– That portion of people who are opposed to the unsupervised outdoor roaming of cats, according a survey by the Ottawa Humane Society. Fifteen per cent were in favour. The Society said that it was surprised to find that most reported outdoor cats were found in suburban and waterfront communities, rather than densely urban areas as it expected.

- The 64 year-old former Olympian will be inducted into the Canadian Sailing Hall of Fame at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club on Oct 5. Retired from competitive wind sailing since 2000, Alie is now a dietician, wellness coach, and exercise physiologist with cardio and pulmonary rehabilitation patients.

– The one-character emoji posted on Twitter by Sens forward Claude Giroux after his Land Rover was stolen Tuesday night. 

▪️An Ottawa Fire Services captain and a former firefighter have been found not guilty in charges of assault against a rookie. The former firefighter was charged with assault against the rookie in an incident of jostling for the right to clean dishes. Competing for the right to do menial tasks has long been a tradition in the Service but has now been banned after the start of the trial. The captain was charged with threatening retaliation if the rookie reported the incident. Two charges were thrown out by the judge mid-trial.

‘The Crown has not even come close to proving any of the three remaining charges beyond a reasonable doubt’ said Justice Mitchell Hoffman.

▪️Congratulations to Lizardo Becerra of Raphaël Peruvian Cuisine for his win last night at regionals of the 2025 Canadian Culinary Championship. Becerra competed against chefs Patrick Garland (Absinthe), Kristine Hartling (Oz Kafe), Mitch Lacombe (Gitanes), Jason Sawision (Stofa Restaurant), and Sarath Mohan Teegavarapu (Kathā) to win a seat at the championship next February, which will also be held in Ottawa. 

Becerra’s winning dish was Gitanyow sockeye salmon, almond sweet potato velvet, escabeche demi-glace, ají limo spheres, botija olive powder, popped kiwicha, ají panca rice crackers, and micro cilantro paired with a Charles Baker 2022 B-Side Riesling, Niagara-on-the-Lake.

▪️The Federal government would like to close two lanes of Wellington Street in front of the Parliament buildings for several years as it redevelops the building across the street. Block 2 is 80,000-square-metres of office space, which will be redeveloped at a cost of around $1 billion. Around 40 per cent of Parliamentary workers work in the buildings across the street from Parliament. The City’s transportation committee will hear the plan today.

▪️Broadway Across Canada is seeking post-secondary students, recent graduates, and young professionals interested in learning about the commercial theatre business and the Broadway touring industry. Chosen apprentices will spend 14 paid weeks learning the business that is show. Broadway Across Canada is the outfit that brings most of those touring big-name musicals to the National Arts Centre.

▪️A plan by the Riverside Campus of the Ottawa Hospital to build a parking lot on a grassy spot at Sarah Billings Place has been shelved. The land, an undeveloped portion of the Billings Estate, had been donated for $1 as long as it was used for non-profit healthcare. The Hospital has reversed the decision and the City will be restoring it.

THE OTTAWAN has never visited the Billings Estate National Historic Site. It’s eight acres of Ottawa history and soon demands a visit, we think.

▪️Documents show that the Federal government prioritized public opinion over productivity in mandating an extra day in the office. Under an access to information request, the Public Service Alliance of Canada was given the documents showing the reasoning and options the Treasury Board considered before ordering an additional day of work in the office. 

▪️Kévin Giraud at Cartoon Brew has recommendations for nine animated shorts that you ‘don’t want to miss’ at the Ottawa International Animation Festival.

🆓 Vancouver Fim School’s road trip makes a stop in Ottawa tonight, offering an info session for those interested in careers in Film & Television, Game Design, and Animation. Learn about the School’s programs, scholarships, and auditions. The Metcalfe Hotel, 123 Metcalfe St. K1P 5L9. Free but you must register here. 

▪️The First Métis Man of Odesa is not only a tender and funny new play but a true story of love between a Métis playwright and a Ukrainian actress that conquers a pandemic, long distance, and war. The Punctuate! Theatre production runs until Sunday at National Arts Centre 

▪️Tickets for the 25th annual Biology Butterfly Show at Carleton University are now on sale. The show, which is running Sunday October 5 through Sunday October 13, 2024, allows the public to stroll through the University’s greenhouse to observe more than two dozen species of butterflies from around the world. Entry is by donation and you can bet your Blue Morpho that it’s going to sell out. 

🆓 Enjoy family-friendly fun all morning at the Ottawa Senators Fan Fest. From watching a Sens practice to the interactive games, face painting, and photo ops, there’s something for every fan in the fam. The free tickets are available through Ticketmaster. 

▪️Workshop Boutique’s massive four-day Trunk Show moves to a new venue, Dom Polski Hall (The Polish Combatants Association) to allow for more clothes, more changing rooms, and even a vegan pop-up when your energy is flagging. We told you: it’s a massive sale, so impressive that you can only shop it in person. Visit 379 Waverley St today from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. 

▪️Ottawa International Animation Festival continues with screenings at Arts Court, Ottawa Art Gallery, and ByTowne Cinema .Meanwhile, the Animation Conference (TAC) continue with another day of programming from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at National Arts Centre. 

▪️Carp Fair opens its 2024 season with a Special Needs midway hour from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm, and the gates will then open to the general public at 6:00 pm. The big draws tonight are the Demo Derby at 7:00 pm, the Ryans playing live music from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm, and the Beer Gardens from 7:00 pm to midnight. 

▪️Road Trip: Greet Fall with a hand made Eucalyptus Wreath that you’ve made yourself this evening at Brockville’s Wild Little Roses flower shop. $65 per person. 

▪️You’ll have heard of the classic old haunted house, but have you ever wandered through a possessed film set? Behind the Screams, a Haunted House experience, will give you that opportunity at 1D Studios. Be there Thursday to Sunday evenings until November 3 if you dare (and if you don’t quite dare, there’s a slightly less scary matinée experience). Tickets from $26.99 per person. 

▪️Road Trip: the streets of Almonte come alive for the Fall Night Market(5:00 pm to 8:00 pm). Walk historic Mill Street to discover sidewalk sales, live music, vendors, and treats.

▪️Author Ben Macintyre recounts the gripping story of the six day hostage crisis at the Iran Embassy in London in 1980. 

🆓 A group of musicians led by Central Station are offering a free night of music in Strathcona Park (255 Range Road). Music in the Park II starts at 6:00 pm and will wind up by 9:00 pm. Don’t forget to bring a blanket and something warm to drink. 

▪️Metsaema plays turn of the previous century ragtime music and early American “parlour ballads” at Art House Café.$10.00 

▪️ByTowne Cinema: The Ottawa International Animation Festival 

▪️Mayfair Theatre: Coup! Will & Harper, Whiplash 

Gigs

▪️Bingo Thursday. Braodhead Brewing

▪️Dueling Pianos. Manor Lounge

▪️Chris Spedding. Rainbow Bistro

▪️Ian Tamblyn. Red Bird

▪️Elmer & Alan. Montgomery Scotch Lounge

▪️Steph La Rochelle. National Arts Centre

▪️Future Free. House of TARG

▪️Irene’s Thursday Blues Session with guest host Shannon Eddy

▪️Neko Case. Bronson Centre

▪️Road Trip: Upper Canada Village takes credit for launching Canada’s first family pumpkin event way back in 2012. This year’s Pumpkinferno promises the usual ambitious number of intricately carved squashes and sculptures, photo ops and interactive displays that make this outing so memorable. Today through October 31 in Morrisburg, ON. Adult tickets $22 with discounts for seniors, students, and kids aged five through 12. Children four and under get in for free.

🆓 Vancouver Film School’s 15 minute Creative Portfolio Review with a faculty member will help you to define education and career paths that are right for you and help you discover if you’re ready to apply to VFS’s School of Animation (3D Animation & Visual Effects, Classical Animation, and Animation Concept Art) or Digital Design programs. It’s free to attend but you must register in advance. 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Metcalfe Hotel, 123 Metcalfe St. K1P 5L9.  

🆓 The Fifty-Five Plus Lifestyle Show offers entertainment, samples, prizes, and lifestyle ideas. EY Centre, 4899 Uplands Drive. 

▪️The Urban Botonist’s Emma Terrell will be live on stage at the Ottawa Home Show from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm. 

▪️Road Trip: Make it a quiet night out* with friends at the Equator Coffee Board Game Night in Almonte (*unless you play the bloodthirsty competitive Scrabble favoured by Martha’s family, wherein play is frequently stopped for loud arguments about the validity of words like “botoxing”.) 

🆓 Bring your own blanket to the Capital Pop-Up Cinema screening of The Goonies on Sparks Street tonight.  

▪️Ottawa International Animation Festival Day 3:  Passholders will make connections, carve a pumpkin, and have a jolly good time at the Animator’s Picnic in Strathcona Park. Continue the party back at Arts Court, either on Club SAW’s dance floor or upstairs at the Studio. All of the above is of course after you spend a blissful day watching the screenings at Ottawa Art Gallery, ByTowne Cinema, and Arts Court. 

▪️Carp Fair’s first full day is going to be busy. Start with the horse shows from 9:00 am, the 4-H Achievement programs starting at 10:00 am, the Antique Tractor Parade at 11:00 am, then shows featuring dairy heifers, goats, and live human entertainment. 

▪️Beau’s brings the Oktoberfest party to Manor Lounge, with live music, German food, games and activities, an fine beer. $7 admission, or free if you book a Manor Lounge paid experience. 100 Thornwood Road, K1K 4Y1 

▪️The Korean Cultural Centre Canada presents a multidisciplinary exhibition by the Montreal-based Korean-Canadian duo group THERE (T)HERE at the KCC Gallery from September 27 to November 1. Presented as part of the Year of Korea-Canada Cultural Exchanges celebration programs, the exhibition is an artistic exploration of “migration” as seen through the eyes of Korean-Canadian artist duo THEIR (T)HERE. There will be a vernissage and artist talk this evening at the KCC Gallery,  101-150 Elgin St

▪️It’s Drag On Tap night at Kichesippi Beer Co with performers Saltina Shaker, Sunshine Glitterchild, Portia Züm Züm and Xtra. 

▪️Stittsville has more than its fair share of ghost stories. If you think you have the nerve, listen to them as you take the Stittsville Haunted Heritage Tour 2024. $22.59 per person. 

▪️Rock the Block in Manor Park will keep you fed and entertained all evening. Check out the Beer Garden, games for the kids, the pie contest, music, and the outdoor movie screen at 7:30 pm. 

▪️ByTowne Cinema: The Ottawa International Animation Festival  

▪️Mayfair Theatre: Will & Harper, The Critic, The Rocky Horror Picture Show 

Gigs

▪️Knotz & Christine Elise, Noah Derksen. Cinq à Sept at ByWard Market Square

▪️Reynaldo & The Dalliances Album Release party with the Retrospects and Jerry Leger. Irene’s Pub

▪️BirdDog. Avant-Garde Bar

▪️Dance Mix 2000’s - Dance Party 2009 Edition. House of TARG

▪️Strange Advance, The Box, Images in Vogue, Andres from Eight Seconds.  

▪️Fernie. National Arts Centre

▪️The RockPhiles. Conspiracy Theory Brewing Co.

▪️Wild One Dance Party. Berlin

▪️Friday Night Open Mic. Grumpy’s Pub & Eatery

▪️Brass Camel, Noise Hotel, Petty Cache. The Rainbow Bistro

▪️Rhythm Method. Carlton Tavern

▪️Fever Pitch Hot Jazz. Art House Café

▪️Virginia To Vegas. The 27 Club

▪️Dave Solazzo. Montgomery Scotch Lounge

▪️Curbside Decisions. Broadhead Brewery

▪️Trevor Alguire. Red Bird