September 3, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 9
Next edition September 17
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School boards delay opening amid COVID confusion By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star
The area’s two English-language school boards have decided to delay the start of the 2020-2021 school year until next week in order to allow more time for everyone involved to get used to the new normal. The Ottawa District School Board has delayed the start of the school year for both elementary and secondary students until Sept. 8. The Ottawa Catholic School Board has taken a more staggered approach. Kids in Kindergarten to Grade 3 will go back to school on Sept. 8 along with students in Grade 7. Students in Grades 4-6 and Grade 8 will start their classes on Sept. 9 and secondary students in Grade 9-12 will go back to school on Sept. Elementary students with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and 14 and 15. Start dates for in-person and distance learning the Ottawa Catholic School Board will return to class next week while are the same. high school students will go back on Sept. 14 and 15. FILE PHOTO According to the most recent information,
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close to 26 per cent of parents are opting to keep their children at home. It’s relatively the same number across both boards. Those parents who are opting for in-person learning for their kids must find a way to get them to school for the first week while the Ottawa Student Transportation Authority (OSTA) adjusts to the new back-to-school start times and a sharp reduction in the number of students needing transportation either because they are opting to study at home, or because their parents would rather drive them to school themselves rather than risk their being exposed to the coronavirus while on a bus. According to the OSTA, 5,500 students fewer students won’t be taking the school bus once the school year begins. The upside to all those students not taking the bus is that there will be more room on the buses for those that do to allow for physical distancing. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
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OCDSB releases detailed high school timetable Continued from page 1
Mayor Jim Watson dropped by the Critter Jungle pet store on Jeanne d’Arc Blvd. during a tour of Innes Ward with councillor Laura Dudas on Friday. Pictured left to right are Critter Jungle co-owner Kelvin Stanke, Emily Stanke (holding their family pet Ella), Kristin Stanke, Mayor Watson and Councillor Dudas. FRED SHERWIN PHOTO
Caisse Desjardins Ontario Credit Union establishes GoodSpark Fund ORLÉANS – The Caisse Desjardins Ontario Credit Union recently established its GoodSpark Fund to help support projects that drive community priorities in the field of education, the environment, employment and entrepreneurship. Among the initiatives the $150 million fund will help support are: projects that improve early childhood development, education quality, the living environment (housing, local services), social commitment, arts and culture; projects that improve health and healthy lifestyles, as well as the environment; and projects that improve employment, training, entrepreneurship, business succession and innovation, and tourism. For more information about the fund, the criteria for submitting and application and how to apply visit www.desjardins.com/ca/goodspark-fund/.
Copies of 2020 Orléans Road Map now available
ORLÉANS – Readers of the Orléans Star can now order a copy of the 2020 Orléans Road Map. The street map was produced by Sherwin Publishing and includes the various neighbourhoods of Orléans including Chapel Hill North and South, Convent Glen, Présault, Orléans Wood, Chateauneuf, Fallingbrook, Queenswood Heights and Avalon. To order your copy simply send an email to editor@orleansstar.ca and include your name and address.
2 • September 3, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 9
Elementary students enrolled in the Ottawa Carleton District School Board will attend class five days a week with each day broken up into three 100-minute instructional blocks separated by two 45 minute recess breaks. High school students in Grades 9-12 will attend class on alternating days in two-week blocks. In week one, half of the students will go to school on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, while the other half will go on Tuesday and Thursday. In week two, the schedules will be reversed. Once at school they will remain in the same cohort, or class, with instruction delivered in two 112.5 minute blocks separated by a 10-minute break. They will be dismissed for the day after the second block of instruction. Classes will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 1:12 p.m. When the students return home, they will be expected to do another 75 minutes of homework posted online by their teachers and based on what they had learned
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earlier in the day. On the alternating days when they aren’t at school they will be expected to study on their own using posted materials for most of the day, however, they will be able to receive help from their teachers during a virtual support period from 1:52 p.m. to 3:07 p.m. The students will focus on one subject every day during one week and then a different course every day the following week. For instance, they may study math every day during weeks one, three and five, and then history every day during weeks two, four and six. The first two courses will run from September to mid-November and the second two courses will run from mid-November to the end of January. Four more courses will be taught during the second half of the school year in the same manner The Ottawa Catholic School Board had yet to release a detailed in-person high school timetable prior to the publication of this week’s paper.
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Cumberland Ward candidates answer election survey Candidate: Catherine Kitts Age: 32 Education: Bachelor of Journalism, Carleton University Occupation: Communications/Marketing Specialist (former editor of the Orléans Star) Bilingual: Yes Question #1 – How will your past experience make you an effective city councillor? I believe being an effective city councillor relies heavily on your ability to communicate. You must possess the ability to communicate with residents, fellow councillors, members of community groups and representatives of other levels of government. If elected, I will lean on my work ethic and background in journalism and communications to research effective solutions, ask tough questions and make decisions based on fact. I am well educated on the issues, and I care deeply about this community. You can be confident that I will listen to you, advocate on your behalf and bring your voice to city hall. Question #2 – Please list some of your volunteer activities. • Heart of Orléans BIA, Marketing team • Canadian Hemochromatosis Society – Ottawa/Orléans Chapter, Founding member • Equal Voice Ottawa – NCR, Panelist/ Member Question #3 – What is your position on whether or not the rural part of the ward should be merged with Osgoode Ward? I do not support it for two main reasons: First, this will mean losing rural representation on council (down to three councillors from four). Second, we will be merging Cumberland Ward, which has a large francophone population, with a predominantly Anglophone ward. This decreases the likelihood that bilingualism will be a
consideration in future elections, putting the francophone community in Cumberland Ward at risk of losing representation. Contrary to the options that have been presented to council, I believe that there should be an increased number of suburban/ rural split wards to increase rural representation on council, and make our wards more dynamic and representative of the entire population of Catherine Kitts the city. Question #4 – Please list your top three priorities should you get elected; and B) Why is the first issue on your list your number one priority? 1. Targeting dangerous drivers and speeding on residential streets and in rural villages (especially around parks and school zones) by introducing increased traffic-calming measures to keep families safe 2. Uncovering inefficiencies and streamlining processes within the City of Ottawa to tackle our mounting city deficit and keep taxes low, without compromising services to our most vulnerable populations 3. Investing in road infrastructure for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians in both suburban and rural communities. After knocking on countless doors, I have heard loud and clear that we need to do more to keep our roads safe. Even in communities where traffic-calming measures have already been introduced, it appears they are not working as effectively as they should be. I believe we need to rethink how we tackle this problem and leverage our partners in other Canadian municipalities to determine the best methods to implement and, ultimately, save lives. For more information about the candidate visit www.catherinekitts.ca.
Candidate: Lyse-Pascale Inamuco Age: 32 Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Conflict Studies and Human Rights Occupation: Public servant # of Children: I raised my little brother and sister Bilingual: Yes Question #1. How will your past experience make you an effective city councillor? My story is the Canadian story: a story of hard work and perseverance, of working to build better neighbourhoods, and of giving back to the community. Actions speak louder than words. My track record proves that I create partnerships, am a team player, and consensus builder. My community engagement and advocacy experience allows me to work with all three levels of government and know the different steps and channels to navigate in order to get things done. I am rooted in the community and my past experience as a community organizer and leader prepared me to engage with community members, actively listen to different concerns, prioritize, and create an action plan that will address issues that are brought up. Question #2. Please list the extent of your volunteer activities. • Director of community service for the Rotary Club of Orléans • Co-chair of Women’s March Ottawa • Co-leading the First Women’s shelter in Orléans Project • Canadians for Properly Built Homes (CPBH): collected donations from Cardinal Creek Village residents. • Internationally, I have worked on building decent housing for low-income seniors in Rwanda and sent 25 Burundian refugees, boys and girls, to continue their education to prevent them from enrolling in rebel groups.
Question #3. What is your position on whether or not the rural part of the ward should be merged with Osgoode Ward? Any decision about merging the rural part of the ward with Osgoode Ward must be done on the basis of what rural residents want. Rural residents aren’t getting the services their taxes should cover. If elected, I will do more to engage with rural communities in Lyse-Pascale Cumberland over the next year to debate Inamuco and decide about what sort of municipal governance they want. Question #4. Please list your top three priorities should you get elected? My top three priorities are: 1. Reinvigorate the infrastructure to make our roads safer by addressing excessive traffic and speeding and by investing in transit to m efficient and reliable Light Rail Transit (LRT) that we were promised, and continue to hold the Rideau Transit Group (RTG) to account. 2. Economic Recovery and Development: Support our businesses. 3. Amalgamation of Hydro One into Hydro Ottawa: I will present a motion for a second round of negotiations with the province. That would be fair and equitable for all Cumberland residents, especially rural residents, on Hydro One that are paying up to 30% more than Hydro Ottawa customers. Our streets are not safe for families, children, and our seniors. I will install traffic calming measures, such as speed bumps, to address car speeding. I will also advocate for high quality cycling infrastructure design. For more information about the candidate visit www.lysepascale.ca.
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September 3, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 9 • 3
Greed We’re all in this together, or so our political leaders and public health officials would have you believe. The fact of the matter is that we may all be in this together, but were not all in this together equally. The restaurant and hospitality industry has, in particular, borne the financial brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most restaurants have been able to survive the summer thanks to a willingness on the part of their landlords to allow them to create or expand their patios. Restaurants like Caravela on Innes Road, which had no patio before the pandemic began, were able to work with their landlord to create an outdoor space to generate much needed revenue. But not all restaurants and other small businesses have been so lucky. Despite the federal goverment’s efforts to entice landlords to take part in a program that would see the federal and provincial governments cover 50 per cent of the rent while the tenant pays 25 per cent, many have taken a pass, including several commercial landlords in Orléans. CentreCorp, which owns the Orléans Garden Shopping Plaza, is one such landlord. The Montreal-based company has so far declined to take part in the program according to a handful of businesses approached by this paper, but they are by no means the only landlord doing so. Most businesses were able to get a $40,000 loan from the Canadian government in the earliest days of the pandemic as insurance against the anticipated loss in revenue. Retail businesses that were forced to close their doors for three months used the funds to cover their rent and other fixed expenses. Others, like restaurants, which could still provide takeout and delivery, used the money to help pay the bills. But as the funds dry up over the coming weeks and months, those same businesses will have to make some tough decisions. Some won’t make it. A recent survey by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce found that 29 per cent of food service businesses can’t operate with social distancing in effect and 31 per cent of food service businesses say they can only operate for another 90 days. That means that 60 per cent of Canadian restaurants could fail within three months. Having to declare banktruptcy is a devastating decision. Most of the restaurants facing economic failure are family run operations. In most cases, the owners have invested their entire life savings into their business. They are older and don’t have a lot of options should they be forced to close their doors. Having to file for bantruptcy just doesn’t mean financial ruin, it means an abrupt end to all their dreams including any dreams they might have had for their future. Most restaurant owners don’t have a pile of RSPs to fall back on. Their business is their retirement fund. When it fails, their dreams come to a crashing end as well. It seems that a handful of commercial landlords would rather risk having empty properties than eat 25 per cent of their rent to help keep their tenants in business. That’s greed, pure and simple. The Canadian government needs to tweek the rent assistant program to provide direct relief to businesses whose landlords won’t play ball and they need to do it before it’s too late. – Fred Sherwin, editor
Fredrick C. Sherwin, Editor & Publisher fsherwin@orleansstar.ca The Orléans Star is a bi-weekly publication distributed to 44,000 residences in Blackburn Hamlet, Orléans and Navan. The newspaper is locally owned and operated by Sherwin Publishing Inc., 745 Farmbrook Cres., Orléans, ON. Inquiries and delivery issues should be sent to info@orleansstar.ca.
4 • September 3, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 9
Ontario Liberal Party releases COVID-19 Business Recovery Plan This summer, I have been fortunate enough to businesses, the government should implement a participate in the Standing Committee on Finance and three-month Provincial Sales Tax holiday, whereby Economic Affairs, which has been studying issues all purchases at eligible small businesses would be related to the Covid-19 response. exempt from the provincial portion of the HST. This The committee heard from will encourage customers to business owners across the province come back and spend – and give Queen’s our small business a competitive who had to close their doors in early March and have struggled advantage. Park to regain their footing ever since. Next, the government should Corner For many, the government supports waive the collection of payroll offered were initially helpful, but premiums. While the government do not represent a sustained effort had deferred payroll premiums for Stephen Blais to help businesses navigate the six months, this has created a giant changing economy and strict public health guidelines. balloon payment that small businesses will have to For many retail stores, services, and restaurants in pay when the bill comes due in September, just as we Orléans, COVID-19 has presented an unprecedented want them to ramp up hiring. Waiving six months of challenge. Stress among entrepreneurs is very high payroll premiums will go a long way to reducing the and it is critical that these business owners receive burden that small businesses face. government support that is geared toward their Finally, the government should ensure the industry and specific business model. availability and affordability of personal protective As we reopen the economy and adjust to life with equipment (PPE) for all small businesses. Too many strict public health measures, the government must businesses are having difficulty navigating the system also reinvent the ways it provides supports to its local to procure the proper PPE at a reasonable cost. Others businesses. simply can’t afford it. The government should work To help entrepreneurs preserve their businesses, with outside partners to create a program to provide stay open, and rehire workers, our caucus has PPE at little to no cost for the hardest hit industries. recommended that the government employ a bold Small businesses are the heart of our communities Business Recovery Plan that focuses on three inno- and the backbone of our economy. In this dire vative steps. moment, investing in their recovery is more important First, to encourage spending at local small than ever.
COVID 19: Back to school but hardly back to normal So the region’s two English school boards have decided to delay the start of the school year, while the school bus companies try to figure out how they’re going to transport those students who want to go back to school for in-person learning to school as safely and efficiently as possible. In the meantime, high school parents are still unsure what their kids are going to study during the two days a week they’re at school and what they are going to learn at home. Confused? Me too. It’s at times like these that I’m glad my kids aren’t in public school anymore. Not that they don’t have their own problems in preparing to resume their studies “virtually” at Carleton University and the University of Ottawa respectively this fall. The two school boards recently informed their high school teachers and students that they would remaining in class for 150 minutes in the morning and 150 minutes in the afternoon separated by a short lunch break. And, oh yeah, they will be required to wear a face mask for the entire 150 minutes they’re in class. Sounds like fun. I’m not sure who I feel more sorry for, the students or the teachers. At least the students only have to attend in-person classes for five days every two weeks – alternating between Monday, Wednesday and Friday one week
Up Front Fred Sherwin and Tuesday and Thursday the following week. In between, they are expected to attend online classes at a virtual academy during the days they’re at home. The teachers who opt to instruct their students in-person have to experience this “new normal” five days a week. At last report, roughly three quarters of parents in Ottawa have elected to send their kids back to school. The other 25 per cent have opted to keep their kids at home where they will attend the virtual academy five days a week – assuming they have access to a computer. Many parents who are opting to keep their kids at home are doing it for health reasons. They are terrified that their kids could catch the coronavirus if they were to attend inperson classes at school no matter what precautions the boards are taking.
Even those parents who are allowing their teenage sons and daughters to go back to school are at the very least apprehensive of the possible implications. Personally, I would have no problem sending my kids back to school for the simple reason that the virus is just not that prevalent in the east end. According to Ottawa Public Health, there are less than 200 active cases in the entire city and that’s after the province began to open things up. Our current rate of positive tests is still hovering around 0.5 per cent. The reason why we are doing so well is our willingness to comply with the three key factors in limiting the spread of the virus – physical distancing, wearing face masks in public spaces and proper hygiene including washing our hands or using hand sanitizer on a regular basis. Knowing that our numbers are so low, especially following the limited reopening of some business, I’m confident we won’t see the type of outbreaks in our schools that they are experiencing south of the border where in some states the number of positive tests is upwards of 20 per cent. The province has released a protocol to deal with potential outbreaks at schools but it doesn’t nearly go far enough. It calls for a student showing symptoms to be removed
from the class and kept for observation until a parent picks them up. It makes the decision to send an entire cohort home, or potentially close a school, up to the discretion of Ottawa Public Health. What the protocol doesn’t do is require testing either of the student showing symptoms or their classmates. Instead, it requires them to stay at home for at least 24 hours after their symptoms subside, even though there is scientific proof that someone with COVID can still be contagious up to four days after they no longer or experiencing symptoms. That’s nuts. In the event that a student does start exhibiting symptoms, they should be tested immediately, and if they test positive, the school should be closed for 14 days and the students kept under observation by their families. Measures should be put in place to still allow those students to carry out there studies virtually while they are in selfquarantine. The fact that the province isn’t calling for students exhibiting symptoms to be tested is a major red flag and is further proof that the province either doesn’t have enough tests or doesn’t have the capacity to process them. That’s not good and should be worrisome to everyone involved.
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6 • September 3, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 9
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Cumberland Minor Hockey unveils ‘Return to Play’ plans By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star The Cumberland Minor Hockey Association has unveiled it’s plan to allow players to return to the ice this fall while respecting the province’s Stage 3 COVID-19 protocols. Under the association’s “Return to Play” plan, players will be divided into cohorts consisting of four teams based on their age. Each team will consist of eight skaters, one coach and one assistant coach. Because of the limited number of skaters per team, the association is anticipating more teams than normal. Because of the sheer number of teams and the limited number of goalies, netminders will be placed in pools of three and assigned to teams on a game by game basis. The four teams will play each other within their cohort between October and the end of February. The actual play will consist of fouron-four scrimmages with modified rules. Because of COVID-19, there will be no on ice officials. Instead, one of the coaches will act as the on ice official. Face offs will also be eliminated. Play will begin with the home
team in possession of the puck. Offsides will result in a dead puck and change of possession as will any goals. All minor penalties will result in a penalty shot. Because there will only be eight skaters per team, shifts will be limited to a maximum of 90 seconds. Under the City of Ottawa’s current protocols there can be no more than 50 people in a facility at any given time. That means that parents will not be permitted to attend any practices or scrimmages. Players and coaches must wear a face mask throughout the facility, including the dressing rooms, until they are leaving to go on to the ice. They must also be worn immediately following the game until they leave the building. Any players exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, including a persistent cough, will not be permitted to play. If they begin to exhibit symptoms during a game, they will be required to immediately put on a face mask and leave the bench until a parent shows up to take them home. The CMHA is expecting to have enough players to form multiple cohorts from novice
The Cumberland Minor Hockey Association will begin this October under a cohort model with strict protocols in place. FILE PHOTO to bantam in both the House League and Jr. Grads competitive programs. That’s music to the ears of kids who thought the season might be canceled altogether. The CMHA is the first such organization to release a detailed plan to return to play. Other associations including the Gloucester
Rangers Minor Hockey Association, the Orléans Minor Hockey Association and the Blackburn Hockey Association are expected to follow suit in the coming days and weeks. To find out more about the CMHA’s plan to return to play got to www.cumberland minorhockey.com.
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8 • September 3, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 9
Fall 2020
DJW’s Furniture takes customer service to the next level STAR STAFF – Have you ever wondered where your furniture came from? Who designed it and who built it? Daniel Daigle, the owner of DJW’s Furniture, located in the Taylor Creek Business Park, knows the answers to these questions. Daniel has spent over 20 years developing relationships with the manufacturers of the furniture he has hand selected to sell at DJW’s. “I know the owners of these companies on a personal level,” says Daniel. “I’ve worked with them for years and have developed an excellent rapport with each of these outstanding companies.” Daniel doesn’t just know the owners of these furniture manufacturing companies, he’s walked their factory floors and spoken with their employees, the very people who are tasked with bringing your purchase to fruition. Through these frequent visits and longstanding relationships, Daniel has developed extensive knowledge of every piece of furniture he sells. DJW’s is not just a family-owned busi-ness. Daniel has poured his heart and soul into making the business a success. “Making my clients happy is my biggest priority,” says Daniel, “ensuring they don’t
just like their new furniture but that they love it.” In Daniel’s mind, a successful business isn’t just based on profit, but also on the longstanding relationships he’s developed with his clients, many of whom he now considers friends. “I like to get to know my clients on a personal level,” explains Daniel, “what their family consists of, how many kids they have, if they have pets, what they like and don’t like...that way I can offer them furniture that is not only beautiful but fits their family’s needs as well.” DJW’s is a family-friendly business where the focus is on making the shopping experience a positive one for the client and their family. Daniel also understands the challenges faced by clients who are trying to balance budget and function with beauty and craftsmanship, so he is always eager to help find something you love that will also fit within your budget. When DJW’s Furniture first opened its doors, Daniel decided to enter the market by offering furniture from the mid- to high-end range. The quality of the craftsmanship is immediately noticeable when you walk into
the showroom. DJW’s Furniture offers almost exclusively Canadian made products, but you will find some import options in the showroom. However, before making the decision to offer these products to his clients, Daniel has investigated the companies thoroughly to ensure these products meet his high level of standards.
DJW’s Furniture is located at 501 Lacolle Way. The showroom is open from 3 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday; 2 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Fridays; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. You can visit their website at www. djwsfurniture.com.
September 3, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 9 • 9
Upgrading your kitchen can be as easy as refacing your cabinets STAR STAFF – Is your kitchen look-ing old and tired and in need of a face-lift? Why not consider changing your cabinet doors and drawer facings and replacing your countertop? Futuric Kitchens, located at 830 Industrial Ave., Unit 4, has been specializing in cabinet refacing since 1976. Cabinet refacing is by far the most affordable way to upgrade your kitchen and you can save thousands of dollars in potential renovation costs in the process. At Futuric, they have literally hundreds of different colours and finishes to choose from including solid wood, acrylic, thermal plastic, melamines, veneers and laminates. Cabinet refacing can bring a whole new look to your kitchen in very short order. When you reface your cabinets, you keep the existing structure while upgrading the cabinet doors, drawer fronts and hardware. With cabinet refacing, it’s easy to coordinate a new floor or wall paint and end up with a beautiful new room for much less cost than a full remodeling. The first step is to visit the Futuric
showroom on Industrial Avenue and talk to one of their design specialists. They can walk you through the pros and cons of different finishes and hardware such as drawer slides, hinges and handles. The next step, which can often be the most difficult, is choosing a colour. Once you select the finish and colour, the rest is up to the Futuric team of installers. Refacing your cabinets and drawers can often be done in two or three days. In rare circumstances, if you are also installing a new countertop, or back splash, they may need an extra day or two. At the same time as you reface your cabinets and drawers, you can opt for a variety of add-ons such as a centre island, new drawer boxes, crown molding, or a light valance. Microwave shelves, wine racks, and corner shelves can also be installed and made to match your new cabinet doors. Should you want to take the next step from resurfacing to remodeling, Futuric has the expertise and know-how – from design to installation – to help make your dream a reality.
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10 • September 3, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 9
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Let Louise Cardinal help make your design dreams come true STAR STAFF – The fall is fast approaching and you want to make good on that home renovation project you’ve been talking about all summer. You’ve been surfing the Internet the Internet and have scoured through all those home decor magazines. But all that research and information has only left you more confused and undecided than before you started. So who do you turn to? The clearest path to make your dream a reality is to employ the services of an interior design professional. With more than 30 years experience Louise Cardinal has helped transform hundreds of rooms into perfect living spaces. For years, Louise offered her advice sand expertise as an interior design professional with Decorléans. When that business closed four years ago, she started her own company – Louise Cardinal Concept. Fully bilingual, Louise can draw upon her vast experience and knowledge, as well as her immense creativity, to save you time, money and stress. Louise has an uncanny ability to envision the final product. Her primary objective is to create the ideal interior living space that
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makeover, Louise Cardinal would be more than happy to lend you her vast expertise and creative genious. For more information visit louisecardinal.ca.
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O U R S H OW R O O M I S O P E N ! P L E A S E V I S I T O U R W E B S I T E T O L E A R N A B O U T O U R S A F E T Y P R O T O C O L S ! Proud supporters
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September 3, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 9 • 11
Deux c’est mieux. Learn industry terms en français et en English.
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12 • September 3, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 9
1301-2175_ann_Orléans_star — Collège Boréal date de parution : septembre 2020 grandeur : 9.75” x 11” h couleur
City unveils COVID-modified recreation programming STAR STAFF – The City of Ottawa has unveiled a modified recreation program for this fall which aims to offer a limited number of aquatics classes and Before-and After-School programs while observing COVID-19 protocols and precautions. Those programs open for registration are swim lessons, power swim instruction, advanced aquatic certifications and the Aqua With Baby and Aqua Healing Waters programs. Swimming lessons for younger children have been modified to support physical distancing by requiring a parent or guardian to accompany their child in the pool during instruction. Registration must be done either online by visiting the City’s website at ottawa.ca, or in person on Aug. 25 by visiting your local recreation facility. The City plans to release a fall 2020 Recreation eGuide featuring additional recreation, culture and older adult programming in the coming weeks. Thanks to the Stage 3 protocols recently
put in place by the provincial government, parents looking to keep their children active as the weather gets cooler have more options to chose from although things are still far from normal. The Cumberland Minor Hockey Association unveiled it’s plans to offer a limited program last week. Kids will be assigned to a cohort, or bubble, consisting of four teams which will practice and play together from November to February. Each team will consist of eight skaters, one coach and one assistant coach. Registration will open on Aug. 24. Other local minor hockey associations are putting the finishing touches on similar programs. The Ottawa TFC soccer club is also working on a cohort model for their fall and winter indoor programs as are the Ottawa Gloucester Hornets. Other sports including figure skating, speed skating, lacrosse and gymnastics will likely follow suit. Contact your local club for details.
September 3, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 9 • 13
Therapy pooch providing comfort, joy to Forest Valley residents STAR STAFF – Luna is one fortunate dog, but not as fortunate as the residents at Forest Valley Terrace who benefit every day from her affection and very presence. The four-year-old Lab/Cocker Spaniel mix was acquired from an animal shelter in March, just days before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, the staff at Forest Valley Terrace, which is owned and operated by Symphony Senior Living, had no idea the important role Luna would play in providing comfort to the residents, all of whom suffer from dementia to a lesser or greater degree. “She’s been tremendous. Just her presence here reduces their anxiety and decreases their agitation,” says Forest Valley Terrace community relations co-ordinator Glenese Francis-Wright. “Since she’s arrived, there’s a greater sense of calmness,” adds executive director Jessy Staniszewski.
Pet therapy has proven to help people with dementia be less anxious and more calm, while dogs like Luna help with memory recall. “You will hear residents talk about when they once had a dog. It’s a positive process when they can reminisce about their own pets,” says Francis-Wright. Luna was brought in to replace the retirement community’s former resident pooch, Bonnie, who was adopted by a senior that had recently lost her husband and was looking for a four-legged companion. Bonnie also didn’t like loud noises or large gatherings of people. When Luna arrived at Forest Valley Terrace she warmed up to the residents and vice versa almost immediately. “She has an excellent temperament,” says Staniszewski. “She was previously kept in a larger house so she’s not scared
by noise, or lots of people, or commotion, she actually loves it and she loves to be rubbed so this is the perfect environment for her because we have a lot of residents who absolutely love dogs. She gets petted and squeezed a lot.” The only downside to all that love is the ability for Luna to maintain her girlish figure. Apparently some of the residents also love to give Luna treats when the staff aren’t watching. All those treats can add up to an extra pound or two. But not to worry, because the staff take Luna on frequent walks to keep her active. Luna is even fine with having to share the affections of Forest Valley’s residents with the resident cat, Polly. It should be noted that all of Symphony Senior Living’s properties are pet friendly. To learn more about Symphony Senior Living and their two communities here in Orléans, visit symphonyseniorliving.com.
Luna is about to get a kiss from one of the residents at Forest Valley Terrace where she is the resident therapy dog. FILE PHOTO
BUSINESS DIRECTORY HOME RENOVATIONS
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14 • September 3, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 9
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Misguided anti-mask movement needs to give their collective heads a shake I’m a pretty positive guy. I like to use this space to connect with you on a personal level and to pass on information. I might take a little bit of heat for what I have to say this week, but I feel that it’s very important. This past week in has seen protests over our City’s mandatory mask bylaw. Indeed, across the Western world, we have seen mass demonstrations by those touting conspiracy theories that range from ignorant to completely fantastical. The vitriol and anger being directed at our public health officials and the elected officials that follow their advice is at an unprecedented level. These protests are both risky for those participating in them and every single person they come into contact with. Wearing a cloth mask in public is neither that much of a burden, nor a sign of submission. Wearing a mask in public does not show that you are afraid of anything at all. What it does show is a willingness to
Matt Luloff Orléans Ward 1 care for others and to protect them from a virus that can elicit no symptoms in some individuals and can be deadly to others. At current count, over 840,000 people have died from COVID-19. There are tens of millions of people with active cases right now. There are massive resurgences of the virus here in Canada, notably in British Columbia and across the world, especially in Europe. The bratty and reckless behaviour of entitled individuals is putting innocent people at risk. The fact that some people seem unwilling to sacrifice one summer of
partying and social activities for the greater good is very frustrating. The longer this pandemic lasts, the more jobs will be lost. There are families struggling to survive because of job losses and the inability to reopen their businesses in a safe manner. Entire industries have been completely gutted. Musicians, sound technicians, event organizers, and the people that work tirelessly to ensure that we have something to look forward to and enjoy are out of work and suffering. The longer the conspiracy theorists and reckless brats continue to act without concern for others, the longer these dedicated and hard-working people will suffer. It is selfish, ignorant and unbecoming behaviour. We live in a very tumultuous time where we are grappling with major social issues that are worth grappling with. Historical inequity, racism, bigotry and hate toward those with differing sexual identities and skin colours is what is really holding us
back as a society. I applaud those working hard and peacefully to draw attention to these injustices. These are not conspiracies. These are the real barriers to progress and we all have a role to play to build a more just society. These are things that are worth protesting. These are things that are worth our attention and our effort. These are causes that will move us forward. So instead of listening to the rant of someone sitting in their car on YouTube spouting off about how we have become sheep because we are being asked to wear a mask in public to protect each other, why not turn your attention to a worthy cause? We know what we need to do to curb COVID-19. Wear a mask, wash your hands and physically distance from those outside your small social bubble. It’s that simple. Changing our antiquated and pernicious attitudes toward those we share more with than not is harder and more valuable work. Together we can overcome both.
HAPPY HOUR EVERY DAY FROM 4-6 PM!
Enjoy an order of Turkish Wings and have a beer at half price!
At Little Turkish Village, we are taking every precaution in our dining room to provide a safe environment in which you can enjoy your meal in a cozy setting.
Please call for reservations: 613-824-5557 2095 St. Joseph Blvd., Orléans | www.turkishvillage.ca September 3, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 9 • 15
KEEPING OUR DISTANCE IS BRINGING US TOGETHER
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S H O P, T O U R A N D B U Y O N L I N E 16 • September 3, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 9