HELLO FRIDAY

In honour of Book Lovers Day this Sunday, here are a few of Ottawa’s favourite independent bibliophile hangouts. They would love your support.

▫️ Perfect Books (258 Elgin St) calls itself “a fiercely independent Ottawa bookstore,” and happily it’s open once again for in-store browsing of all the latest releases. In addition to your mandatory mask, they expect you to use the hand sanitizer and the gloves they’ve got on offer. They’re allowing a maximum of four people in the shop at one time, so you should prepare for a short wait outside. If you prefer to love their books from afar, delivery and contactless pickup are still available.

▫️ Book Bazaar (417 Bank Street) A family run bookstore since 1974, Book Bazaar carries a large selection of new, used, out of print and rare books, with a specialization in music. They also carry sheet music.

▫️ Black Squirrel Books & Espresso Bar (1073 Bank Street) has reopened for “intensely curated” used book browsing on the main floor, and takeout from the regular menu. You can also place special orders and holds. Masks, of course, are mandatory and at the moment they’re only taking card payments. They’ve got Surprise Boxes and gift cards if you can’t choose, and a DJ spins your browsing soundtrack.

▫️ Books on Beechwood (35 Beechwood Avenue) This friendly neighbourhood store is open Monday to Saturday, with a maximum of four shoppers allowed in at a time. In addition to wearing your mask, you must use the hand sanitizer at the entry. You can also shop online and by phone, and request pick up or delivery.

▫️ Librairie du soleil (Byward Market) is a francophone bookstore with something for everyone. Large selection by Quebecois authours and about French Canadian subjects, including Valérie Chevalier’s Créatrices, about women artists and creators (with photos by Andréanne Gauthier).

▫️ Haven Books & Café (43 Seneca Street) the student run and operated used textbook store, has reopened for mask-adorned shopping Wednesday through Saturday (it’s closed Monday and Tuesday). It’s located a 10 minute walk from Carleton U. Buyers as well as sellers, they do not currently sell online but you can view their inventory on the website.

▫️ Located above Sandy Hill's Happy Goat Coffee Company, Barely Bruised Book Club (315 Wilbrod Street, 2nd Floor) has new and used books including a purportedly very large selection of Indigenous books, and they offer discounts on shipping.

We'll see you Monday. Sunday, we'll be reading on the porch. – Martha and Darren

#STATS

Weather: ☀️ Mainly sunny. High of 27°.

Number: 40,000,000. The amount of money needed to build the new film studio hub in the West End. The partnership between the Ottawa Film Office and TriBro Studios had initially asked for the money from the City but have now borrowed the money elsewhere.  [CTV] 

Ottawan of the Day:  Norm MacDonald. The comedian has launched a video dating app? Whatever. He grew up in Ottawa so he qualifies. [Reston Recorder] [Loko for Love]

Quote: “People make bad decisions all year round. It doesn’t take a pandemic to find people adopting when they’re not prepared, haven’t done their research, they don’t know what kind of animal is best for them” – Bruce Roney, executive director of the Ottawa Humane Society, on the phenomenon of 'pandemic puppies', where people working from home decide to get a dog.  [Ottawa Matters]

Sports: CEBL: Ottawa BlackJacks were victorious over the Guelph Nighthawks 83-75, placing them into the semi-finals.

#CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

For up-to-date info, view the Ottawa Public Health COVID-19 dashboard

⭕ There have been 2595 confirmed cases of COVID‌-19, an increase of 19 since yesterday, and 264 deaths in Ottawa, no new reports.

⭕ Carleton study says that 46 per cent of Canadians believe in at least one COVID-19 conspiracy theory [CBC]

⭕ Councillor Theresa Kavanagh wants Carlingview Manor specifically investigated by the long-term care commission. Sixty residents have died from COVID-19 there.  [CFRA]

⭕ 50 brands of hand santizer have been recalled by Health Canada [City Pulse] [The List]

? The Canada COVID Alert App

Be alerted if you have come in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 

? How It Works  [Apple App Store] [Google Play App Store]

#WHAT OTTAWA IS TALKING ABOUT

▪️Unemployment continues to drop in Ottawa, from 9.4 per cent to 9.1 per cent. Stats Can figures that retail businesses are back to 90 per cent of the employees that they had before the pandemic, and restaurants are back to 60 per cent. [Ottawa Citizen]

▪️Ottawa couple who paid $7,000 to Strathmere in North Gower for their wedding want a refund due to coronavirus restrictions. The venue says no, the contract says no refunds. New rules say that dancing is not allowed, masks must be worn indoors, eating and drinking must be done seated, and people cannot leave their social bubble, meaning some guests will be sitting alone. [CFRA]

▪️Woman says that the Ottawa Police tried to 'gaslight' her after an altercation in a house. In a tweet, OPS said '“despite physical contact, there was no evidence of an individual assault or sexual assault.” The woman responded, 'My jaw is dislocated and I have a bruise on my right eye and my lip was busted what do u mean no evidence???‘ After involvement by the Justice for Abdirahman Coalition, the police deleted the tweets and said that they would review. [Global] 
 

#EVENTS

▪️Drive Ins As of this morning tickets are still available for:

The Drive In at Wesley Clover Park: Friday, Spectre; Saturday: Moana, Pirates of the Caribean: Dead Man's Chest; Sunday: Amityville Horror (2005)​

Port Elmsley: Friday – Monday: Madagascar, Field of Dreams

Ciné Parc Gatineau: Returns August 13

THE OTTAWAN

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