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Romeo's Garage & Body Shop owners retire after 50 years in Mechanicsville Pages 6-7

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March 2021 • 2

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR

The green space where Goldenrod Community Garden will take root in Kitchissippi. PHOTOS BY RAY PIERCE.

NCC supports growing community wellbeing by approving Goldenrod Community Garden SUBMITTED BY ALLEGRA NEWMAN AND THE GOLDENROD COMMUNITY GARDEN TEAM

he Goldenrod Community Garden Project has recently received approval to build a garden on a parcel of National Capital Commission (NCC) land located west of Parkdale, just north of the Tunney's Pasture Complex. This is an exciting and long-anticipated win for the Hintonburg/Mechanicsville/Wellington West neighbourhood, where volunteers have been searching for land on which to build a community garden for over a decade. With support from the NCC, and in partnerships with the Parkdale Food Centre and the Somerset West Community Health Centre, the project hopes to build a vibrant community garden that will bring together diverse residents of all gardening skill levels. Community support for this project has been incredible, as has support from local politicians, including Ottawa Centre MP Catherine McKenna and city Coun. Jeff Leiper.

Goldenrod’s vision is to create a large community run garden in Kitchissippi that will provide garden plots for residents and local community groups to grow food. The garden will contribute to building a healthier local community by creating more usable green space, increasing access to healthy food and offering opportunities for community building through shared interests and activities. The garden also hopes to address increasing issues of food insecurity in the surrounding neighbourhoods by offering reduced rate plots to gardeners in need. Goldenrod has accessed funding from the Ottawa Community Garden Network (a City of Ottawa agent operated by Just Food) to purchase materials to build the garden infrastructure; building is anticipated to begin in April 2021 as soon as the snow melts. The garden is actively looking for other local funding opportunities and sponsorship from local businesses, to raise the final $5,000 to make this year’s garden a great success.

”Community

support for this project has been incredible.” The Goldenrod construction plan, developed over the last year by a tireless group of volunteers, will construct up to 81 garden plots measuring 4 by 8 feet (32 sq. ft.) in 2021, with the intention of increasing that number over the next two years. The beds will be made of wood, lined with landscape fabric, and filled with good soil. Some of the beds will be designed for wheelchair accessibility. Volunteers working in household groups will help assemble the beds on-site in April. COVID-19 guidelines, developed by

the Ottawa Community Garden Network in spring of 2020, will be in place for construction and gardening at the Goldenrod Garden. It is expected that each participant in the garden build (separate from becoming a garden member) will need to sign an agreement regarding COVID-19 guidelines and safety protocols to be followed during garden build activities. Once the garden is operational, there will be a similar agreement required for garden members. The Goldenrod Community Garden is looking for people to join their fundraising and communications committees. Please see more information at: kitchissippi. wixsite.com/goldenrodgarden and email goldenrodgarden@gmail.com to volunteer. Garden plots have not yet been assigned, but volunteer hours are a requirement to be placed on a garden plot allocation list. Being on this list does not guarantee a plot, as the number of available plots for the 2021 season has yet to be determined.

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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

PHOTO BY DWAYNE BROWN STUDIO, OTTAWA 2020.

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March 2021 • 4

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EDITOR

Meet Eryn O’Neill “I actually grew up in the Westboro area, born and raised there. I’ve been doing art most of my entire life through the Ottawa School of Art where, currently, I am actually teaching in the diploma program which is where I started as a student. So it’s kind of a fun full circle situation. I’ve left a few times and come back to Ottawa in between — I’ve left for school in both instances. I went to Halifax to do my undergraduate degree in fine art at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design and then I returned to Ottawa to do full-time art practice until 2016, [when] I left again to do my Master of Fine Arts at the University of Waterloo. I live in the west end but I have a studio space at the Rectory Art House, so it’s down right in the Byward Market: that’s where I create all of my work. What brought me back (in October 2019) was mostly this studio space that I’m sitting in right now. It became available, and I’ve always wanted to work in this shared environment. I’m also a full-time grad student again, back in school at Carleton. I'm a MA candidate in the department of art history and curatorial [studies]. My studio time is a little bit more limited right now with full-time school, so I’m focused a lot on commissions, and I have a City of Ottawa Creation and Production grant right now that I was awarded. So that’s actually going towards a body of work in the next year or two. I always work from my own photography sources so I spend a lot of time kind of walking around

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getting images to try and come up with something for my next series. I think it will be a continuation of the effects of construction and the changes in the Ottawa landscape. It (O’Neill’s art) has to do with a lot of the transitional elements of cities. So I deal with construction equipment and a lot of architecture and infrastructure that’s changing. My interest in the urban landscape comes from being a runner. I use that as my main method to collect imagery used for paintings. I spend time observing the unremarkable details that are in place for functionality as the main priority. A lot of it has to do with transit. It’s very heavily into the transit of people moving through cities. I don’t paint people ever, but I always paint the infrastructure around them...I like to have the environment be something that the viewer gets to immerse themselves in so they’re the first person looking at it, even though it's from my perspective as an artist. I’m represented by Wall Space Gallery, which is on Richmond Road, right in the heart of the area...It’s a

Ellen Bond, Dave Allston, Charlie Senack, Ted Simpson and Matthew Horwood. PROOFREADER Alicia Lim ADVERTISING SALES Eric Dupuis 613-238-1818 x273 eric@kitchissippi.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Tanya Connolly-Holmes creative@greatriver.ca

bonus for me. I can walk over, I pop in and say ‘hi’ to the people, see the work that’s been changed and it feels like I’m connected to that. I love the gallery space [and] it’s good to feel really supported by the gallery I’m represented by. That area (Westboro), it’s convenient for me, it’s comforting — [I] think it’s where I’d like to stay for the foreseeable future. I’ve lived in a couple of different areas of Ottawa and I just find that this one’s got everything. You can walk to anything; you’ve got everything at your doorstep. I find the convenience of it quite lovely and it is very easy to get anywhere else in the city. I’ve come and gone from Ottawa on a couple of different occasions and I’m really glad to be back this time. I think it’s an interesting point for the city. There’s immediate changes right outside my door and that really appeals to me as an artist who is hyperfocused on that...I’m curious to see where it goes from here.” Story collected by Maureen McEwan.

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Celine Paquette celine@greatriver.ca 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

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EDITOR'S LETTER International Women’s Day and celebrating local female leadership BY MAUREEN MCEWAN

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Dear readers, As always, I hope that this letter finds you well during these strange times. Spring and brighter days are on the way. This month, we mark the 110th International Women’s Day. The day recognizes the political, cultural, economic and social achievements of women and advocates for gender parity globally. Throughout the paper, you’ll find a few recent stories on some powerful women and girls from our community and their achievements. So here’s what’s happening in local news: Kristen Atkinson, owner of Mint Hair Salon in Hintonburg, has opened ApartMint, a second salon across the street that offers hair and cancer care services. Atkinson shared her own story as a cancer survivor and why she was inspired to open the supportive space. After 50 years, the owners of Romeo’s Garage & Body Shop are retiring and closing the shop down. We caught up with Genuia and Romeo Donatucci to say farewell to the local mechanic business. The Royal received an anonymous donation of $1.5 million. The funding will go towards mental health research, including research focusing on the mental and physical impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers. After nine months missing from home, a black and white cat named “Scott” was returned safely to his owners through the help of a determined and caring Hintonburg couple.

In the Giving section, we hear about eightyear-old Charlotte Kwavnick’s efforts to raise money and gather donations for the Tom Brown Arena Respite Centre. Ottawa Centre MPP Joel Harden has been selected as the NDP candidate for the next provincial election. We caught up with the MPP to hear more on the news. To commemorate International Women’s Day (March 8), we spoke with Ottawa Centre MP Catherine McKenna about the day and what it means to her. Did you know that the 160-acre Beechwood Cemetery in Vanier was nearly established in Westboro? Early Days takes us back to the 1872 decision that could have changed the face of Richmond Road forever. For this month’s Humans of Kitchissippi feature, Eryn O’Neill took the time to share more about her story as a Westboro resident and local artist. In our school columns, Notre Dame tells us all about their successful Black History Month events and Nepean High School hosts a Q&A with Algonquin Anishinaabe author Karen McBride about her latest novel. Through a letter to the editor, we learned that Goldenrod Community Garden project is moving ahead in Kitchissippi. And we’ve got some bright community photos of the SJAM Winter Trail. If you haven’t taken a stroll, ski or sled yet this year, we encourage you to get outside and enjoy our local greenspaces. That’s all the news that’s fit to print. Happy March and happy International Women’s Day to you all. Stay safe, Kitchissippi.

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Romeo's Garage & Body Shop owners retire after 50 years in business PHOTOS AND STORY BY TED SIMPSON

March 2021 • 6

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here’s an epoch coming to its slow conclusion in Mechanicsville. You can see and feel the change on the narrow streets: the lingering smell of motorcycle exhaust and cigarettes fades away, the patchwork landscape of small houses now studded with cubist infill and, on Hinchey Avenue, one of the neighbourhood’s longest standing mechanics is putting down his wrench. At nearly 74 years old, no one would blame Romeo Donatucci for calling it quits on his garage and body shop, but his friends and customers are sad to see him go, nonetheless. They streamed down the avenue in a parade of cars, honking and waving to him and his wife Genuia, wishing them well in their retirement as owners of the business. With 50 years of history

at Romeo’s Garage and Body Shop, the Donatuccis had second- and even thirdgeneration customers coming out for the sendoff. “When you work hard, it’s nice to get the credit. Sure, there is money, but when the people smile at you, that’s better,” Romeo said with a laugh. His calm, welcoming demeanor gives a hint to why this humble shop has become so well-loved in the community. When the couple arrived in Canada from Italy, Romeo was just 20 years old and already a skilled mechanic looking to pursue his trade. It took four years of working multiple jobs at various Ottawa shops before Romeo was ready to make his dream a reality and set out on his own. In 1971, the couple found a large property with a two-car garage at 195 Hinchey Ave. and got to work.

”When you work hard, it’s nice to

get the credit. Sure, there is money, but when the people smile at you, that’s better.” – Romeo Donatucci Romeo Donatucci works in Romeo's Garage & Body Shop in Mechanicsville in February.

filing until everything was level again. “Nowadays, the panels are so thin, I can’t even work with them, you just take it off, throw it away and put on a new part. The trade is leaving this industry,” he said. For anyone curious about the fate of the old garage, it will not be set for demolition any time soon. The Donatuccis have had no shortage of offers from eager developers, but they were determined that the garage would remain. A new mechanic will be taking the reins and building their own dream, the same way Romeo did 50 years ago. As for the future, Romeo says he’ll still be doing odd jobs for the tenants of his rental properties, but he will finally take some time to relax. “It’s time to stop,” he says. “I don’t want to get old, but the second option is to die young and I know which one I’m gonna pick.”

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These were days long before the craft breweries and third wave coffee shops arrived in Hintonburg. “It was kind of a rough area, you know, they had a biker club house just across the street,” said Romeo. “When I bought this place, they had been using it to repair the bikes; the attic here was full of motorcycle parts, [and] there were parts of guns, bullet casings…” The Donatuccis built their business up over the years, expanding on the original structure to create a full-service garage, with a section for paint and body work. Romeo thinks back on those early days when every job was done by hand over the course of hours and days. There was a time when he would be given a car that had rolled over, and he would go about meticulously repairing every panel on the body — hammering metal, filling and

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BUSINESS ApartMint Hair Studio opens doors and offers cancer care services KitchissippiTimes

BY MAUREEN MCEWAN

March 2021 • 8

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ApartMint opened at 7 Sherbrooke Ave. in Hintonburg on Feb. 17. PHOTOS COURTESY OF KRISTEN ATKINSON.

wo years ago, Kristen Atkinson was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma and began months of chemotherapy. The owner and operator of Hintonburg’s Mint Hair Studio was 36 years old at the time. During the process, one of the hardest things for her was losing her hair. “The day that I shaved my head was probably the worst day of my life, aside from finding out that I had cancer,” she said. Atkinson has been a hairstylist for 20 years: Hair is a big part of her identity and “wrapped up in every facet” of her life. Losing your hair can be one of the toughest parts psychologically because you lose your anonymity and your “protection from the whole world knowing that you’re sick,” Atkinson said. It was also when reality set in for her. “There’s no turning back, there’s no running from it, there’s no hiding from it. It’s happening,” she said. When she was going through chemotherapy, Atkinson started thinking of ways that she could give back and help others. “I decided, after I was well and back to work, that I would like to help in the hair department because that’s what I do best.”

Atkinson, now in remission, opened ApartMint, a second location at 7 Sherbrooke Ave., across the street from Mint Hair Studio, on Feb. 17. The salon (formerly The Brooke Barbershop) offers standard hair services like cuts, colour and styling as well as cancer care services, like head shaves, wig consultations and fittings, scalp care and more. The goal is to help others navigate their “cancer journey.” When she first began shopping for her own wigs, Atkinson said, she didn’t have the best experience. The salesperson she encountered didn’t offer much empathy and the “personalization” was missing. “I think that I, being a person who has gone through it, can bring the empathy and [the care to do] this to the table that somebody else couldn’t,” she said. “I think it's less about me being an expert on wigs and hair loss, and more about me being somewhat of a ‘cancer curator.’” “You find out you have cancer, you’re worried about losing your hair, you call me and I get you set up,” she added. The ApartMint space is small, offering privacy to clients, with only Atkinson and one other staff member (assistant or receptionist) on site occasionally. “It’s super cozy and cute. It’s about 350 square feet. It’s really quite tiny, and so typically it will just be me here,” she said.

”I decided, after I was well and back to work, that I would like to help in the hair department because that’s what I do best.” – Kristen Atkinson

PHOTO COURTESY OF KRISTEN ATKINSON.

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“It’s just a space where you can feel safe to be however you need to be about the situation because everybody handles it very differently,” she added. During the pandemic, she said it is especially important that immunocompromised clients feel safe. ApartMint is able to manage many risks because the space is small, compared to regular salons, and health will be a priority for staff. “Everybody here would be taking it seriously because we’re all in the same boat in terms of being immunocompromised,” she said. “So emotionally safe but also physically safe, which is kind of an important thing when you are fighting for your life,” she added. With new clients, Atkinson will meet with them to assess their needs and to make a plan. They might be looking to arrange a series of haircuts and to get wigs set up, or they may simply want a head shave and some scalp care. She will serve regular salon clients at ApartMint but there are designated “Cancer Care” days on Mondays and Tuesdays.

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Kristen Atkinson holds up one of her new business cards for ApartMint.

“Everybody who will be here on the Cancer Care days will be in some stage of cancer and the situation.” Down the road, she hopes that the space can act as a hub for cancer survivors to connect with one another and the community. ApartMint will also be offering a wig recycling program at the salon. As owner of her two businesses, Atkinson is self-employed. When she was diagnosed, she wasn’t paid for months when she went through chemotherapy and had to pay thousands for medication. Atkinson said the financial impact of cancer can be “devastating,” adding more stress for patients. To help alleviate some of the pressure, ApartMint is recycling and reselling donated wigs. Atkinson said synthetic wigs usually cost a few hundred dollars while some real hair wigs can cost $1,500 or more. In her own collection, Atkinson has three or four wigs that she no longer uses. She’s going to clean, style and resell them at a much reduced cost at the salon so that lower-income individuals can purchase them. She’s encouraging others to donate their wigs to the program. “What do you do with your wig after you don’t need it anymore, right? It just sits there,” she said. “The whole approach to both of my businesses is to be eco-friendly, and leave the least carbon footprint as possible, so then why are we throwing out wigs when we can reuse them for people who can’t otherwise afford them?”

COMMUNITY NEWS Hintonburg couple helps missing cat find home after nine months BY CHARLIE SENACK

March 2021 • 10

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t was a cold January evening when a cat was found wandering through the streets of Hintonburg after having been missing for nine months. Feeling the isolation of the pandemic, Hintonburg resident Alex Hosselet decided to go for an evening stroll along the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway after dinner on Jan. 31. As he and his wife Jess DeVries were returning home, they saw a mostly black cat wandering along Bayswater Avenue, near the Innovation Yards. It was -20°C and the temperature was dropping. “The ground was really cold and he was moving his paws,” said Hosselet, who has two cats himself. “He was totally not happy so we had to bring him in. After about 10 minutes he finally came over. After about an hour we brought him back home — it was about 8:30 p.m. at this point — an hour after we first spotted him.” Hosselet asked his wife to head back home to get some kibble and a cat carrier as a way to convince the cat they weren’t a threat. It was a long and cold process but the cat slowly crept his way into the carrier and went with Hosselet and DeVries. “He was really, really sweet which is super rare for cats who [have] spent time on the streets,” said Hosselet. “They usually get super defensive and lose their

Scott was returned safely to his owners in Hintonburg in February after nine months on the streets. PHOTO COURTESY OF SCOTT’S OWNER RACHEL. trust with people.” After returning home, the hunt for the cat’s owners started. DeVries went to Facebook groups first, hoping someone would recognize the neighbourhood cat. Just hours later before calling it a night, their phone started to blow up with messages from people who said they suspected it was a cat named “Scott” who had been missing for months. Hosselet was able to get ahold of Scott’s owner Rachel, who asked for her

last name not to be published for privacy reasons, and she asked if they could first bring the cat to a vet to see if it was microchipped. That’s what they did the next day and it turned out to be a match. Rachel said she was surprised when she got the call. Scott first went missing nine months earlier on May 18, 2020. “I think we are still in a state of shock,” she said. “It was definitely a surprise and unexpected. When we were searching in the summer, we really got

an appreciation for how many cats live in our neighborhood, and based on a series of conversations we had with people, unless the weather was super bad out, I don’t know if you would see a stray cat and be alarmed. Every night when we’d go out we’d probably see 20 cats.” When Scott first went missing, Rachel says she and her partner spent two months searching daily for their feline friend. They’d go out late at night when it was dark, and would wake up at 3:00 a.m. to continue their search. But after weeks turned into months, their hope in finding Scott was diminishing. They thought either someone took him in, or he was fending for himself in the wilderness. They had a few promising tips but none of the cats they found turned out to be Scott. One they found in Little Italy was so similar in looks, they were just about to bring him home before noticing there was no freckle — one of Scott’s identifying marks. It’s unclear where Scott spent nine months living, but when Hosselet found him he was partially covered in red brick dust, leading them to speculate that he spent at least a few cold nights at the stone warehouse at Bayview and Scott. “The spot [where] he was found is only like four blocks away and we actually searched there and the surrounding areas and found nothing,” said Rachel. “I feel like he could have been in Orleans

”I feel like he could have been in Orleans and Barrhaven and now was back here. I wonder how many times he was just out of view.”

Scott is doing well and is now spending his time fully indoors gaining weight. If you suspect that there’s a lost/stray cat in your neighbourhood, the Ottawa Humane Society (OHS) recommends a few steps: • Check for identification (microchip or collar) • Create a temporary “paper collar” for the animal • Reach out to community through social media • Search the neighbourhood and talk with neighbours • Contact the OHS for additional assistance To learn more, visit the OHS website at ottawahumane.ca.

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and Barrhaven and now was back here. I wonder how many times he was just out of view.” It’s believed Scott is two years old, but it’s unclear because when Rachel adopted him he was a stray — Scott was abandoned at an apartment in Carleton Place. One thing they do know is that he’s always been a hider. According to Humane Canada’s Cats in Canada 2017 report, nearly 160,000 cats in the country were either lost or abandoned and ended up in shelters in 2016. In the United States, 10 million pets are lost every year, with only two per cent of cats who are microchipped being reunited with their owners. Rachel is very thankful to Hosselet who took the time to bring her cat to safety instead of just viewing him as another stray.

COMMUNITY NEWS The Royal gains boost to mental health research with anonymous $1.5 million donation BY MATTHEW HORWOOD

March 2021 • 12

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hanks to a gift of $1.5 million from anonymous donors at the Ottawa Community Foundation’s fund, the Royal’s Institute of Mental Health Research (IMHR) will be able to make advancements to improve mental health. Dr. Florence Dzierszinski, president of IMHR, said the donation is one of the largest they have ever received. “It is incredibly generous and shows leadership and vision. We are humbled and grateful for this anonymous donor, and the Ottawa Community Foundation,” she said. The gift will help IMHR with research initiatives in three areas. The first involves examining physical indicators in the brain called biomarkers to understand the biological underpinnings and consequences of depression and suicide. The donation will also be used to create Ottawa’s first repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) clinic. rTMS involves modifying the brain’s activity by directly intervening inside by using electrical, ultrasound or magnetic energy applied on the scalp. Dzierszinski is particularly excited by this, as the noninvasive approach can be used to treat persistent depression and other mental health conditions. “We are really proud to bring in these services via a neuromodulation research clinic, and it will become even more important as we continue to provide our community with accessible services,” she said. Finally, the donation will be used to support research focusing on the mental and physical impacts of COVID-19 on healthcare workers. “We are all incredibly grateful for their contributions, and it is important to better understand how we can help them with

their mental health needs and support their resilience,” Dzierszinski said. The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre (ROMHC) was forced to pivot due to the pandemic, initially switching their services from in-person to online. Dr. Raj Bhatla, psychiatrist-in-chief and chief of staff at the ROMHC, said they have conducted over 30,000 virtual visits since April, which does not include those done over the telephone. “One of the most important things we wanted to do was to maintain connections to the people we serve, and we did that through various virtual means,” Bhatla said. Bhatla said that initially, many mental health services across Ottawa were hit hard by the pandemic and forced to temporarily close. To meet the rising demand, ROMHC opened a rapid access clinic, known as “COVID-PROMPT”, or “C-PROMPT,” to quickly address those urgent mental health needs. Bhatla said the clinic ended up serving over 900 patients in four months. The ROMHC has now opened the Prompt Care Clinic, which is based around a similar model to COVID-PROMPT. This clinic will provide specialized mental health assessment and therapy for individuals with moderate illness. The services are complementary to other hospital and community-based mental health services, and are available by referral from a family doctor or psychologist. Bhatla said there is “every indication, both internationally and across Canada” that there will be a higher demand for mental health services long after the pandemic has ended. As a result, the ROMHC has launched a new five-year strategy, reflecting input from hundreds of clients, families, physicians, clinicians, scientists, staff and community partners. The plan has five pillars: innovating and shaping care to meet client and

Dr. Raj Bhatla. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ROYAL OTTAWA MENTAL HEALTH CENTRE.

The Royal recently received a donation of $1.5 million for mental health research. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ROYAL OTTAWA MENTAL HEALTH CENTRE.

family needs; advancing specialized care; connecting care to make a more accessible system; advocating and partnering for systemic equality; and integrating research, education, practice and lived experience. Bhatla said that, going forward, the ROMHC will continue to meet the area’s mental health needs through collaboration with its partner agencies, which include the Canadian Mental Health Association, Queensway Carleton Hospital, Hôpital Montfort, CHEO and Bruyère. Throughout the pandemic, Bhatla said, the ROMHC has learned of new models of care that can be extensively utilized to serve the population, including through virtual care, digital health platforms and computer and phone apps. But he recognizes that everybody has different needs, and so the ROMHC has to tailor its services to meet them.

Dr. Florence Dzierszinski. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ROYAL OTTAWA MENTAL HEALTH CENTRE.

“The pandemic has shown us that we can do things through technology that are wonderful, but we also know people need contact with each other, and we want to give the best experience for people when they need or want in-person care,” he said.

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H A P P Y S T. PAT R I C K ’ S DAY

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In honour of St. Patrick’s Day, we’re hosting a festive drive-thru lunch for the Ottawa community. Drive to our senior lifestyles residence through our front entrance driveway and our team members will serve you Irish stew and green ginger ale to-go, directly to your vehicle.

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J O I N U S AT T H E E V E N T

Wednesday, March 17 | 11:30am-12:30pm

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COMMUNITY PHOTOS Hitting the winter trail

March 2021 • 14

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Patti Brown*

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JUST LISTED

708 Parkdale Avenue Civic Hospital

1502-234 Rideau Street $449,900

JUST SOLD

Petrichor Crescent Avalon

Your Listing Here

*Broker

After one of the season’s big snowfalls, photographer Ellen Bond headed down to the Sir John A. Macdonald (SJAM) Winter Trail on Feb. 20 to see how locals were spending their time outdoors. ALL PHOTOS BY ELLEN BOND.

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

340 Parkdale Avenue (between Wellington & Scott)

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Joel Harden MPP, Ottawa Centre

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JHarden-CO@ndp.on.ca 613-722-6414

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109 Catherine St. Ottawa, ON. K2P 2M8

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15 • March 2021

1280 Wellington St. West | 783 Bank Street www.bloomfields.ca | 613-695-6434

GIVING ‘Everyone needs love:’ 8-year-old local gathers donations, money for respite centre KitchissippiTimes

BY CHARLIE SENACK

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Charlotte Kwavnick with her pile of items for the Tom Brown Arena Respite Centre.

March 2021 • 16

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PHOTO COURTESY OF JENNIFER KWAVNICK.

local kid from Westboro is doing her part to help support the city’s homeless population during the colder months. Just a few weeks ago, eight-year-old Charlotte Kwavnick launched a fundraiser to collect money and gently used clothing for the Tom Brown Arena Respite Centre, a program set up to help the city’s homeless population during the colder months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Within six days, she raised over $950 and collected various pieces of winter clothing to donate. “It made me feel really happy and great and proud of myself,” said Charlotte. “It made me feel proud because I really love helping other people feel nice and safe. I want everybody to feel comfort and warm and for no one to feel very cold and homeless.”

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

Please wear your mask! SVP portez votre masque!

The money was raised by writing a letter, which she gave to people in the community who her family knew, encouraging them to make a donation. In the end, the total was way above the $500 goal they set. With the money raised, Charlotte went to Costco with her grandfather and purchased 124 pairs of socks, 123 pairs of underwear, 20 long johns, 29 hats and 15 pairs of gloves. She also collected 15 winter jackets, 10 pairs of pants, 30 sweaters and four pairs of shoes — all pieces of gently used clothing which were dropped off at their home. Since then, more donations continue to be dropped off, which will also be distributed at the centre. On Feb. 20, Charlotte dropped off all the essential items at the Tom Brown Arena, a place that’s familiar to the eightyear-old — it’s a place she’s skated at in

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

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Dear Campers: We’ve had a difficult year and we know you have too. We know some of you have been spending A LOT of time at home with your parents and your brothers and sisters. We know you’re missing your regular activities. We’ve been missing group games, out-trips, swim times and, most importantly, you. The world is still strange, and sometimes scary. We still have to wear our masks and we can’t give each other high fives or hugs. But there are SO many things we can do and so the Dovercourt team is busy planning a summer full of fun – just for you. If you want a different sort of adventure each week, check out our Theme Camps. We think that Slime

Time is going to be great (and messy), but we’re probably most excited for Colour Wars, always a highlight of our camp season. Did you know that this year’s Colour Run will be our 8th?! If you’re into riding your bikes like we are, you’re in luck: we have a Biking Camp each week (just make sure you pick the right group for your age). If you’re not into biking all day but love being outdoors, check out Adventure Academy! With so many options, like Dance, Drama, Pottery, Skateboarding, and even Stand Up Paddleboarding, we know we have the perfect camp for you… just leave your parents at home! See you this summer! The Dovercourt Team

NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL CORNER

Students celebrate Black History Month BY CHRISTIAN HENRY AND MIREYA POON YOUNG

Notre Dame students commemorate Black History Month 2021. PHOTO COURTESY OF NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL.

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27 • March 2021

lack History Month is always a special time at Notre Dame (ND). It is a time of education, self-expression and, most importantly, celebration. This year, for obvious reasons, had to look a little different but our students and staff leaders prevailed in their efforts to make this Black History Month the best one that ND has seen so far. The month was celebrated with daily profiles of extraordinary Black Canadians, guest speakers and so much more. A large part of the month’s celebrations was highlighting “Black Role Models in History” and in our community. Every day over the announcements, students learned about Black leaders who excelled in their respective fields, ranging from politics all the way to athletics and everything in between. As Black History Month is usually a time of festivity, it was also important for us as a school to acknowledge the transitional time we are living in, with the recent surge in the Black Lives Matter movement. This year called for white educators and non-racialized students to reflect deeply on the role that they play in education, and in their personal lives, in regards to systemic barriers and systemic racism — something that has been long overdue. Notre Dame was ecstatic to welcome (virtually, of course) four wonderful guest speakers throughout the month. Mindfulness coach Meghan Wills led students in a mindfulness session, allowing us to experience mindfulness, an experience most students haven’t had yet. Next, Aliyah Poon Young gave an informative talk to students and staff. She called upon white educators to step up, do their part and educate themselves. She also gave Black students a valuable message about the importance of community and support.

In the second half of the month, Jimmy Sebulime told students a bit about African history in addition to sharing his life story and experiences. He spoke about what immigrating to Canada in 1990 meant to him. He also spoke about his experiences at the Boys & Girls Club here in Ottawa, and how it inspired him to start the Agnes Zabali Boys and Girls Club in his hometown of Kamengo, Uganda. The school is raising funds for the Agnes Zabali Boys and Girls Club in their Lenten project over the next month through Black Lives Matter T-shirt sales. Finally, Adrian Harewood, CBC news anchor, journalist and professor, spoke to students about his childhood, growing up Black and joining the news scene. We were lucky to have four community role models of various backgrounds and interests present to our staff and students. The month will culminate with a virtual assembly celebrating ND’s rich diversity. The annual Black History Month assembly gives students a chance to showcase their talents through music, spoken word poetry, dances and more. It is also a chance for students to share their cultures with their fellow schoolmates through our cultural fashion show, where students show off the hottest fashions from their home countries. This assembly is always a fun and powerful experience for students, staff and parents to enjoy the diversity of the school. It makes participants and viewers alike realize the potential inside all of us — we all possess the power to spark change in ourselves, our communities and even the world. All of which are equally essential for societal progression. Notre Dame strives every year to create an even more memorable month, but the ultimate goal is for our students to feel represented, heard and celebrated. We, as students, are part of Black history in the making. Black Lives Matter.

NEPEAN HIGH SCHOOL CORNER

Exploring representation, identity and joy with author Karen McBride BY MIRIAM FELMAN

March 2021 • 28

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hroughout my life, books have always been how I learned about the world, allowing me to look into the lives of people whose experiences are different from mine. Both reading and writing fiction have also played a crucial role in validating my own experiences: Representation is profoundly important. In the last few years, Nepean High School (NHS) has been making an effort to include diverse voices into our English courses. There is still a long way to go, but like some other Ottawa schools, as of last school year, NHS’ Grade 11 English courses focus on First Nations, Métis and Inuit voices. I believe fiction to be a valuable tool for education, because when you follow a main character through a story, you truly get to know them. Unlike a chart of statistics or definitions, you get a chance to look into someone’s life and really see them — the pain and struggles they may face, but also their joy. Karen McBride, author of Crow Winter, believes joy is especially important when it comes to Indigenous stories. Crow Winter is the Algonquin Anishinaabe author’s debut novel, and I recently had the pleasure of reading it and interviewing McBride about it. Here are some highlights from the interview. The full interview can be found on Knightwatch, NHS’ online newspaper, at nepeanknightwatch.com. Interview with Karen McBride: Q: What role has writing played in exploring your identity as an Algonquin Anishinaabe woman? A: I think it’s played a huge role in my understanding and accepting my Indigeneity. So much of what Canadian Literature deems to be worthy Indigenous stories are stories rooted in severe pain,

trauma and Canada’s genocidal legacy. While those stories are desperately important, I find them to be only one small part of who we, as Indigenous people, are. In a way, I write (or try to) in opposition of that. I write stories with magic and mystery and characters who struggle because they are human and not because they’re disenfranchised. Indigenous people, like all people, deserve stories that show the beauty and power and joy of being ourselves. We are so much more than our traumas. Q: Seeing yourself represented in art, and other forms of media, is so important in feeling comfortable with one’s identity, in giving us that integral sense of belonging. Where, besides your own writing, have you seen yourself represented in a validating way? How difficult is it to find this representation? A: It used to be near impossible to see myself in other works of art. And while it’s getting better now, there is still a long way to go. I’m hopeful that I’ll get to see the day when Indigenous artists are household names. People like Alicia Elliott, Cherie Dimaline, Joshua Whitehead, Billy-Ray Belcourt, jaye simpson, Lindsay Nixon, Arielle Twist, Kaniehtiio Horn, Tanya Tagaq, Eden Robinson, Anna Lambe, and Michelle Latimer are creating powerful amazing things that are defining Indigenous excellence. If any of those names are new to you, I urge you to find and devour their work. Q: At Nepean High School, our Grade 11 English classes now focus on Indigenous literature. How important do you think it is for students to read a variety of texts from different voices? A: Reading, listening to, and watching an experience that is different from your own is one of the most important things you can do. It helps to build understanding and

Karen McBride, author of Crow Winter, spoke with Nepean High School about her debut novel. PHOTO COURTESY OF KAREN MCBRIDE.

empathy. There’s so much beautiful work out there just waiting for you to discover it. Explore different writers from all kinds of genres as often as you can. Q: Is there an Ottawa writing scene? Have you connected with Ottawa writers? A: You bet! I actually connected with Ottawa writers when I was on my book tour. Back when we could go to in-person festivals, it was a great way to meet other writers. One of the best parts of the Ottawa writing scene is the Ottawa Writers Festival. I’ve been a part of their festival two years in a row now — first as a visiting author and then as a

host — and I’ve loved every part of it. Also, the Ottawa Public Library is just lovely. They organize all kinds of events throughout the year that are worth checking out if you want to get to know other writers, authors, and book lovers. Q: Lastly, what advice do you have for other writers? Young, or older. A: Write what fills you with joy. Come away from your writing sessions excited because what you’ve created is something worth loving. That[,] and make sure you edit and then edit again. Seriously, editing never ends.

FEDERAL UPDATE

New international travel measures SUBMITTED BY CATHERINE MCKENNA, MP FOR OTTAWA CENTRE

√ 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 CLIMB A TREE IN SOME NEIGHBOURHOODS IN ONTARIO. The Mann Lawyers Environmental team will make sure you are legally on solid ground in environmental law. Mann Lawyers Full Service Law Firm

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613-722-1500 mannlawyers.com

Welcome Home!

Now accepting applications for our Retirement Floor

Call 613-722-6690

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

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29 • March 2021

accines continue to be our priority as a government, and we remain on track to vaccinate every Canadian who wants a shot by September. In positive news, all residents of long-term care in Ottawa were vaccinated at the beginning of February and vaccinations are ongoing for retirement residents, long-term care home staff, essential care givers and higher risk health care providers. We expect to receive six million doses by the end of March — four million from Pfizer and two million from Moderna. This will require a significant ramp-up by provinces and territories and we are working closely to support them in these critical efforts. Since last spring, the federal government has strongly advised against non-essential travel; we put in place some of the strictest rules for international travellers globally. To prevent new cases of COVID-19 from coming to Canada, and to protect Canadians from new variants, the federal government announced strengthened travel measures which include further testing and quarantine requirements for international travellers arriving at Canada’s air and land ports of entry. The new measures will help prevent variants of concern from reaccelerating the pandemic and making it more difficult to contain. Our government continues to advise Canadians strongly to cancel or postpone any non-essential travel. Foreign nationals should likewise postpone or cancel travel plans to Canada. For more details on travel restrictions, visit travel.gc.ca/travel-covid. It’s been a busy month, and I have a few very exciting updates to share with you! In February, our government announced an investment of almost $15 billion starting this year for public transit and active transportation projects across the country,

including the creation of a permanent public transit fund of $3 billion per year starting in 2026. Our government’s investment in public transit now, and into the future, will shorten commute times, create jobs and support Canadian companies, reduce emissions, make our air cleaner and help drive to net-zero emissions and transform cities and towns. This transformation is happening already in Ottawa, with the second phase of the LRT underway and with the announcement with Mayor Watson of federal funding for new electric buses. The new Canada Healthy Communities Initiative that I launched this month, together with Community Foundations of Canada, will help Canadians enjoy safer, more vibrant and inclusive communities. This is a great opportunity for organizations and community groups in Ottawa to submit smaller, innovative projects (for federal funding between $5,000 and $250,000) that can improve the quality of life of residents throughout COVID-19 and beyond — anything from pop-up bike paths, to outdoor art installations, to community gardens or Wi-Fi hubs. The first round of applications is open until March 9. Visit the Community Foundations of Canada webpage at communityfoundations.ca or call 613236-2664 for more details. Lastly, this is a very hard time for everyone with respect to mental health. I find going for a walk outside, skating on the canal or going for a ski on the SJAM trail really helps me — hopefully, many of you are able to enjoy our beautiful local nature as well. Remember that there are resources in Ottawa Centre that can provide support, such as the 24/7 Distress Line you can call at 613-238-2211 or text at 343-306-5550. Let’s keep supporting each other through this. Please note that my constituency office continues to be virtually open and ready to assist. Call us at 613-946-8682 or email at catherine.mckenna@parl.gc.ca.

Affordable, Clean, Secure, Central

PROVINCIAL UPDATE

Paid sick days are a step towards racial justice SUBMITTED BY JOEL HARDEN, MPP FOR OTTAWA CENTRE

March 2021 • 30

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n Feb. 16, I was in Toronto for the resumption of the Ontario Legislature. Right away, the official Opposition put forward nine bills and motions for unanimous consent. These bills and motions offer immediate help and hope to those hit worst by COVID-19. At the top of our list is a provincial program of paid sick days, as proposed by my colleague Peggy Sattler, MPP for London West. We want to ensure no worker feels compelled to work sick and spread the virus. The Ottawa Board of Health has urged Premier Ford to implement this.

So far, the Ford Government has resisted these appeals. They insist the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit is enough, but this federal plan is not working. Benefits are delayed, and too many are excluded. We need a plan that pays out benefits right away — lives are at risk. Last month was Black History Month, and it’s important to offer a racial analysis here. On April 2, 2020, several of Ontario’s Black health care leaders insisted we acknowledge the racialized impact of COVID-19 in the workplace: “Black

workers, (particularly Black women), racialized workers are predominant in are over-represented in front precarious jobs without paid sick leave. facing service provider roles, All of which is to say that paid sick including among PSW and days are a step towards racial justice, and RPN’s. Many are providing a major way we can stop the spread of essential services, yet COVID-19. That’s why we are fighting for unable to access support for this at the Ontario legislature. Shamefully, their families. These factors Premier Ford and his caucus blocked our will exacerbate precarity, motion to quickly pass paid sick days by Our office is here for you with: food insecurity, isolation and unanimous consent, but the fight isn’t over. mental health concerns.” We’re keeping up the pressure to pass this Monthly Town Halls In June 2020, Ottawa Public Health bill and make it a law. Canvasses Community Organizing began collecting race-based data at its If you have a story about sick days Help Accessing Services COVID-19 testing centres after the province you’dGovernment like to share with us, please do so at declined to do so. They found that 66 per jharden-qp@ndp.on.ca, and let us know if cent of COVID-19 positive cases were Black we can share your story publicly. You can P: 613-722-6414 and other racialized people. And we know help make this happen. 109 Catherine St. / rue Catherine E: JHarden-CO@ndp.on.ca Ottawa, ON K2P 0P4 MPP / Député provincial, www.joelharden.ca Ottawa Centre

COUNCILLOR’S CORNER

Avoiding ‘Wild West’ planning with new infill rules for Westboro SUBMITTED BY JEFF LEIPER, KITCHISSIPPI WARD COUNCILLOR

n the past couple of weeks, there’s been a lot of discussion about the new infill rules for a part of Westboro. I think it’s important to understand what those are, and why I’m supporting them. The city is in the process of creating a new Official Plan. To mitigate the climate and taxpayer implications of urban sprawl, we’ve said that 51 per cent of Ottawa’s growth in the next 25 years should be through intensification. I know from your emails that mitigating climate change is a priority for Kitchissippi residents. In a couple of years, a comprehensive zoning review is going to drive greater

intensification in every neighbourhood in Ottawa, especially near transit and in communities that qualify as “15-minutes.” The zoning in this specific part of Westboro has for decades allowed singles, semis and triplexes. Two years ago, a developer brought a proposal to split a lot into two and build two three-storey triplex boxes, and we froze that application with a temporary ban to study the appropriateness of that. At the same time, staff took the opportunity to propose a more wholesale re-examination of infill rules to finally set some clear boundaries around it given the even bigger changes coming down the pipe. The new rules moving forward basically say that in the interior of neighbourhoods, we’ll still allow singles, semis and triplexes,

adding towns, and recognize the established pattern that those can be built on smaller lots. We’ll require that those be smaller and shorter than they have been especially if they have a flat roof, with more landscaping. The triplexes that triggered the ban will not be allowed to be two threestorey flat-roofed boxes under these rules. On the edges of the area under study and at corners, we’ll allow slightly denser threestorey multi-unit dwellings. Those will prohibit parking so that the whole lot isn’t paved over. The rules recognize that infill will continue. They set out a clear regime that we haven’t had in decades, with

clear instructions to the Committee of Adjustment about variances. When the Official Plan drives even more intensification in a couple of years, this specific part of Westboro will already have rules in place that define what that means. I expect that these new rules for the R3R portion of Westboro will become a template for similar neighbourhoods in Ottawa. It remains to be seen what the new Official Plan will mean for R1 and R2 neighbourhoods. I absolutely support the ability to build more rental housing in Westboro, and more housing generally, but subject to rules that minimize the impact of those. All of our neighbourhoods will continue to change; I’m pleased that in this corner of the city, though, we at least now understand what that will mean and have taken steps to put reasonable limits on it. Westboro, and our whole ward, has been subject to Wild West planning for far too long.

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

Stay safe and healthy, Kitchissippi!

To learn more, visit wallspacegallery.ca. MARCH 8 - INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY International Women’s Day (IWD) celebrates its 110th anniversary this year. The day recognizes the political, cultural, economic and social achievements of women and advocates for gender parity globally. To learn more about the day, and to see what events are being held virtually for 2021, visit internationalwomensday.com. And check out our IWD story on page 18. We caught up with Ottawa Centre MP Catherine McKenna to talk about the day and what it means to her.

This presentation will be a free webinar. There is no registration required.

For the full list of events please go to

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

31 • March 2021

Join Lana Doss of The Fine Gardener as she guides us through creating interesting small spaces outside. Whether you have a balcony, deck or patio, there are infinite ways to grow a lush oasis without a yard. The webinar runs from 7:30-9 p.m. ottawahort.org/events/no-yard-no-problem/

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

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MARCH 23 - OTTAWA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY MARCH MEETING No Yard No Problem Webinar: Speaker Lana Doss.

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

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.

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MARCH 6-APRIL 6 - WALL SPACE GALLERY EXHIBITION: YOU’RE ON MUTE “WALL SPACE heralds in the one year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic. March 2020 marked lock downs in many countries, including Canada, and the start of global shifts in social interaction, physical habits, and mental conditions. We are proud to present work from four artists who have created pieces in either direct response to the pandemic, or who have had

Wall Space Gallery is located at 358 Richmond Rd. in Westboro Village.

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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MARCH 1-31 - NAK GALLERY SHOWCASE The NAK Gallery in Wellington Village has an ongoing showcase of work by the NAK artist collective. To learn more, visit nakgallery.ca/current-exhibitions/

March 8th also celebrates International Women’s Day. In addition to connecting the show’s work to conditions felt throughout COVID, the exhibiting artists also explore ideas and conditions relating to gender and identity,” the Wall Space Gallery website states.

MONDAYS - ABOVE AND BEYOND TOASTMASTERS Every Monday at 6:45 p.m. (except holidays). Visit us online. Learning how to communicate better and honing your leadership skills can be fun. March 2021 holds another special meeting called Open House on March 22. Two speeches each week help us learn new skills as well as relating great stories. Join our family of joy with our five meetings in March. It is double the enjoyment each Monday. Contact our VP-Education or our webmaster at aandbtoastmasters@gmail.com to receive the link.

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FEB. 11-MAR. 28 - ORANGE ART GALLERY EXHIBITION: STAY’N HOME COMFORT ART Orange Art Gallery is currently running a “special online exhibition” showcasing a collection of the gallery’s current artists’ work that locals can view virtually. “Enjoy and shop LOCAL at Orange ONLINE safely from home anytime! In addition to the ‘Stay’N Home Comfort Art’ collection, we have hundreds of great works available on our ‘Artists’ page. For the month of February, we are offering NEXT DAY delivery and hanging for any clients purchasing pieces ONLINE in the Ottawa Area. The gallery will be open again next week beginning Wed Feb 17th and we are open to book private appointments anytime!” the Orange Art Gallery website states. To learn more, visit orangeartgallery.ca.

their practices and/or personhood affected by issues relating to social isolation or political upheaval. This exhibition features the work of Joanna Baxter, Marianne Burlew, Ava Margueritte, and Marney McDiarmid.

Warm up with a #WelliWander

WARMUP

Follow along on our Facebook page to find out where Councillor Jeff Leiper, Richard Cooper, littlemissottawa and other local luminaries visit often. You might find a few new spots to check out and fall in love with too!

Councillor Leiper chose NU Grocery as one of the stops on his #WelliWander: “Valerie, Sia and the team are helping us reduce plastic and garbage one product at a time with no-waste shopping and some of the friendliest staff in Kitchissippi” Where else will he go? Follow us on Facebook to find out!

March 2021 • 32

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KitchissippiTimes

Local personalities are sharing their favourite spots to drop in when they’re out and about on a #WelliWander in Hintonburg and Wellington Village.

Share your #WelliWander with us for a chance to win $25 gift certificates for up to 5 of your favourite spots to visit in Wellington West. See all the details at:

WellingtonWest.ca/welliwander2021