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HELLO OTTAWA

• In today’s ottawan:

  → Trillium Line’s opening date is still unknown

• → The International Bicycle Film Festival rolls by tomorrow

• → New Stittsville high school won’t be ready for new year
  
  Correction: Reader Steve points out that in yesterday’s Happy Hour item, we wrote the Shore Club as the Short Club. We’re happy to correct, but if readers send in corrections on every typo found in the ottawan, we’re going to be here a long, long time.

– Martha and Darren

STATS

Number

• 160 km/h
• – The speed that a 70 year-old driver was clocked on the 417 yesterday afternoon. The driver said they were trying to ‘get away from a bad driver’. Yes, the 70 year-old was charged. (Toula Mazloum at CTV)

Ottawan of the Day 

• Mikhail Parakhin 
• – The former Microsoft executive is the new chief technology officer of local mom-and-pop business Shopify. Most recently, Parakhin was head of Microsoft’s advertising and web services and previously led the company’s artificial intelligence products. Will Parakhin actually set foot in Ottawa, however? We don’t know. (Alex Riehl in Betakit)

Quote 

• “

• I see things now I want to see now; I don’t want to see in three months. For this reason, I would like to ask you to be patient with us

• – OC Transpo general manager Renée Amilcar explaining that there is still no opening date for the Trillium Line. She says that bugs have been found during the summer testing. (Josh Pringle at CTV)

Sports

• ⚾ FRONTIER Ottawa Titans 0 – New York Boulders 2 last night

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CITY HALL AGENDA

What’s going on at City Hall

No more meetings this week.

📋 Meetings and agendas

WHAT OTTAWA IS TALKING ABOUT

🗳️ Horizon Ottawa

•  Campaigners Horizon Ottawa are to be referred for legal action over election finance rules. The City’s election compliance audit committee made the decision after accepting a report from an independent audit yesterday. The report alleges that HorizonFest, an event run by Horizon Ottawa, was actually a campaign event and its financials should have been reported as such. Horizon denies any wrongdoing and points out that HorizonFest was a moneyloser. The case will be referred to an independent prosecutor who will decide if it goes forward. (Arthur White-Crummey at CBC) (Statement by Horizon Ottawa)

🚌 Ottawa Student Transportation Authority

•  The Ottawa Student Transportation Authority has reversed itself and is now short 24 drivers. Last week, the Authority said that it had reduced its driver shortage to 13 from 20. The new shortage means that 88 school routes will be cancelled. (Joanne Laucius in the Ottawa Citizen) (Cancelled routes) (Become a driver)
  
  ➕ Related Ottawa’s newest high school, Maplewood Secondary in Stittsville, will not be ready for the first day of school next Tuesday. Grades 7 and 8 students will instead go to DA Moodie and grade 9 students will take classes virtually. Grades 10, 11, and 12 will be added one at a time in future years.

🚏 Gatineau Transit

•  The Société de transport de l'Outaouais promises higher frequency and better reliabilty now that it has a new funding deal. Fares will increase 3 per cent each year from 2025 to 2028, the City of Gatineau promises to increase funding 4 per cent during those years, and the province will pay $20.2 million. Gatineau motorists will also now pay a $60 registration tax.  (Faith Greco at CBC) 

💥 Cars and Houses

•  It’s been just over two months since the last one, but another car has ploughed into a house. This one was yesterday on Locheland Crescent in Nepean. No one was injured but the occupiers of the house will not be able to stay there. By our count, this is the fourth in 2024. (Natasha O’Neill at CityNews) 

🐟 Salmon Farming

•  A company in the Outaouais has received $99,998 to build a salmon farm beside the Ottawa River. Samonix wants to build its salmon farm in Litchfield, an hour upstream from Ottawa. The farm itself would be on land. The $99,998 came from Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions. (Tashi Farmilo in the Pontiac Journal) (Samonix)

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MORE FROM THE OTTAWAN

• 🍺 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

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Today

• You know that drop in your stomach when you look up at the clear blue sky one morning or evening and catch sight of a colourful hot air balloon floating nearly silently above you, every now and then making that sighing-like sound as the pilot heats up the air in the envelope? Well, readers, why not feel it again starting tomorrow at the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival (Thursday August 29 through Monday September 2). The balloons, which are visiting the festival from across Ontario and Québec, are the main event, and you can watch as they ascend, travel, and return quietly to earth and for a hefty fee you can even book a ride in one. In addition, there’s an impressive lineup of musicians taking the stage each night, starting with Polaris Music Prize-nominated singer songwriter Charlotte Cardin tonight. In addition, there’s an amusement park, dance lessons, wrestling, a market, and lawn games. Admission starts at $49.99 for a day ticket, and kids between 2 and 10 get in for free. 

• Road Trip: Dwayne Gretzky and Tyler Joe Miller are just two of the acts heating up the stage at this year’s 168th Expo Shawville Fair (Thursday August 29 through Monday September 2). Billing itself as “The Valley’s Most Family Friendly Fair” there really is something for everyone to enjoy. Horse people will love both the Pony Rides and the Draft Horse Educational Tent, while fans of goats, sheep, and rabbits will enjoy the Small Animal Barn and Petting Farm. The Midway, Beer Garden, and Concessions will round out your experience. Day tickets and weekend passes are on sale now. 

• Road Trip: It’s also Stormont County Fair weekend, where the Kids’ Zone offers face painting, a “junkyard symphony,” and a magic show; circus performer Isabella Hoops will be thrilling audiences three times on Sunday; cash prizes are up for grabs at the talent show; and if it all gets too much you can play some serious Minecraft or Super Mario at GamesonTruck. 

• Ottawa Craft Beer Week highlights: Ten Toes on Bank St welcomes Arnprior’s Cold Bear Brewing for a tap takeover; it’s Cranberry and Jallab Blonde Cask Night (all day!) at Orléans Brewing Co; Sing your heart out at Evergreen's Karaoke (7:00 pm to 10:00 pm); Bring your talents to Stray Dog Brewing Co for the Open Mic; or Test your knowledge at Dominion City and Whipersnaper’s Trivia Nights. Don’t forget to have your passport stamped at each participating brewery you visit.

• House of PainT’s OG500 Poetry Slam promises audience voting, guest judges, and many talented artists on the Azreili Studio stage at the National Arts Centre. Tickets $25. 

• 🆓 Digi60 Filmmakers’ Festival presents a screening of The Colossal Failure of the Modern Relationship, along with a Q&C with Director Sergio Navarretta. 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Arts Court Theatre, 2 Daly Ave K1N 6E2. 

• Find out about Ottawa’s newest event space, Next Door, at the official Launch Party tonight. 955A Gladstone Ave. 

• If you live or work in Wards 12 (Rideau-Vanier), 13 Rideau-Rockcliffe), or 15 (Kitchissippi), join the City of Ottawa’s virtual information session about the new Zoning by-law. There will be a citywide presentation before the ward-specific sessions begin. You must register to attend. 

• Do some after hours shopping at the ByWard Night Market and Hintonburg Night Market.
   
• ByTowne Cinema: Sing Sing, Army of Shadows - 4K Restoration, Taxi Driver 
   

• Mayfair Theatre: Been the Temples, My Penguin Friend, Fitzcaraldo 

  Gigs

• Funeral Culture, Valvehead, North by North, Oakridge Ave. Rainbow Bistro

• Thursday Blues Sessions featuring host Eddie Gazel. Irene’s Pub

• Phasez & The Free Forms, Princess Lucky. LIVE on Elgin

• The Fixer with Indigo, Ooluu, No Plans for Chaos. Café Dekcuf

• James Leclaire. Montgomery Scotch Lounge

• Saturn Sunrise. House of TARG

• Angelel Desbois. Overflow Brewing
   

Tomorrow

• Ottawa Craft Beer Week highlights: Stray Dog Brewery is giving away Ottawa Titans tickets all day. Take the Brew Donkey shuttle to hop on and hop off as you visit the breweries. Get $2 off your draught pour at Broken Stick and Dominion City when you show ‘em your passport. Take a tour of the Whiprsnapr Brewery this evening. Bicycle Craft Beer will test your beer knowledge at the taproom Trivia from 7:00 pm to 9:00pm. If you’ve got five or more stamps in your OCBW passport, drop by Tooth and Nail Brewing Co for a curated flight of 4 x 5oz samples. Or, head to Spark Beer (or watch live on Instagram) for the Ottawa Craft Beer Week Prize Draw.

• It’s that time of year when cycling enthusiasts settle in for the International Cycling Film Festival (today and tomorrow at the Alumni Auditorium, Jock Turcot University Centre, University of Ottawa). 

• Enjoy Broken Stick beer for $5.00 at the brand new Hammond Hill Happy Hour, Fridays from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. 

• 🆓 Get a rare glimpse inside the old E. B. Eddy plant for The Allumettièrres, a guided tour today at 2:00 pm. 

• ByTowne Cinema: Sing Sing, Widow Clicquot, Across the River and Into the Trees, Donnie Darko

• Mayfair Theatre: Thelma, Firebrand, The Time Masters 

  
  Gigs

• Tyler Kealey with Ragged Rust. Overflow Brewing

• Nitro Turtle featuring Megan Francoeur with special guest Matthew Chaffey. Irene’s Pub

• Samuel Cousineau (Charlie Parker Tribute). Montgomery Scotch Lounge

• Cross Dog, Kingfisher, Alley Beers. House of TARG

• Love and Misfortune Tour: The Fixer, Indigo, Ooluu, No Plans for Chaos. Café Dekcuf

• The Beths. Bronson Centre Music Theatre

• Better Tmes Band. Carleton Tavern

• Live music with Pav. Broadhead Brewing

• Live music with Ian & Cory. Stray Dog Brewery

• Live music with Nate Silva. Brew Revolution.

• 4DAYWKND. Rainbow Bistro

• Tyler Kealey with Ragged Rust. Overflow Brewing

Saturday

• 🆓 Tour the staterooms at Rideau Hall today through Monday. 

• Be among the first to hear new material from Tom Green. Live at Yuk Yuks Ottawa West (1394 Richmond Road). 

• The 17th Ottawa Serbian Festival offers traditional food, culture, and music but you can also take part in the golf tournament and the 5K run and walk. 

• 🆓 Capital Pop-Up Cinema screens Space Jam at Jules Morin Park in Lowertown. 

• It’s the end of the line for fresh, local peaches and blueberries. After this weekend, they’ll be gone from Ottawa Street Markets. Get your fill today at the Farm Stare (1805 Gaspé Ave, K1K 0A4). 

• Road Trip: Experience Ukrainian heritage and hospitality at Ottawa Weekend Fest. The kids will be entertained with activities and play structures, musicians, actors, and dancers will fill the stage with entertainment all day, and the day will be capped with fireworks. St. John Camp, 21 Chemin Newcombe Val-des-Monts, QC J8N 1A9 Tickets from $60.03

• This is one of those experiences that your kids will remember: join the Starry Nights Club to search the night sky for Saturn and the North Star (so you’ll never get lost). $15 (adults), $10 (students), $5 (kids 5-15). 

• 🆓 Take the kids to Carlingwood shopping centre’s Back to School Bashwhere they’ll see magicians, reptiles, and artists in action. 

• Hug Mosh, Frank, Candy Boys, Arthritis Kid play the SAW Centre’s Under the Stars courtyard gig. All ages. $15. 

• All games at House of TARG are set to FREE-PLAY tonight; just pay the $10 door fee and play all your favourite pinball games all night. If you get hungry, Perogies will be served until midnight. 8:00 pm to 1:00 am at 1077 Bank St. K1S 3W9 

• The Damn Truth produce rock and roll with power vocals from Lee-La Baum and full-throttle musicianship from guitarist Tom Shemer, bass-player PY Letellier, and drummer Dave Traina. Raw Ramp describes the band as “... an incendiary kaboom of commotion, with blazing vocals, powder-keg rhythms, and flaming guitars. This is immense. It’s a nitro-glycerine love-bomb!” The Brass Monkey, Saturday, 250 A Greenbank Road. Supported by Iconoclast, the Space Between, and Albion. Tickets $31.37

• ByTowne Cinema: Across the River and Into the Trees, Sing Sing, The Godfather 4k restoration

• Mayfair Theatre: Widow Clicquot, Longlegs, Saturday Night Sinema
  
  Gigs

• Sabor 19. Queen St Fare

• PIner, Claude Munson, Valley Girls. Irene’s Pub

• Fire Antlers, Mike Legere Band, Cartoon Acid. LIVE on Elgin

• Piner, Laude Muson, Valley Girls. Irene’s Pub

• Justin Duhaime. Montgomery Scotch Lounge

• Black River. Avant-Garde Bar

• The Start. Heart & Crown Preston Street

• Worlds Collide 24. Café Dekcuf

• Alex Lopez. Live on Broadway

Long Runs

• Catch the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival until Monday September 2. 

• Whiskey Brooks perform at the Stormont County Fair tonight. The fair continues until Monday September 2.

• On stage at the Shawville Fair tonight: Madeline Merlo and Tyler Joe Miller. The fair runs until Monday September 2 

• Ottawa Little Theatre’s production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time continues until September 7. 

• Cirque du Soleil Echo continues in Gatineau until September 22.

• Spectrum Street Festival is a daily diverse and inclusive programming event offering live music, workshops, games (like glow in the dark beach volleyball!) and book readings in Somerset Village, running now until September 1. 

• Come From Away, presented by Mirvish Productions, Junkyard Dog Productions, and NAC English Theatre continues at the National Arts Centre until Sunday September 1.
   

Just Announced / Now Booking

• Listen as Canada’s Olympic champion Donovan Bailey chats with novelist Kim Thúy about his 1996 Gold Medal victory, this year’s Games, and the Canadian sporting landscape. Tickets from $20 for members, up to $100 for a Meet-and-Greet. Wednesday September 11 at the Museum of History. 

• Slip into the forest for an afternoon and evening of music at Folk in the Forest (Saturday September 14, 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm). This folk event, including a line up of talent headlined by Juno-award winner Ian Tamblyn and a BBQ dinner (with beverages care of Perth Brewery) are raising funds for the Community Ascent Network to support the village of Piñán, Ecuador. Tickets $50. 

• City of OM’s 24hr Yogapalooza supports childhood cancer treatments and research at CHEO with two days (12 hours each) of yoga by Ottawa’s top teachers. September 20-21, Ottawa Art Gallery.
   

• Black Tie Bingo (November 2) has been raising funds for Bruyère residences, long-term care and primary care, assisted and independent living facilities for seniors for 14 years. Don’t miss your chance to dress to the nines while enjoying cocktails, dinner, networking, and of course, competitive-in-a-classy-way bingo games. Early bird tickets cost $195 until September 7, when they rise to $225. 

• CityFolk has changes for September 11. Paul Kelly will not be playing that day due to unforeseen circumstances, but Hawksley Workman and Softcult have both been added to the bill.

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DEAL OF THE DAY

BUT, ONE MORE THING ...

Historian David C Martin has the tale of how Rideau Hall became the home of the Governor General. 

Was it because Ottawa had been selected the new capital of Canada yet the major piece of infrastructure was mired in problems of finance and construction so the powers-that-be scrambled to find a fine-that’s-good-enough alternative? 

Yeah, something like that.

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