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Friday, December 8 2023

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Today

☁️ Overcast Clouds
High -5° Low -10°
🌞 7:29 am🌛4:19 pm

Tomorrow

🌧️ Light Rain
High 1° Low -6°
🌞 7:30 am🌛4:19 pm

See the 8 day forecast at the ottawan weather

Call 311 if you see someone who requires shelter from the cold. The City has a cold-weather page here.

 

HELLO OTTAWA

💅 BKIND Giveaway

We’re excited to announce that we’re giving away a $100 Digital Gift Card to BKIND, the wonderful Made in Quebec beauty brand that offers vegan nail polishes in brilliant colours, hair and skincare for everyone, and even household fragrance products. All you have to do to be in with a chance to win is tell us the answer to this question:

‘Of which material are BKIND’s 100% biodegradable shipping peanuts made?’

You’ll find the answer on the BKIND website.

Send your answer to bkind@theottawan.com by Sunday (December 10) at 6:00 pm. Martha’s mum will draw the winner’s name from her choosin’ hat and we’ll announce it in Monday’s newsletter.

We thank our friends at BKIND for this fabulous offer.
 

10 Gifts Under $20 - Give something meaningful from a small business.

  1. Holiday sets from from Buck Naked Soap Company in Guelph.
     
  2. Because they’re not just for texting: Flock Boutique has packaged All Your Favourite Emojis magnets into a handy box, perfect for gift giving. Made in Ottawa by the Workshop & Flock team.
     
  3. For an intimate dinner: get two leather napkin rings from M0851 for $14.
     
  4. Aurelius has great stocking stuffers for foodies: fine grain Himalayan Salt ($3.50) and select Balsamic Vinegars and Olive Oils starting at $4.49. Their brand-new Lime Fresco Sea Salt is $9.00.
     
  5. Dot & Lil’s Soaps for Hands + Body come in three gorgeous fragrances and are just $8.50 for the travel size.
     
  6. The Slouchy Sock from Province of Canada ($16) will be perfect for lounging around on quiet days at home. Made in Canada.
     
  7. We’ve long admired Gourmet Village Hot Chocolate products, which have been produced in Québec since 1982, but we were today years old when we found out that they also make a range of nutty toppings for Baked Brie ($5.99). Whaaaa?! Pot & Pantry has lots of both products on its website (and likely in store, too).
     
  8. For your cool friend who throws a glam dinner party: A pair of elegant Beeswax 12” tapers in a range of classic hues, from Honey Candles of British Columbia. $16.
     
  9. For lovers of sweet and spicy: Bee Savvy’s Hot Pepper Infusion Honey. $8.95 per jar at Maker House.
     
  10. Prairie Soap Shack’s White Spruce Bath Melt will transport the bather to a pine forest, and leave their skin feeling soft and well looked after. $12.


Housekeeping

One of our cherished readers keeps commenting in the daily quality control poll (way at the bottom) that they don’t like how the ottawan is often cut off near the bottom with a [Message clipped] text.

Gmail does that – we have no control over it. Please just click the ‘view message’ link and you’ll be able to see the entirety of us in all our glory.

– Martha and Darren

 

🎄the ottawan Christmas pages

TODAY’S LINE UP

  •  Ottawa Stats
  •  City Hall Agenda
  •  What Ottawa is Talking About
  •  Events
  •  Deals of the Day

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OTTAWA STATS

    Number 

    • 24
    • – Where Ottawa lies on the list of the Globe & Mail’s list of Canada’s Most Livable Cities. Victoria, BC is #1. Halton Hills (North of Toronto) is #100. Toronto is #64 and Montréal doesn’t make the cut. At #18, Burlington is the top rated city in Ontario. (Mahima Singh and Chen Wang in the Globe & Mail)

    Ottawan of the Day

    • Jared Schmidt
    • –  Schmidt received the gold medal in World Cup ski cross this morning in Val Thorens, France. Schmidt was the second to cross the line but French skier Youri Duplessis Kergomard was disqualified for contact with another skier. (CBC)

    Quote 

     

    Sports

    • 🏒 NHL Ottawa Senators 3 – Toronto Maple Leafs 4 last night

    CITY HALL AGENDA

    What’s going on at City Hall
     

    No meetings Monday

    WHAT OTTAWA IS TALKING ABOUT

    🐘  Ice Age

    •  The preserved remains of a baby wooly mammoth may be coming to Ottawa. The 30,000 – 35,000 year-old mammoth, named Nun cho ga, was discovered in Dawson City, Yukon in 2022 and will be sent to the Canadian Conservation Institute, a Federal government agency. Nun cho ga means ‘big animal baby’ in the Hän language. (Paul Tukker at CBC)

    🚨 Ottawa Police Services

    •  The Ottawa Police Services Board has made a settlement with a family over a breach of privacy by a constable on a quixotic COVID theory. Constable Helen Grus is currently suspended with pay and in the middle of discreditable conduct proceedings after she improperly accessed records of deceased children to find out their COVID vaccination status. Grus was a member of the sexual assault and child abuse unit at the time. The amount of money was not disclosed and the Service did not admit liability. (Joanne Laucius in the Ottawa Citizen)

      ➕ Related Ottawa Police are looking for information on a man who pulled a knife on a bus passenger at an OC Transpo shelter in the 1600 block of Scott Street. He is described as Caucasian, 40 years-old ish, five feet six inches (168 cm) tall, with reddish brown hair, and a full beard. He was last seen wearing a black varsity style jacket with a black hoodie underneath, sunglasses, dark jeans, black Converse shoes, and a black baseball cap. 

    ⚕️ Opioid Crisis

    •  The Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation have declared an opioid state of emergency. Before COVID, the community saw five opioid-related deaths a year but in the first six months of 2023, there were 12. In Ottawa, there were 93 opioid related deaths in the first six months of 2023, an all time high. A declaration of a state of emergency opens new resources and funding for the Nation from the province. (Joseph Tunney at CBC)

      🪚 Ottawa International Airport

      •  Save the Hunt Club Forest group would like the now-clearcut red pine forest preserved as a park. The Airport clearcut the old telephone pole farm last week, arguing that the neglected land was dangerous. The Airport has indicated that it would like to develop the land for an industrial park. (Andrew Duffy in the Ottawa Citizen)

      🏠 Home Design

      •  A new custom built house shows why West of Main and Art & Stone Group won so many design awards. It’s not a bad looking pile. While it is brand new, it looks very traditional. And, of course, pics. (Anita Murray in the Ottawa Citizen)

      🛻 Convoy News

      •  The trial of Convoy co-organizers Tamara Lich and Chris Barber has been adjourned until January. It was originally anticipated the entire trial would have ended by Oct 13. Aside from an organizational day on Jan 4, the resumption day has not been set. (Canadian Press)

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      MORE FROM THE OTTAWAN

      EVENTS

      Is there an event we should know about?
      Please use our easy event submission form, now working again.

       

      Today

       

      Find Ottawa’s most comprehensive – and ever-expanding – list of Christmas Markets, Festivals, and Parades on our website.

      Tomorrow

      •  Set your phone alarm, fish lovers. Pelican Seafood Market & Grill is holding another School of Fish Class in Fishy Fundamentals on Tuesday, January 30, 2024. This class, which will cover how to cook seafood four ways, will sell out. Apparently, registration will open at 4:00 pm today (Saturday December 9, 2023). As their subscribers hear the news first, the shop advises that you join its mailing list.

      •  The OC Transport/Loblaw Christmas Food Drive runs 10:00 am to 5:00pm at participating Loblows, Real Canadian Superstore, Your Independent Grocer, and No Frills stores across Ottawa, in support of Ottawa Food Bank. You can donate food or cash.

      •  The Stittsville Market at the Barn and Elf Café are open again this weekend for seasonal hot drinks and treats. 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm at 6154 Abbott St.

      •  If you’ve got a spare 30 minutes on Saturday, head to Fabrications for the Gingerbread Ornament Make & Take. For $5 you’ll receive the materials you need to make a cute embroidered gingerbread cookie to put on your Christmas tree for years to come.

      •  Pique winter edition takes over Arts Court with music and art for all ages. Entry is Pay What You Can with a suggested donation of $25 to $50.

      •  The Zolas Restaurant Gift Certificate Blitz happens but one day per year, and today (Saturday December 9) is it. Whether you shop in person or from your couch, when you buy a $50 gift card you’ll receive a $25 gift card for yourself. Even better: when you purchase a $100 gift car, you’ll receive two $25 gift cards for yourself. It’s extremely win-win.

      •  The Stairwell Carollers will sing all the seasonal favourites at Southminster United Church.

      •  Expect more than 50 vendors, superb local beer, and eats from Meatings and the BBQ Joint at the Dominion City Xmas Night Market (1:00 pm to 8:00 pm) The brewery will be collecting food and cash donations for the Gloucester Emergency Food Cupboard.

      •  Move Over Martha Living (no relation) presents the Get Stuffed Market at Mill St. Brewpub. This is your opportunity to buy cool, locally made stocking stuffers and support Highjinx social enterprise. Admission is Pay What You Can.

      •  It’s the 10th Annual Holiday Toast at Bicycle Craft Brewing. Great beer and charcuterie are on the menu, and Santa himself will be making an appearance. Proceeds will benefit the Caring and Sharing Exchange. 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

      •  Take a break from festive season overload. Artist Lisa Creskey will discuss her work, which examines the current anthropogenic crisis using ceramic and mixed media dioramas, with Daiva Stasiullis, Chancellor’s Professor Emerita of Sociology at Carleton University at Gallery 101. 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

      •  Settle in for the stories as Bear & Co presents Dylan Thomas: A Child’s Christmas in Wales (& CaralSing). At GCTC until December 21


        Road Trips:

        Go East

        🛷 If you’re planning a visit to Cornwall’s own Rurban Brewing this weekend, please wear your Ugly Christmas Sweater. Oh, and pints will be $4.75 all weekend.

        🛷 Meet up to 70 vendors at the Embrun Christmas Market. Please bring a donation for the Embrun Food Bank.

        Go West

        🛷 Shop the work of local artists, and enjoy a beverage and fresh baked goods at The S.M. Art Gallery Christmas Art & Craft Show in Carleton Place. Until Sunday at 50 Bennett Street, Carleton Place.

        Go South

        🛷 Find a one of a kind gift at the Merrickville Arts Guild Show and Sale this weekend (today and tomorrow from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm).

        🛷  Take a trip to the Open House at Back Forty Cheese (10:00 am to 4:00 pm), where you’ll find a warm welcome, hot drinks, and specially priced artisanal cheese. You’ll also find local vendors Jenna Rose Textiles and Chocolatier Ludwig Ratzinger. 1406 Gulley Road, Mississippi Station.

        Gigs

      •  The Retrogrades. Atomic Rooster

      •  Big Shiny 90s Live! Queen St. Fare

      •  Loon Choir, Greathunter, Buck’s Moonlight Revival. Irene’s Pub & Restaurant.

      •  Terra Lightfoot with Talia Schlanger

      •  Jeff Rogers Band, NAC


      Sunday

      •  Parlour’s Not Another Market, runs 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Sundays in December. Imagine yourself wandering among the vendors, visiting a bottle shop, holding a lovely cocktail in your hand, and listening to tunes, and you’ll get the idea. Be a dear and bring a donation to the Parkdale Food Centre with you. 1319 Wellington St. W.

      •  Ottawa Art Gallery presents an Hungry Eyes: An Experiential Film Series Fundraiser, starting today and continuing on select dates to December 21. Tickets include a movie admission (to either Julie & Julia or It’s a Wonderful Life), a three-course meal courtesy of Norca Restaurant and Bar, two craft beverages, popcorn, and a chance to win door prizes. $155.76 per person. The funds raised will support OAG’s free programming and exhibitions.

      •  Immerse yourself in Japanese culture with a visit to the 2023 Mochitsuki Market at the Preston Event Centre. Watch the pros engage in traditional Mochi Pounding (or give it a go yourself), shop with 20 vendors from Ottawa and Montréal, and enjoy performances and Martial Arts demos. 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

      •  Broadhead Brewing invites everyone to stop by the Hoppy Holiday Market, where 30 local vendors will be waiting to ease your Christmas shopping pain. Rain or shine in the taproom and the parking lot from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.


        Gigs

      •  Sunday Night Revue. Irene’s Pub & Restaurant

      •  Les Ismore, Smash the Like, Midnight Mayday, Fantomfez. Dominion Tavern


      Monday

      •  Magic of Light continues at Wesley Clover Parks.

        Gigs
         

      •  Naked Boys Reading. LIVE on Elgin

      •  The Beeched Wailers Jazz Jam at Irene’s Pub & Restaurant

      •  Karaoke Mondaze. Atomic Rooster

       

      Just Announced / Now Booking

      DEALS OF THE DAY

      Save 10% on Perth Brewery’s 12 Beers of Christmas, until Sunday December 17.

      BUT, ONE MORE THING ...

      Ottawa Bulldog calls this the City’s most thankless job in Ottawa municipal government: volunteers on the City’s Transit Advisory Working Group. The grouchy Bulldog thinks that the City never listened to the transit volunteers in the past, why would it start now?

      The new Transit Advisory Working Group will advise OC Transpo on buses, O Train, and ParaTranspo about:

      • Ways to improve service to customers.
      • Planned or potential changes to how we deliver service.
      • Consulting on new technologies or innovations being considered.
      • Improving the safety and security of the transit network.
      • Improving communications to customers and the public.

      The Group will meet three, maybe even four, times per year.

      ‘We are looking for members who represent a wide variety of lived experience and perspectives. Our goal is to have representation from Para Transpo customers as well as having at least 50 percent plus one of the members made up of individuals self-identifying as women, non-binary, transgender, and/or gender non-conforming persons. We invite everyone interested to apply.’

      If that sounds like you, complete the application form before 5:00 pm on Friday, December 22. Questions can be sent to TAG-GCTC@ottawa.ca.

      RAPID RESPONSE QUALITY CONTROL

       

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      Comment of the week: ‘Thanks for mentioning the Polytechnique murders. I said their names out loud and I will never forget ...’

      THE END

      the ottawan is written and edited every work day by Martha and Darren.

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

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