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Thursday, August 07 August 2025 |  | View Online | Sign Up | Shop |
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Hello Ottawa
In Today’s Edition
→ River House might be joined by a sauna barge
→ First look at weekend fun
→ Deals of the Day on skirts and dresses at Katrin Leblond, sliced beef brisket at Meatings, and head toppers at Heirloom Hats
– Martha and Darren
STATISTICS OTTAWA
NUMBER
1
Where Ottawa will be found in September on the list of highest youth transit fares in Canada. City councillors raised the monthly rate for 11 year-olds and older to $135.
Toronto is in second place, at $128.15 for 13-19 year-olds.
At the other end, Vancouver charges $63.80, Montréal $62.75, and Kingston $61.75 per month.
Ottawa Transit Riders
OTTAWANS OF THE DAY
Valkyrie Dodgeball
The ten-members team won the women’s bracket over American club F.R.E.N.Z.Y. at the 2025 Mid-Season Clash in Markham last weekend.
Keiran Gorsky in the Ottawa Sports Pages
QUOTE
- “
Many people hate me
– Carleton university grad Saihajpreet Singh who runs the CityDeskNYC account on Twitter – from Ottawa – which uses artificial intelligence to wage a war of words against New York’s Democratic Party candidate for mayor, Zohran Mamdani.
Singh is also the creator of the DOGEai_gov account, which publishes on Twitter 2,000 times per day in support of Donald Trump and Republican party policies. He says the operational costs are around $9,000 to $10,000 per month.
SPORTS
🏀 cebl Ottawa BlackJacks87 – Montréal Alliance 83 yesterday
⚾ frontier Ottawa Titans 2– Trois-Rivieres Aigles 8 yesterday
the ottawan was launched in 2020 as the daily answer to the questions: What’s going on? What should I do? Where is somewhere good to eat? Please consider joining the many other readers with a monthly, annual, or one-time donation to keep the ottawan on its mission. All annual or one-time donations over $60 include an ottawan or historic logo t-shirt of their choice. | Membership levels ✅ $5 mo / Technically Beautiful ✅ $10 mo / ByTowner ✅ $20 mo / City that Fun Remembered ✅ $25 mo / Truly ott ✅ Or make a one-time donation Join Us |
WHAT’S GOING ON AT CITY HALL
No meetings tomorrow
WHAT OTTAWA IS TALKING ABOUT
♨️ Get ready for a sauna in the Ottawa River, next to the River House swimming pool. The National Capital Commission has put out a request for proposals to build a 15 to 25 person, year-round sauna barge. It wouldn’t be the first of it’s kind: Montréal has Bota Bota spa-sur-l’eau and HAVN operates in Victoria. The Commission hopes to welcome its first customers by December 31. – Josh Pringle at CTV
🔍 The City’s Auditor General has found that the Ottawa Police Service doesn’t have enough cars on duty, takes too long to recruit new officers, and allows ‘unsuitable’ candidates to continue training. Nathalie Gougeon has published the report on her office’s website, which will be discussed by the Ottawa Police Service Board on Friday. – Arthur White-Crummey at CBC
🏒 Adult men’s and women’s recreational hockey starts registration next week. We’re letting you know now because it always gets oversubscribed very quickly. – City of Ottawa
📮 Rural residents in Eastern Ontario have been told that Canada Post will no longer be lifting the flag on their mailboxes when it delivers the mail. Canada Post says that the flag isn’t supposed to be used that way – it says the flag should be raised when a resident has outgoing mail not when the mail carrier makes a delivery. So it has decided to stop doing it. – Katie Griffin at CTV
THE DAILY POLL
Do you use Twitter?
Yes
No
I refuse to use it
Ooh OTTAWAN, you’re so edgy calling it Twitter instead of its actual name, X.
Previously in ottawan polls:We asked, ‘Are you taking a summer vacation this year?’
10% Planning one
53% Already took one
31% Not able to take one
6% If you love your job, you don’t need a vacation. So, yes.
Commentary
▪️ “Went to say goodbye to Ozzy!”
▪️ “Escaped the heat to South Africa for their winter.”
▪️ “On vacation right now.”
▪️ “I’m heading to Vancouver. Send me your recommendations!”
▪️ “Out of town 3 times for youth sports tournaments. Does that count?”
▪️ “Yes, assuming Air Canada labour relations permit.”
▪️ “Yes, and I’m on it right now!”
▪️ “Juggling multiple jobs and the schedules just don’t line up to allow me time to take a vacation.”
▪️ “It started 50 months ago when I retired.”
HISTORIC OTTAWA LOGO T-SHIRTS
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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
THURSDAY
✳️ Hamilton has started its run at the NAC. You have until August 17 to see the award-winning musical.
Navan Fair kicks presents an early-season 2025 country fairwith a ‘Muddy Boots and Country Roots’ themed edition. Expect farm demos and livestock shows, antique tractors, concerts, food, and fun. Oh, and something called the Guiness World Record 50 Horse Hitch.
If the weather allows, A Company of Fools presents The Comedy of Errors in Fisher Park (near Wellington Village and Hampton Park) from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.
🆓 Rain or shine, the 8th annual Bowman’s Bar & Grill’s IPA Day returns Wednesday August 8 with live music, raffle prizes, and, naturally, the best IPA from seven local breweries (5:00pm til 11:00pm ). A portion of the proceeds will benefit Operation Come Home, which assists youth experiencing homelessness to achieve their goals. NOTE: the party takes place in the parking lot, so if you must drive there, you'll have to seek parking elsewhere.
It’s Beatles vs. The Rolling Stones at the Broadway Bar & Grill Central's Trivia Night.
A (Bad) Night at the Movies is screening the gloriously cheesy dystopian story The New Barbarians (1983), which looks like it cobbled together its futuristic mise-en-scène with leftover, first-generation Battlestar Galactica props and shoulder pad-era Cybertruck prototypes.
Pay just $10 at the door at the weekly Thursday Swing Dance by Ottawa Vintage Swing.
ByTowne Cinema: Samia, Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised), Together
Mayfair Theatre: Eddington, Sorry, Baby, Boogie Nights
Gigs
Spike and the Gimme Gimmes. Bronson Centre Music Theatre
Victor Nesrallah. Night Oat
Broken by Friday, Mori Dori, Fire Manic. House of TARG
Cardamom Years, Lady Grey & the Phantoms, Apostlebird, Ceippo. Rainbow Bistro
Irene’s Blues Sessions with Guest Host Dave Bignell. Irene’s Pub
FRIDAY
✳️ Hamilton has started its run at the NAC. You have until August 17 to see the award-winning musical.
The Killaloe Craft & Community Fair, which has been operating each summer for nearly 50 years, is one of the only non-profit, volunteer-run festivals to continue for so long.
🆓 Check out Ottawa International Buskerfest for the best in street entertainment from around the planet. It's all going down on Sparks St and at World Exchange Plaza August today through Sunday.
🆓 Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore runs one of the most feel-good book sales in town. Luckily for us, The ReStore Reads Book Fair is back this Friday (10:00 am to 8:00 pm) through Sunday (9:00 am to 4:00 pm on both weekend days) at the Stittsville location (3 Iber Road). Prices start at $1.
If you're dashing in to the Pot & Pantry on Elgin St this Friday, be prepared to be distracted by the gorgeous milk-and-plant-based ice cream at the Merry Dairy truck parked outside. 254 Elgin St. From 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm.
Art house welcomes internationally acclaimed jazz vocalist Lauren Bush and her trio.
Ottawa reggae legends Aurora’s Reef open the Titans game (6:00 pm to 7:00 pm)..
🆓 Capital Pop-Up Cinema screens My Girl at Beechwood Cemetery.
If the weather allows, A Company of Fools presents The Comedy of Errors in Raven Park (Carlington) from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.
ByTowne Cinema: To A Land Unknown, My Mother's Wedding, 2025 Cat Video Fest, Detour: The Fly
Mayfair Theatre: Sorry, Baby, My Mother’s Wedding, Thief
Gigs
Blingo Night. Pour Boy
TEETH, Cruel Intent, In Passing. The 27 Club
Michael Marcagi. Bronson Centre
Friday Night Open Mic. Grumpy's Pub & Eatery
Just Fine, frown line, Guest Room Status, Superstar Crush, Hug Mosh. SAW Centre
Irish Moutarde, Casual Tragedies, Subtrash. Dominion Tavern
80s Dance Party. House of TARG
Live Music Friday. Broadhead Brewery
SATURDAY
If you order your ticket to the Mystical Wise Women Water Lantern Festival in Andrew Haydon Park by Friday August 7, you'll save $5.
🆓 You’ll know what a gat (갓) is if you caught ‘K-pop Demon Hunters’ on Netflix. The Korean Cultural Centre is holding ‘make your own gat’ paper crafting sessions every Saturday throughout August. Materials, instructions, and space to create are provided on site.
All sorts of gamer, kitsch, and generally geeky vendors will be in attendance at the Urban Art Collective Comic & Geek Night Market (4:00 pm to 9:00 pm).
It’s happening: the 80s return to the Brass Monkey in Chaud Stock 2025. If you rocked at legendary Ottawa venues the Chaud, The British, Barrymore’s, Hoopers, and Roxanne’s in the big hair decade, this is your night.
Road Trip: Take a wee day trip just beyond Ottawa’s Western edge to McNab/Braeside, for a good ol' rural time at the Valley Agricultural Festival.
🆓 You’re mistaken if you think the All Things Bookish Market is only about books. You’ll find junk journaling and scrapbook kits, charcuterie cones and other fine food options, more than 20 vendors, and you can take part in the Build Your Own Blind Date With A Book. 55 ByWard Market.
🚗 Road Trip: Equator Coffee’s annual Made with Love Vendors Market returns to Almonte. While you're planning your visit, sign up for a roastery tour.
🆓 Muslimfest brings arts, culture, and entertainment to Cumberland Village Museum. It’s free to attend but you must book a ticket.
Craft beer-loving 20-and-30-somethings looking for new friends: Beyond the Pale’s City Centre location has an event just for you. Pints & New Friends 20s-30s Social Mixer is selling fast.
It’s Mexico’s turn to light up the sky at the Grands Feux in Gatineau.
Enjoy music by John Allaire Trio, wine, drinks, and snacks at the Reds, Whites, & Rhythms: Jabulani Concert Series in Richmond. $19.99 + HST per person.
There’s more than just shopping at Tanger Outlets today. Catch the Reptile Extravaganza from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Hamilton continues at the NAC. You have until August 17 to see the award-winning musical.
Toronto comic Mike Rita arrives at Yuk Yuk’s Ottawa West (at Biagio’s).
Weather permitting, A Company of Fools presents The Comedy of Errors in Canadensis Botanical Garden (Experimental Farm) from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.
Take a Wild Foraging Walk at Ottawa Farm Fresh. $25 per person.
Stretch your body and open your mind with Yoga at the Gallery. $25 + HST.
🆓 Capital Pop-Up Cinema brings Ferris Bueller’s Day Off to Albert Island. You'll get a proper bang for your non-buck: a short film from the NFB and an episode of 'Stittsville on Patrol' will screen before the movie.
It’s War Machines Weekend at the Canadian War Museum. See military vehicles roar to life on the demo track behind the museum. It's all included with regular admission.
ByTowne Cinema: 2025 Cat Video Fest, Restoration: Throne of Blood, My Mother's Wedding, Detour: True Stories
Mayfair Theatre:My Mother’s Wedding, Sorry, Baby, Magnolia
Gigs
Little Bones. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa
Override. Live from the Booth (Sparks St)
JUST ANNOUNCED / NOW BOOKING
🆓 Limited tickets are up for grabs to the Ontario Moonshine Festival at Top Shelf Distillers in Perth, Ontario. Book yours for Friday August 22, Saturday August 23, or Sunday August 24, which is also billed as Family Day.
Make your own Mini Fall Pumpkin Centrepiece at the Wild Willy's Plants and Flowers workshop on Thursday, October 30.
MADE IN CANADA DEAL OF THE DAY
  |
 | Sliced Beef Brisket is a special price at Meatings, from now until August 12. |
 | Save an extra - and automatic - 20% off skirts and dresses at Katrin Leblond. |
BUT, ONE MORE THING ...
Those players who buy EA Sports’ National Hockey League videogame religiously every year will be happy to see NHL 26’s idea of a holy trinity on the cover. They'll see Sens captain Brady Tkachuk, his brother Matthew Tkachuk of the Florida Panthers, and their dad, Keith Tkachuk, in the St Louis Blues kit.
For those readers who have not played a video game since Frogger, NHL 26 is $133 and works on Playstation or Xbox.
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THE END
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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