Friday, December 24, 2021

HELLO OTTAWA 
 

Martha here. 

This Christmas is a little subdued, what with family members staying away because of positive COVID tests and Darren spending the holiday with his parents in Vancouver. 

The simple act of giving is lifting my spirits though. Christmas Cheer Ottawa is still taking donations, and they hope to reach their 2021 target of $100K, to benefit 22 area charities. 

Many shops and restaurants are staying closed through Boxing Day, either for safety or to give staff a well deserved break. Here are a few businesses that will be open. 

▪️If you’re in the Perth area, the North Folk Café (1 Gore Street West, Perth Ontario) will be open on Boxing Day from 9:00am to 2:00pm. While you’re there, if you’re able, please contribute to their Pay it Forward fund. They use the fund throughout the year to buy a coffee for folks in need. 

▪️T’s Pub (323 Somerset St West) has closed due to an employee testing positive. The bar advises those who were in the pub December 21st to 23rd to get tested if they’re feeling symptoms. Meanwhile, the bar will be reopen on Boxing Day (December 26th) for beers, cocktails, and other Christmas recovery items. 

▪️After Hours (150 Montreal Road) will be open on Boxing Day from 5:00pm to 10:00pm. Just a note to the turkey-weary: the new After Hours menu includes Burria Tacos in your choice of beef, chicken, vegetarian, or vegan. From $16

Holiday Publishing Schedule

the ottawan will continue publishing on those non-holiday weekdays during the next 10 days but as mini-ottawans. We'll tell you what we know as we know it, but if last year is any indication, we won't know much. Expect some very tiny newsletters. 

Darren and I are so grateful for all of you lovely subscribers. Thank you for reading our little newsletter each morning. We wish you the best of the season.
 

We'll see you Wednesday – Martha and Darren

? Is there something that Ottawa should know about? Email to us at [email protected]. We read every single comment.

STATS

Weather: ☀️ A mix of sun and cloud but beware of snow and ice pellets overnight. High of -8°, low of -8°

Number: $28,000. The amount raised by fans of the O'Brien Cinema in Arnprior to keep the doors open. The O'Brien was in jeopardy because of, you know, but also because new rules mean that cinemas cannot sell concession food, the actual profitable part of the business.  O'Brien Cinema fans initially had a $12,000 goal. [CBC] 

Ottawans of the Day: Paige Marincak, Mathieu O’Brien, Scott Miley, and Taraneh Dohmer. The four run Ottawa Games, which create events promoting Ottawa as a video game development centre. [COGConnected] [Ottawa Games]

Quote: ‘That moment brought me to a place of enlightenment. I felt like I was a raindrop in a storm of Indigenous coherency’ –Broadcaster Earl Wood who will be doing the play-by-play on Hockey Night in Canada in Cree. Wood’s next match in the Plains Cree language will be Winnipeg Jets against the Ottawa Senators on January 15 on the APTN channel.  [Windspeaker.com]

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

Data is from this morning, comparisons are with yesterday
 

ONTARIO

Ontario COVID Page    Ontario Vaccine Rates 

QUEBEC

Information has not been updated since yesterday

Quebec COVID Page     Quebec Vaccine Rates

OTTAWA

Ottawa Public Health     Ottawa Vaccination Rates.    Ottawa Wastewater 
 

OUTAOUAIS

As of December 17, 2021 Updated Weekly

Outaouais Public Health    Quebec Vaccination Rates
 

EASTERN ONTARIO HEALTH UNIT

Eastern Ontario Health Unit  Eastern Ontario Health Unit Vaccination Rates

COVID-19 NEWS

⭕ The Canadian Museum of History and the Canadian War Museum are both closed due to incidents of staff testing positive for COVID-19. Both will reopen January 19. [Ottawa Citizen]

⭕ Several dozen inmates and staff members at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre are in isolation after people working in the kitchen, laundry and maintenance areas tested positive for COVID-19 [Ottawa Citizen]

⭕ Nineteen members of Ottawa Fire Services have tested positive for COVID-19 [CBC]

⭕ Ottawa's largest veterinary clinic, Alta Vista Animal Hospital, has been closed due to a COVID-19 outbreak. This has put pressure on the other animal hospitals and pet emergency care may need to be transferred to Toronto or Montréal. While rare, cats and dogs can contract COVID-19.  [Ottawa Citizen]
 

WHAT OTTAWA IS TALKING ABOUT

▪️Ottawa's new intersection guidelines may be world leading. The new guidelines require that new – and rebuilt – intersections have protected lanes for cyclists and reduce exposure to pedestrians. Thirteen have been built so far. [Capital Current] [Design Document]

▪️The Rideau Canal Skateway wants your Christmas trees. After you are done with them, the National Capital Commission will take the trees off your hands and use them to line the skateway or to provide wood chips. Drop them off at the debot on Colonel By Drive, just west of Bronson Avenue Bridge. [CityNews]

▪️The Ottawa Public Library has released their list of the top 10 most requested books of 2021. Here are the English language adult books. (They also released top 10s for children, and their French language  equivalents.)

1. State of Terror by Hillary Clinton and Louise Penny
2. The Madness of Crowds by Louise Penny
3. The Rose Code by Kate Quinn
4. Fight Night by Miriam Toews
5. The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
6. The Push by Ashley Audrain
7. Five Little Indians by Michelle Good
8. Indian in the Cabinet: Speaking Truth to Power by Jody Wilson-Raybould
9. What Strange Paradise by Omar El Akkad
10. A Town Called Solace by Mary Lawson

Apropo of nothing the ottawan asked the Library of Parliament for their Top 10 books earlier in the year. They wrote back and said ‘no, it's privileged.’  [CTV]

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