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HELLO OTTAWA

• In today’s ottawan:

  → City Council votes against reversing O Train every-ten-minutes decision

• → Check out our list of 30 things to do on Saturday

• → Château Laurier’s Churchill portrait delivered to Canadian embassy in Rome

– Martha and Darren

STATS

Number

• $2.442 million
• – The average price of a ‘luxury’ home in Ottawa over the past eight months according to the 2024 Royal LePage Luxury Market Report. The report says that sales in luxury homes have increased 13 per cent in that time period. 
• The definition of a luxury home depends on the City, says Royal LePage. It’s a minimum $2 million in Ottawa but $5.5 million in Vancouver and $4.75 million in Toronto. They are practically giving away luxury homes in Québec City and Winnipeg for only $1 million. (Josh Pringle at CTV)

Ottawan of the Day 

• Cameron
• – The young man won the Ottawa Valley Grain Products’s design competition for the 2024 t-shirt. As his prize, Cameron will receive his shirt, a hat, a 1 kg bag of pot barley, two 1 kg bags of flour, four tickets to the Carp Fair, and $75 in food vouchers for the fair. (Facebook) (The winning design)

Quote 

• “

• If we build it, it should run

• – Rideau-Rockcliffe ward councillor Rawlson King on yesterday’s debate on returning the O Train to every-five-minutes service during off hours. City Council voted against the return on a 12-13 split. (Arthur White-Crummey at CBC)

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CITY HALL AGENDA

Audit Committee
Friday, September 20 at 9:30 am

• Office of the Auditor General (OAG) – Road Renewal Program Value for Money Audit
• Office of the Auditor General (OAG) – Investigation of OC Transpo Bus Maintenance
• Office of the Auditor General (OAG) - Semi-annual Report on Follow-Up Procedures
• Office of the Auditor General (OAG) – 2024-2027 Audit Work Plan for the Ottawa Police Service

📋 Agenda

WHAT OTTAWA IS TALKING ABOUT

⚕️ Hospital Wait Times

• At 6.1 hours, the emergency department at Ottawa Hospital General Campus has the longest average wait time in Ottawa. A review by all hospitals in the province by Health Quality Ontario also found that of the four city hospitals, CHEO had the shortest average wait time at 4.2 hours. The expected wait time by the Ministry of Health is two hours. (Josh Pringle at CTV) 

🗳️ Civic Election

• The City’s election compliance committee will not pursue legal action against former Osgoode ward councillor Doug Thompson. The committee had received a complaint against Thompson that he had broken the financial disclosure rules by approximately $200 in the 2022 election. Thompson had reused election signs and undervalued them by $144, bank charges had been overstated by $34.05, and a pruchases had been understated by $5.91. There was also a payment of $21.95 that didn’t have a receipt. The Committee concluded that on a total campaign budget of $18,701.13, these errors – admitted to by Thompson – did not affect the integrity of the election. Once mayor of the former Osgoode township, Thompson lost to George Darouze in the election. (Joanne Laucius in the Ottawa Citizen) 

🖼️ Winston Churchil Portrait

• The Yusaf Karsh portrait of Winston Churchill stolen from the Château Laurier lobby has been delivered to the Canadian Embassy in Rome. From there, it will shipped back to the hotel. While the Italian buyer is not suspected in any way, a 43 year-old man in northern Ontario has been charged with the theft. (Paul Hunter at CBC)

🎱 Ottawa Carleton District School Board

• And the magic eight ball says: The new Maplewood Secondary School may open next week. If the school passes its next inspection, it may open to students next week. At issue are ‘the fire and life safety systems, including sprinklers, fire alarm, emergency lighting and generator’. (Ted Raymond at CTV)

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MORE FROM THE OTTAWAN

• 🍺 Our Ottawa-Gatineau Craft Brewery Map

•  

• 🏆 The Best Of Ottawa Awards 2023

•  

• 🎧 Best Podcasts from Ottawa

EVENTS

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Today

• It looks like the weather will be glorious for the 180th Richmond Fair, opening this afternoon at 6107 Perth St K0A 2Z0. You’ll have the usual opportunities to check out the live entertainment, the livestock shows and the 4-H clubs, but the Fair’s home craft area is truly impressive: You’ll find everything from prize winning quilts, floral displays, and baking (including butter tarts, for those who didn’t get enough at last weekend’s festival in Stittsville). Admission: $15 for everyone ages 13 and older, $5 for 7-12 year olds, and free for kids six and under. 

• The opening of the 2024 Cranium Festival will feature Ottawa's Golden Era Hip-Hop Stars, DL Incognito, Eternia and DJ Ducats. Join us for a night of Dope Beats and Rhymes. Doors 7 PM, Showtime 8 PM. Berlin (56 Byward Market) 

• Music & Beyond partners with the Embassy of France for a concert featuring the early music ensemble LA Chapelle Harmonique. Following the In Vino Musica in concert there will be a special wine tasting and a chance to meet the musicians.

• 🆓 Every Thursday night you’ll find the free Cinq à sept music series at 55 ByWard Market Square. It's another of the great music programs by Ottawa Music Industry Coalition. 

• 🆓 Noah Lefevre of the hugely popular YouTube Polyphonic launches his new book Century of Song at the Spaniel’s Tale Bookstore. While there’s no charge to attend, RSVPs are appreciated.

• The Pelican Seafood Market’s Shellfish Fest starts today with special menus, Daily Oyster Specials, a Shellfish Happy Hour of Seafood Towers, and more. It’s all happening until October 20.

• ByTowne Cinema: Temporarily closed for maintenance work 

• Mayfair Theatre: Sisi & I, His Three Daughters, Breakin’
  
  Gigs

• Cory Ell. Stray Dog Brewing Co

• Zeelle’s Birthday Bash Single Release Party with Abby M Boquet and Dom Doyon. Rainbow Bistro

• Everything Redfox. LIVE on Elgin

• Kameron Marlowe. Bronson Centre

• Irene’s Blues Sessions with guest host Gerri Trimble

• Selias, Chaos, Lilith, Insanity of Sorrow. The Brass Monkey

• CRAST with Gilgamesh. House of TARG

• Karaoke Thursday. Atomic Rooster

• Samantha Christ Francois, The Toasted Westerns. Red Bird

Tomorrow

• 🆓 Volunteer Ottawa is holding its Fall Volunteer Expo from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Nepean Sportsplex. This is a free, in-person event where you can speak with dozens of local charities about volunteer opportunities. Venue: 1701 Woodroffe Ave. (Nepean Sportsplex) 

• The first full day of the 180th Richmond Fair gets underway with the gates opening at 10:00 am. Check out the results of the Home Craft judging in the Richmond Curling Club Arena. 

• Drop in to the Hustle for all + Strictly Hustle Social at the Bronson Centre ($30). 

• 🆓 Wander through the Quilt Path, a magical display of 100 modern and traditional quilts. See what can be done with some creativity and small pieces of fabric. Today through Sunday (September 20-22). It’s free to attend but donations are welcomed for Quilts for Survivors, Quilts of Valour, and Victoria’s Quilts.

• Cranium Festival’s All Ages show starts with a pre-party from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the courtyard outside Club SAW (67 Nicholas St). 

• Take a beginner lesson and then dance the night away at the Friday Swing Dance Night. $12 cash or square. 

• ROAD TRIP: Pick your own pumpkin at Seven Acres Family Farm. 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. 14747 Neville Rd, South Stormont, ON K0C 1M0, Canada

• ROAD TRIP Slip into the Autumn Equinox Sound Bath for a calming seasonal experience brought to you by Mystical Elements and Happy Tree Yoga. Galilee Centre Beach, Arnprior. $70 

• Go techno at City at Night’s Factory Friday, with DJs from Ottawa and beyond. Ticket from $18.37 

• Art Haven’s Kids Night Out is all about the Ps: PJs, pizza, and pottery, with a movie thrown in. Tickets start at $45. Art Haven is located at 124 - 150 Katimavik Road in Kanata. 

• ByTowne Cinema: The Critic, 1995, The Substance 

• Mayfair Theatre: Coup!, Will & Harper, The Room 

  Gigs

• Blingo Night. Pour Boy

• Switchfoot. Bronson Centre

• Russell Howard Live. Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe

• 80s Dance Party with DJ Remi Royale and Party Seargeant. House of TARG

• Queers and Beers. Queen St. Fare

Saturday

Somehow, we’ve discovered 30! things to do on Saturday

1. Pyjamas are de rigueur at the Mayfair Theatre’s 33rd Saturday Morning All-You-Can-Eat-Cereal Cartoon Party. 

2. The Great New Edinburgh Garage Sale doesn’t last long (8:00 am to noon) so you’ll need to be focused as you stroll the streets of the attractive neighbourhood. 

3. Find food samples, store deals, kids’ activities, a daytime roller disco, live art, and even a car show at Taste of Wellington street festival, covering 2km of one of Ottawa’s most vibrant communities (10:00 am to 4:00 pm from 101 to 1292 Wellington St. W). 

4. It’s World Alzheimer’s Day. The Walk for Dementia supports community programs for people facing the disease. 2327 St. Laurent Blvd. 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. 

5. Argh, matey: bring the kids to the Talk Like a Pirate Day celebration in Mooney’s Bay Park. Wear your nautical duds and get ready for entertainment, face painting, games, and more. Brought to you by Pirate Life Theatre. 

6. Millers Farm launches Pumpkin Season today with family activities, fresh hot apple cider, 8 acres of pick-your-own pumpkins, a hay jump, a corn maze, and lots more. 6158 Rideau Valley Drive, K4M 1B3 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily until October 31.

7. Kill the alien - Periwinkle, that is. The invasion of this alien plant is threatening the habitat of native plants in Gatineau Park. Sign up for a shift to help the Friends of Gatineau Park to remove 2,400 m2 of the plant. Bring your own kneepads.
    

8. Dominion City Brewing’s throwing an Oktoberfest shindig with traditional games, a bierhalle fit for your most stylish lederhosen, and German-style food provided by North and Nave and Almanac Grain. Add live music and 17 taps of fine beer and you’ve got a party. Saturday September 21. 

9. Kichesippi Brewing’s Oktoberfest launches today with three special beers, sausages, games, live music, and more. At this fine brewery, Oktoberfest doesn’t end until October 6. 2265 Robertson Rd, Ottawa, ON K2H 5Z2 
    

10. It’s Alpaca Day at Carp Farmers Market. Meet some up close and personal. 

11. The Ottawa First Responders Foundation & CHEO invite you to climb a significant number of stairs at TD Place to raise money for a good cause. At the end of the experience you’ll have walked up 110 stories and have the official T-shirt to prove it, and you’ll also have watched the Ottawa RedBlacks / Montréal Alouettes CFL showdown because you received a free ticket with your climb registration. 

12. Urban Art Collective’s Kids Art Market sports young Artists, Artisans, and Entrepreneurs. Noon to 5:00 pm at 1088 Somerset St. W. 

13. Artwork Ottawa is a three-pronged art crawl that begins with an interview of Indigenous artist Nico Williams at the National Gallery of Canada, is then followed by a walk to the independent galleries in the ByWard Market, and concludes with a tour and reception at the Ottawa Art Gallery. All proceeds from the event will support the Ottawa Mission’s meal programme. 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm beginning at the National Gallery of Canada, 380 Sussex Drive Ottawa, ON K1N 9N4. $25.

14. The Kichesippi Shores Music Festival 2024 is back at Beetbox Farm. What you’ll experience: no corporate sponsors, two stages, 14 bands, and plenty of West Ottawa food and drink vendors (including adult drinks from Kichesippi Beer Co) to keep you energized from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm. You’ll save dough by buying your tickets in advance: adults pay $30 ($40 at the door,) and teenagers pay $15 ($20 at the door). Kids 12 and under get in for free. 

15. The Richmond Fair’s annual Parade begins at 11:00am at South Carleton High School, before making its way to the fairgrounds. 

16. Day 3 of Cranium Festival will take you to Ogilvy Square (3 Nicholas St) for dance battles, music from DJs, live R&B and Hip Hop, a market, street performers, and food. When the night comes on the party continues at Casa Amor (145 Besserer St). 

17. Find 20 vendors of mystical, occult, and spiritual wares at Ottawa Mystic Market. Next Door Market & Event Space, 955 Gladstone Ave. K1Y 3E5 

18. A7G: Assembly of Seven Generations presents its first-ever traditional Pow Wow at Vincent Massey Park, following the theme of “Honouring Indigenous Children - Past Present and Future”. 

19. Manotick’s One World Bazaar opens for its 20th season with a concert by Main Street Revival, incredible shopping, and very good food.

20. The Cumberland Farmers Market moves to a temporary location at Cumberland Heritage Village Museum for today only. The Harvest Market is a perfect day out where you’ll meet 120 crafters, local producers, farmers, and makers. 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at 2940 Old Montréal Rd, Cumberland, ON K4C 1G3 

21. ROAD TRIP 🆓 Visit Brockville for the King West Arts Festival, where you’ll find artists, musicians, and shopping for a fabulous day out. 

22. ROAD TRIP Stick around in Brockville for the 1000 Islands Wine and Food Festival in the Rotary Park & Splash Pad,148 George Street Brockville, ON K6V 5J7. Tickets from $11.98. 

23. Tavern at the Gallery’s Oktoberfest weekend doesn’t include any just old Polka music; enjoy the live stylings by the seven-piece Bavarian Polka Band the Polka Brats. With the German-inspired food and of course the very fine beer, this is an Oktoberfest event not to be missed. Reserve now. 

24. 🆓 Wander through the Quilt Path, a magical display of 100 modern and traditional quilts. See what can be done with some creativity and small pieces of fabric. Today through Sunday (September 20-22). It’s free to attend but donations are welcomed for Quilts for Survivors, Quilts of Valour, and Victoria’s Quilts.

25. ROAD TRIP 🆓 Westporch returns to the picturesque town of Westport, Ontario, offering a walking tour of front porch music, a yard sale, and a fundraising BBQ. Help support the event by buying food and drink as well as the official event t-shirt. 

26. Bring your pup for an on-site nail trim at the Doggo Cakes and Treats Autumn Treasures Market at Shenkman Arts Centre. The human members of the fam will enjoy the food, drinks, and door prizes. 245 Centrum Blvd, Orléans, K1E 0A1. 

27. Centretown’s Dundonald Park comes alive with music and activities. 2024 Fall Festival is brought to you by the Centretown Community Association.516 Somerset St W, Ottawa 

28. Murder mystery is back at the Show Room above the Prescott. The Codfather tells the wacky story of a crime family as they mourn the death of their patriarch. 379 Preston St. 

29. Enjoy the one of the final pleasant weather evenings with Capital Pop-Up Cinema’s screening of Matilda. 

30. Go ghost hunting at the Mill of Kintail 
     

•  ByTowne Cinema: Paddington, The Critic, The Substance

•  Mayfair Theatre: Saturday Morning Cartoons, Will & Harper, Purple Rain
   
  Gigs

•  

  The Start. Carleton Tavern

• The Sellouts. Queen St Fare

• CKY, Crowbot, Chase the Comet. Event by the Brass Monkey; gig takes place at the former Maverick’s Bar 223 Rideau St

• Lucky Honey, Sparrow Blue, Keegan Powell. Rainbow Bistro

• Diaphanie Solid Gold Tour, Chloe Laberge. Art House Café

• East Coast Experience. Overflow Brewing

• The Ottawa Jazz Quintet. Montgomery Scotch Lounge

• Matthew Chaffey. Irene’s Pub

• Graven. House of TARG

• The Yodas. Conspiracy Theory Brewing

• Matthew Curry. Red Bird

• Cypher Bars. Café Dekcuf

• Moonriivr, Paesler. The 27 Club

• Une nuit au Brésil / A Night in Brazil. La Fab sur Mill Centre des Arts (Chelsea, QC)

• Graven. House of TARG

Long Runs

• 🆓 Seven Acres Farm is open 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Fridays through Sundays until Halloween for Pick Your Own Pumpkin visits. There’s entrance fee; just pay for the pumpkin you pick to take home. 14747 Neville Road Ingleside, ON, K0C 1M0. 

• The Pelican’s Shellfish Fest offers special menus, Daily Oyster Specials, a Shellfish Happy Hour of Seafood Towers, and more. It’s all happening until October 20. 

• Cirque du Soleil ECHO continues in Gatineau until September 22. 

• The University of Ottawa created the Department of Visual Arts 50 years ago. The Ottawa Art Gallery commemorates those five decades with the exhibition Art School Confidential, until September 22.

Just Announced / Now Booking

• Parkdale Food Centre presents a Cook & Dine Workshop: Homemade Pasta with longtime supporter Juilanna Banana. Participants at the interactive class will learn to make an authentic Italian homemade meal complete with an appetizer, tagliatelle pasta and tiramisu for dessert. $120 per person. Thursday October 3 at 30 Rosemount Ave. 

• The tiniest bar and sweetest backyard of the region are calling. Switzer’s House of Beer in Arnprior (the next door neighbour to Mallards Milk Bar ice cream parlour) is holding the “Some of the Best Beer That Can Be Found In A Small Backyard In Ontario” Festival on Saturday October 19. Brewery representation will be top level, with the town’s own Cold Bear Brewing headlining the list, joined by craft beer purveyors from Ottawa, Toronto, and beyond. Take note: honestly, it's a small backyard, so get your tickets now. $35 per person. 

• The Pillar Society’s autumn speaker is John Bennett, Former Chief of the CIA’s Clandestine Service, who discusses the role of a secret service in times of crisis.Tuesday October 29 at Shenkman Arts Centre, 245 Centrum Boulevard, Orléans K1E 0A1 

• The Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival has announced its 2025 dates. The three-day fest will be June 20 to 22 at Mooney’s Bay Park.

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DEALS OF THE DAY

BUT, ONE MORE THING ...

Everybody wants a piece of you this week.

🚧 The City wants to revamp Albert and Slater streets by converting ‘the roadways to add cycling lanes, reconstruct transit stops, replace isolated sections of sidewalk, and replace segments of the watermain which are approaching end-of-life’.

There is no web survey but there will be an in-person open house to answer questions 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm September 26t the Albert Street Education Centre, Room 341,440 Albert Street. (Andrea Bennett at CityNews) (The project details)

🛠️ Nominations have opened for the 2025 Ottawa Heritage Awards. The categories are:

• Restoration: Returning a heritage resource to its original form, material and integrity.
• Adaptive Reuse: Adapting an old building for a new purpose while retaining its heritage character.
• Infill: New construction in a historic context.
• Addition: New additions to historic buildings.
• Government: Awarded to a restoration project at a public sector property.
• Heritage Grants: Awarded to recipients of funding under the Heritage • Grant Program for Building Restoration.

Make your nominations here by November 1.

✈️ Ottawa Tourism has a new, comprehensive survey about what you think about the Capital’s tourism capacity. It asks not just about whether there is enough to do year round and nightlife but about crime, how welcoming neighbourhoods are, and is there enough housing for tourism workers.

Fill it out here by September 27.

💼 The City is also looking for nominations to honour Ottawa’s immigrant entrepreneurs. There are two categories:
 

The Immigrant Entrepreneur Award pays tribute to those who have successfully established and grown their businesses through hard work, perseverance and innovation. It recognizes the remarkable contributions of immigrants who have embraced the spirit of entrepreneurship and have made a significant impact in their respective industries.

The Youth Immigrant Entrepreneur Award shines a spotlight on promising young newcomers between the ages of 15 and 24 who have recently embarked on their entrepreneurial journey. It celebrates their passion, creativity, and potential to become future entrepreneurial leaders.

Make your nominations here by October 21.

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