Kitchissippi Times February 2022 by Great River Media inc.

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Jeff Leiper

Meet the snow bear maker Pages 20-21

City Councillor conseiller municipal

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February 2022

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CALL THE APOTHECARY

Pure Apothecary opened in late August and co-owner Alex Santillán says it's already building a community. Pages 12-13

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR New Year's Day 2022 on Roosevelt Avenue was, for a short time, a little more noisy than usual as long-time Westboro resident Carol Clarke’s birthday was celebrated in style. Carol’s ‘real’ birthday is on Dec. 23, but like just about everything else, due to the pandemic, it was necessary to adapt. In what had devolved into a muted, sombre, disrupted and stunted observance of the holiday season, many of us were in need of a little fun, and the opportunity to come together safely. The Omicron variant could not stifle the irrepressible spirit of Carol’s two daughters, Colleen and me—we sisters, along with others, found a COVID-19 friendly way to recognize Mom’s special day. Colleen dreamed up an idea, and posted

BIZ ROUNDUP Happy 2022, Kitchissippi, and welcome back to the Biz Roundup. Here are the latest business headlines:

February 2022 • 2

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New on the block

Attention waffle fans: Sharpfle Waffle is now open in Hintonburg. The food spot has been up and running at 4-1130 Wellington St. W. since December. Visit the company website at sharpfle-waffle.square.site to check out the menu with all the waffle flavour options. Elderast has arrived in Kitchissippi! The organic grocery store opened at 95 Richmond Rd. around the new year and offers a variety of products and a delivery service. “Elderast was founded in 2020 with the belief that organic products are not only essential to our well-being, but also help protect the integrity of our environment

an open invitation on Facebook for all to participate in a parade that would drive past Carol’s home. Additionally, emails were sent and phone calls were made to those who might not use social media. I asked an Ottawa mainstay, singersongwriter Greg Kelly, to serenade Mom as part of the day’s festivities. Greg was more than happy to contribute his beautiful voice (and excellent guitar playing) to the celebration. The parking lot of the Dovercourt Recreation Centre became the staging ground. Our long-time friend Louise Frederick took on the role of Parade Marshal. Louise provided decorations, and lead the procession in a wide loop around the park.

(including ecosystems) in a sustainable manner,” the company website states. Want to know more about going organic? Visit elderast.com. Welcome to the neighbourhood, Billyard Insurance Group! The company, an independent insurance brokerage with locations across the country, has opened its doors at 311 Richmond Rd, Suite 300. “The Billyard Insurance Group Westboro has a combined 15 years of industry experience, and is dedicated to working with clients over the phone, through email or in person at our Richmond Road Office,” the business’ website states. So what are you waiting for? Visit thebig.ca/westboro to learn more about the company and services.

On the move

Flamingo Boutique is changing locations. But have no fear: the new spot is just down the road! “And that’s a wrap! Thanks 992 for being a great little location for the past 15 months. We have a lot of work to do moving into our new big store at 980 Wellington

As the vehicles were being made ready, Greg appeared at Carol’s front door and, when she answered, she was showered in song until the drive-by birthday participants arrived. Photographer Lou (who has taken beautiful photos around Westboro) captured the day’s festivities. On cue, the sound of car horns could be heard, growing louder and louder as the parade turned on to Roosevelt Avenue. The normally quiet little street was soon filled with honking, cow bells, “La Cucaracha” car horns, noise-makers, whoops, hoots, hollers and shouts of “happy birthday!” It was a time of joy in the face of otherwise gloomy circumstances.

Friends and neighbours, and some of their four-legged companions, had taken some time out of their own New Year’s Day celebrations to help make this birthday something really special. We have all heard the word “pivot” ad nauseam, especially in the last few weeks. While the constant roller coaster ride of this pandemic had put the kibosh on many of our holiday plans, Colleen and I were simply not going to allow the Omicron Grinch to steal away yet another special occasion. A little creativity, planning, help from friends and neighbours, and a willingness to have some fun at a distance outdoors made for a celebration of Mom that we will never forget. — Shelley Ann Morris

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Carol’s convoy: Undaunted daughters find way to honour mom’s birthday

St West & we hope to be open there soon,” the company wrote on its Facebook page Jan. 24. Follow the local shop’s social media for more on the opening and the latest Flamingo news.

HEART Season with Wellington West

The Wellington West BIA’s “HEART Season” has arrived—the BIA is celebrating health, wellness, nutrition and fitness

with activities and information this winter. “January and February are HEART Season months in Hintonburg and Wellington Village! And the Wellington West merchants are here to offer you some great information to help you stay healthy through the winter months. New video tips are added weekly!” the BIA states on its website. Follow the BIA’s social media channels to keep up with the latest news!

SPONSORED CONTENT

Photos courtesy of Magnolia Construction

Magnolia Construction: Create your dream space with a ‘one-stop shop’ company

3 • February 2022

To learn more about the business, call Joey Peloso today at (613) 617-5157 or visit the website at magnoliaconstruction.ca.

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Local expertise Around Kitchissippi, you may see Magnolia Construction’s familiar signs.The company completed dozens of projects in Westboro alone in 2021 and Peloso said they’ve got another 30-40 scheduled in the neighbourhood for 2022. It’s an area that Peloso and the team know well. “We’re mostly in the Glebe, Westboro, Alta Vista, Kanata, Barrhaven areas but we’ll go anywhere.” Magnolia Construction has also sponsored local organizations like Dovercourt and the Glebe Community Centre in the past.

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Family legacy Peloso says he learned the client-first approach from his family. His parents emigrated from Italy and built a life and businesses in Ottawa. Luigi “Gino” Peloso was a well-known community leader in Little Italy, and worked at the family’s heating oil company, Peloso Fuel, on Preston Street for decades. Peloso said he learned invaluable lessons from his father and built upon the business contacts and trust that the family established in the community. “I basically built my company on my dad’s coattails,” Peloso said. And there’s a personal touch to that family legacy. When someone connects with Magnolia about a potential project, they often receive cannolis—the famous Italian pastry— or other dishes alongside their consultation. Around town, Peloso has earned a professional nickname. “Everybody calls me ‘Joey Lasagna,’ because we actually bring homemade lasagnas to their door when we get a job and we talk to them—or even if we don’t get a job. We bring lasagnas and cannolis.”

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Client first approach The Magnolia Construction team is known for building connections with their clients from day one. When you contact Magnolia, you reach the owner directly. Despite managing a team of 80 people, staff and sub-trade contractors included, Peloso answers the main phone line and visits each customer. “I go see every client—literally every client. When you call the number on my website, it is me.” Magnolia Construction stays engaged with clients to help them achieve their visions step by step. They pride themselves on listening, anticipating needs and customizing work for each homeowner. They

strive to be attentive, courteous and detailed in both customer service and the remodeling work.

In Westboro and the Glebe, Peloso said he gets stopped on the street and asked if he is Joey Lasagna. Peloso said it wasn’t the plan: he didn’t want the home cooked Italian food to be a “gimmick.” But it was something that was inspired by his mother, Maria, and the cooking represents building relationships. “It’s business but yet it’s lasagnas and cannolis,” he said, adding that the company never wants to have a “corporate” feel.

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re you looking to add on to your home, renovate your basement, or refresh your kitchen or bathroom? Magnolia Construction should be your first call! The local team has decades of residential and commercial experience, offering all-in-one services and high-quality renovations across the Ottawa region. When you hire Magnolia, the company will be with you from start to finish on your project. Joey Peloso, head contractor, said it is a “one-stop shop”— the company organizes the permits, designs the project, obtains the materials and builds. “We deal with everything from the design to build. No one has to go anywhere else,” he said. As the pandemic continues, with many locals working from home, Peloso said that clients are continuing to improve their residential properties. “It seems that people are just investing in their homes now because interest rates are low, so they are taking equity and they are building on their home—[a] lot of office space, a lot of basement renovations—and they are adding square footage because of interest rates. “They are intensifying their existing homes, as opposed to tearing them down,” he added. Around 80 per cent of Magnolia’s work is residential, Peloso said, and the company specializes in renovations—particularly bathroom, basement and kitchen areas—and additions. They also offer landscaping services, as Peloso’s brother specializes in it. Magnolia Construction is a member of the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), RenoMark and has been verified by HomeStars (with an average customer rating of 9.8/10). The company also has a current average 4.9/5 on Google reviews. So why choose Magnolia?

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.

KITCHISSIPPI TIMES Great River Media Inc PO Box 91585 Ottawa ON K1W 1K0 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. EDITOR

February 2022 • 4

Meet Brenda Chapman

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“I grew up in northwestern Ontario near Thunder Bay, came down to Queen’s for teacher’s college. I ended up in Ottawa for what I thought would only be the summer, but I met my husband, who owned a house in Westboro, where we have lived ever since and raised our two daughters. I was a special education teacher for quite a few years, and then went to the government in mainly communications roles through the Department of Justice and Health Canada. I like the neighbourhood feel of Westboro. We know our neighbours, and we have a street evening walking group. I love going to the shops around Richmond Road and Hampton Park around the river. It’s a very walkable neighbourhood. We are a family of curlers who curl at the Granite Curling Club on Scott Street, and my daughter is heading off to the Olympics with team Jennifer Jones, this time around Lisa Weagle. The pandemic has given me a lot of time to be at home in front of the computer and using my imagination. I’ve been reading a lot and I really enjoy crime fiction—police procedural most of all. I always enjoy supporting and reading local and Canadian authors. Some of them are my friends, so it’s hard to pick favourite authors. I am an author, a career which started with a middle-grade mystery novel I wrote called Running Scared. I wrote it when my daughters were young, got a publisher in Toronto, and that turned into a fourbook series. I started getting into the adult mystery genre and recently had the Stonechild and Rouleau series which was set in Kingston. It has done quite well with seven books total. I’m just starting a new series set in Ottawa; the first book is called Blind Date: A Hunter and Tate Mystery, which will be out March 1st. I’ll be turning that into a series as well. In December, I learned that my Cold Mourning audiobook had come second behind Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets for most borrowed audiobook in the UK library system for 2021. Cold Mourning also placed number one in Australia and New Zealand during the same time period. In addition, my second audiobook Butterfly Kills came in seventh and eighth in Australia and the UK. Publishers Weekly later

Charlie Senack, Ellen Bond, Bradley Turcotte, Alvin

twitter.com/kitchissippi CONTRIBUTORS Tsang, Ted Simpson and Dave Allston. PROOFREADER Karen-Luz Sison ADVERTISING SALES Eric Dupuis 613-696-9485 eric@kitchissippi.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Tanya Connolly-Holmes creative@greatriver.ca GRAPHIC DESIGNER Celine Paquette celine@greatriver.ca FINANCE Cheryl Schunk, 613-696-9490

PHOTO COURTESY OF BRENDA CHAPMAN.

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Maureen McEwan

reported that the Cold Mourning audiobook placed third overall in 76,000 libraries and schools in 94 countries worldwide that use OverDrive apps and services." It really was thrilling to realize that so many people had listened to my book around the world. It’s almost unbelievable to think that, but it’s a real lift. Authors often struggle with thinking if their work is good enough, so getting a boost like that is really heartwarming.” Story collected by Charlie Senack

cheryl@greatriver.ca All other enquiries 613-696-9494 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

dovercourt.org 613.798.8950

If you go down to the FEBRUARY UPDATES woods today, you're sure of a bear surprise SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION Camp registration begins on Groundhog Day, Wed. Feb. 2, 8am, online registration only. We will continue to add camps over the next number of months as restrictions and capacities change, so please check back often.

BY MAUREEN MCEWAN

Walk, fat bike or ski on the Kichi Sibi Winter Trail. The snow has arrived and the grooming team has been working hard to make the trail awesome. WINTER PROGRAMS - REGISTER NOW Swim lessons, rec swims, fitness classes resume Jan. 31. All other programs resume Feb. 5.

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AFTER SCHOOL There are currently spaces for the January-June session. Includes safe arrival/walking school bus, a healthy snack, and activities until 6:00pm.

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MARCH BREAK CAMPS Register the kids for an action-packed week of March Break camps March 14 – 18 including Theme (Kandy Kingdom!), Sports, Culinary, Visual Arts & Science.

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FIT PASS Keep safe and keep moving! We’ve added more online classes. In-person classes resume Jan. 31.

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5 • February 2022

Dear readers, A belated happy new year! This is our first edition of 2022 and we’re catching up on all things Kitchissippi. You may have noticed around the ward that winter is decidedly here to stay. Given the recent weather in Ottawa, I wouldn’t blame any and all groundhogs for refusing to leave their burrows on Feb. 2. We hope you are keeping warm this shivery season. Here’s what’s happening in the February edition: We caught up with Kezna Dalz and Jaden Slawter about Capital Pride’s celebration of Black History Month. This is the first year that the 2SLGBTQ+ organization is offering a full schedule of programming! The City of Ottawa has reopened Tom Brown Arena respite centre as a temporary overnight facility for the second winter in a row. Kitchissippi Coun. Jeff Leiper spoke with us about the respite centre and need for these services in the city. Dennis Van Staalduinen and Judy Lincoln, the executive directors of the Wellington West and Westboro Village BIAs, respectively, took the time to talk about the latest COVID-19 restrictions and how to support local businesses. Alex Santillán, from Pure Apothecary, spoke with us about the business’ first months in Hintonburg and community building.

David Seba, from Quelque Chose, took time to speak with us about the bakery’s story, Valentine’s Day, and, of course, macarons! Bottle Works has started operating a monthly bottle drive in Kitchissippi. The initiative collects funds that help disadvantaged kids in the community with employment, vocational skills and social supports. Shlomo Coodin, with Operation Come Home, and Fiona Marrow, from the Westboro Beach Community Association, tell us more. Local author Brenda Chapman is featured in this month’s Humans of Kitchissippi. Chapman spoke with us about about her writing work, her life in Westboro and her busy family: her daughter is headed off to the Beijing Olympics! Did you know that rural Westboro was once home to one of the world’s most renowned gun clubs and trap shooting facilities? This month’s Early Days revisits the early 1900s and the history of the St. Hubert’s Gun Club. And then we’ve got some wonderful, wintry community photos taken in the aftermath of the big Jan.17 snowstorm. Finally, have you seen the bears around Kitchissippi? We’re talking about the famous snow bears made by local artist Maggie Glossop, of course. They have been spotted all along the Kichi Sibi Winter Trail the last few years and Glossop shared what inspired her to start making the creatures. And that’s all the news that’s fit to print. Stay safe, Kitchissippi!

WINTER FUN Enjoy the winter on our amazing outdoor rinks at Dovercourt (Westboro) at McKellar Park (539 Wavell Ave). Big thanks to our rink volunteers who work so hard to prep the ice.

COMMUNITY NEWS Tom Brown Arena respite centre reopens temporary overnight shelter BY MAUREEN MCEWAN

February 2022 • 6

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hroughout the pandemic, a Kitchissippi landmark has served as a refuge for the city’s vulnerable and unhoused populations. Tom Brown Arena, the recreation centre situated at 141 Bayview Station Rd., has operated as a respite centre since November 2020. It’s a space where Ottawa residents can access washrooms, showers, food, clothing and different services. They can rest, and take shelter from the weather during the day. Last January, as COVID-19 outbreaks hit shelters across the city, the respite centre was transformed into a temporary overnight facility to help increase capacity. The shelter ran at Tom Brown for 13 days and over 600 people stayed there overnight, the city confirmed in an interview with Kitchissippi Times last spring. This January, as the city experienced a resurgence of COVID-19 cases with the Omicron variant, the respite centre was converted to operate as a temporary overnight space—known as a temporary overnight Physical Distancing Centre (PDC)—once again. “Given the current situation, where community shelters are in outbreak status, and to help address various challenges, a decision was made to open Tom Brown Respite Centre as a temporary overnight PDC for men and women effective Tuesday, January 11,” stated a memo from Donna Gray, general manager, community and social services, to Ottawa city council Jan.12. Tom Brown now offers up to 70 beds at night while continuing to provide respite services during the day. Jeff Leiper, Kitchissippi ward councillor, said he was glad that Tom

In January, Tom Brown reopened as a temporary overnight Physical Distancing Centre (PDC) for the second winter in a row. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CITY OF OTTAWA.

Brown is there to offer overnight support again this winter, especially given the high transmissibility of the Omicron variant and resulting physical distancing needs. “It is critical. It’s unfortunate that we don’t have the shelter capacity in the city to be able to handle the distancing requirements that are the result of the pandemic,” said Leiper. “It is good that they are using the facility in that way when they need it. I don’t think there’s going to be a lot of debate over whether or not it should be— certainly that is not a debate that we’re

having in the community. We need the capacity: Tom Brown is well-set-up for it. It has operated relatively successfully in that capacity in the past. So when the need arose, it [was] natural that Tom Brown would again be used on a temporary basis for shelter, in addition to its respite role.” During the pandemic, the city has used a few community spaces for respite. Bernard Grandmaître Arena in Vanier (309 McArthur Ave.) opened its respite centre in November 2020. McNabb Recreation Centre in Centretown (180 Percy St.) was in operation from late

April to early October 2020, eventually being replaced by Tom Brown that fall. Converting community spaces for respite use is a newer idea, Leiper said, adding that spaces like BernardGrandmaître Arena and Tom Brown are “relatively innovative.” “We haven't had, up until this pandemic, this kind of facility. And it’s a priority for me, and something I speak constantly about with the city, to maintain these sorts of services when the pandemic is over.” “The ability to offer somewhere in from the cold and in from the heat, with

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7 • February 2022

"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!"

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With Ottawa’s weather fluctuations, he added that it is imperative for these facilities to exist in the community. “It is critical that we have—not just for the sake of providing people with comfort and dignity, but, in some cases, during extreme weather—medicallynecessary spaces to cool down or to warm up,” Leiper said. “It’s of critical importance.” Last month alone, the city saw a record-breaking snowfall, extreme temperature drops and numerous frostbite warnings just days after Tom Brown opened for overnight stays. “With the arrival of winter weather, our community shelter system always sees an increase in demand. The City is working closely with Ottawa Public Health, Ottawa Inner City Health and community shelter partners, as has been the strategy throughout the pandemic, to protect the health and security of everyone and to ensure that anyone who wants a shelter space will have access to one,” said Chris Tuck, commander of the city’s Human Needs Command Centre, in a statement to Kitchissippi Times Jan. 19. “Ensuring a safe space for those in need remains a priority for the City of Ottawa, and we will continue to add resources and supports in the coming days and weeks as needed,” the statement continued. Post-pandemic, while Coun. Leiper wants respite centre services to continue, he believes Tom Brown Arena should return to its original purpose. “I’ve been really clear that I want the space to revert back to what it was built for, which is a recreation space. There’s an arena there—there is a very high demand for recreation facilities that are within a walking distance of this very rapidly intensifying neighbourhood,” said Leiper. “But, that said, we should be trying to find a way to replicate the services that are being provided in another space.” Tom Brown is accepting a select number of items for donation. Contact donations@ottawa.ca for more information. With files from Charlie Senack.

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some really basic food, the opportunity to get a shower, [use] a washroom, is really important,” he added. “And the city is able to also provide a lot of other services in the course of providing that physical respite.” Leiper said they’ve seen some very positive outcomes when respite, housing and health staff are able to work in the same area. “The lessons that we’ve learned about the utility of offering respite centre services is not lost on any of us,” he said. “We’ve learned how successful wraparound services in a respite facility can be and I think we have to try to replicate that and build on it,” he added. The councillor said he does worry that when the pandemic ends, the respite centres could be shut down, their services no longer offered, putting the pressure once again on day programs across the city. In 2018, an estimated 1,400 individuals and families were homeless in Ottawa, according to The Homeless Hub, the online research library developed by the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness. In January 2020, Ottawa city council declared an affordable housing and homelessness emergency. The Alliance to End Homelessness—a local coalition of organizations and individuals—estimates that currently 1,900 people, adults and children, sleep in shelters each night in Ottawa and that the “number of people sleeping outside has doubled since the beginning of the pandemic,” according to its website. The coalition also estimates at least 2,500 households in the city are “at risk of eviction because they haven’t been able to pay their rent during the pandemic,” and there is no “no deeply affordable housing” available for them to move to. Leiper said Tom Brown is being accessed by different vulnerable groups, including the “chronically homeless” who sleep outside, as well as the “inadequately housed”—those who may be living in precarious or overcrowded living conditions.

COMMUNITY NEWS Capital Pride hosts full series of Black History Month events for first time BY BRADLEY TURCOTTE

February 2022 • 8

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or the first year ever, Capital Pride is hosting a full schedule of Black History Month programming this February. A hybrid of in-person and virtual events, the organization is spotlighting Ottawa’s 2SLGBTQ+ Black community with events centred around the theme “Queer, Trans, Black, and Proud.” The month will include youth art events led by Montreal artist Kezna Dalz and appearances by Canada’s Drag Race queens Kendall Gender and Kimora Amour. The keynote talk by writer and educator Kim Katrin will explore Black, queer and trans liberation, professional growth and development as a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of colour) member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, and strategies to maintain ally relationships. The pandemic hit BIPOC community members disproportionately hard in terms of job security, Jaden Slawter, Capital Pride programming coordinator, says, but a rebound is underway. “One thing the past two years has taught us is you do have the people around you. The Black community is something I value so much,” Slawter says. “It has honestly helped me get through this entire process, especially the queer Black community and my queer Black friends. After all that has happened in the last two years in terms of the pandemic, but also with the Black Lives Matter movement, it’s important to uplift people and push those voices forward.” When Kitchissippi Times spoke to Capital Pride in 2021, chairperson Geneviève Colverson hoped the pandemic would unite all factions within Ottawa’s 2SLGBTQ+ community.

Kezna Dalz’s art has been described as “pop aesthetic” depicting strong and emotional Black, Indigenous, and people of colour. PHOTO COURTESY OF KEZNA DALZ. As a Black member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, “you can feel like you are essentially lesser than others or you are not as important,” Slawter says, and February’s programming aims to amplify these marginalized voices. Although she celebrates her “culture and other Black people’s culture as much as possible,” Dalz says there is positive motivation to read exclusively about Black culture during Black History Month. However, Dalz says that corporations often “woke-wash”—they participate

in trending social movements in a performative way to increase profits. “When it comes from within the community, it is nice to highlight the beauty of our culture.” Dalz, who also goes by the pseudonym “teenadult,” collaborated with author Shanice Nicole on the recently released children’s book For Black Girls. Dalz says she hopes the book helps “little Black girls to feel seen and to feel heard. I hope it brings joy.” She also added that she sees white families buying the book and continuing

the anti-racism work while their children are young. “I think that even grown adults can receive the message that is out there and hopefully it starts a discussion.” There were many impassioned discussions when Dalz took part in a Black Lives Matter public art installation in Montreal. While most passersby were curious and friendly, Dalz says she did encounter several white, cisgender, heterosexual men who were upset because “white men’s lives matter” too. “People have a hard time understanding things [that don’t affect them],” Dalz says. Overall, Dalz says there is more curiosity and openness regarding antiracism efforts as many people have been doing the work on their own during the pandemic. Yet there is also more rage, Dalz said, because people are isolated and those with discriminatory ideologies are getting upset when they go online and see the Black Lives Matter movement flourishing. Dalz’s Capital Pride art events ask the question “what would you like to see in your heart?” “I have had reflections, especially since the pandemic has started and the bigger wave of the BLM movement,” Dalz says. “It is always good to see and remind yourself what is good, what makes you happy… wishing for good things, thinking about things that bring us joy, and allow ourselves to enjoy them guilt-free.” Canadian Heritage’s theme for Black History Month 2022 is “February and Forever: Celebrating Black History today and every day.” Dalz encourages Canadians to continue to celebrate Black lives and culture after February ends. Visit capitalpride.ca to learn more.

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STAY WARM, SAFE, AND SOCIAL THIS WINTER Winter can be a cold and lonely time, especially for seniors. It doesn’t have to be.

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9 • February 2022

4 91 R I C H M O N D R O A D

A M I C A .C A / W E S T B O RO PA R K

pub: Kitchissippi Times community: WB insertion: February Issue

2022-01-21 4:03 PM

COMMUNITY NEWS ‘Heroes of the neighbourhood’: BIAs celebrate small business owners, encourage buying local BY CHARLIE SENACK

February 2022 • 10

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ocal businesses are finally hoping to catch a break after the latest round of COVID-19 restrictions following Omicron’s spread in Ottawa. On Jan. 20, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced a three-step plan to reopen the province after restrictions were imposed due to rising COVID-19 case counts. As of Jan. 31, indoor dining has been able to resume at 50 per cent capacity, along with gyms, movie theatres, and indoor sports and recreational facilities. Proof of vaccination will remain for select settings including restaurants. If COVID-19 trends head in the right direction, all indoor capacity limits are expected to lift by mid-March. It’s welcome news for local businesses that have been hit hard, and it comes after almost two years of restrictions, which have sometimes changed multiple times a week. Local Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) have also needed to pivot, going from in-person events to virtual activities and campaigns to support their members. Dennis Van Staalduinen, executive director at the Wellington West BIA, says they have primarily focused on online tools to help advertise their businesses. Last year, a new directory was formed, a place where everyone can browse all businesses in the district with one click of a button. “We took the time to rethink what we do so we can better support our members at all times, not just during COVID,” he said. It’s a similar situation in Westboro Village where the local BIA has worked with their members to expand their social media and website presence.

(Top) E. R. Fisher Menswear is seen as snow blankets Westboro. PHOTO BY MIV PHOTOGRAPHY. (Above left) Locals shop on Wellington Street West as the snow piles higher. PHOTO BY WELLINGTON WEST BIA, TED SIMPSON. (Above right) The two Kitchissippi BIAs encourage everyone to continue to shop and support local this winter. PHOTO BY WELLINGTON WEST BIA, TED SIMPSON Judy Lincoln, Westboro Village BIA executive director, says while circumstances have been far from ideal, the community has come together to support local. “It continues to be challenging, but everyone is trying new things. We are fortunate in Westboro that we have had a number of new businesses open or relocate to our village,” she said.

“All of our gyms usually offer something virtually, but if you look at Love Your Body Fitness, they only opened in the fall and were really excited to get going,” Lincoln added. “Then, we had another round of restrictions but they are continuing to teach online where it’s really about building that community.” Back in Wellington West, Van Staalduinen says their businesses have

also found creative ways to maximize their potential. “Tooth and Nail, the brewery, were one of the first businesses out the door in 2020 to go from a purely in-person retail walkup model, to making it very easy for their customers to order online and pick up their beer in a remote way,” he said. “This is something they always wanted to do and were thinking about it, but COVID

Affordable, Clean, Secure, Central A wintry landscape along Richmond Road. PHOTO BY MIV PHOTOGRAPHY

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Van Staalduinen predicts at least one new business opens in Wellington West each week, but worries about the larger retail spaces, which could be harder to fill. The worry is chain stores could move into the neighborhood that could take away from some of the local retailers. While 2022 began with a sense of déjà vu and unpredictability, both local BIAs are feeling optimistic about a more stable year ahead. But no matter where trends head and what restrictions may be imposed in the future, the message from both executive directors is clear: support local retailers in your community. “Always think local. You can often buy online from a lot of our businesses and do curbside pickup,” said Lincoln. “Online doesn’t just have to be big, multinational corporations. Order take out, pick up your coffee, make a positive review online. Word of mouth is still a great way to support local businesses.” “Another thing you can do is get to know the owners of the stores, ask them a question, take a picture of them, and share it with your friends on social media,” added Van Staalduinen. “The personalities and individuals who run these stores are such heroes of the neighbourhood and I would love to see the neighbours celebrating them. They need more than money right now; they need comfort and the feeling that their neighbourhood has their back," he said.

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gave them the kick to make that switch. As soon as they started doing it, they felt a lot more comfortable about their future and surviving this pandemic.” “Then, you have Nicastro’s in Wellington Village,” he added. “They pretty quickly realized the restaurant part of their business was not going to be easy to sustain and wasn't going to be very profitable through COVID, so they very quickly pivoted to being much more a grocery store, but also to set up online delivery and home delivery of groceries as well.” Van Staalduinen also noted Aurelius Fine Oils and Balsamic Vinegars, which renovated its location to remove a big part of their showroom, and instead turned it into an online order fulfillment centre. It’s a decision many businesses in Westboro are also making. “There are a few businesses who have adapted their business model, so have maybe moved online to be fully virtual,” said Lincoln. “There are some who are looking at the size of space they need, which also causes shifting and changes. I think it’s sometimes just a chance to take a breath and look at what’s next. We are fortunate though that we have had more businesses come into the neighbourhood than leave.” Lincoln says more businesses are already planned to fill some of the vacant storefronts later this year and some second and third-floor office spaces will also be welcoming new tenants.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

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February 2022 • 12

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Top: Some of the Hintonburg business’ products. PHOTOS BY MAUREEN MCEWAN. Bottom: Alex Santillán stands inside Pure Apothecary’s second location at 989 Wellington St. W. PHOTO BY TED SIMPSON.

‘A really good fit’: Pure Apothecary makes Hintonburg home BY TED SIMPSON

ure Apothecary is a recent addition to the Hintonburg landscape that combines a spiritual retail boutique with a cozy cafe atmosphere that seeks to inspire intentional living. The shop opened at 989 Wellington St.

W. in late August 2021, replacing the former Simply Raw Express. This is the second Pure Apothecary location for co-owners Alex Santillán and Dana Ouellette. They opened the Wellington store almost exactly one year after opening the first shop. Their original location in Aylmer, Quebec shares a building with Café

Mulligan, and the pair wanted to recreate that same vibe here in Hintonburg. Pure Apothecary’s second location puts metaphysical supplies like crystals, sage and tarot cards under the same roof as organic, Canadian grown tea, plant based lattes and homemade snacks. The food at Pure Apothecary in Ottawa is all supplied

such a big community already in the short time we've been here.” – Alex Santillán

by Cafe Mulligan in Aylmer. Santillán says that the pair were led to their Wellington West location through spiritual guidance. “We had this place chosen for us by a medium—they’re one of our good friends,” he says. “And she actually saw the old building down to the color of the brick and into the doors on the side.” The painted exterior on the shop gives it a very unique look compared to the exposed, red brick that makes up a lot of the main streetscape in Hintonburg. The side entrance is not usual for the neighbourhood either. Santillán says that when they saw it for the first time, it was a

COVID-19 lockdowns, Santillán says the Hintonburg community has been showing their support. “We're starting to get a lot more people that know us, word of mouth is starting to spread out there and we get a lot of walking traffic, which is great as well,” says Santillán. “We're building such a big community already in the short time we've been here, it’s just a really good fit.” As Ontario moves out of the lockdown phase this winter, Pure Apothecary will be available for a variety of in-person, spiritual services as well, including tarot readings, intuitive energy healing, mediumship, astrology reading, full moon and new moon ceremonies. In that way, the shop is seeking to become a kind of community hub for those in Hintonburg to nourish both their body and their spirit. To learn more, visit pure-apothecary.com.

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gut feeling and they just went for it. “In the Aylmer shop, it's about 500 square feet, so we really have no room to expand. That's when we decided to start looking for another spot that's a bit bigger and we can do our manufacturing in the same location,” says Santillán. Pure Apothecary’s line of in-house products include face serums, lip balms, candles, bath bombs and bath salts. Everything else on the shelves is carefully curated from as many local and Canadianbased artists as possible. Here, at the Ottawa location, you’ll mostly find Santillán behind the counter while Ouellette is watching the shop in Aylmer. Ouellette originally started the business by making products in her own home, a process which grew into the retail chain. Even through the combination of harsh winter weather and a fifth round of

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COMMUNITY NEWS

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(Top) Valentine’s favour box. (Above) Macarons, macrons, macrons! (Left) Valentine’s afternoon tea. PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAVID SEBA.

Sweet season: Quelque Chose Macaron Boutique prepares for Valentine’s Day BY ALVIN TSANG

ight years ago, mechanical engineer David Seba and his wife Julia Dahdah moved to Ottawa and quickly fell in love with the community. That year, they decided to open up a pastry shop. In the first three years of their business, they expanded their bakery to three

locations across Ottawa—one of them being the cosy, pastel-pink Quelque Chose Macaron Boutique in the heart of Westboro. “It’s a family business,” Seba said. “It started with me and my wife. She knew early on that she was passionate about food so she went to Paris, France, to one of the great schools for pastries, and learned to be a pastry chef.”

Dahdah had studied how to make macarons from master pastry chef Pierre Hermé. “He’s one of the best, and now she’s one of the best,” Seba said. “As for me, I take care of the paperwork side of things. I know numbers, finances and business scenarios and outcomes. That’s our dynamic.”

Along the way, Julia’s sister, Michelle Dahdah, joined the Quelque Chose team. “Michelle studied pastries in Ottawa and now works alongside Julie,” he said. “So, now we have two chefs—my wife and her sister.” Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest times of the year for the Dahdah sisters. “Every Valentine's, we come up with new flavours in heart-shaped boxes,” Seba said. “One of the new flavours we have this year is the raspberry and ruby chocolate, and that’s just one of many new flavours we plan to introduce this month.” Quelque Chose will have new vegan options for their macarons this year, alongside their gluten-free options. On average, before the pandemic, Quelque Chose could bake up to 1,000 macarons a day. During their busiest seasons, they served macarons at embassy and corporate events, weddings and large parties. “It was all going well up until the pandemic,” Seba said. “The pandemic

hit us pretty hard. We somehow had to rethink everything, reinvent ourselves and our business to stay afloat—and we did, which was good.” Quelque Chose has since adapted to a delivery and takeout business model. “We changed to meet the new requirements of the world,” said Seba. “It was things we never thought of, and they were things we had to do to still be here.” Seba explained that Valentine’s Day is

a very busy time for takeout and delivery, and that it is best for customers to order a few days in advance. “Our website has every product we have and is constantly updated,” he said. “It’s also fine to order over the phone. We love talking to our customers.” To check out the menu and the upcoming Valentine’s collection list, visit quelque-chose.ca

– David Seba

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BIA staff love of take out What have you tried?

Show Your Love for Westboro Village

Lexington Smokehouse & BBQ

February 2022 • 16 kitchissippitimes WESTBORO VILLAGE •kitchissippi.com February 2022 • @Kitchissippi 16 @KitchissippiKitchissippiTimes kitchissippi.com kitchissippitimes

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The Knife & Fork Chicken and get the brussel sprouts bacon aioli side, you won’t be disappointed!

Brassica

Bannoffee pie, a signature desert not to be missed.

Pure Kitchen

Vegan poutine – Tara goes full vegan and Judy prefers her’s with the curds. Both sooo good!

Karara - The Indian Takeout

The Aloo Gobi is on repeat for Tara. It’s delicious and the cauliflower & potatoes are always cooked to perfection.

The Newboro

Treat yourself to the Truffle Fries. Finger lick’n to the last one.

The Sconewitch

Grab a SconeWich from the Sconewitch. Office favourite Smoked Turkey with Stilton Cheese on an Herb and Onion Scone. Decadent!

Fiazza Fresh Fired

Judy goes for a custom order pizza – pesto, feta and arugula! It hits the spot.

Mamie Clafoutis

Cheese pretzel is Judy’s pick. Tara’s kids always get the OMG and it’s truly an OMG moment from the first bite!

House of Pizza

Judy’s family loves the San Marino Pizza.

Quelque Chose Macarons & Coffee

It’s all about the macarons. Judy says raspberry & dark chocolate and Tara says Earl Grey & caramel. Get both and tell us your fav.

The Works

Of course it’s the Tower-O-Rings!

Whispers Pub

their Tara enjoy’s the Prime Bison Burger with a shout out to e. kid’s meal which includes a drink and just right size sunda Perfect for the price.

BIA staff love of take out What have you tried? Fratelli

The start to 2022 was another challenging one for many of the businesses in Westboro Village. Starting the year with restrictions impacts all the businesses along Richmond Road. Sharing our affection for Westboro Village, as we head into February, feels right and needed. We encouraged the businesses to offer some words and we have shared what they love about working and running a business in Westboro Village. The BIA staff team have shared with you our love of the food from Westboro Village. Save our list and see if our favourites, are your favourites. We also want to share our love of the neighborhood and we are very pleased to be returning as a sponsor of the Kìchi Sìbi Winter Trail. The Winter Trail is a special place and the benefits of being outside in winter are lengthy. Westboro Village BIA is also renewing our sponsorship for the Coldest Night of the Year in support of Cornerstone Housing for Women. A virtual walk you can do safely on your own route or one of the suggested routes through the Village, it is a chance to support our neighbours. We hope to see you on one of the walks! Judy Lincoln Executive Director Westboro Village BIA

Judy says go for the Gnocchi Gorgonzola for your main and Tara recommends starting with the Italian Salumi Board.

Trio Bistro & Lounge

There are so many delicious plates to choose from: the quesadillas, the wings, the sliders, love that peach habanero sauce! Pair your choices with a couple of Dark ‘n’ Stormy cocktails and date night is set.

Clocktower Brew Pub Can’t go wrong with the Fish and Chips Family Meal. No one in the family will be hungry after eating this great value meal deal.

Equator Coffee Roasters Rotational seasonal sandwiches are always a hit for a quick bite when out and about in the Village.

The Barley Mow

Honey hot chicken wings are great! They come with fries, how nice! So it's suitable as a small meal and a solid price point for it.

Bridgehead Coffee

Bacon breakfast wrap with tomato jam hits the spot in the AM.

Mavericks Donuts

Lemon ricotta doughnut is the best donut Tara has ever had, ever. Tara Beechey Operations Admin Westboro Village BIA

Our shop in Westb oro is filled dail y with the warmth of our cus tomers and neighbouring businesse s who feel like friends. Westb oro co nsistentl y greets us with folks who sh are our love for artisan-made pro ducts and ethicall y sourced coffe e! - The staff at Pokoloko

• westborovillage.com •

Freshii

Looking for fresh and healthy, then the Market Wrap is the best choice.

The very best thin in Westboro Villag Living and work from the shop me my neighb ours a see on my morn runs. It's this co shop

Churchills Turkey Meatloaf topped with bacon turkey gravy, seasonal veggies with your choice of mash, it’s pure comfort food all the way!

Gezellig

Seared Arctic Char with a butter finger for desert!

MHK Sushi

Gotta have the Westboro Roll, the spicy mayo makes it!

Westb orking in We love w lit cause it's simply be eete ll of the sw village fu ever. e people supportiv get le day to every sing thi nd serve interact a

- Nasr N

BIA staff love of take out What have you tried? Wedel - Touch of Europe

The Rouladen is Judy’s favourite. A great savory lunch of meat wrapped around pickles with a fantastic gravy. Brings back childhood memories of Winnipeg, and her mom’s cooking.

Unplug Cannabis Co. is ver y grateful to be a part of the Westboro Vil lage Community. Our business was created wit h a vision of bringing communities and people closer together by connecting on a deeper level through relationships and the plant. Joining the Westboro Village has allo wed us to grow and expand this vision acr oss the Ottawa community. We look forwa rd to meeting more friendly faces in our community.

Napoli's Restaurant Pizza & Pasta The Piggy Market

Tara’s hubby likes the Jamaican patties. Get’em fresh and hot or take some home from the freezer. Either way sooo good!

shop ng ab out having a s! ge are the customer w king a stone's thro e ar s er om st eans my cu I le op pe and the same ffee ning walks and co s the ommunity th at make ps a success.

ge boro villa terally a ost est and m ited We're e xc and out of bed nity. is commu

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Whether you’re looking for a dessert for a romantic night in, a fun activity to do together, or a little something for the little loves of your life, we’ve got you covered!

- Much love – Unplug Team.

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Donut Valentine's Day 6 Pack. Available February from 1st to February 14th, while supplies last. You will fall in love with these exquisite flavours! (Valentine Sprinkle, Cinnamon Heart, Vanilla Love, Pink Oreo, Red Velvet, Chocolate Raspberry Ganache) mavericksdonuts.com

The Village Quire 312 Richmond Rd villagequire.ca

Mamie Clafoutis Order online or by phone for in-store pickup: 613-729-9923 • 400 Richmond Road mamieclafoutis.com

Everyone here at Blackiron loves working in Westboro Village. It’s a bea utiful neighbourhood and a great place to get out side for a walk, grab lunch, do some shopping, or find a little creative inspiration. There’s such a pride of ownership in the unique neighbourhood businesses and it’s a vibe that you can feel out on the streets. I think it’s one of the best neighb ourhoods in the city and I’m so happy to work here.

Batter Up Bakery 613-867-9721 batterupbakery.ca

- Karen General Manager, Blacki Moores ron Agency

Westboro truly feels like a small tow n in the heart of the big city. From exploring all of the local businesses to taking advantage of the greensp ace that the community has to offer, there's no place our team would rath er call home!

- The KarmaDharma Team

Our Valentine’s Day products are back, and we’re here to help you shower your loved ones with delicious treats!

quelque-chose.ca

With Valentine’s Day approaching, get ready to bring home something delicious to share with those you love. Mamie Clafoutis has a wide variety of desserts to choose from: go for a classic chocolate treat, like lava cakes, brownies, or the chocolate Valentine’s tart. Or try something different, like our raspberry shortbread hearts, a heart-shaped baguette, or our specialty, the French clafoutis. Our products are hand-made with love; we hope you will continue to share this love with your family and friends!

Show your love with these adorable treats! Visit Batter Up Bakery online and in store for a variety of goodies that are sure to make your heart smile.

KitchissippiTimes 17 • February 2022 February 2022 • WESTBORO VILLAGE

hee - Moll y van der Sc The Village Quire

We LOVE love, and we LOVE helping our customers share it!

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out with what I love ab I could fill a book of e ns ro! The se working in Westbo nership has been rt community and pa fficult ly during these di amazing. Especial pport emic, the extra su times of the pand us appreciated. All of and help is greatly r fo ul ef are very grat at Masters N Dogs l al sm unity and fellow the amazing comm rround us. businesses that su ers N Dogs - The staff at Mast

The Cupcake Lounge

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The Napolis Special Pizza is damn good! Judy & Tara have shared this at the office for lunch a few times.

Valentine Goodies • Bakeries

GIVING Local bottle drives help youth with jobs, skills and supports

February 2022 • 18

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BY CHARLIE SENACK

new bottle drive has come to Kitchissippi which aims to collect funds to help disadvantaged kids in the community. The new eco-friendly initiative has led the Westboro Community Association to partner with Bottle Works, a social enterprise which is run through Operation Come Home. According to its website, BottleWorks is a “free commercial and residential bottle pick-up service that collects over half a million refundable alcohol containers each year.” Revenue generated by collecting the empty alcohol bottles goes towards “paid rotation-based employment for young adults facing barriers to employment, vocational skills development, and social supports.” Shlomo Coodin, a marketing and social enterprise youth support worker at Operation Come Home, said before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, many of their

The Westboro Community Association has partnered with Bottle Works to run monthly bottle drives in Kitchissippi. PHOTOS COURTESY OF BOTTLE WORKS.

empties were donated by restaurants in the community. But when they were forced to close for indoor dining due to restrictions, Bottle Works saw a reduction of about 50 per cent, forcing them to find alternative ways to collect empties. That’s when they started bottle drives in local communities: opportunities for nearby residents to drop their empties off

at a designated location once a month. “People love coming out and seeing their neighbours, seeing us, and I think one of the great things is the individual amounts may not add up to much, but when the whole community comes together, it really does make a difference,” Coodin said. The first bottle drive in the community

was held in the parking lot of Broadview Public School on Dec. 11. Despite the weather, there was a good turnout, according to the organizers. January's drive had to be cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, but if all goes well, they will be held again at the same location on the second Saturday of each month soon. In 2021, Coodin says they collected over

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Continues from page 25 Several prominent local citizens became members of the club, including, notably, Zeb Ketchum, who operated the Ketchum Manufacturing plant on Richmond Road. It was primarily through St. Hubert’s efforts which led to the establishment of a Dominion Trap Shooting Association in 1901. From 1901-1920, St. Hubert’s operated out of this location in Westboro while the neighbourhood around it began to grow. The area became busy, and a large grove of trees proved to be a continually

frustrating background for the shooters, who required an unobstructed view. As well, following WWI, the club had a surge in popularity. “Now that Canadians in general are quiet on the Western Front, and let us hope permanently so, red-blooded hemen through the length and breadth of the land are burning powder in a manner strikingly in contrast to that which was in vogue ‘over there’ during the season of 1914-1918, the mode of procedure being much more conductive of longevity to the human race,” wrote the Ottawa Citizen in April 1920.

Thus, for several years, St. Hubert’s moved locations, at first moving to the river’s edge at New Orchard Beach near Woodroffe, later to Sussex Street downtown. Finally, in April 1930, the club opened a new clubhouse and grounds on Carling Avenue, just west of Broadview Avenue on John E. Cole’s property. The 12-acre plot of land featured a new clubhouse (located about where S&G Fries stands today) and an impressive new field, upon which were built three traps, each having five shooting positions. The club

still included several locals at that time, including local builder David Younghusband. For nine years, the club ran their shoots on Carling Avenue, but ceased operations in 1939, likely due to a combination of the Great Depression and WWII, as well as a general decline in the popularity of trap shooting. Fifty-five years of the prestigious St. Hubert’s Gun Club (over 30 of them in the west end) had come to an end, and more than 80 years later, their story is just one piece of the vast, lost history of early Kitchissippi.

February 2022 • 26

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Westboro's gun club of the early 1900s

(Left) A 1915 photo taken in Westboro of the shooters at the national Dominion of Canada Trapshooters Tournament. (Above) A 1912 photo for the competition between Ottawa and Montreal. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ROD AND GUN CANADA MAGAZINE.

”The club had achieved an astonishing amount of success in both national and international competition, boasting some of the top individual and team shooters in the world. ”

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COUNCILLOR’S CORNER

Churchill Alternative's Kinder Yard Renewal SUBMITTED BY JEFF LEIPER, KITCHISSIPPI WARD COUNCILLOR

February 2022 • 28

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KitchissippiTimes

elcome to 2022, Kitchissippi! Sending you and your loved ones best wishes for a safe, happy, and fulfilling new year. I know 2021 brought us many unexpected challenges, but I am full of optimism for what 2022 has in store. The vaccine appointment Hunger Games are now over; Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is posting near-daily updates about walk-in capacity, and vaccine availability is holding steady. Additionally, OPH announced on

Jan. 20 that they are resuming afterschool vaccine clinics. A total of 49 after-school clinics will operate on a rotating basis. Visit the OPH website to see that schedule, which will be updated regularly to reflect availability. If you haven’t gotten your booster, I urge you to do so. If you’ve already had your booster, please help your friends, family members, and neighbours book theirs. Churchill Alternative School is taking on a big fundraiser to make their kindergarten yard a fun, accessible, creative space. The total cost of the renovation is estimated to

be between $90,000 and $130,000, so every contribution matters. The main goals of the renovation are to increase the variety of materials in the yard, which is currently fairly sand-heavy, and to add new areas for creative and active play. You can find more information about the plans for the new yard and make a donation on the project website for the Churchill Alternative Kinder Yard Renewal. You can find that by simply searching Charitable Registration # 119249233 RR 0003 in your browser of choice. Phase three of the City’s Transportation Master Plan update is currently underway. The public is invited to provide feedback on approximately 70 proposed transportation-

related policies to be included in Part 1 of the TMP. These draft policies include building a sustainable and equitable transportation system, improving walkability, and building safe, multimodal streets, among many other proposals. Head to engage.ottawa.ca to view the proposed changes and complete online surveys. You can also send your feedback directly to tmpupdate@ottawa.ca.The feedback period for this phase closes Feb. 18. Team Kitchissippi are back in their home offices and in the swing of things again after the holidays. As always, you can reach us by phone at 613-580-2485 and by email at jeff.leiper@ottawa.ca. I encourage you to register for my email newsletter if you haven’t already, so you can get weekly updates from the office and be aware of the schedule for our virtual pop-up office hours. Shoot us an email to get signed up. Stay cozy, Kitchissippi!

FEDERAL UPDATE

We will keep having your back SUBMITTED BY YASIR NAQVI, MP FOR OTTAWA CENTRE

t’s a new year, and I hope you are staying healthy. I am thinking of how you are coping at this stage of the pandemic. We did not expect to start the year with a surge in COVID-19 cases due to the Omicron variant, and as a result (yet again), we have gone through more school closures and restrictions. It’s been very tough for businesses, for workers, for parents and kids, for students and beyond. Check in with your loved ones, and seek help if you need it. There are great organizations in Ottawa Centre that can offer support and assistance. I want you to know that there is hope. The best way to prevent further lockdowns and keep the economy growing is by finishing the job on vaccines. That is why we put in place mandatory vaccine requirements for federally-regulated

workplaces and for people wanting to travel on a train or plane. If you haven’t yet, please book your first, second, or booster shots, and get vaccinated. Leading up to the holidays, our federal government took swift action and passed critical legislation to provide financial support to Canadians and businesses impacted by the pandemic so that no Canadian is left without support when they need it most. The Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit, providing $300 a week in income support to eligible workers who are directly impacted by a COVID-19-related public health lockdown in their region up until May 7, 2022. Eligible workers can apply to receive this support retroactively from October 24, 2021. The Local Lockdown Program, providing businesses that face temporary new local lockdowns up to

the maximum amount available through the wage and rent subsidy programs. Extending the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit and the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit until May 7, 2022, and increasing the maximum duration of benefits by two weeks. This extends the caregiving benefit from 42 weeks to 44 weeks and the sickness benefit from four to six weeks. The Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program, providing support through wage and rent subsidies to, for example, hotels, tour operators, travel agencies and restaurants, with a subsidy rate of up to 75 per cent. The Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program, providing support through wage

and rent subsidies to other businesses that have faced deep losses, with a subsidy rate of up to 50 per cent. Extending the Canada Recovery Hiring Program until May 7, 2022, for eligible employers with current revenue losses above 10 per cent and increasing the subsidy rate to 50 per cent. This extension will help businesses continue to hire back workers, increase hours, and create the additional jobs Canada needs for a robust recovery. Extending the Canada Emergency Businesses Account (CEBA) and Regional Relief and Recovery Fund repayment deadlines to the end of 2023 for eligible businesses. You can find more details on all these programs at www.canada.ca/ coronavirus, and please do not hesitate to reach out to my office at 613-946-8682 or email us at Yasir.Naqvi@parl.gc.ca if you have any questions. We will get through this, Ottawa.

PROVINCIAL UPDATE

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failed to invest adequately in making schools safer? It stems from their obsession with saving money at all costs, even in the middle of a global pandemic. Premier Ford once said he would “spare no expense” in the fight against COVID-19. But, his actions speak much louder than his words. According to the Financial Accountability Officer, the Ford government spent a staggering $4.3 billion less than budgeted in the first half of the 2021-2022 fiscal year. Of this amount, $600 million was underspent on public health, and $700 million was underspent on education. This is money that could have been used to shore up our healthcare system, support workers and small businesses affected by closures and give our kids safer, smaller class sizes. Safe, in-person learning can’t be done on the cheap. If this government truly believes that schools should be the first to open and the last to close, they must heed our advice and make the investments that are required to keep our kids in the classroom.

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them home once again, the government needs to start listening. It’s time for them to make the necessary investments, Please wear a mask and stay safe! including smaller class sizes, free rapid tests for all students, teachers and education workers, in-school vaccine clinics with a major SUBMITTED BY JOEL HARDEN, and most of Europe. The outreach campaign, upgraded Centreimpact of these MPP FOR OTTAWA CENTRE MPP, Ottawa negative ventilation and free N95 joelharden.ca closures on the mental masks for all teachers and 109 Catherine St. health and well-being of n Jan. 11, the Ford government education workers. Ottawa, ON. K2P 2M8 announced that schools would reopen children is significant. This is While we are finally starting JHarden-CO@ndp.on.ca Jan. 17. a major failure on the part of the to see some progress on several 613-722-6414 Amidst the relief, there is also anxiety. government, who—time and again— of these demands, this is undermined That’s because this premier and his minister have failed to follow the advice of medical by the government’s changes to COVID-19 of education have consistently failed to take experts, education staff and parents. reporting in our schools. Parents and staff the steps that are necessary to keep schools For well over a year, we’ve been urging were shocked to learn that schools will safe and open for in-person learning. this government to give schools the only be reporting outbreaks when 30 per Even before the most recent round of resources they need to implement smaller cent of staff and students test positive. As school closures was announced, Ontario class sizes, upgrade ventilation, and equip Marit Stiles, our official opposition critic led the country in terms of the number of staff with the personal protective equipment for education, put it so well, “it shouldn’t be cancelled in-person learning days. Indeed, (PPE) they need to stay safe. Time and again, easier to find out about a lice outbreak [in Ontario schools have been closed for more these appeals have fallen on deaf ears. your child’s school] than a COVID outbreak.” days than anywhere else in North America To keep kids in class and avoid sending Why has this government consistently

NEPEAN HIGH SCHOOL CORNER

Our return to classrooms: What’s different this time? BY NICHOLAS FICARA

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cross Ontario, classes are returning to an in-person learning model after completing a few weeks of online school. I spoke with some Nepean High School students to better understand their opinions and to get an understanding of how they are coping with this latest shift. After interviews, the consensus was clear: we were not ready to shift to inperson learning. Many kids were eager to share their thoughts on this divisive issue, and they had decisive opinions. Since the beginning of the pandemic, students have switched between online classes and in-person classes. So what’s different this time? According to a letter sent to all faculty of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB), students have each been given three-ply cotton

”Many would have preferred a reopening at the end of the semester, a more natural breakpoint in our learning.” masks, while teachers have been given non-fit-tested N95 masks. In addition, the Ontario government will soon provide rapid antigen tests for students and staff in public elementary and secondary schools. The OCDSB will also be receiving an additional 81 standalone HEPA filter units, in addition to the 2,300 units already in place. Furthermore,

We are grateful To share community with you. Thank you for supporting us all year long.

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several tighter protocols have been put in place, including stricter class and lunch cohorting and elevated cleaning requirements—but schools will now only report COVID-19 cases once 30 per cent of the school’s population is absent. Overwhelmingly, students do not consider a reopening at this time to be the best course of action. Many would have preferred a reopening at the end of the semester, a more natural breakpoint in our learning. This would have given us a more consistent learning environment for the rest of the semester. Another pain point for students is the case reporting. Most students reported feeling uncomfortable not knowing about cases until the 30 per cent threshold is reached. Some of the students interviewed were among the unlucky few that were in isolation. They provided interesting insights into the online learning experience. Their experience was clear:

learning online while others were in person was simply not as “rich” of an experience, and teachers couldn’t be expected to manage two models of classroom learning at the same time. While some teachers have given students the option to stay home and learn remotely through live meetings, most are not offering an equal level of integration. In light of these conditions, the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) has made the decision to freeze grades, so they cannot be negatively impacted by online learning. Some students are supportive of grade freezing in the OCDSB as well. They claim that when presented with the option of going to school or staying home and opting to learn online, they may feel forced to pick academics over health; grade freezing could make students more inclined to choose the safer option. Every student I spoke to had either known someone who was infected or they were infected by the virus themselves. This concerning commonality stands in sharp contrast from the previous reopenings, where infections were few and far between. These personal anecdotes created a stronger sense of caution for students. Ultimately, students are largely unhappy about these changes and will support a grade freeze. While this situation is unfortunately an unpleasant one, we, the students, are all hopeful for a cheerier second semester.

STAY STRONG STAY HEALTHY

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613-722-2148 integratedtouchphysiotherapy.ca

Covid-19: We remain open with procedures to protect your health and safety

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

Stay safe and healthy, Kitchissippi!

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

TUESDAYS - BYTOWN VOICES COMMUNITY CHOIR Although the choir is not able to prepare for

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

For the full list of events please go to

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To place a Classified or Marketplace ad, please call 613.238.1818

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KITCHISSIPPI MARKET PLACE

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FEB. 26: COLDEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR (CNOY) CNOY is a national, annual winter walk “that supports local charity partners who provide

MONDAYS - ABOVE AND BEYOND TOASTMASTERS Every Monday at 6:45 p.m. (except holidays) Have the jitters each time you need to present a speech? Visit us online. Learn how to communicate better in a relaxed atmosphere and hone your leadership skills. Impromptu speaking is one of our highlights. It’s fun, fun, fun! We would love to have you join us on Mondays. Contact our club at aandbtoastmasters@gmail.com to receive the link.

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FEB. 22-MARCH 6: GREAT CANADIAN THEATRE COMPANY - BLISSFUL STATE OF SURRENDER “‘Blissful State of Surrender’ is a dramatic comedy about a Bosnian-Canadian family and the larger-than-life culture clashes between the parents and their three grownup daughters. This humorous and haunted portrait of the Muslim refugee experience explores the lives of a family coping with family secrets, intergenerational differences and PTSD,” the Great Canadian Theatre Company website states. Blissful State of Surrender by Sanita Fejzić is scheduled to take place between Feb. 22-March 6 at the Great Canadian Theatre Company—1233 Wellington St. W. To learn more, visit gctc.ca/shows/blissful.

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

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FEB. 1-28: BLACK HISTORY MONTH Each February, Black History Month is celebrated. “During Black History Month, people in Canada celebrate the many achievements and contributions of Black Canadians and their communities 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. To learn more about local events and information, visit Black History Ottawa’s website at blackhistoryottawa.org, or Ontario or the Ontario Black History Society’s website at blackhistorysociety.ca. Capital Pride, the 2SLGBTQ+ organization in Ottawa, is offering a full schedule of Black History Month programming this year honouring the queer and trans Black community. Read more on this year’s event— Queer, Trans, Black and Proud—on Page 8 of this edition.

FEB. 8: MECHANICSVILLE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION - ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The annual general meeting for the Mechanicsville Community Association will be held virtually on Zoom on Feb. 8. The meeting will run from 7-9 p.m. To learn more about the event, visit mechanicsville.ca

essential care and service for people experiencing homelessness, hurt, and hunger,” according to the event website. The third annual event in Westboro is being organized once again by Cornerstone Housing for Women to fundraise for women’s housing. To learn more about the event, or to register for CNOY Ottawa Westboro, visit cnoy.org/ location/ottawawestboro. For more information on Cornerstone Housing for Women, visit cornerstonewomen.ca.

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JAN. 24-FEB. 6: ORANGE ART GALLERY EXHIBITION THE ORANGE WINTER SHOW "The Orange Winter Show" is a special curated group exhibition featuring works from our uniquely talented Orange Artists in celebration of our Glorious Canadian Winters!” according to the Orange Art Gallery website. The exhibition runs from Jan.24-Feb.6 at the gallery—290 City Centre Ave. Visit orangeartgallery.ca to learn more.

FEB.5-26: WALL SPACE ART GALLERY EXHIBITION LIFE AND COLOUR - PETER COLBERT “As we continue to navigate our ever-changing world, Peter Colbert presents Life and Colour, a celebration of joy, vibrancy, and optimism… Colbert transitioned to a full-time fine art career in 2006. His work has evolved over time, but has always involved a significant degree of experimentation with tools, techniques, and media. He likes to think of himself as being obsessed with managing colours. In terms of his studies of the human figure, he has attended and managed a variety of life drawing classes for many years,” the Wall Space Gallery website states. The exhibition runs from Feb. 5-26 at the gallery—358 Richmond Rd. Visit wallspacegallery.ca to learn more.

CELEBRATE HEART MONTH

Run or walk Wellington West in support of the Ottawa Heart Institute! There will be prize draws for fun achievements! Sign-up early to get a chocolate heart from STUBBE Chocolates!

#GiveWithHeart #FebruaryIsHeartMonth

What else is happening for HEART Season:

February 2022 • 32

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with Wellington West and Ottawa Heart Institute!

SUPPORT THE PAPER HEART CAMPAIGN

SHARE A WELLINGTINE!

HEART-HEALTHY TIPS

Show your love to the Ottawa Heart Institute

Tag your favourite merchant on Facebook

From Wellington West merchants

For all the details, visit

WellingtonWest.ca/HEART2022