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☀️ High 28° Low 14° and sunny ☀️ 5:21 am 🌛 8:54 pm In Today’s Edition → If it's Friday, it's another art heist from an Ottawa hotel → Four days of beer fests, road trips, and markets → Deals of the Day on purses from m0851, fabric from Mad About Patchwork, and Ottawa International Animation Festival early bird passes |
Hard Rock Casino and Hotel Ottawa At 8:15 am yesterday, THE OTTAWAN was at the doors of the new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, not to gamble, but because we were invited on a press tour to view the new venue(s). It looks good, with 1,000 slot machines (soon to be 1,500), three walk-up food options, and a very high end steak house. Rock and roll memorabilia has always been in the Hard Rock’s DNA and there is plenty of that. In fact, we appreciated the effort made to connect that memorabilia to Ottawa: noting the date when someone played locally – bonus points if was Barrymore’s – or mentioning that John and Yoko dropped by to chat peace with Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau after finishing their bed-in in Montréal. In the months and years ahead, you'll be seeing listings in THE OTTAWAN for the acts in the well-appointed music hall. At 2,300 seats, Hard Rock Live helps fill a missing middle for those touring acts too small for Canadian Tire Centre and too big for the House of TARG. The operators also promise to support the local music scene by featuring local bands on stage every Friday and Saturday in the centre bar. We also spied beer on tap from local breweries Stray Dog and Big Rig. You won’t find it on their website or any press material but the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino does have one thing that will make our older readers feel young again, and our younger readers feel like they have travelled through a portal to a strange and unknown world: a smoking lounge. It’s covered but open to the elements and has maybe a hundred slot machines, each one outfitted with – we believe this is what they are called, but it has been so long since we have seen one in a bar – "ashtrays". As we drove the suburban roads back to the Queensway, we considered the irony: gambling, drinking booze, and rock and roll are now rolled up in a $350 million project whose opening day is attended by the mayor and the police chief. But for those who want to find a little sin, it's that bijou smoking lounge where they'll be. – Martha and Darren |
SPORTS - 🏀 CEBL Ottawa BlackJacks 104 – Winnipeg Sea Bears 80 last Tuesday
- ⚾ FRONTIER Ottawa Titans 12 – Brockton Rox 7 last Wednesday
- ⚾ FRONTIER Ottawa Titans – Brockton Rox postponed yesterday
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WHAT’S GOING ON AT CITY HALL |
Ottawa Police Service Board Policy and Governance Committee
Monday, July 7 at 3:00 pm - CSPA Update - Paid Duty
- By-Law to Amend Procedure By-Law #3 of 2014 – Inquiries and Motions for Follow-Up
- Roadmap for the Modernization of the Major Events Policy Framework
Agenda |
WHAT OTTAWA IS TALKING ABOUT |
🖼️ What is it with Ottawa and missing art? The Ottawa Police Service is seeking help in finding a man accused of stealing four paintings from the wall of the Sandman Signature Ottawa Airport Hotel on Hunt Club Road June 7. Police say the man came in at 3:42 am and and left at 3:49 am. Around Christmas time 2021, the Yousouf Karsh portrait of Winston Churchill was stolen from the Château Laurier – now returned – and last month, a Group of Seven painting that had been missing for a decade was rediscovered. – Natasha O’Neill at CityNews ↪ We’re more inclined to praise publications that publish corrections or retractions but this one made us laugh. The Ottawa Citizen has retracted their story that the stolen paintings were returned but defaced. As you can see in the CityNews story, the original paintings are of artistocrats with their faces spray painted out. The Citizen says, ‘The misunderstanding was based on human error’.
🚨 Ottawa was one of six cities across Canada to have its airport temporarily closed due to bomb threats yesterday. Montréal, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Calgary, and Vancouver were also threatened although the exact nature of the threat has not been released. Ottawa Airport started returning to normal operation at 10:30 am. – CBC
🔎 The National Capital Commission has removed freedom of information requests from its website because they were not in both official languages. When the Commission responds to a freedom of information request – called an access-to-information request in Federalese – it both contacts the requester and publishes it on the Commission website in the original language. In February, the Official Languages Commissioner recommended that answers be translated to both English and French. Instead, the Commission has removed public access. – Matteo Cimellaro in the Ottawa Citizen
🌭 If you’re wondering why the American flag is flying at City Hall today, it’s because every diplomatic envoy in Ottawa gets the honour. Canada has diplomatic relations with 190 countries and the City proactively requests a flag from each one to fly on its national day. – Arthur White-Crummey at CBC
🛒 Every week, @Stromanker reads all the local grocery flyers and posts the deals on Ottawa Reddit. Some of his highlights: frozen ground beef $3.78/lb (FreshCo), orange juice $3.50/1.54L (Super C), and yoghurt $1.77/650g (Adonis). – /Ottawa
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Do you think Bluesfest should change its name? |
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Previously in OTTAWAN Polls: Last time, we asked ‘Should Ottawa adopt Québec-style shopping hours?’ 10% Yes, all non-essential shops should close at 5:00 pm on weekends 8% Yes, all non-essential shops should close at 5:00 pm, but only on Sunday 7% Yes, all non-essential shops should be closed on Sundays (or another day to be determined) 18% No, our current patchwork of Sunday hours is perfectly workable 54% No, let businesses open and close as their customers demand 0% Other |
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THE ROLLING THREE DAY CALENDAR |
Is there an event we should know about?
Please use our easy event submission form ✳️ Means change from previous edition FRIDAY Crowd pleasers ByTown Sea Shanty Collective warm up the crowd for headliners The Mudmen as Almonte Celtfest 2025 opens. Entry is $35 tonight and by donation on Saturday and Sunday. Bring your own chair. Cirque du Soleil brings "OVO" to the Canadian Tire Centre. Take some time for yourself at the 8:00 am Outdoor Yoga Class in Mooney's Bay Park. It's all heating up at Overflow Brewing. Art Battle Ottawa City Championshipspits winners of the regular season against one another for the the chance to represent our town at the National Championships in Toronto later this month. Experience world premiers of new works for brass quintet and percussion by local composers, courtesy of Ottawa Symphony Orchestra. Bring your own lawn chair as well as ice cream money, because Merry Dairy will be there too. This evening from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm in Riverside South's Claudette Cain Park. ByTowne Cinema: The Phoenician Scheme, Hot Milk, Materialists, 40 Acres Mayfair Theatre: Les Barbares (aka Meet The Barbarians), The Phoenician Scheme, Hung Up on a Dream: The Zombies Documentary Gigs Hannah Vig album release. Rainbow Bistro I'm in Love Indie Dance Party. The 27 Club Birdie Whyte & The Missed Connections with special guest Alexander Gallant. Irene's Pub Mtl Girl Rock. LIVE on Elign Out by Lucy, The Get Alongs, Mellow Casualty, DJ Pussy Willow. House of TARG Siaka Diabate. Art House Café The Ed Lister Group - Residency. Night Oat
SATURDAY
🆓 Back for the first time since 2019, VegOttawa Fest will bring a diverse community of foodies, vegans, health-conscious people, environmental advocates, animal lovers and the plant-based curious together under one roof for a day of food, guest speakers, and cooking demos. Although admission is free, donations are appreciated. Ottawa On Tap Beer Fest is more than an opportunity to sample brews from some of Ottawa's finest craft beer purveyors; there are games for kids and adults - including a pop-up Pickleball Court! - karaoke, food, and live music. It's all happening in Bells Corners from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm. 🐕 Road Trip: The Metcalfe Farmers Market welcomes dogs, and it won't charge you for parking. 🆓 🏴☠️ There's a full day of arrrggghh-some family fun scheduled at Pirate Fest Blondie Apparel is open for one of its occasional Retail Days at 2394 Dwyer Hill Road in Ashton. 🆓 If your flower beds need a little inspiration, look no further than the self-guided Blackburn Hamlet Garden Stroll 2025. It's on today and tomorrow. Cirque du Soleil brings "OVO" to the Canadian Tire Centre. Wander by the Rideau Canal, from the NAC to Lansdowne Park, at around 4:30 pm and you'll be serenaded by the Music on the Canal boat. There's all sorts of divertissant fun at the Festival de la rue Eddy on Old Hull. See the Bees at Gees Bees every Saturday and Sunday this summer. 🌻 Road Trip: Make this a day of self-care at Flowers & Frequency: Pick Your Lavender and Nature Gong/Sound Bath + Reiki, at Rae Country Farm near Almonte. "There may be trouble ahead," but you can forget about all that by listening to the Irving Berlin Songbook at Music & Beyond Festival today. 🆓 Saturday evening starts with the DJ sets at the Booth on Sparks between Elgin and Metcalfe. 🌻 Road Trip: Carleton Place & District Horticultural Society presents the Summer Flower Show & Ice Cream Social. 🆓 613Flea returns to Lansdowne Park with 150 venders. 🚗 Road Trip: The first full day of programming at Almonte Celtfest begins with "Celtic College Workshops on traditional music, playing the tin whistle and the bodhran, and more. After that the music heats up, with concerts right through to 9:45 pm. Entry is by donation. Get up close and personal with the animals at the Queenswood Stables Open House fundraiser for Shepherds of Good Hope. If you plan on horseback riding, you must wear boots or shoes with a small heel. 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at 518 Navan, Ontario. It's Volunteer Day on Petrie Island, and you're invited to help pick up garbage on the trails and in the water (bring your own kayak), do some maintenance painting, remove invasive plants, and more. Register inquiries@petrieisland.org ByTowne Cinema: Materialists, The Phoenician Scheme, Restoration: In the Mood for Love, 40 Acres Mayfair Theatre: Looney Toons Festival, with Popeye bonus cartoons! The Phoenician Scheme, The Brood Gigs Walt Hamburger, Matty Grace, Fresh Brew. Dominion Tavern The Sceptre, Zero Tolerance, Scream. House of TARG 60s Rock & Soul Dance Party. LIVE on Elgin Tamagotchis (Tribute to 90s music). Irene's Pub Heirs of the Dog. Art House
SUNDAY The first Sunday of the month brings the Heart of Orléans Market to Orléans Town Centre. Bring your appetite; nearly 30 food vendors will be on site. Visit Andaz hotel's rooftop bar Copper Spirits and Sights for the Sunday Sunset Sessions, where you'll spend the golden hour gazing at the Ottawa skyline and sipping a cocktail. Sample specially-created dishes at the Ottawa Farmers Market Strawberry Social. There's more: buy a sundae for the Lionhearts fundraiser, guess how many strawberries are in the colander for the chance to win a Strawberry Market Prize Pack, and take the kids for a face painting session. Cirque du Soleil's "OVO" continues at the Canadian Tire Centre. Indigenous storyteller Louise Profeit-Leblanc will be telling tales in Birch Path Healing Forest, beginning at 10:30 am. Artist Brigitte Boulay shows her latest creations at Kings Own Barbership. 🆓 If your flower beds need a little inspiration, look no further than the self-guided Blackburn Hamlet Garden Stroll 2025. 🎻 Road Trip: Today's CeltFest programming in Almonte begins with a Fiddle mass at Holy Name of Mary Parish at 10:30 am. If you prefer to skip church, check out the Almonte Legion Pipe Band, who will play at 12:05 pm. ByTowne Cinema: Materialists, Restoration: In the Mood for Love, Hot Milk, Detour: The People Under the Stairs Mayfair Theatre: Looney Tunes Festival, with Popeye Bonus Cartoons, A Woman is A Woman, Hung Up on a Dream: The Zombies Documentary Gigs Crooked Creek. Stray Dog Brewing Co TOVD, CDSM, KAY-fabyb. House of TARG The Plastic Wasteband. Night Oat Al Sam and Bella Donna. Avant-Garde Bar Way Past Curfew. Broadhead Brewery
MONDAY
The Summer Beginner Wheel camp (for adults and youth 12+) is for those with little to no experience at Hintonburg Pottery Shop. Monday to Friday this week, 9:30 am to 11:30 am. ByTowne Cinema: Materialists, The Phoenician Scheme, 40 Acres Mayfair Theatre: The Phoenician Scheme, Hung Up on a Dream: The Zombies Documentary, Endless Cookie Gigs Karaoke Mondaze
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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. |
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