❤️ This Valentine’s Day, celebrate your love for Ottawa!

Today is your last chance to enter our heart-stopping giveaway:

• Three bags of Bridgehead’s delicious, Ottawa-roasted coffee
   
• A $25 gift card and gorgeous heart-shaped Ottawa magnet from Maker House 
   
• A gift basket from Bottega Nicastro, full of tantalizing Italian treats and pantry items
   
• Two 200ml bottles of yummy Balsamic Vinegar and Stubbe chocolates from Aurelius Fine Olive Oils & Balsamic Vinegars
   
• A Personal Valentine's Day greeting from Martha and Darren

The value of this giveaway is more than $200 beautiful Canadian dollars.

How do you get a chance to win? 

Simple: send an email with the subject line LOVE OTTAWA to valentine@theottawan.com by 11:59 pm on Thursday February 13 and your name will go into the random draw from Martha’s Mom’s Choosin’ Hat. 

We’ll announce the winner in THE OTTAWAN on Friday February 14.

Oh, one more thing: you must live in Ottawa* to win, because Martha and Darren will hand deliver the prize to you this weekend.

Good Luck!

* As usual, our definition of ‘living in Ottawa’ is malleable. Gatineau is definitely in, as are the various attractive little towns that surround the Capital. Kingston and Cornwall are right out. If Martha’s mom draws a name, and they live in, say, Thurso, the decision on whether that is within the bounds is really going to depend on the weather and how late we were up the night before. 

In Today’s Edition

→ City Council approves discussion about allowing shelters across the City

→ 70s outfits are de rigueur at the Rainbow Bistro’s disco Valentine’s Party 

→ Made in Canada Deals of the Day: womenswear and swimwear

→ 🌨️ High -1° Low -12° and heavy snow. 

– Martha and Darren

STATISTICS OTTAWA

OTTAWANS OF THE DAY

• Cedric Osagie and Eshan Betrabet
• The Carleton bachelor of commerce graduate and  third-year cognitive science student, respectively, have launched the Third Space app, a smartphone application that is defiantly not a dating app, a friendship app, or a social media app.
• Third Space allows its users – currently limited to Carleton students – to socialize outside of school.
• Abyssinia Abebe and Justin Ball in The Charlatan (Podcast)

QUOTE

• “

• It's not just about not buying Heinz ketchup. We've also got to think about who is providing the transportation

• – Taxi company president Marc André Way, arguing that Uber is American-based, so why not protest the threat of US tariffs by using one of his cabs.
• Ken Warren in the Ottawa Citizen

WHAT’S GOING ON AT CITY HALL

WHAT OTTAWA IS TALKING ABOUT

💨 Hookahs

•  Ottawa Bylaw says there are an increasing number of illegal shisha lounges operating. Shisha lounges feature smoking a product – tobacco or something non-addictive – through hose passing through water. Smoking and vaping are illegal in commercial businesses in Ottawa. Ottawa Bylaw issued 10 tickets in January versus 24 in all of 2024.
  
  Josh Pringle at CTV

🚨 Ottawa Police

•  Ottawa Police Services has released an odd press release entitled ‘Two officers end up in the hospital after accidental drug exposure’. The Service says an officer was taken to hospital and made a full recovery after arresting a man transporting 70 grams of Fentanyl. The Federal Ministry of Health says that skin exposure to Fentanyl is not only unlikely to cause harm, it specifically reassures first responders about it.
  
  The release also mentions an officer who seized crystal meth from an arrestee, later feeling nauseous and lightheaded. This officer was also released from hospital with full recovery.  Those are not the symptoms of crystal meth. 
  
  Ottawa Police Service

⛺ Shelters

• City Council voted to allow a vote sooner than the end of the year, which allows homeless shelters to be built anywhere in the city.  That headline is deliberately opaque. Currently, homeless shelters are only permitted in the densest residential areas or in industrial zones – the vast majority of the City is off limits. A new residential bylaw is expected late this year that may change that.
  
  Kitchissippi ward councillor Jeff Leiper’s proposal, which was accepted by Council yesterday, allows City staff to bring forward proposed bylaws dealing with the homeless shelter bits in advance.
  
  Despite that, in the same vote, Council required that a proposed shelter in Kanata at 40 Hearst Way go through the formal rezoning process.
  
  Elyse Skura at CBC

HISTORIC OTTAWA LOGO T-SHIRTS

THE ROLLING THREE DAY CALENDAR

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TODAY

• Controlled Damage, the story of Viola Desmond, opens at National Arts Centre’s Babs Asper Theatre. The Neptune Theatre and National Arts Centre co-production runs until February 22. 

• Ghost Rooster Collective, a group of five local disabled artists, brings a film screening, an artist Q&A, and performance together at Club SAW (6:30 pm to 830 pm).They say: “Expect trolls, tears, twists, puppets, projection, dance, drama and more as we share Dreamscapes for the first time publicly.” 

• In advance of Have a Heart Day tomorrow (see Friday’s event listing) the Caring Society will be holding a virtual panel discussion “My Voice Matters: Changing the world Through Child and Youth Activism!” To access the event, which runs from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, please join using this Zoom link: (no registration necessary)

• Climate Change Ottawa is bringing its first ever speed-dating for progressives evening to Rainbow Bistro. Meet cool people and then dance the night away. 
   

• And now for a something completely different: Nick Adema Quartet will be playing live to accompany the Ottawa Charge vs Minnesota Frost game, which will be playing on the big screen at Bar Robo (170 Queen St). “Music for a Silent Hockey Game” is presented by Ottawa Jazzfest and Bar Robo and starts at 7:00 pm. Donations for Ottawa Food Bank appreciated. 

• 🆓 Emerging scholars present their research in Stitching Our Stories Together: Journeys Into Indigenous Social Work at Octopus Books 7:00 pm to 8:00pm.

• Bring your current reading material to Silent Book Club for a spell of “quiet camaraderie.” 7:00 pm at Anina’s Café.

• Five premium wines, antipasti, the company of other food and wine lovers: tick all the boxes at Bottega Nicastro’s Intimate Evening with Giulia Negri’s Wines . $115 per person. 

• For a supernatural twist on Shakespeare’s Scottish play, check out Dead Unicorn Ink’s production of Foul Play at undercurrents festival (Arts Court). 

• The Calabogie Brewing Kanata taproom will be lively with Music Bingo. Free, but you should reserve your place. 

• The EveryPerson Café (139 Bank St.) is holding its first-ever Open Mic tonight.

• The Naughty Night Market isn’t just about shopping (although there will be plenty of that). You can expect pole dancers, erotic art, a guest appearance by Ottawa shop Venus Envy, and other saucy surprises. Plus karaoke after 8:00 pm. Next Door Market & Event Space from 5:00 pm. 955 Gladstone Ave. 

• Collect your person and join jazz vocalist Betty Ann Bryanton and her band at Festival Japan restaurant (149 Kent St) for The Journey of Love: Dinner & Live Music. 

• Late Company continues at the Gladstone Theatre. 

• ByTowne Cinema: Universal Language, Ciné-Club D’Ottawa: Dis-moi pourquoi ces choses sont si belles, Interactive! Twilight Eclipse.

• Mayfair Theatre: Hard Truths, Sing Sing, Eraserhead 

  Gigs

• Duckhouse Backwash, Georgie Winchester. Avant Garde Bar

• Quote the Raven. Red Bird

• Bodysnatchers (Radiohead tribute). House of TARG

• Art of the Duo with Tim Bedner and Magnus Paulson. GigSpace

• Thursday Blues Session with guest host Alanna Sterling. Irene’s Pub
   

TOMORROW

• Road Trip: Ottawa Jazz Fest’s Jazz in the Valley Series brings Rebecca Noelle and a band of stellar musicians to Almonte Old Town Hall. 
   
• Have a Heart Day is a child and youth-led reconciliation event that brings together Canadians to help ensure First Nations children have the opportunity to grow up safely at home, get a good education, be healthy, and be proud of who they are. The First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada (Caring Society for short) produced a short document explaining the background of Have a Heart Day, the origins of its official ambassador the Spirit Bear, and Ideas for how to mark the day - including making your own Snow Bear outside. 
   

• This could be the wettest Winterlude activity ever. Take the Centretown Plungethis weekend and help support Centre 507 and the Centretown Community Health Centre. Choose a time slot (tonight’s time slots are between 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm. 

• The National Arts Centre and OrKidstra join forces for Notes of Love, a side-by-side concert on Valentine’s Day (February 14). General admission tickets are $30, or you can make a proper night of it and become a Community Builder for $120. You’ll enjoy a VIP reception beforehand with food, drinks, and the chance to chat with some of the stars of the evening. 

• Get down - seriously, get down! - to Rainbow Bistro for the Valentine’s Party: a Disco/Soul event with The Electric Company disco band. 70s outfits are de rigueur, mon cheri. 

• If you awoke with a start at 3:00 am because you’ve realized you didn’t buy flowers for someone, don’t despair. Visit Morning Owl Parkdale, where you’ll find Côté Fleurs’ handy Valentine’s Day Pop-up Shop at Morning Owl Parkdale 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. 

• Road Trip: If you’ve exhausted all that Winterlude has to offer, Almonte’s Winter Fest will keep you occupied.  Many shops and businesses will be offering specials, but be sure to stop by Hummingbird Chocolate’s hot chocolate bar, or Cheerfully Made where they’ll be giving away a branded tee or hoodie with every purchase (while supplies last). 

• It’s the deadline to vote in the Capital Music Awards. 

• 🆓 Sparks Street’s Winterlude activities include a photo exhibit detailing the history of the Canadian flag.

• 🆓 In Confederation Park, the Lumen Eira will dazzle you with the light and sound show.

• Whether or not you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day, a swing lesson would be fun, right? You don’t need any previous experience when the Ottawa Swing Dance Society is in charge. $25 per person. 

• If a recent heartbreak has you thinking “Down with love” a trip to Yuk Yuk’s might be the fastest way to recovery. On Friday night (February 14) catch the return of Tinder Tales, a delightful merging of storytelling and comedy, as real-life dating stories take centre stage. 

• Art Battle returns to Overflow Brewing. 

• The Canadian Museum of History is holding a webinar for teachers who want to learn more about incorporating the history and contributions of the Black Canadian community into lesson plans. 

• Get $50 off matching tattoos at Ottawa Ink Inc. 

• Undercurrents festival continues at Arts Court 

• ByTowne Cinema: Flow, Vermiglio, Valentine’s Day: Amélie, 2025 Oscar Nominated Short Films: Animated 

• Mayfair Theatre: Nickel Boys, Casablanca, Wild at Heart 
  
  Gigs

• The Flying Hibachis. Moose McGuire’s Huntclub

• Valentine’s Day Love Boat with DJ Remi Royale. House of TARG

• The Brothership, The Extensions. Irene’s Pub

• Undergang, Mephitic Corpse, Gland, HPV. Dominon Tavern

SATURDAY

• ByWard Market will be busy all day with the Winter Stewed Cook Off Live Jazz, Winter Aerialists, Stilt walkers, and Horse drawn carriage rides.
   
• Take the Centretown Plunge this weekend and help support Centre 507 and the Centretown Community Health Centre. Choose a time slot (today’s are between 12:00 pm and 5:00 pm).
   

• Bring your own mug for the free hot chocolate at the Westboro Beach Winter Carnival, and you’ll need $5 (cash or debit) for a veggie chili. 

• Road Trip: Gananoque’s The Valentine’s Market takes place in Chrysler House Inn, a 200 year old building. How romantic is that! 

• Comedians Melanie Paige and Jake Daly are joined by musician Jordy Jeppsen for The Heartbroken Variety Night at Anina’s Café. 

• Check out one of five plays, the official closing party and the art exhibition at undercurrents festival’s final day of programming. 

• Bring your squad to Ottawa’s Ultimate Sing-Along Galentine’s Brunch at Back to Brooklyn restaurant. 

• Phat Fest 4 rolls up to Whiprsnapr Brewing Co, with group rides for all levels through the Greenbelt. 

• Road Trip: Soupfest 2025 in Downtown Pembroke sees local restaurants vying for your love. The Sample Passport costs $10. 

• National Arts Centre’s Big Bang Festival is fun for the whole family. For ages 5 and up, Montréal’s El Bacón bring their Latin rhythms to the festival for the first time on Saturday February 15 ($15). Also on Saturday, Maputo-Mozambique combines drumming, dance, sound, and even plastic bags for a performance that will bring everyone to their feet. $15. Curious kids of all ages should check out the full festival line-up. 

• Vendors will be bringing all sorts of vintage goodies in XL+ sizes to The Vintage Plus Pop-Up. Next Door Market & Event Space. 

• Road Trip: It’s all going on at Perth’s Frost & Fire Festival. 

• The Sparks Street Traditional Tea & Bannock Sampling continues, alongside art in ice carvings by Jessica Somers. 

• How about a live, irreverent talk-show that smashes taboos, hosted by Lauren Cauchy and Amanda Logan? Laura & Amanda Do It starts at 8:00 pm at LIVE on Elgin

• ByTowne Cinema: Klassic Kidz: Cinderella: 4K Restoration, I’m Still Here, 2025 Oscar Nominated Short Films: Animated, Flashdance with Frisque Femme Burlesque 

• Mayfair Theatre: Babygirl, The Room 

  Gigs

• Lives Like Skyscrapers, Saint Clare, Catbird. Irene’s Pub

• Soul Motion. Overflow Brewing

• Dance Mix 90s. House of TARG

• Basement Brass. National Arts Centre

• Bloco Party. Queen St Fare

• Pink Pony Punk (early show). The 27 Club

• Emo Night Ottawa. The 27 Club
   

JUST ANNOUNCED / NOW BOOKING

•  The International Film Festival of Ottawa schedule is now live. Screenings get underway March 12 and the festival runs until Sunday March 23. 

DEALS OF THE DAY

BUT, ONE MORE THING ...

RAPID RESPONSE QUALITY CONTROL

THE END