged. COVID-19 remains central to our coverage as we navigate another provincial state of emergency together. We caught up with Coun. Jeff Leiper on COVID-19’s impact on the ward and other municipal issues. In light of the stay-at-home order, we reconnected with Unsafe At Home Ottawa to hear their perspective and to learn more about their expanded services. We also spoke with the executive director of the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization on the partnerships built between local service providers during the pandemic. In some good news, fundraisers are alive and well in the ward. We heard from two high school students who raised thousands for Wellington West restaurants and hospital frontline workers alike. And we spoke with Cornerstone Housing for Women on the upcoming Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser. There are two stories on two new businesses that have set up shop in Westboro: Moissy Fine Jewellery and Pokoloko X Cloud Forest. We heard more about the companies’ stories from the owners. We interviewed Black History Ottawa and the Ontario Black History Society on Black History Month 2021 — how the event has adapted this year and why it is vital for all Canadians to participate. And there’s an update on the 2019 Westboro bus crash.

In our features, Humans of Kitchissippi connects with a COVID-19 survivor who was diagnosed in March. And Early Days reflects on the fun history of outdoor winter recreation — skating, sledding, skiing and more. And that’s all from us. As you’ll discover, mental health once again underscores several of the paper’s stories and columns, given the current COVID-19 situation in Ontario. So I’m going to use the rest of this editorial space to include a short list of local crisis lines and resources.

dovercourt.org 613.798.8950

February 2021 • 6

kitchissippi.com

@Kitchissippi

kitchissippitimes

KitchissippiTimes

COMMUNITY NEWS

Thousands gathered outside parliament for the “No Justice, No Peace” anti-racism solidarity march in downtown Ottawa on June 5, 2020. PHOTO BY MAUREEN MCEWAN.

‘Still on the Front Lines:’ Celebrating Black History Month virtually in 2021 BY CHARLIE SENACK

lack History Month is about to begin in a year that organizers say is more important than ever because 2020 showed how divided the world still is, and how much work needs to be done. The celebrations, which began on Jan. 30 and end on Feb. 27, will take place virtually this year due to COVID-19 restrictions. With a stay-at-home order in effect in Ontario, the hope is that more people will attend and educate themselves on Black history.

Sarah Onyango, outreach, public and media relations coordinator for Black History Ottawa, said many event organizers are being challenged to present activities that are both visually engaging and relevant in this moment of reckoning. Black History Ottawa has been running in the city since 1985 and keeping the tradition alive. “For over two decades now, at least for our Black communities, February has been a time to really focus on the contributions we have made to building this country into the

diverse and dynamic nation it has become,” said Onyango. “It is a time to challenge, in a forceful and concentrated manner, the erasure of Black history and the negative mainstream narratives which tend to focus on dysfunction and pathology rather than achievement and resilience. It is a time to reassert the extent to which Blacks are rooted and belong on Turtle Island alongside the original inhabitants and successive waves of settlers. It is a time to affirm the value of that Black tile in the Canadian mosaic.”

A virtual opening ceremony was held on Jan. 30 which focused on the theme of “Our Canadian Story: Still on the Front Lines,” which honours and recognizes people fighting two pandemics: COVID-19 and antiBlack racism. In the afternoon, the program reflected Ottawa’s Black cultural diversity. While celebrations are underway in Ottawa, the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS) is also planning a month of events. Because of the pandemic, their events will also look different this year, but they are finding new ways to adapt their programming. “Due to COVID-19 we are not hosting our annual brunch, but it is important for us to continue the tradition of marking Black History Month, and so we decided to continue with virtual programming,” stated Natasha Henry, president of OBHS. “As part of our brunch, we give awards to individuals and organizations in our community,” she added. “But because of COVID[-19], I guess it isn’t a celebration mood, so instead we decided to recognize individuals and organizations who have helped alleviate the impacts of [COVID-19].” This year, a new OBHS speaker series has been launched which will have an engaging presentation every week throughout the month of February. The series focuses on different topics, such as a storytelling presentation and a panel on Black history sites in Ontario. Henry said a global health pandemic won’t get in the way of stopping the tradition of Black History Month which has gone on for generations and added, given the state of racial unrest, these discussions need to take place now more than ever. Last spring, 26-year-old Breanna Taylor was fatally shot six times by police in Louisville, Kentucky after they forced entry into her apartment as part of a drug investigation on March 13. On May 25, 2020, there was global uproar after the death of 46-year-old George Floyd, who was killed by Minneapolis police after being arrested for allegedly trying to use a counterfeit $20 bill at a corner store. While these incidents took place in the United States, Henry says their impact is also felt here in Canada.

Signs outside of the U.S. embassy at the “No Justice, No Peace” anti-racism solidarity march in Ottawa on June 5, 2020. PHOTO BY MAUREEN MCEWAN confrontation, which led to countless protests and rallies organized by Black Lives Matter and the Justice for Abdirahman Abdi Coalition. After the verdict was delivered in

the fall, members of the two groups marched through downtown Ottawa demanding justice. “I have discovered that anti-Black racism

in Canada is just as bad as it is across the border, except that here, the perpetrators put a smile on it,” said Onyango. “Just ask the early Black settlers in the Maritimes, out west and in southern Ontario. Ask the West Indians who could only get into Canada in the postwar years through labour schemes because of the whites-only immigration policy. Canada can do better by dismantling the institutionalized white supremacy that robs this country of great talent.” The organizers of both Black History Ottawa and the Ontario Black History Society hope people from all walks of life will attend their celebrations to educate themselves on Black Canadian history. For more information on virtual activities in Ottawa throughout the month of February, visit blackhistoryottawa.com. And to find out more about events taking place throughout the province, visit the OBHS website blackhistorysociety.ca.

FOR CUSTOM BLINDS, SHUTTERS, DRAPES & SHEERS

Home Improvement & Design Specialists

Paint Colour Matching (any brand) | Stain Matching Decorating and Colour Consults

Shop Local

555 Bank St. (FREE parking behind store, off Isabella St.) randalls.ca | 613-233-8441 | bankst@randalls.ca

FOR PAINT & STAIN • Order ahead or last minute – prompt service • Poster-sized, real paint, take-home chips • Ottawa’s go-to place for paint and stain matching – any brand • Professional in-store colour specialists

7 • February 2021

PROMPT IN-STORE SERVICE, TOUCH-FREE PICK-UP OR FREE DELIVERY

• Choose the decorating services you need – from complete interior or exterior decorating services to specific projects, including full colour consult, furniture selection and placement, designer upholstery fabrics and wallpapers, custom and ready-made furniture, countertops, flooring and lighting • Ask about our $99 virtual consultation!

KitchissippiTimes

Sound Reduction Wallcoverings

FOR DÉCOR

kitchissippitimes

• Featuring Hunter Douglas, Shade-O-Matic, Altex and Maxxmar Quality choices for every price point, including motorized operating systems • Guaranteed fit and interest-free financing • Visit our in-store gallery or arrange for a FREE in-home or virtual consultation

Decorating Ottawa & area since 1948! Residential ~ Commercial ~ Builders

@Kitchissippi

CONSULT WITH A SPECIALIST

kitchissippi.com

“These issues are borderless, so it’s absolutely still important in Canada and we have our own history to be reckoned with,” she said. “It continues to remain important given what unfolded in the spring with social unrest, the Black Lives Matter movement and given what we saw a few weeks back at Capitol Hill in Washington. We continue efforts to disrupt white supremacy and white socialism.” Onyango agrees, and said Canadians shouldn’t be blindsided by the way Black and marginalized communities have been treated in this country in the past and that white supremacy lives on. On Oct. 20, 2020, Ottawa Police Const. Daniel Montsion was found to be not guilty of manslaughter, aggravated assault and assault with a weapon in connection to the 2016 death of 37-year-old Abdirahman Abdi. Abdi died outside of his Hilda Street apartment in Kitchissippi following the

COMMUNITY NEWS High school students raise over $6,000 for local restaurants and frontline hospital workers BY MATTHEW HORWOOD

February 2021 • 8

kitchissippi.com

@Kitchissippi

kitchissippitimes

KitchissippiTimes

hanks to the efforts of two high school students, over $6,000 has been raised to support nine Wellington West restaurants and frontline workers at the Ottawa Hospital. “The Wellington West Restaurant Initiative” on Crowdfund Canada was started by Glebe Collegiate Institute student Adam Billowits, and Nepean High School student Rohan Kingwell, both of whom are in their final year of high school. 100 per cent of the Crowdfund donations will be used to buy gift cards from independently owned restaurants on Wellington Street, which will then be distributed to staff at the Ottawa Hospital. Kingwell said he came up with the idea for the Crowdfund while sitting around the dinner table during the summer of 2020. He enlisted the help of his longtime friend Billowits, and the pair began fleshing out the idea in early September. The Wellington West Restaurant Initiative was launched on Crowdfund Canada in early December. The pair said they were upset by the enormous number of small businesses that were forced to close their doors due to COVID-19 restrictions. And they recognized that seating limitations brought on by the colder weather would make it even harder for restaurants to attract customers. “We both grew up in this neighborhood and have a connection

to quite a few restaurants, especially the smaller ones like the Istanbouli Shawarma House. So that was why we made the decision,” Kingwell said. A secondary goal of the Crowdfund was to bring attention to, and show appreciation for, all the frontline workers at the Ottawa Hospital. “Doctors account for a good percent[age] of them, but there are so many people working tirelessly at the Ottawa Hospital who aren't doctors. You have nurses, administrative people, janitors, whatever position they may be. So it's great to help them out because they are all putting their lives at risk,” Billowits said. In order to set up the initiative, Billowits tried getting help from his high school, Glebe Collegiate Institute. “But there were some things we had to do, like organizing and advertising, that didn't fall within the COVID[-19] sanctions of the school board.” Instead, Billowits reached out to the Wellington West BIA for help with setting up the Crowdfund page and coordinating with the restaurants. Kingwell said a large chunk of the fundraiser involved “going door-todoor and handing out a ton of flyers” in the Westboro and Wellington West neighbourhoods, which they accomplished with the help of 20 of their friends. The pair worked with the Ottawa Hospital’s representatives to decide on which restaurants to support, and they

High school students Adam Billowits and Rohan Kingwell raised over $6,000 for nine Wellington West restaurants and frontline workers at the Ottawa Hospital. KITCHISSIPPI TIMES FILE PHOTO.

came up with a total of nine. When the Crowdfund wraps up near the end of the month (January), Billowits will be tasked with collecting the gift cards and delivering them to the hospital. Both students said the Crowdfund initiative has made clear the importance of volunteering in the local community, especially during a pandemic in which so many small businesses are struggling to survive. “You’re killing two birds with one stone by helping the frontline workers, as well as the small businesses,” Kingwell said. “So that opened my eyes to helping out the community, and I realized that

it's [a] good thing to do more often. I definitely would be open to doing more stuff like this.” “We both have obviously felt the effects of COVID-19 on our social lives and academically. But I think it is really valuable for us to be able to tackle a situation outside of just ourselves, and try to positively impact our community in our last year of high school,” Billowits said. At the time of writing, 75 people had donated to the Wellington West Restaurant Initiative in 48 days. Dozens of messages of support were left on the Crowdfund page.

”You’re killing two birds with one stone by helping the frontline workers, as well as the small businesses.” – Rohan Kingwell, Nepean High School student

Love

Fall In

With

Wellington West Retirement Community

Call Us to Book Your Virtual Tour!

Experience Vibrant Seniors Living

KitchissippiTimes

613-716-6885

www.WellingtonWestRetirement.com

kitchissippitimes

Join our luxurious full service Retirement Community today!

@Kitchissippi

- Studios - One Bedrooms - One Bedrooms + Dens - Two Bedrooms

kitchissippi.com

Our boutique style Retirement Community is a state of the art facility with endless amenities and services. Offering Independent and Assisted Living in the charming neighbourhood of Wellington West.

9 â&#x20AC;˘ February 2021

COMMUNITY NEWS Checking in with Kitchissippi Coun. Leiper BY CHARLIE SENACK

February 2021 • 10

kitchissippi.com

@Kitchissippi

kitchissippitimes

KitchissippiTimes

t city hall, 2020 started off as a challenging year with a number of problems with the new light rail system (LRT). But everything changed in a few months when Ottawa came to grips with a global health pandemic. As we head into 2021, the year is expected to be another busy one for the mayor and team of 23 councillors. Kitchissippi Times caught up with Coun. Jeff Leiper to discuss some issues that will be impacting the ward this year. COVID-19 Unsurprisingly, Leiper says COVID-19 will continue to dominate the headlines. The City of Ottawa is facing a $135 million deficit if the pandemic lasts another year, a likely scenario with the vaccine rollout in the early stages. Kitchissippi has felt the impacts of the pandemic hard. To date, 15 small, family-owned businesses have been forced to close their doors in the community due to a loss of revenue caused by countless closures and restrictions. Leiper said it’s unfortunate to see any businesses close their doors, but admits he imagined worse scenarios. “I think we are going to pull through this in OK shape,” he said. “At the start of the pandemic, I had horrible visions of walking down Wellington Street and Richmond Road and seeing blocks of empty storefronts. Businesses in the area have certainly been hit hard since COVID[-19] started in March, but they are getting by. We are seeing signs of hope right now that one day all of this will be behind us, and it seems the stayat-home orders are working.” Dennis Van Staalduinen, executive director of the Wellington West BIA, said many communities around Ottawa

Kitchissippi Coun. Jeff Leiper said he believes the ward will pull through the COVID-19 pandemic in “OK shape.” FILE PHOTO BY ELLEN BOND.

have seen a larger number of businesses close due to a lack of revenue, adding the loss of any business in the tight-knit community is a devastating one. But while many are finding it hard to stay afloat, others are just opening their doors for the first time. “We have had a number of new

businesses open up during the past 10 months since COVID[-19] hit, which almost makes up for the number we lost,” Van Staalduinen said. “But at the same time, the businesses that are holding on are basically going through waves of hope, followed by despair... There are a lot of mixed emotions and it has been a real roller coaster ride.” Both Leiper and Van Staalduinen said the best way to support one another during the pandemic is to shop local. On the community’s rate of COVID-19 infections, according to the Ottawa Neighbourhood Study, neighbourhoods in the Kitchissippi ward are remaining stable. From March to December 2020, Westboro saw 70 COVID-19 cases, while Hintonburg/Mechanicsville saw 69. The neighbourhood of Island Park/ Wellington Village has seen 21 cases and Laurentian had 47 cases. The numbers exclude cases reported in long-term care and retirement homes. TOM BROWN RESPITE CENTRE During the pandemic, the Tom Brown Arena was turned into the Tom Brown Respite Centre to help those living on the streets. The centre opened on Nov. 2 and has been accessed by those looking for a place to warm up, use the facilities or have a hot shower.

“The Tom Brown Respite Centre has been well used since it first opened and it's a key investment I’m really pleased to see in our neighbourhood,” said Leiper. Not only that, it’s been a place where people are able to go for resources, which is really good. I hope to see it stay open until this pandemic is over. I also hope that the work we are doing now to help the vulnerable in our communities continues, and we are able to still provide this same level of service in a better capacity after COVID[-19].” MCKELLAR PARK Another municipal development that came out in 2020 was the Ward Boundary Review, which will add another ward and change the boundaries of others. As a result, McKellar Park is slated to move out of Kitchissippi ward and join the neighbouring Bay ward in the 2022 municipal election. The issue was controversial in McKellar Park, with many residents saying they felt a close identity with the community, while others say the two wards are very similar in nature and it won't mean much change at all. Leiper said he would have preferred to see the eight blocks of McKellar Park remain in Kitchissippi, but

”We are seeing signs of hope right now that one

day all of this will be behind us, and it seems the stay-at-home orders are working.” – Coun. Jeff Leiper

Justine Bell School Trustee

Zone 10 Somerset/Kitchissippi

LRT CONFEDERATION LINE The issues with the 12.5 km Confederation Line of Ottawa’s LRT system also seem to be ironed out. When the first stay-at-home orders were implemented, and the city ground to a halt in mid-March, OC Transpo’s ridership numbers fell to new lows. By the fall, revenue was down by roughly 75 per cent, leaving almost $4 million in lost revenue. But thanks to the decrease in use, the entire system was able to shut down for a number of days to work out issues. Whenever ridership levels get back to the level they were at — something the city predicts will take years — Leiper is hopeful the system will be in good shape.

It takes a community Justine.Bell@ocdsb.ca @justinegbell

Be kind. Be calm. And be safe.

@TrusteeBell

- Dr. Bonnie Henry

@Kitchissippi

Real Estate Immune to Pandemic

kitchissippi.com

understands the need for the change. The population of the ward is rapidly growing and the work needs to be spread out to help better serve all residents. This ward boundary change will take about 7,000 constituents out of Kitchissippi ward. “Kitchissippi is a rapidly growing community and I’m constantly feeling the pressures of the job,” he said. “From the time [I] started as councillor to now, the workload has certainly increased. We have many development proposals and a lot of big city issues which are currently going on.” Leiper said Bay ward Coun. Theresa Kavanagh has already reached out to the McKellar Park Community Association to prepare them for the transition.

ALEXANDRA FAULKNER kitchissippitimes

Sales Representative

What a fascinating year it's been for the residential real estate market, where a hot sellers market led to quick sales and record-high prices across the city. The availability of five-year mortgages under two percent fuelled buyer demand while the fear of COVID-19 kept the supply of listings low in the spring. The Sir John A. Macdonald winter trail system runs along the Ottawa River. Spanning from Westboro Beach to the War Museum, the trail provides a unique experience and popular outdoor escape in the heart of the nation’s capital.

Many out-of-town buyers, particularly those coming from higher-valued markets, favour ‘walkable’ communities in uniquely picturesque settings and are At the end of 2020, the average house price in Westboro not shy to compete with locals or to set record prices. was $997,158, whereas the average house price in the Faulkner Real Estate’s marketing effectively reaches region was $582,267.

buyers all over the globe at the same time as local buyers. These far away buyers often need to rely on virtual viewings, as there isn't time them to get here. What will happen in 2021? I don’t know, there are so many variables. It comes down to the basic economic principle of supply and demand and affordability.

If you would like to be informed of listing and sales activity, or you are seeking representation, contact me at 613-231-4663 or Alexandra@HomesInOttawa.com.

11 • February 2021

Unlike many other neighbourhoods nation-wide, homeowners in Ottawa’s ‘walkable’ communities have been enjoying robust seller market conditions for the better part of two decades. They are accustomed to aggressive buyers and nail-biting bidding wars.

KitchissippiTimes

In late March of last year the Province of Ontario deemed real estate an essential service. By May, the number of listings started to gain momentum. Buyer demand continued to outweigh supply for the balance of the year. Ottawa realtors worked hard to make up for the early spring pause and, by year end, the total sales volume set a record-breaking $10 billion compared to $8.2 billion in 2019. The average sale price of residential properties in the entire Ottawa region increased by a whopping 19.7 percent.

COMMUNITY NEWS City settles over $5 million in Westboro bus crash claims, class action motion dismissed BY MAUREEN MCEWAN

February 2021 • 12

kitchissippi.com

@Kitchissippi

kitchissippitimes

KitchissippiTimes

n the last two years, the City of Ottawa has paid more than $5 million in legal settlements over the fatal Westboro bus crash. On Jan. 11, 2019, an OC Transpo bus driver lost control of their double-decker vehicle and collided into the overhang of Westboro Transit Station bus shelter. Judy Booth, Bruce Thomlinson and Anja Van Beek died in the crash and 23 others were left injured. The City of Ottawa confirmed that 22 statements of claim have been put forward, with two of the three fatality claims settled. “To date, 30 notices of claim have been served to the City, with 22 Statements of Claim issued, including the class action which is proceeding,” said City of Ottawa Solicitor David White in an email Jan. 13. “The City and its insurers continue to work with the plaintiff’s counsel to settle claims that are submitted as being ready for settlement. Two of the three fatality claims have been settled. We are actively working on settling other claims and anticipate more plaintiffs will be in a position to settle this year,” White added on Jan. 13. “We have made further advance payments over the course of the year to settle partial claims for plaintiffs who have required financial assistance and are not yet recovered sufficiently to settle their full claims. Total claims paid to date is in excess of $5,000,000. The class action certification motion has been argued and we are waiting on the Court’s decision.” Shortly after the second anniversary of the crash, the class action motion was dismissed at the Superior Court of Justice. The plaintiff leading the class action was a passenger who survived the

Westboro bus crash. Justice Callum MacLeod gave his decision on Jan. 21. “Class proceedings are not to be used to needlessly inflate tragic accidents into public spectacles. As discussed above, I do not consider this particular pleading to be an appropriate vehicle for a class proceeding. Ever if that alone is not fatal to the motion, I am not satisfied on the evidence before me that a class proceeding is either necessary or in the interests of justice. The motion is dismissed,” MacLeod wrote. The plaintiff has until April 23 to decide whether to change the lawsuit to an individual action, to amend the pleading in order to renew the class action for certification or to discontinue the action. Two years later, OC Transpo continues to use double-decker buses and the organization said safety is a priority. “The safety and security of our transit system, customers and employees is OC Transpo’s top priority. Double-decker buses are an integral part of OC Transpo’s fleet and have gone through rigorous testing in all conditions, including ice, snow, traction, wind and rollover testing and, like all OC Transpo vehicles, meet and exceed all applicable safety standards,” said Brandon Richards, chief safety officer with the City of Ottawa, in an email Jan. 13. “OC Transpo follows related industry best practices, with a focus on continuous improvement with respect to safety and overall service performance. As always, OC Transpo works closely with the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) and the City's Fleet Services to ensure continued compliance with MTO standards on vehicle inspections and maintenance,” Richards added. The trial of the bus driver, Aissatou Diallo, is scheduled for March. With files from Charlie Senack.

Flowers and candles were left at the Westboro bus shelter in memory of the crash victims the week of Jan. 11, 2019. PHOTO BY CHARLIE SENACK.

A police officer tapes off the area around the crash site at the Westboro bus shelter on Jan. 11, 2019. PHOTO BY CHARLIE SENACK.

start the new year in a brand new apartment Ask about our customized incentive program* Studio, 1 and 2 bed apartments New construction Spacious amenities Remote working lounge Large terrace units Best views in all of Westboro kitchissippi.com

613-288-4287

@Kitchissippi

Scott

clifton road

1960 Scott Street McRae ave

tweedsmuir ave

*Applies only to new leases signed in December Other conditions apply, ask us for details.

communities@colonnadebridgeport.ca Conveniently located across from the Westboro transit station.

13 â&#x20AC;˘ February 2021

FarmBoy Grocery, Bridgehead Coffee and other services on-site.

Scott

KitchissippiTimes

westboroConnection.com westboroConnection.com

kitchissippitimes

book online to schedule a tour

COMMUNITY NEWS Unsafe At Home Ottawa on ‘concerning’ stay-at-home order, expansion of services

THANK A YOU "We would like to thank all of our amazing clients and wonderful community for their ongoing support. We look forward to another great year positively impacting the lives of our clients and community while being the best REALTORS® we can be!"

kitchissippi.com

@Kitchissippi

kitchissippitimes

KitchissippiTimes

BY MAUREEN MCEWAN

Sarah Toll

February 2021 • 14

Broker

Susan Chell Broker

Patti Brown Sales Rep

s the province declared its second state of emergency and issued a stay-at-home order in mid-January, some nonprofits and service providers considered the potential negative impacts on vulnerable populations. Locally, Unsafe At Home Ottawa has been providing a secure text and online chat service for women who may be living through violence and abuse at home during the pandemic. Carina Maggiore, Unsafe At Home Ottawa project coordinator, said the organization wasn’t surprised by the Jan. 14 order but they were worried about it. “We kind of saw it coming, but it is concerning because higher levels of isolation always lead to higher levels of domestic violence — so more frequent, more severe — and it leads to people needing more supports at a time when there’s already so many mental health supports and violence against women supports that are stretched to the limit,” Maggiore said. “It’s a little concerning to see how we’re going to be able to continue working and supporting the people who need it the most, but we’re going to continue giving our services,” she added. Unsafe At Home Ottawa was launched in April 2020 to provide a “safe space to reach out for help,” according to the organization. Maggiore said at the beginning, from April to July, the service was very busy. “These were times of great uncertainty and people were connecting with the service a lot to have information and to just get through the pandemic,” she said. “And then things picked up again during

the holiday season.” By Jan. 14, the organization had recorded 1,146 calls or times that individuals reached out to the service since it was launched last spring. “We’ve had quite a lot of users and we’ve seen that the service filled a very big need that was not being seen to before,” Maggiore said. Interval House Ottawa is a partner of Unsafe At Home Ottawa and also has its own crisis line service. Maggiore said that they haven’t noticed a decline in calls on the Interval House line, despite the high number of Unsafe At Home users. “We can see that it’s filling a need that wasn’t being filled before, it’s not taking away from services that are already running,” she reiterated. Over the last months, Unsafe At Home Ottawa has adapted to different needs by expanding its services geographically and by serving more demographics. “Our services have been extended to the Lanark County area — originally they were only for the Ottawa residents, but now they’ve been extended. And they’ve also been extended to include members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community,” she said. With the provincial vaccine rollout underway, Maggiore said she’s hopeful that the current COVID-19 measures and lockdowns won’t last as long and that people will be able to access their supports again fully, go back to work and their regular activities and be more connected in their communities soon. Maggiore added that they think Unsafe At Home Ottawa is here to stay. “Unsafe at Home will continue supporting as much as we can and we hope to be around past the pandemic,” she said. “This is a service that we’ve

OTTAWA’S ONLINE FARMERS MARKET COMING TO YOUR FRONT DOOR!

2020

The Beechwood Market has a new pick-up location near you! Starting February 6th, you can pick up your local produce at the Cloud Forest Café at 339 Richmond Road. Delivery also available for a $5 flat fee! For the full scoop visit beechwoodmarket.ca Also check us out on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!

kitchissippi.com @Kitchissippi kitchissippitimes

Unsafe At Home Ottawa has extended its services to Lanark County and it is also offering support now to members of the LBGTQ2S+ community. PHOTOS COURTESY OF KARIN TORREY AND UNSAFE AT HOME OTTAWA.

WE’RE READY

to help your child explore Register Now for Kindergarten

ocdsb.ca/kindergarten

15 • February 2021

For anyone needing support, Maggiore encourages them to connect with Unsafe At Home Ottawa through text (613-704-5535) or reach out through the website’s online chat at unsafeathomeottawa.ca/chat-text/. The services are available seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. to midnight and they are secure, confidential and bilingual. “We can give them support; we can give them resources or referrals; we can help them safety plan; we can refer them to shelters — really, we do all of those things,” Maggiore said. “And if we can’t help you, we will definitely put you into contact with someone who can help you.”

KitchissippiTimes

seen has been necessary and useful in pandemic times but also, past the COVID-19 crisis, is going to be necessary as well.” “The response has been wonderful from the community — we have many community partners who have really helped us out. We’re funded in part by the United Way of Eastern Ontario, and that’s also wonderful to have them on our side.” That network of community partners is wide and includes the Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women, Crime Prevention Ottawa, Western Ottawa Resource Centre, Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre, Ottawa Victims Services, Lanark County Services, Kind Space and Interval House of Ottawa.

GIVING Winter boots are made for walking: Bigger Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser expected BY MAUREEN MCEWAN

@Kitchissippi

kitchissippitimes

KitchissippiTimes

February 2021 • 16

kitchissippi.com

Cornerstone Executive Director Sarah Davis (left) and Resource Development Manager Amber Bramer (right) sport their Coldest Night of the Year toques and masks in January. PHOTO BY JAKE NAYLOR, WHISKEY JACK MEDIA

he second annual Coldest Night of the Year Ottawa Westboro event looks like it will surpass last year’s, despite going virtual due to COVID-19. Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) is a national, annual winter walk to “raise money for charities serving people experiencing homelessness, hurt, and hunger” that was first launched in 2011, according to the event website. In the last decade, over $33.5 million has been raised in 149 communities across Canada. Local nonprofit Cornerstone Housing for Women hosted Kitchissippi’s first CNOY last year to raise money for, and awareness about, women’s housing in Ottawa. 103 walkers participated in 13 teams. This year’s event is set for Feb. 20. On Cornerstone’s CNOY page, there were 140 walkers registered in 34 teams and already $18,865 raised (75 per cent of the $25,000 goal) by noon on Jan. 27. “It really is a perfect event during COVID[-19] because you can go with your household,” said Amber Bramer,

Catherine McKenna M.P. for Ottawa Centre Députée de Ottawa-Centre

Please wear your mask! SVP portez votre masque!

resource development manager at Cornerstone Housing for Women. “You can sign up your team; you can go with your household and you can go on those two or five kilometre walks in the Westboro BIA to support Cornerstone.” Cornerstone Housing for Women provides “emergency shelter and safe affordable permanent housing” for women at multiple locations across the city, its website states. The organization houses nearly 200 women per day. In 2018, a supportive housing residence was opened on Princeton Avenue in Westboro offering housing to 42 women. “This event was really appealing to us because it helped to bring the community together to just reflect on the importance of housing,” said Bramer on the first CNOY in 2020. “And I think when you get to see and feel the bitter coldness of Ottawa that we know, and can think about the fact that 1,000 women in our city become homeless every year, it can be extremely impactful to community members to see how important housing is, and how important shelter services are to the women in the city.”

Constituency Ofﬁce Bureau de circonscription : Telephone | Téléphone : 613-946-8682 Email | Courriel : Catherine.McKenna@parl.gc.ca

SPONSORED CONTENT

Parlez-vous Français? Retraite en Action has you covered

ave you been wanting to challenge yourself and become fully bilingual? Whether you’re a life long ‘francophile,’ or a retiring civil servant hoping to keep your French speaking abilities fine-tuned, Retraite en Action (REA) can help expand your mind, and help you stay connected to a network of people through an online Francophone community. There’s never been a better time to take advantage of online activities and classes offered exclusively in French! REA is a 1100+ community member-based organization offering a wide range of virtual classes and activities seulement en Français! Classes are specially curated with French-speaking retirees and semi-retirees in mind. REA encourages and welcomes new members who may want to connect with different cultures in the community. There are several members of French African and Maghrebians descent who would love to stay connected with other French speaking seniors — REA offers them a virtual home away from home with its unique online Franco-community. And REA proudly welcomes all French speaking members of Indigenous and LGTBTQ+ communities.

Winter activities to explore Start your day off right! Sign up for REA’s online exercise classes offered every morning Monday through Saturday, with fun activities to help you stay fit. Whether it’s lowimpact cardio sessions to stay fit, or a safe stretching and strengthening you seek for flexibility, you can find it all in the click of a button. Bring out your inner chef with free “C’est Bon Cooking” classes…en Français, s’il vous plaît! Learn the basics of classic French culinary techniques for staples like Hollandaise sauce and aiolis from the comfort of your own home. Discover Art History and musicians from around the world in “Musique du Monde.” Learn more about the

successes of legendary musicians like Frank Sinatra. Love to dance? Dance to the beat with “Danse Groove” classes! One class, one ancient society at a time: Learn about ancient civilizations like Greece and Egypt, or the history of charming European regions in Spain, Italy, France. Feel like you’re in school again with unique, deep dive classes like “Bird Brains” that look at the cognition and memory of animals through online lectures with University of Ottawa. Or how about a writing workshop that encourages immigrants to tell their stories through their own words? Now, until the end of March, REA is offering free virtual activities for all French speaking seniors in the province through select programs thanks to the provincial 2020-21 Seniors Community Grant Program. The recent funding from the City of Ottawa means even more online activities have been added to the evening schedule throughout the lockdown — bonus! For more information on select free classes for seniors, like “Our Great Explorers: Cruise in South America and Antarctica,” contact Anne Marie Laurendeau at info@retraiteenaction.ca, or (613) 860 -1099 Ext. 1, or visit retraiteenaction.ca for details. All classes are in French. Check out the full 2021 Winter Activities Schedule!

Family storytime at LINC (Language Instruction For Newcomers to Canada) school. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE OCISO.

together after the arrival of the Syrians in 2015. It’s been an incredible time for the community,” she said. Going forward, OCISO plans to implement a “hybrid program” with inperson and virtual services.

“I envision that, as we hit summertime, we will see a return to normalcy,” Emory said. “Both our workers and clients are so looking forward to getting back to face-toface services. When that happens, it will be a happy day.”

POUR SES MEMBRES,

613-860-1099 | retraiteenaction.ca

19 • February 2021

par ses membres!

KitchissippiTimes

ACTIVITÉS VIRTUELLES

kitchissippitimes

Retraite en Action offre des activités DANS L’OUEST D’OTTAWA

@Kitchissippi

enRETRAITE ACTION

services, and in a home with many people they may not have that,” Emory said. Even still, OCISO has continued working diligently to connect immigrants with appropriate supports, including through collaborating with dozens of community partners. “Ottawa is an amazing city for how we connect among social service providers to provide necessary supports, and under COVID-19 it's been no exception. There has been incredible collaboration,” she said. 2020 also marked the five-year anniversary of the arrival of Syrian refugees to the National Capital Region. Emory said OCISO was “deeply involved” in their settlement, and the organization has a large percentage of Syrian refugees in all their programs, including several working as volunteers and employees. “In the ways our organization came together during COVID-19, we equally came

kitchissippi.com

assisting clients with those issues. The final pillar of OCISO is settlement support in schools. Emory said OCISO has over 20 counsellors in various schools across Ottawa that act as a “liaison between students, parents and teachers, to integrate them into schools and give them academic success.” Like most organizations, OCISO was forced to make a “100 per cent pivot” to virtual services in March of last year. OCISO transitioned back to delivering in-person services in August, only to have to pivot back online completely in December. The pivot to online services has not been easy for many of OCISO’s more vulnerable clients. “We've been working hard to support their access, but when you have language barriers and people with no knowledge of that technology, it becomes difficult. Sometimes people need privacy to receive

EARLY DAYS Winter ward fun: The history of outdoor recreation in Kitchissippi KitchissippiTimes

BY DAVE ALLSTON

A Westboro Kiwanis Hockey League players at the Cole Avenue rink on Jan. 8, 1957.

kitchissippi.com

@Kitchissippi

kitchissippitimes

PHOTO CA042670 COURTESY OF THE CITY OF OTTAWA ARCHIVES.

JUST SOLD

Sun & Space in Westboro Single 4-bed, 4-bath contemporary. 674B EDISON AVENUE | Listed at $1,250,000

NEW LISTING

February 2021 • 20

Byward Market Historic Semi

Historic, charming 2-bedroom semi-detached. 193 CUMBERLAND ST | Listed at $424,900

Pretty, Pretty Westboro Single

Lovely reno’d single with an extra deep backyard. 509 ROOSEVELT | Call for details

working together to support local, and strengthen community

home@dianeandjen.com 613-422-8688

dianeandjen.com

Engel & Völkers Ottawa Central, Brokerage. Independently owned and operated

s we approach a full year of living in a pandemic, one of the hardest adjustments for many of us has been the loss of our physical activity routines. With extended closures of gyms, community centres, sports leagues and schools, Kitchissippi residents have turned to traditional outdoor recreation options more than ever to help get through these challenging times. Local rink and trail volunteers are getting well-deserved extra kudos this year for managing operations under constantly changing regulations. And it is with those generous individuals in mind that there could be no better topic for “Early Days” this month than the history of local outdoor winter fun. By the 1860s, ice skating had become a popular new trend in cold-weather countries. For a relatively small cost, a person could purchase a specially-made blade that was tied to a regular boot, creating instant skates! (Later, a clamping or screw-in blade was offered, which was not immediately popular, as it required the sacrifice of a pair of shoes as skates). What made skating so appealing was that it was one of the few recreational activities of the era which was enjoyed by men and women, young and old, rich and poor — people of every background, sharing in the same pastime together. Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, a popular 19th century American magazine, called skating the “National Winter Exercise,” and in Ottawa, the situation was no different. The phenomenon caught on as citizens made their way onto the Ottawa River and the canal on skates. Ottawa merchants began stocking skates, and it became fashionable for politicians

and the wealthy to host skating parties. Evening skating was occasionally made possible by the arranging of trains at a station, or roundhouse, near the river with their headlights pointed towards the shore. In 1860, the Ottawa Citizen quoted a local doctor as saying that “skating cannot be too highly extolled as an amusement,” adding it “virtually imparts new life to the nervous system, derived from the pure and bracing atmosphere, which is highly charged with oxygen and electricity.” Meanwhile, a British magazine called skating “the nearest approach to flying of which the human being is as yet capable.” The popularity of skating led to advances in skate and ice technologies, and to the emergence of skating and ice-based sports, most notably hockey, cricket on ice and speed skating. But such sports were initially considered “unworthy of a true skater’s attention,” and it was the ruin of leisurely skating parties when a hockey game would break out. The many tragedies of thin ice led to a push for the establishment of local rinks, covered rinks and even enclosed rinks. Ottawa actually saw its first arena, the “Ottawa Skating and Curling Club,” open in 1865 on Slater Street (on what is today Confederation Park). In the late 1800s, the winters would have been cold, harsh and isolating. Richmond Road was a maintained toll road, but people lived mostly without any services — no piped water or sewers, no snow removal, no public recreation facilities. But the winters would bring residents down to the banks of the Ottawa River where skating could be enjoyed, particularly inside the log booms, or on frozen ponds on former farms. Later, the odd local rink in a growing neighbourhood would be established by a

SPONSORED CONTENT

kitchissippi.com

local entrepreneur, or community-minded volunteer, with access to water pumped from a well. Some early 20th century attempts included a rink at Bethany Presbyterian Church at Parkdale and Gladstone (now Parkdale United Church), a rink run by Jonas Bullman on his property (where 31 Sherbrooke Ave. stands today) and one run by the local Boys Club at Wellington and Hamilton. Westboro-way, there was a rink at a prime location on Richmond Road just west of Churchill Avenue (about where The Works stands today), that was operated by Patrick Mears for several years pre-WWI. Mears came close to securing support for the construction of an enclosed arena in 1913, but the $8,000 cost was just too high. Westboro instead had to wait 46 years for Lions Park Arena. Of course, skating and hockey weren’t the only winter recreation options. Snowshoeing and sleigh driving had always been traditional

EARLY DAYS

February 2021 • 22

kitchissippi.com

@Kitchissippi

kitchissippitimes

KitchissippiTimes

Winter ward fun Continues from p.21 A 1,000 ft. run built on trestles off the cliff behind Churchill School shot children and adults, who purchased a day or season pass, down a huge slide that took the route of today’s Lower Byron Avenue. The initiative lost money and did not return in 1915. But the toboggan craze was real, and kids across the city were sliding on whatever makeshift material they could find, down any hill or (dangerously) any street. The Civic Playgrounds Committee in 1919, under pressure from the citizenry, established a city-run sledding hill on the south bank of the canal by the Bank Street Bridge. The following year, other locations were added, including one on Parkdale Avenue (at today’s Parkdale Market). City workers would arrive in December and construct the “slides,”

which would provide endless winter fun. Unfortunately, the Parkdale slide lasted only until 1924, when the city scaled back its efforts, apparently due to large numbers of kids picking up skiing instead. Professional sports caught on in the 1920s and organized sports fell in behind. When the depression hit in 1929, the local playground leagues allowed kids and adults alike to escape their difficult lives briefly with competitive sports. The city established and maintained local rinks, keeping them in particularly good condition for hockey. The west end saw Plouffe Park have a maintained rink beginning in 1918 (which also featured the city’s only speed track beginning in 1924). Wellington Village’s new park, Fisher Park, started life in 1920 as a skating rink, but in December of 1926 became

SPONSORED CONTENT

kitchissippi.com

I know many of you continue to have questions about the COVID-19 situation in Ottawa. Ottawa Public Health (OPH) has current news about COVID-19, including information about provincial restrictions, the daily COVID-19 dashboard with detailed data and important updates about the vaccine rollout in the city. As we continue to grapple with the spread of COVID-19, I urge you to take care of yourself. Beyond your personal support networks, and the resources available through OPH, Distress Centre Ottawa is there for you. Their 24/7 crisis line is available at 613-722-6914. Don’t forget to check in with

your friends, family and neighbours. We will get through this together. We’ve received many notes regarding the NCC’s Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment applications to allow the development of embassies at 1 and 19 Sir John A. MacDonald (SJAM) Parkway. The lands in question are located just south of the SJAM, between Slidell Street and Forward Avenue. This would align with the “Capital Function” of the lands as defined in the federal land use plans and contemplated by the Scott Street Community Design Plan, but I feel that we have an opportunity to reconsider how this well-connected parcel might be better used in light of council’s declarations of both climate and housing emergencies. My office will hold a virtual open house regarding this proposal on Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. More information is available at kitchissippiward.ca.

season as needed. Until April 1, the city can call a ban on parking on residential streets if the forecast calls for freezing rain or more than seven centimetres of snow. When these bans are called, the city will post on social media, issue media advisories and publish the ban on ottawa.ca; you can sign up to receive alerts via email on the city website. When winter weather parking bans are called, please move your vehicle off the street — there is a list of parking lots you can use in these cases on ottawa.ca. Those with on-street parking permits are exempt from the ban. Don’t forget to sign up for my email newsletter — there are weekly updates and my virtual pop-up office hours! Email me at jeff. leiper@ottawa.ca to register. Stay safe, Kitchissippi.

WESTBORO VILLAGER

Hello!

WESTBORO VILLAGE •kitchissippi.com February 2021 • @Kitchissippi 30 @Kitchissippi kitchissippi.com kitchissippitimes February 2021 • 30 kitchissippitimes KitchissippiTimes

KitchissippiTimes

s I write this, Ontario is in another lockdown and we are all told to stay home, making only essential trips. This is a tough thing for the independent shops and restaurants running along our mainstreets. I could say the same thing about our upstairs businesses and our health and wellness services, too. Is it necessary to run to the office? Do you need to book an in-person appointment with your physio or is the online appointment just as good? There seems to be some level of interpretation. I know for my little shop, you are making curbside pick ups while out for your daily walks or on your way home from the grocery store. I don’t think this is unique to my shop - by all accounts, the Kitchissippi community (and beyond) is digging in and supporting all the independent businesses. Propping us up until we come through the other side. We are so grateful to all of you! Whether it is a purchase or a great google review, ordering take out or just giving a wave through the window, all of this really contributes so much. Valentine’s Day is coming up. While some of us will celebrate with romantic dinners or family heart-shaped pancakes or beers in a chilly garage with our best pals, it’s the relationships among our friends and neighbours that keep our community strong. I know we will continue to share our local love in the months to come. Take care,

Molly Chair, Westboro Village BIA

This February we encourage you to celebrate Valentine’s Day from the Village. Many of the local retailers have online shops, the restaurants and bakeries have specials on, and you can order much of it online or by giving your favourite business a call. Celebrate your love of local this Valentine’s Day by showering the Westboro Village business community some love.

BATTER UP BAKERY

CONTINUUM FITNESS

Batter Up Bakery’s annual Valentine’s Day Presale starts on Sunday January 24th, 2021. From custom decorated cookies, to dunkaroos, to DIY kits, there is a little something for everyone to love. We will have Gluten-Friendly and Vegan options available as well. Be sure to sign up as an MVP on our website to get early access to pre-sales. Order: batterupbakery.ca Phone: (613) 793-2253

Continuum Fitness and Movement Performance would like to wish the community health and wellness during this challenging period. Keep moving, stay well, stay safe. continuumfitness.ca 3 DAYS TO TREAT YOUR VALENTINE FROM THE BARLEY MOW

3 Days To Treat Your Valentine

3 Course Menu Available for Take Out Special Friday Feb 12- Sunday Feb 14th 4-9pm • Shared Appetizer • 2 Mains • Shared Dessert Twin pack of Oyster Bay Wines (Your choice) 613.695.7669 | www.barleymow.com

westborovillage.com

WALL SPACE GALLERY PRESENTS Nicole Allen’s Treading Water An exquisite exhibition of the Ottawa artist’s floral paintings, on display February 6-27. Works are available to collect via website + phone. Curbside pick-up, local delivery, and global shipping available. JEWELLERY GIFT GUIDE: VALENTINES EDITION Looking for a perfect gift this Valentine’s Day? Shop our 9 fine jewellers to find pieces that are one-of-a-kind, made by caring, Canadian hands, and sure to bring a smile to your or a loved one’s face. We are excited to now be carrying men’s rings crafted by Kitchissippi artisan, Constantin Gorbachuk of Hi-Tech Jewellery. Shop our full selection of jewellery online today! 358 Richmond Rd | WALLSPACEGALLERY.CA 613-729-0003 | info@wallspacegallery.ca

WESTBORO VILLAGER CUPCAKE LOUNGE

kitchissippi.com

STRAWBERRY BLONDE BAKERY VALENTINE’S DAY MENU

COOKIES • Decorated Chocolate Chip Cookiegram $16.50 • Heart Shaped Chili Chocolate Sandwich $18/6 • Chocolate Dipped Shortbread Hearts $18/6 • Decorated Sugar Cookies $19.50/6 • Sugar Cookie Decorating Kits $18 each DOUGHNUTS • Strawberry Glazed Vanilla Doughnut $27.60/6 • Chocolate Cherry Fritter $26.10/6 • Red Velvet with Cream Cheese Glaze $26.10/6

@Kitchissippi KitchissippiTimes 31 • kitchissippitimes kitchissippi.com @Kitchissippi kitchissippitimes

Love, cupcakes & cookies, now, more than ever! Order online: thecupcakelounge.com/ for Valentine’s Day or any day.

CUPCAKES & CAKE POPS Speciality Cupcakes $25/6 • Hostess with the mostess (with love written on top) • Lemon Love topped with a sugar cookie on top 4” Cakes $30 • Red Velvet (with large buttercream rose on top) • Strawberry Chocolate (with drip glaze) Cake Tins - 4”x6” $7.75 each • Lemon Love

SQUARES/BARS • Strawberry Nanaimo Bars $18/6 or $12/tin CHOCOLATES AND OTHER DELICIOUS VALENTINE’S TREATS • An Assortment of 6 Valentine's inspired truf les and bonbons $10 per box • Foil Wrapped Solid Heart Shaped Chocolates $4.50/package • Hot Chocolate Bombs $10/2 • Love Surprise Box - Available in Small $15 and Large $30 www.strawberryblondebakery.com

westborovillage.com

February 2021 • WESTBORO VILLAGE KitchissippiTimes 31 • February 2021

Cake Pop $33/12 per flavor • Black Forest • Red Velvet • Pink Velvet

PROVINCIAL UPDATE

Building a mass movement for disability rights SUBMITTED BY JOEL HARDEN, MPP FOR OTTAWA CENTRE

people who did. We needed an alliance here. have the opportunity and option to apply, I called Amanda Holt, a horse owner, and however we won’t be and this is why: social here’s what she shared: isolation, poverty and essential programming “I take strength from my horses when I cancellation due to COVID-19 has impacted connect with them. And I hope that those living on ODSP and children with you, the strong equestrians of disabilities in the worst way. Ontario, will use that strength These families need our government to to raise your voices for those immediately provide meaningful financial aid who need our support now.” I to those who are hardest hit in this crisis. The then called Jennifer Semach, isolation, financial constraints [and] limited co-owner of Walkabout Farms support [are] magnified especially for those is here you with: TherapeuticOur Ridingoffice Association. withfor permanent disabilities and the families I shared Amanda’s statement with that have lost respite care for [their] loved ones Monthly Town during Hallsthe COVID-19 crisis.” her, and asked if she would consider one Canvasses as well. Within the hour, Jennifer offered this: As we work for a more enabling province, Community Organizing “Many wonderful people have been it’s worth remembering our allies are Help Accessing Government Services tagging me in reference to the Equine everywhere. We need a mass movement for Hardship Program being offered by our disability rights, and you can take part. provincial government. I am grateful to Tell Premier Ford to raise ODSP rates now. P: 613-722-6414 109 Catherine St. / rue Catherine E: JHarden-CO@ndp.on.ca Ottawa, ON K2P 0P4 MPP / Député provincial, www.joelharden.ca Ottawa Centre

kitchissippi.com

@Kitchissippi

kitchissippitimes

KitchissippiTimes

ecently, I received heartfelt pleas from people with disabilities on social media. Folks were upset that the Province of Ontario had announced emergency help for equine (horse, mule, donkey, etc.) businesses, while people with disabilities have languished on poverty incomes during COVID-19 as their costs increased. I was furious, and pledged to raise hell, but something seemed wrong. Having been raised in a rural home, I heard of stables with therapeutic riding programs for people with disabilities. Were we lashing out against allies? So, I inquired further, and got this reply from a family friend: “...these subsidies aren’t for people’s pets,

these subsidies are for horses that are used in lesson programmes … riding programmes have been shut down for a long time so people are having to feed and care for animals that are essential to their business but who aren’t, at the moment, bringing in any income through their work in the school … so, while we should be paying out more to people on ODSP [Ontario Disability Support Program], I also think supporting small businesses in COVID is important.” The doubt I had now took shape. Many folks applying to the Equine Hardship Program were supporters of disability rights, and are in need of help. They either ran therapeutic riding programs or supported

Oueis Dentistry makes it easy for you to attend to all of your dental health needs in one convenient location. Book appointments for you and your family today! Call us at (613) 722-7272. New!Now offering full sedation for all surgical procedures. • Dr. John Oueis

• Dr.DukeVo

• Dr. Samuel Tremblay

• Dr. Paige Kozak

General & Cosmetic Dentistry

February 2021 • 32

General Dentistry

Implants & Oral Surgery Orthodontics

• Dr. Stella Rastogi

Family & Kids' Dentistry

A:t

'n�OO u;;� �

Also accepting new patients at The Dental Office at Lyon & Glebe 645 Lyon Street South (613) 233-2000

f "JI

@ @OueisDentistry

FEDERAL UPDATE Reviewing pandemic support programs SUBMITTED BY CATHERINE MCKENNA, MP FOR OTTAWA CENTRE

available in Ottawa Centre such as the Distress Centre, a 24/7 helpline you can reach at 613238-3311. We will meet these challenges with resilience, kindness and by working together to support each other. There is a more hopeful future coming. - Catherine

Affordable, Clean, Secure, Central √ Inside Storage √ Over 600 Lockers √ Climate Controlled √ Over 100 √ 7 Days/Week Different Sizes

340 Parkdale Avenue (between Wellington & Scott)

613-729-2130

www.parkdaleministorage.com

IT’S ILLEGAL TO BRING A LLAMA TO A NATIONAL PARK.

The Mann Lawyers Family Law team keeps you, your family and your pets on the right side of family law in Ontario. Mann Lawyers | Full Service Law Firm 613-722-1500 mannlawyers.com

Now accepting applications for our Retirement Floor

Call 613-722-6690

kitchissippitimes

Comfortable, affordable, retirement living in the heart of Kitchissippi!

@Kitchissippi

Welcome Home!

kitchissippi.com KitchissippiTimes

33 • February 2021

Dear residents, Going into the new year with added restrictions in Ontario has not been easy, but has been necessary. Our COVID-19 case numbers in Ottawa spiked significantly over the holidays and it is critical that we continue to follow public health directives and stay home. In hopeful news, vaccines have been administered to long-term health care residents and essential public health workers in Ottawa Centre. Our government is focused on supporting provinces and territories to distribute these vaccines as quickly as possible. As the prime minister has said, we are on track to give every Canadian who wants one a vaccine by September. While this is good news, vaccines won’t help anyone who contracts COVID-19 now. We need to continue to follow public health advice, wearing masks, downloading the COVID Alert app and staying home whenever possible. Throughout the pandemic, the federal government has listened to Canadians. In speaking with many constituents, I hear your frustration — I know how challenging this has been. We developed programs to support businesses, workers, individuals and various sectors to provide support and get us through these hard times. Federal government programs: Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS): Maximum subsidy rate of 75 per cent and it is extended until June 2021. Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS):

Rent and mortgage support until June 2021. Eligible businesses restricted by a mandatory public health order can receive an additional 25 per cent of rent support through lockdown support. Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA): Loan of $60,000 in which $20,000 is forgivable if paid before Dec. 31, 2021. Regional Recovery Relief Fund (RRRF): Provides liquidity in the form of loans for businesses unable to access relief benefits. Employment Insurance (EI): Program has changed to support more Canadians through the pandemic. Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB): Income support if you are self-employed or not eligible for Employment Insurance. Canada Recovery Caregiver Benefit (CRCB): Income support if you must stop work to care for dependents due to closures, high risk and caregiver availability. Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB): Up to two weeks of support if you are sick or must selfisolate due to COVID-19. Please find more information at canada.ca/ coronavirus. Provincial government programs: Ontario Small Business Support Grant: $10,000-$20,000 grant which will help small businesses that must close or significantly restrict services due to provincewide shutdown. Rebates for PPE, property taxes or energy bills: Province will provide grants for eligible businesses to help cover the cost of personal protective equipment, property taxes and energy bills. Main Street Relief Grant: Will help small businesses with two to nine employees with the cost of PPE. Find out more at covid-19.ontario.ca For further information, please call my constituency office at 613-946-8682 or email us at catherine.mckenna@parl.gc.ca. I want to thank all the healthcare professionals and essential workers, the non-profit organizations and the volunteers who continue to work tirelessly during this unprecedented time. Let’s remember that we need to take care of our mental health. There are resources

OCDSB CORNER

Mental health and living through this state of emergency SUBMITTED BY JUSTINE BELL, OCDSB SCHOOL TRUSTEE FOR SOMERSET-KITCHISSIPPI

February 2021 • 34

kitchissippi.com

@Kitchissippi

kitchissippitimes

KitchissippiTimes

e’ve heard many times about the importance of taking care of our mental health while living through this state of emergency. But what does that really mean for my child? For me? The World Health Organization defines mental health as “a state of well-being in which every individual realizes their potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution to their community.” In the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) Mental Health Strategy, we outline that mental health and well-being are fundamental to student success and affect academic achievement and

social-emotional development. The thing is, we are not living with the normal stresses of life. As you all know, the province has issued a stay-at-home order and the extension of school closures in Ottawa. Coping right now is hard. Here is an example of how some alarm bells play out at our house (and with two parents working from home, we are privileged). It’s 1:56 p.m., we didn’t make it outside for lunch and it’s time to get my daughter back online. I have a meeting at 2 p.m. and my partner has informed me that he also has an urgent meeting. I can tell that my daughter has had enough and doesn’t want to go back

online. Two minutes before my meeting, I notice myself snapping at my partner, “Can you please help?” My daughter picks up on the anxiety, and slams the computer shut. I breathe and I offer her video games after this session. It doesn’t work. Fast forward to the end of the day, I haven’t exercised, we ate macaroni for dinner and I’m feeling sad. I don’t feel like I was able to contribute productively on any front. I question whether I was able to help my daughter cope. So what do we do the next day? Try again. Make a yummy raspberry spinach smoothie, play “shovel the snow” at lunch break, talk about what we are grateful for and get to bed on time.

Does any of this sound familiar? If you’re feeling like you aren’t coping, or if you see your child consistently disengaged, angry or exhausted, you can ask for help. I have. I reached out to my daughter’s educators and they forwarded me great resources. Our schools have a support system and mental health workers. You can check out the mental health page at OCDSB to learn more, and the School Mental Health Ontario website is great. There are helplines, articles on understanding anxiety during uncertain times, videos on social-emotional learning, breathing exercises, youth mental health resources and much more. I have also been invited to observe a few classes online, and I can confidently say our educators are working hard to find innovative ways to promote student mental health by creating safe, caring and inclusive learning environments online. Most of the advice I’ve read and heard from our educators centres on keeping it simple: Focus on healthy habits and routines, do things you enjoy, notice the good things and stay connected.

NEPEAN HIGH SCHOOL CORNER What it is like to be a high school frontline worker BY ANNA CARSLEY-JONES (SHE/THEY)

e asked students at Nepean High School (NHS) who have essential part-time jobs how it has been to be both a high school student and a frontline worker during a pandemic. Everyone who answered agreed that working during a pandemic creates more stress than usual, as not only are time management and workload a worry, but so are lives. Tara, a Grade 11 hybrid student, was working at a butcher shop in March when the pandemic first hit Ottawa. She

recalls that she was extremely aware of her exposure to others, especially because masks weren’t mandatory yet. Tara says that she is relieved now that the community seems to be taking the necessary precautions. Two students, one Grade 12 and one Grade 11, who both currently work in grocery stores, say that they experience COVID-19 anxiety. The Grade 12 student says that she now sometimes wears two masks, especially since COVID-19 cases have been rising in Ottawa recently. Another student, Younesse, who worked at a food centre

during the summer, told us that although he really enjoyed the job, COVID-19 anxiety took its toll. A part-time job can be tricky for everyone, but Grade 12 students in particular have expressed how difficult it can be. Francis, who works at a store/restaurant, says that managing work, university applications and school is stressful, especially when class is compressed into short and busy quadmesters. And Olivia, currently working at a fast food restaurant, says that working four shifts for a total of 20 hours a week, on top of senior year, can be a lot to handle. Many people reported feeling a decrease in their mental well-being during the pandemic. One Grade 12 student tells us that her mental health has plummeted during the past months, and although it comes and goes in waves, it makes it very difficult to go to work on the more severe days. School

has been more difficult and tiring than usual due to COVID-19, and adding a job to schedules only amplifies this for most. While health anxiety and busy schedules are an issue for high school frontline workers, there are some positives. Francis says that having consistent shifts each week has helped him procrastinate less, and another Grade 12 says her job gives her a reason to leave the house. Tara tells us that working during a pandemic has taught her how to handle a lot of responsibilities, which is a great skill for the future. Many of the students we spoke with say that having a job right now means they get in-person social interaction, something we all lack in both school and our personal lives at the moment. Although it isn’t like normal, we still can get some human connection, which is vital, and it’s a bonus if we work with friends or classmates we like.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR COVID-19 note: This page has been updated to reflect the developments in Ottawa during the pandemic.

FEB. 1-28: BLACK HISTORY MONTH

FEB. 23 - OTTAWA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Webinar: Ecology, On-line Learning and Saving the World One Garden at a Time Please join teacher/author David Ward and witness his sincere, open lecture style as he

TUESDAYS - BYTOWN VOICES COMMUNITY CHOIR Although the choir is not able to prepare for public performances, we will be meeting online each Tuesday evening at 7:30 p.m. We will be learning some new music and maintaining our vocal cords in a relaxed environment, with plenty of musical and technological help. We will all be experiencing this new way of meeting and singing together and are happy to

welcome new members, men and women, to join us. For more information, see our website at bytownvoices.com

WEDNESDAYS - SHOUT SISTER! CHOIR There are 25 chapters of Shout Sister! Choir in Ontario and we are constantly growing. Shout Sister! takes an unorthodox approach to choral singing. We learn from recorded tracks, so we require no reading of music. Our method is fresh and fun, and we are a warm and welcoming community. We use Zoom to meet virtually every Wednesday afternoon (1-3 p.m.) and Thursday evening (7-9 p.m.). Everyone is welcome. We would love to have you join us! For information on joining, please contact members@shoutsisterchoir.ca or visit shoutsisterchoir.ca.

KITCHISSIPPI MARKET PLACE To place a Classified or Marketplace ad, please call 613.238.1818

35 • February 2021

CNOY is a national, annual winter walk to “raise money for charities serving people experiencing homelessness, hurt, and hunger.” The second annual event in Westboro is being organized once again by Cornerstone Housing for Women to fundraise for women’s housing. The event is virtual this year for COVID-19 safety — participants can walk the 2 or 5 km route by themselves or with their households. To learn more about the event, or to register for CNOY Ottawa Westboro, visit cnoy.org. You can also check out Kitchissippi Times’ story on pages 16-17.

Every Monday at 6:45 p.m. (except holidays). Visit us online to enjoy time with members learning to communicate better while honing your leadership skills. This new reality has taught us much. We are learning new skills and still relating great stories. Join our family of joy by contacting Sharon at 45sharong@gmail.com or Lucille, our webmaster, at l_bouthillier@ yahoo.ca to receive the link.

kitchissippi.com.

KitchissippiTimes

The McKellar Park Community Association invites you to join Berit Erickson for a virtual photo tour of her pollinator garden and backyard habitat gardens. She’ll share what she’s learned about pollinators, their favourite flowers and habitat requirements. Discover how to design, plant and maintain your own pollinator garden. The Zoom presentation will take place on Feb. 8: The meeting opens at 7 p.m. and the presentation runs from 7:30 to 9 p.m. You can register in advance. For further

FEB. 20 - COLDEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR (CNOY)

MONDAYS - ABOVE AND BEYOND TOASTMASTERS

For the full list of events please go to

kitchissippitimes

FEB. 8 - POLLINATOR GARDENING ZOOM PRESENTATION

Join Master Gardener Rebecca Last for this free online presentation all about sex — plant sex, that is, and how home gardeners can save money, have fun and breed new varieties by starting their own seeds. We begin with a discussion of why gardeners might want to start plants from seed. There is an introduction to the lexicon for seed starting and a discussion of the importance of documentation. We talk about sources of seed, and viability. Then we discuss equipment and supplies for seed starting, and what seeds to start where and when (indoors versus outdoors). There are some tips for getting a head start on your seed starting, and we finish with some troubleshooting and the basics of hardening off. No registration required. Instructions for participating can be found at ottawahort.org. The Feb. 16 event runs from 7:30 to 9 p.m.

Got a Kitchissippi-area virtual or COVID-19 safe event to share? We’d love to hear about it. Send your info to editor@kitchissippi.com

@Kitchissippi

“During Black History Month, Canadians celebrate the many achievements and contributions of Black Canadians who, throughout history, have done so much to make Canada the culturally diverse, compassionate and prosperous nation it is today,” the Government of Canada’s website states. This year, Black History Month will be celebrated virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic with speaker series and other events. To learn more about the virtual activities going on in Ottawa throughout the month of February, visit blackhistoryottawa. com. And to find out more about the celebrations taking place throughout the province, visit the OBHS website blackhistorysociety.ca. You can also read more on this year’s Black History Month in the story on pages 6-7.

FEB. 16 - OTTAWA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Webinar: All From a Little Seed (How to start seeds)

comments on our individual journeys of lifelong learning, adventure however you define it and anything else his heart feels compelled to share. An award-winning author of two critically acclaimed books, and a winner of the Charles E. Pascal Award for Excellence in Teaching, Ward is pleased to now be sharing his long and varied history of working in horticulture, with learners at the University of Guelph. No registration required. Instructions for participating can be found at ottawahort.org. The Feb. 23 event runs from 7:30 to 9 p.m.

kitchissippi.com

Stay safe and healthy, Kitchissippi!

information on pollinator gardening, visit cornerpollinatorgarden.net.

February 2021 â&#x20AC;˘ 36 kitchissippi.com

To: From:

@Kitchissippi

kitchissippitimes

KitchissippiTimes