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Despite the rain warnings above, Sunday and Monday expected to be hot and sunny.

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HELLO OTTAWA

We’ve mentioned the changes that the Ottawa Carleton District School Board is contemplating before, but now there are some public meetings that you should be aware of.

The Board is reviewing how it delivers French immersion and classes for gifted and special needs students. One option considered is to remove English-only classes and provide all elementary students with French immersion.

Another idea contemplated is to remove classes devoted to special needs kids and intergrate all classes. 

The Board intends to make any changes by autumn of 2025.

Public consultation meetings:

May 22

D. Roy Kennedy Public School 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Glashan Public School from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

May 29

Longfields-Davidson Heights Secondary School 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Sawmill Creek Elementary School from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm 

Avalon Public School 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
 

Victoria Day

Monday is Victoria Day, so we’ll be on the porch with gins and tonics. We’ll see you again Tuesday. 

– Martha and Darren

Ottawans of the Day

• Amit, Anand, and Arun Munje
• – Amit and Arun have developed software, AIHEARU, to assist people who have difficulty speaking inspired by brother Anand, who has cerebral palsy.
  
  Using the software, Anand has launched a YouTube channel, Anand’s World, featuring  interviews with entrepreneurs, academics and artists and comments about chess.   (Matthew Kupfer at CBC) 

Quote

• “

• If you get a good (packing) box, you keep it

• – New offensive line coach for the Ottawa RedBlacks, Pat Perles, has moved team eight times since he was married 24 years ago. Perles’ wife Karen, from St Catherines, has ‘been wanting to come back, she’s a proud Canadian, so everything just worked out’. (Don Brennan in the Ottawa Citizen)

Sports

• ⚾ FRONTIER Ottawa Titans 0 – at New Jersey Jackals 2 last night (Game 1)
• ⚾ FRONTIER Ottawa Titans 3 – at New Jersey Jackals 4 last night (Game 2)

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CITY HALL AGENDA

What’s going on at City Hall

No meetings Monday

WHAT OTTAWA IS TALKING ABOUT

♿ Para Transpo

•  Ottawa Transit Riders say that OC Tranpo head Renée Amilcar was one of several officials who took up the campaigning organization's offer to ride Para Transpo with a regular user. Councillors Glen Gower, Marty Carr, Joel Harden, and Wilson Lo have also made the trips. The goal is to demonstrate the reality of using Para Transpo to the able-bodied powers-that-be. (Ottawa Transit Riders)
  
  ➕ Related CBC journalist Amanda Putz has an audio interview with disability rights campaigner Terrie Meehan on their Para Transpo Challenge trip.

🚊 OC Transpo

•  OC Transpo still does not have an opening date for the O Train’s Trillium Line. The line is finished to the point that OC Transpo is running test trains seven days per week, and training for operators has almost finished. The best case scenario is said to be six-to-ten weeks after training is finished in mid-June, which puts the earliest date at the end of August. (Josh Pringle and Leah Larocque at CTV)
  
  ➕ Related St Laurent station is temporarily closed at the momement to inspect ceiling tiles. A replacement bus service will shuttle between neighbouring stations.

🔥 Garbage Fire

•  The Pontiac region government has given up its dream of a $500 million waste incinerator project. The plan was to build the incinerator and attract business from other municipalities, creating 50 permanent jobs. Residents were not convinced and Québec provincial law prevented the City of Ottawa from sending its trash over the border. (CBC)

🛒 Weekly Grocery Flyer Deal Review

•  Every week, Donovan Burey gets up early to peruse the grocery flyers then posts the deals on Ottawa Reddit. Highlights this week are all sorts of BBQ deals and sales on blueberries and strawberries. (/Ottawa) 

🛫 Ottawa International Airport

•  Air Canada is increasing the number of flights out of Ottawa.
  
  The updated routes will be: 
  
  Ottawa – Halifax: three times per day, up from one, as of July 1
  Ottawa – Québec: now daily
  Ottawa – Vancouver: Stilll twice daily, but one is on a Dreamliner
  
  Next winter, Air Canada will increase flights south for the season:
  
  Ottawa – Fort Lauderdale:  Six times weekly, up from four
  Ottawa – Orlando: Four times weekly, up from two
  Ottawa – Tampa: Two times weekly, up from one
  Ottawa – Cancun: Four times weekly, up from three
  Ottawa – Punta Cana: Four times weekly, up from three
  
  Also next winter, Air Canada and United Airlines will jointly provide:
  
  Ottawa– Chicago (Three times daily)
  Ottawa– New York-Newark (Three times daily)
  Ottawa– Washington-Dulles (Three times daily)
  Ottawa– Washington-Reagan (Daily)
  
  (Newswire)

⚖️ Ottawa Fire Service

•  A charge each has been dropped against the two defendents in the fire fighter assault trial. After a week of testimony from witnesses, the Crown requested the criminal harassment charge against former Ottawa fire fighter Eric Einagel and the negligence causing bodily harm charge against captain Greg Wright be withdrawn. Both were accepted by the judge. Einagel is still on trial for a charge of assault against another fire fighter and Wright is still charged with threatening to discipline the same fire fighter to prevent a report of the incident. (Arthur White-Crummey at CBC)

🛻 Convoy News

•  The Crown showed the court videos of Convoy organizer Pat King celebrating gridlocking downtown Ottawa. The videos show King saying things like ‘We jammed up Kent Street’ and ’I'm having so much fun. I'm not kidding, I'm having the time of my life’. King has pleaded not guilty to nine charges. (Canadian Press)

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EVENTS

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Today

•  Gamers, this is the big one. CanGames brings fans of miniatures, role-playing games, and board games together under one roof for competitions, socialising, and even shopping in the vendor marketplace. Today through Sunday at Rideau Curling Club, 715 Cooper St, Ottawa, ON K1R 5J5

•  Forget about the Big Top: Cirquonscient brings the acrobatics, hoops, and juggling to the intimate surroundings of Arts Court’s Studio. Cirque à la Carte is one night only at 2 Daly Ave.

•  Solé is the party for music lovers who don’t want to stay up late. Enjoy good music, food, and fun from 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm at Headquarters, 115 Clarence St. K1N 5P9

•  Road Trip: Studio Theatre Perth presents The Diary of Anne Frank, directed by Marilyn Nicholas-Dahan. Performances are Thursday through Sunday May 26. 63 Gore St E, Perth, ON K7H 1H8

•  The Tulip Festival is in full bloom at Commissioners Park until Monday.Take a walking tour, visit the food trucks, and fill your Instagram feed with photos. Before you depart for the festival, check the NCC’s handy Tulip Meter to check the bloom status.

•  Barrhaven Ribfest & Poutine promises more of everything they do so well: ribs, poutine, BBQ, music, plus they’ve got a new Kids Zone. The festival starts at noon today and runs until Monday at Clarke Fields Park, 93 Houlahan Street, K2J 3Y7.

•  Dance your way into the long weekend with a Salsa workshop. It’s a drop-in affair with a dance party following the instruction, and you don’t need a partner or any experience. Lesson and party $18, party only $13. Rahim Salsa at St John the Evangelist Anglican Church, 275 Elgin St. K2P 0H8.

•  Thirteen Strings presents Vaughan William’s ‘The Lark Ascending’ with violinist (and Concertmaster of the Orchestra Classique de Montréal) Marc Djokic. The programme will also include selections from Robert Rival and Arcangleo Corelli. Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, 355 Cooper St, Ottawa, ON K2P 0G8.

•  Saunders Farm has lots of activities for energetic families this long weekend, but if you’re just looking for a new spot to hang out after work and maybe enjoy some wood fired pizza, head to the farm’s CiderHouse for Happy Hour today from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Reservations are necessary.

•  ByTowne Cinema: On Earth As It Is In Heaven, Su l’Adamant (On the Adamant), We Grown Now, I Saw the TV Glow

•  Mayfair Theatre: Wicked Little Letters, Irena’s Vow, The Red Circle

  Gigs

•  The Barrow Gang Buskers. Atomic Rooster

•  K-Man & The 45s, The Abruptors, the Write-ups, Sugar Bomb. Dominion Tavern

•  Booster Fawnn, Debbie Christ, Twin Turbo. LIVE on Elgin

•  Justin Duhaime. Montgomery Scotch Lounge

•  Forró Fever: Music and Dance Extravaganza. Queen St. Fare

•  The Start. The Prescott

•  Adeoluwa featuring Kobe Bean. Art House Café

•  Abigail Lapell. Red Bird

•  Dart Trees, Backseat Dragon, Customer Service. Rainbow Bistro

•  Revenant Dan, The Murder Crows, The Mountain Gems. Irene’s Pub Restaurant

Tomorrow

•  Need some seedlings? Stop by Limestone Acres’ Farm Stand in Kinburn. Bring cash ($3 each or $5 for two). 4135 Limestone Rd, Ottawa, ON K0A 2H0.
   
•  Road Trip: Windmill Brewery’s MusicFest BrewFest is in its 20th year. Be there from noon to 9:00 pm for live music, food, and fantastic beer.
   
•  Road trip: Blow your kids’ minds with the Hopetown Telephone Company (1908-1969) exhibition at the opening weekend of Middleville & District Museum. They’ll get to experience vintage phones and learn how switchboards used to connect a community. The museum is open noon to 4:00 pm this weekend. Visit tomorrow (Sunday May 19) for the Official Opening Telephone Connection Day with tea. $5 per person, under 12s get in free. 2130 Concession Road 6D Lanark, Lanark, ON K0G 1K0
   
•  Road Trip: Studio Theatre Perth presents The Diary of Anne Frank, directed by Marilyn Nicholas-Dahan. Thursday through Sunday performances until May 26. 63 Gore St E, Perth, ON K7H 1H8
   
•  Road Trip: Almonte Farmers Market opens for the season. The weekly market offers local produce and baking, cut flowers, plants, pantry staples, and more, from today through Thanksgiving Weekend. Find the market at the parking lot of Almonte Public Library, 155 High Street, Almonte ON K0A 1A0.
   
•  Westboro Farmers’ Market, which had its Instagram account hacked this week, opens in Byron Linear Park today. Shop local produce and much more from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, and be sure to follow their new account.
   
•  The National Capital Commission’s free shuttle service to Gatineau Park starts running today for the 2024 season. The service runs six days per week (there's no bus on Wednesdays).
   
•  It’s called Victoria Day Weekend, and Upper Canada Village is all about celebrating Queen Victoria’s Birthday.
   
•  Ottawa Valley Roller Derby is a competitive, full contact, and family-friendly sporting spectacle, and at today's event there’s also a beer garden by Vimy Brewing Co. Head to the St. Laurent Complex, 515 Côté Street K1K 0Z8. Tickets $15 at the door. Kids 10 and under get in free (limit two kids per adult).
   
• The Tulip Festival is in full bloom at Commissioners Park until Monday.Take a walking tour, visit the food trucks, and fill your Instagram feed with photos. Before you depart for the festival, check the NCC’s handy Tulip Meter to check the bloom status.
•  
•  The Grace Land exhibition by Toronto-based artist Kelly Grace continues at Wall Space Gallery with an Artist Reception today from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. “Drawing roughly from the eras of the 50s to the 90s, Grace retroactively casts her female characters in roles of power, who in their own era would have fallen prey to the typecasting of women into diminutive roles.” RSVP to responses@wallspacegallery.ca.
   
•  Barrhaven Ribfest & Poutine promises more of everything they do so well: ribs, poutine, BBQ, music, plus they’ve got a new Kids Zone. The festival runs until Sunday at Clarke Fields Park, 93 Houlahan Street, K2J 3Y7.
   
•  Dance under the stars at the Tulip-Paolooza: A Pollinator Party, by the OTTAWA Letters on York St. 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Free. It’s all part of the ByWard Market Blooms 2024 festival.
   
•  ByTowne Cinema: My Neighbor Totoro (English dubbed), We Grown Now, On Earth As It Is In Heaven, I Saw The TV Glow.
   
•  Mayfair Theatre: The Wizard of Oz: Sing-a-Long, Irena’s Vow, Wicked Little Letters, Pulp Fiction
   

  Gigs

•  Laura Jane Grace and the Mississippi Medicals, Pigeon Pit. The Brass Monkey

•  Vulcan GPO, Motherland, Saturn Sunrise. Dominion Tavern

•  Texas MAC. Rainbow Bistro

•  Gnarly’s. Atomic Rooster

•  Chantal Celine & Jose ‘Sad, but not really.’ Art House Café

•  Boreal. Red Bird

•  Mecca of Stank with Smelloship. Irene’s Pub Restaurant

•  The Consequents. Club SAW

•  Laura Jane Grace, Worriers, Sam Russo. The Brass Monkey

•  Mom’s Birthday Show: MJ & the Beets, All Blue Monday, Clara Davis. LIVE on Elgin

•  Shawn Jam Hill Family Fundraiser: Andrew Vincent & The Pirates, King Kung, Double Pumpers, Recoilers. House of TARG

Sunday

•  Road Trip: Homegrown tomatoes have the best flavour and they’re even more special when they have unusual shapes and colours. The Great Indian Creek Fruit & Seedling Sale has such tomatoes, as well as bush fruits like haskap berries, cherry plums, and grapes. The sale is from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at Great Indian Creek Orchard Gardens. 919 Sugar Bush Road, Pakenham ON. K0A 2X0

•  Outdoor music festivals are what long weekends are all about, and Field Day is set to be awesome. From the fantastic bands to the beer (the festival is sponsored by Dominion City Brewing Co) and snacks, Vincent Massey Park is the place to be from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Tickets $20 advance, $25 on the day.

•  Happiness Habits 613 welcomes all to another Open Studio @ Ottawa Art Gallery. Bring your current works and spend a couple of hours creating alongside other artists of all levels. 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm 10 Daily Ave K1N 6E2

• It's Telephone Connection Day with tea at Middleville & District Museum. $5 per person, under 12s get in free. 2130 Concession Road 6D Lanark, Lanark, ON K0G 1K0

• The Tulip Festival is in full bloom at Commissioners Park until Monday. Take a walking tour, visit the food trucks, and fill your Instagram feed with photos. Before you depart for the festival, check the NCC’s handy Tulip Meter to check the bloom status.

•  Bring your pup to Stray Dog Brewing Co for an afternoon of relaxing in the sunshine. Meet some doggos looking for their forever homes care of Rocky Road Rescue, enjoy some BBQ (bring cash), and of course, savour the fine beer.
   
•  New Sunday market alert: the Greely Good Market sells everything from fresh produce (Veg Head Farm) to cocktails (Thirst Responder); bread (Nat’s Bread Co) to fashion (Ottawa’s own Nature’s Hum), and more. Check each week for a revolving list of pop-up vendors as well. 5770 Bank Street in Greely, ON K4P 1B9. BTW, you had us at cocktails.
   

•  Barrhaven Ribfest & Poutine promises more of everything they do so well: ribs, poutine, BBQ, music, plus they’ve got a new Kids Zone. The festival runs until Monday at Clarke Fields Park, 93 Houlahan Street, K2J 3Y7.

•  It’s called Victoria Day Weekend, and Upper Canada Village is all about celebrating Queen Victoria’s Birthday.

•  Main Street Vankleek Hill comes alive with the May Show Festival, a celebration for the community with music, dance, and food. 10 Terry Fox Dr, Champlain, ON K0B 1R0

•  ByTowne Cinema: Ponyo (English dubbed), On Earth As It Is In Heaven, We Grown Now, I Saw the TV Glow

•  Mayfair Theatre: The Liberation Men, Wicked Little Letters, Kim’s Video

  Gigs

•  Open Mic Sunday. Brew Revolution

•  DJ Poundkey’s Video Dance Party. Heart & Crown ByWard Market

•  The Sunday Night Revue. Irene’s Pub Restaurant

•  The Radicals. Atomic Rooster

•  Big Love (night 2), a tribute to Fleetwood Mac. Overflow Brewing Co.

•  Céu. Club SAW

•  Ashwyn Singh: The Audacity Comedy Tour. LIVE on Elgin

•  Free Play Sunday After Dark! House of TARG

•  Acoustic Coffee Hous. Red Bird live.

Monday

• Beau’s All Natural Brewing marks National Dog Rescue Day with a visit from Animatch. Meet the dogs (no adoptions on site) and enjoy a beer. Neutered dogs on leash are welcome.

• It’s your final chance to visit this year’s Tulip Festival is in full bloom at Commissioners Park. Take a walking tour, visit the food trucks, and fill your Instagram feed with photos. Before you depart for the festival, check the NCC’s handy Tulip Meter to check the bloom status.

• Don’t be sad that the Long Weekend is nearly over. Kichesippi Brewing is open all day today, so head to the patio for beer and great food. 2265 Robertson Road, K2H 5Z2

• You have until 7:00 pm tonight to get your face and hands sticky at Barrhaven Ribfest & Poutine. Clarke Fields Park, 93 Houlahan Street, K2J 3Y7.

• ByTowne Cinema: My Neighbour Totoro (English dubbed), We Grown Now, Sur l’Adamant (On the Adamant), I Saw the TV Glow

• Mayfair Theatre: Wicked Little Letters, Irena’s Vow, Le Cercle Rouge

  Gigs

•  Open Mic Night. Art House Café

Tuesday

• Be there to see local artists receive the Ottawa Arts Council Arts Awards. Whether the winners are in the early stages of their careers, or mid-career, all have contributed to the community through their practice or arts education. Free to attend but you should reserve. Ottawa Little Theatre, 400 King Edward Ave., K1N 7M7

• The NAC welcomes Broadway Across Canada’s touring production of SIX, an award-winning musical featuring the six wives of King Henry VIII. Until Sunday (May 26)

• Atomic Rooster’s First Annual Youth Art Show is welcomed to the venue with a Vernissage with this evening. The show features works by artists aged 10 to 21. 303 Bank St. K2P 1X7

• Rural Root Theatre Company presents Having Hope at Home, a comedy about the impending arrival of a baby amidst a family feud. Playing at Northwind Centre, Constance & Buckham’s Bay tonight through May 26. Tonight is the Champagne reception.

• It’s a ‘best of’ evening as Pitch ImPerfect Singers meet up one last time before the summer hiatus. Tonight’s chosen songs are pulled from the playlists of the season.

  ByTowne Cinema: Sur l’Adamant (On the Adamant), We Grown Now, End Of the World Day: Soylent Green (with green popcorn!)

  Mayfair Theatre: Irena’s Vow, Wicked Little Letters, Pulp Fiction

  Gigs

• Trivia Tuesday. Irene’s Pub Restaurant

• Open Stage with Clarissa Fortin. Red Bird

• Pete Bernhard (of the Devil Makes Three), Crazy & The Brains, Bastards, the Buzzards. Dominion Tavern

• Life Drawing. Art House Café

Just Announced / Now Booking

• Art House invites everyone to the Fundraiser Weekend May 24-26. They’re hoping to revamp the layout, add an accessible washroom, and create  more space for performers. Visit all weekend for music, an Afternoon DJ Party and Vintage 1920s Casino Night (Saturday May 25) and art fun  (Sunday May 26).

• Carleton Place’s Stalwart Brewing Co is hosting Back Forty Artisan Cheese for a five-course tasting event on Wednesday June 5. An Evening of Artisan Beer and Cheese has limited seating so get booking. StalwartBeerEvents@gmail.com

• There’s an epic weekend planned in Cornwall June 7-9 as the town celebrates its 240th Anniversary. Find out what life was like in the late 18th Century, enjoy music, explore the museum, and lots more.

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DEALS OF THE DAY

BUT, ONE MORE THING ...

The winners of the 5th Annual Capital Music Awards have been announced:

Live Music Venue of the Year: Brass Monkey

Live Music Curator of the Year: Stacie Sivyer – The Rainbow Bistro

Newcomer of the Year: Hannah Vig

Single of the Year: Pony Girl - ‘Laff It Off’

Video of the Year: LeFLOFRANCO - ‘SONNER L'ALARME’

Album of the Year: JOLY - DEUIL

Group of the Year: School House

Solo Artist of the Year: Grey Brisson

Songwriter of the Year: N’nerjie - ‘Tug of War’

Best Production and Arrangements: The Commotions - ‘Feel The Commotion’

Music Educator of the Year: Danah-Lee Krieger - More Than A Song Studios

Sound Engineer of the Year: Steve Foley - Audio Valley Recording Studio

Community Impact: Erin Benjamin - Canadian Live Music Association

Congratulations to all.

RAPID RESPONSE QUALITY CONTROL

Comment of the week: ‘I have to smile every time you mention the Choosin’ Hat. Makes my day.’

THE END

the ottawan is written and edited every working weekday by Martha and Darren.

Is there something that Ottawa should know about? Email to us at hello@theottawan.com. We read every single comment. 

We’ll see you Tuesday.

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