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HELLO OTTAWA

The City seems to have heard some of the complaints that, come winter, public works would rather close pedestian and cycle paths than shovel them.

In a new announcement:

• The City is trialling removing ice and snow from the staircases at the Corktown and Flora Bridges
   
• The new bidirectional cycle track connecting Mackenzie Avenue to the Rideau Canal Eastern Pathway will be maintained
   
• The new cycle tracks along Montreal Road from Vanier Parkway to St-Laurent Boulevard will be maintained

It’s a start.

But it also seems like the City’s heart is not really into it. The announcement notes that ‘A map of the winter cycling network can be found on the City's GeoOttawa website’.

What it doesn’t tell you is that you must click ‘the Layers List tool under Cycling > Existing Cycling Network > Winter-maintained network’ to see the routes.

So much easier than a PDF, right?

Below are the cycle routes the City says it will maintain over the winter. (Orange is a multi-use pathway, yellow is a cycle path)

– Martha and Darren

🎄the ottawan Christmas pages

• 10 Gifts Under $20
• 10 Local Experiential Gifts for Hard-to-Buy-For Loved Ones
• Our constantly revised Christmas Markets, Festivals, and Parades page
• 2023 Canadian-made advent calendar list
• 10 Made in Canada Christmas Gifts.
• 9 Locally Made Christmas Gifts. Please send your nominations for a locally made item to 'giftguide@theottawan.com'.

TODAY’S LINE UP

•  Ottawa Stats
•  City Hall Agenda
•  What Ottawa is Talking About
•  Events
•  Deals of the Day

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OTTAWA STATS

Sports

• 🏒 NHL Ottawa Senators 2 – St Louis Blues 4 last night

CITY HALL AGENDA

What’s going on at City Hall
 

Ottawa Police Services Board
Monday, December 18, 2023 at 4:00 PM

• Board Policy for Approval: GA-16 Communication and Information Sharing
• Neighbourhood Operations Centre Implementation Plan
• Board Discretionary Fund: 2023 Annual Report

📋 Agenda

WHAT OTTAWA IS TALKING ABOUT

🚨 Nation River Murder

•  The man extradicted from Florida on murder charges for a 1975 death is not fit for trial, says his lawyer. Rodney Nichols’ lawyer says his client has dementia and is seeking an assessment. Nichols is accused of murdering his girlfriend Jewell Parchman Langford in Montréal. Langford’s body was discovered in the Nation River in 1975 but was not identified until earlier this year after forensic genealogy was used. (Daniel LeBlanc at CBC)

🚊 O Train

•  OC Transpo is testing one O Train with a new set of axels in hopes of returning double carriages to service. Current axels have a nut that keeps coming loose, which the manufacturer believes is causing the past derailments. The new axels have a bolt that keeps the nut on. The test train will run at least 1,500 km and will not carry any passengers. If successful, it may lead to double carriages returning to service, increasing passenger capacity. Tests should be completed early in the new year. (Arthur White-Crummey at CBC)
  
  ➕ Related The Trillium Line may open closer to summer than early spring, as previously anticipated. June is still ‘spring’ says Transit General Manager Renée Amilcar.
  
  ➕ Related The OC Tranpo union heads thinks more people than ever are skipping fares. Neither the union nor OC Transpo has any data on whether people are increasingly skipping fares or not.

⚖️ Les Olympiques de Gatineau

•  The league that Gatineau’s hockey team, Les Olympiques de Gatineau, plays in has a new name. Welcome to the Québec Maritime Junior Hockey League, formerly the Québec Major Junior Hockey League. The new name reflects the fact that the league has several teams in Atlantic Canada, and there will be no need to change the initials. (The Canadian Press)

🏒 Ottawa Carleton District School Board

• Ottawa Carleton District School Board trustee Nili Kaplan-Myrth has filed a human rights complaint against the board and other trustees. In the application to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, Kaplan-Myrth says the board dismissed complaints of being ‘threatened, harassed, and physically assaulted by third parties for being Jewish’. Kaplan-Myrth says the incidents happened after the Trustee spoke out on school masking and transgender student rights. (Joanne Laucius in the Ottawa Citizen)

🛻 Convoy News

•  Defendants in the proposed class-action suit against the Convoy ask judge to dismiss it on free expression grounds. An Ottawa judge is currently hearing arguments brought under the strategic lawsuit against public participation legislation, usually referred to as SLAPP. SLAPP laws give power to a judge to throw out a lawsuit if he or she believes the lawsuit is brought only to intimidate or financially drain the defendant. The Convoy lawyer is arguing that all the activity of the occupation was free expression and protected by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. (Elyse Skura at CBC)

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• 🍺 Our Ottawa-Gatineau Craft Brewery Map

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• 🏆 The Best Of Ottawa Awards 2023

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• 🎧 Best Podcasts from Ottawa

EVENTS

Is there an event we should know about?
Please use our easy event submission form

Today

Find Ottawa’s most comprehensive list of Christmas Markets, Festivals, and Parades on our website.

•  CBC Ottawa’s Project Give, the annual charity food drive in support of the Ottawa Food Bank, happens today at the National Arts Centre. Listeners are invited to come by and hear All In A Day from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. It's free but a non-perishable food item for the food bank is welcome.
•  Ottawa Pops’ Second Annual Winter Online Auction ends tonight at 8:00 pm, with items from virtual cocktail making lessons to art waiting for your bid. Some don’t have any bids yet so luck may be on your side.
•  Settle in for the stories as Bear & Co present Dylan Thomas: A Child’s Christmas in Wales (& Carol Sing). At GCTC until December 21.
•  Listen to the story of the original curmudgeon as A Christmas Carol is performed by Pierre Brault at St. Brigid’s Centre for the Arts.
•  Adàwàning: Indigenous Women’s Art Market is a shopping event with Métis, Inuit, and First Nations makers and artisans. You’ll find plenty of gift ideas from jewellery to mittens and coffee. NAC Atrium O’Brian today (3:30 pm to 9:00 pm) and Saturday (10:30 am to 4:00 pm)
•  Tonight’s your penultimate opportunity to shop with 613Holiday Night Market inside Aberdeen Pavilion, Lansdowne Park. 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm. This market is brought to you by 613Flea, so you know you’ll find lots of cool gift ideas.
•  Juno nominee Miss Emily will bring her blues stylings to First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa for a a seasonal Miss Emily Christmas in Ottawa. Find out why musicians from Rob Baker (of the Tragically Hip) and Gene Simmons of KISS are impressed by her voice.
•  In the mood to belt out Christmas carols? We’ve got just the event for you. You’ll get to sing outside and enjoy hot chocolate and treats by the fire pit. Donations for the Blair Court Community House Food Bank will be gratefully received.
•  Digi60 Filmmakers’ Festival is a jam packed weekend (today through Sunday December 17) of more than 50 short films produced by Ottawa filmmakers, as well as panel discussions, workshops, and networking.
•  Take a road trip to Smiths Falls today (3:00 pm to 7:00 pm) or tomorrow (10:00 am to 4:00 pm) for the Christmas Market at Artisan Village.
•  The Magic of Lights continues at Wesley Clover Parks.
  
  
  Gigs

•  Christmas Sisters Naughty Listers. Red Bird

•  Samuel Cousineau. Montgomery Scotch Lounge

•  Blingo Night. Pour Boy

•  The Powergoats Annual Holiday Show for the Snowsuit Foundation, with Hot Jupiter. Rainbow Bistro

•  Sharlee the Band Live. Café Dekcuf

•  Latin Friday. Mavericks

•  Pleading with the Devil. LIVE on Elgin

•  The Barrow Gang. Atomic Rooster

Tomorrow

•  Tonight is Orange Art Gallery’s closing party ‘One Last Stop’. It’s free to attend, and in addition to saying goodbye to the space you can also snag some deals on artwork (see today’s Deals of the Day). Doors open at 7:00 pm at 290 City Centre Ave.

•  The three performers in Quand tu me regards, ride, spin, and perform in wheelchairs, but they also apparently take the vehicles apart to turn them into puppets. It all sounds incredibly impressive and it’s at the NAC Saturday and Sunday. Mostly performed without words, but some French is spoken. Suitable for young people ages 6 through 12.

•  Listen to the story of the original curmudgeon as A Christmas Carol is performed by Pierre Brault at St. Brigid’s Centre for the Arts.

•  Settle in for the stories as Bear & Co present Dylan Thomas: A Child’s Christmas in Wales (& Carol Sing). At GCTC until December 21.

•  Believe it or not this is the final weekend of relatively relaxed shopping before the blind panic shoppers will be feeling on Saturday December 23. In Ottawa, head to the Real Fly Market or Adàwàning: Indigenous Women’s Art Market, or immerse yourself in country life at Saunders Farm.

•  The Ottawa Wildflower Seed Library will be giving away native seeds at the Kanata Beaverbrook Community Centre from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

•  Digi60 Filmmakers’ Festival continues until tomorrow (Sunday December 16).

•  It’s going to be fiercely competitive, highly creative, and possibly sticky at The Standard this Saturday afternoon, (December 16) at the Gingerbread House Decorating Contest. The winning team of up to 4 people will win a $100 gift card to the Standard as well as Tiki Christmas Mugs. Reserve your team now info@thestandardtavern.com.
  
  
  Or start the car and choose a road trip from our list below.

• Road Trips:

  🛷 One of the final Christmas markets of the season is located in the town of Maxville, an hour Southeast of Ottawa in North Glengarry Township. You’ll find the Maxville & District Chamber of Commerce Christmas Market and Craft Show at the Maxville Sports Complex from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
  
  🛷 Russell High School (982 North Russell Road) welcomes the Russell Flea for the final time before Christmas (9:00 am to 3:00 pm) This is definitely the place to find Christmas gifts for the hard-to-buy-for people on your list. Think: antiques and vintage, locally made skincare and beauty items, clothing and accessories, and food. Lots of food.
  
  🛷 The Christmas Market at Artisan Village in Smiths Falls continues from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
  
  
  Gigs

•  Jams with DJ Emmett. Spark Beer

•  Christmas Sisters Naughty Listers. Red Bird.

•  Slowcoaster! With Aurora’s Reef. Rainbow Bistro

•  Lynn Miles and the Crusty Mittens Annual Winter Show. Irene’s Pub & Restaurant

•  Marven James. Atomic Rooster

•  The Sherri Harding Holiday Show. Queen St. Fare

•  Garry Elliot Trio. Montgomery Scotch Lounge
   

Sunday

•  Settle in for the stories as Bear & Co present Dylan Thomas: A Child’s Christmas in Wales (& Carol Sing). At GCTC until December 21.

•  Ottawa Art Gallery’s Hungry Eyes: An Experiential Film Series Fundraiser continues today with a screening of It’s A Wonderful Life. Tickets include a movie admission, a three-course meal courtesy of Norca Restaurant and Bar, two craft beverages, popcorn, and a chance to win door prizes. $155.76 per person. The funds raised will support OAG’s free programming and exhibitions. 6:00 pm.

•  The Magic of Lights continues at Wesley Clover Parks.

•  Listen to the story of the original curmudgeon as A Christmas Carol is performed by Pierre Brault at St. Brigid’s Centre for the Arts.
  
  Sunday Road Trips:
  
  🛷 The weekend’s not over; visit one of these quaint small towns today for one-of-a-kind shopping experiences. It’s too late to expect pre-Christmas delivery so get out to these towns and shop in person at some cool local joints.
  
  🛷 Get small town festive shopping done in Arnprior, Ontario, where Johnie’s Vintage (54 Madawaska St) will be open from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. While you’re in town, visit Antiques, Treasures, and Treats (260 Elgin St) for a cool little piece of the past and then grab a sublime cup of coffee and baked treat from Mighty Fine Bake House Café (79 Madewaska St).
  
  Actually, on second thought, go to Mighty Fine first because they always sell out of their incredible baked goods and bread early. Always.
  
  🛷 Sample some Vodkow and related tipples and pick up some fine Holiday Gift Boxes at Dairy Distillery (34 Industrial Ave) in Almonte, Ontario. Then nip over to the factory and headquarters of Hummingbird Chocolate (476 Ottawa Street, Almonte), where you’ll find probably too much of the sweet stuff to choose from. Then head downtown to Cheerfully Made (72 Mill St, Almonte) where an incredible number of locally made stocking stuffers, teacher gifts and trinkets is displayed in a small space.
  
  🛷 In Perth, visit the Perth Brewery between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm to pickup a gift for the beer lover in your life. They’ve got everything from cans to merch and glassware. Ecobou has cool vintage and locally crafted items that you won’t find anywhere else. (We love the 70s branding on Ecobou's website and we suspect the IRL shop is equally groovy.)
  
  Gigs

•  Lynn Miles and the Crusty Mittens Annual Winter Show (matinée). Irene’s Pub & Restaurant

•  The Sunday Night Revue. Irene’s Pub & Restaurant

•  Fatal Vision - Christmaspalooza. LIVE on Elgin

•  Sunday Blues with River City Junction. Atomic Rooster

Monday

•  You know everything there is to know about the Harry Potter movie universe. Bring that knowledge to Boston Pizza Barrhaven (1681 Greenback Road) for the Prisoner of Azkaban trivia night.

•  The Magic of Lights continues at Wesley Clover Parks.
  
  Gigs

•  Bluegrass Mondays featuring Open Stage with the House Band. Red Bird

•  Open Mic Night. Art House Café

   

Just Announced / Now Booking

•   Ottawa Pops Orchestra presents The Music of the Lord of the Rings. Saturday February 24 and Sunday February 25 at Carleton Dominion Chalmers Centre.

DEALS OF THE DAY

BUT, ONE MORE THING ...

Emma Terrell, who social medias as @TheUrbanBotanist, has a video tour of her house filled with tropical and carnivorous plants. A top tip for nuturing plants? ‘I buy oothecae or mantis egg sacs, with each sac containing up to 100 baby praying mantis insects. I hatch them in the spring — usually in my house, for the fun of it — and then release them into my gardens as beneficial bugs and an alternative to using chemical pesticides.’

RAPID RESPONSE QUALITY CONTROL

Comment of the week: ‘Loved the Sens vs Leafs moments!’

THE END

the ottawan is written and edited every work day by Martha and Darren.

Is there something that Ottawa should know about? Email to us at hello@theottawan.com. We read every single comment. 

We’ll see you Monday.

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