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

We have had an incredible response to this giveaway since we announced it yesterday. Readers really want your slice of Ottawa.

Check out this 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, Fort-Coulonge, 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

→ Trainers for new O Train operators were not certified themselves 

→ "Music for a Silent Hockey Game" at Bar Robo this Thursday

→ Made in Canada Deals of the Day: Art and streetwear

→ ⛅ High -3° Low -13° and partly cloudy 

– Martha and Darren

STATISTICS OTTAWA

OTTAWANS OF THE DAY

• Marcus Leech and Daniel Marlow
• The two scientists will be the lead instructors for the annual Canadian Centre for Experimental Radio Astronomy Summer Camp for kids aged 12-16. 
• At the observatory in Carp, the kids will construct a small antenna along with a low-noise readout amplifier to observe radio signals from the Sun and as well as the radio waves that are emitted by the hydrogen gas that permeates the Milky Way.
• Prior knowledge of physics or astronomy is not required.
• Canadian Centre for Experimental Radio Astronomy
• Students reach to stars from Carp in West Carleton Online (paywalled but worth it)

QUOTE

• “

• Call out Shopify

• – Economist Neil Saravanamuttoo’s advice to Mayor Mark Sutcliffe on how to handle the threats of tariffs by the United States. 
• ‘CEO Tobi Lütke is following in the footsteps of the other tech bros and bending the knee to Trump, by calling out Canada for defending itself ... Given Shopify’s roots, we need a Mayor with the courage to call out Lütke for trying to legitimize the US President’s actions and suggesting that we appease the aggressor’.
• Neil Saravanamuttoo in The 613

WHAT’S GOING ON AT CITY HALL

WHAT OTTAWA IS TALKING ABOUT

🚊 Who Trains the Train Trainers?

•  O Train operators were trained by instructors who were not trained themselves, a report from the City’s auditor general says. Acting on a tip, investigators found that instructors had been hired internally and not completed Federal standards for training. The City’s chief safety officer said that contract issues prevented the system from hiring outside instructors. 
  
  Investigators also found that instructors had also given hints during tests and allowed trainees to talk amongst themselves. OC Transpo says that all this was before the line opened and all operators are fully trained now.
  
  Jodie Applewaithe at CBC
  
  ➕ Related OC Transpo says that cutting service outside of rush hour on the O Train has not resulted in overcrowding and will probably continue.
   

🎈 CHEO

•  Staff hired to offer ‘kindness, juice, and support’ in the CHEO emergency department have been laid off. Eight staffers were employed to make the long waits in the emergency room more bearable, positions that were created in the early days of the pandemic. 
  
  Elizabeth Payne in the Ottawa Citizen

🕴️ Fastest Growing Companies

• The Ottawa Business Journal is seeking nominations to recognize for its annual Fastest Growing Companies event. The Journal ranks by per centage increase over the past three years, not by actual numbers. The top companies will be profiled in the spring issue.
  
  The deadline to apply here is this Friday.
  
  Ottawa Business Journal

THE ROLLING THREE DAY CALENDAR

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

TODAY

•  Zoe’s Restaurant has a delicious way to support the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. Take a hands-on course to learn how to prepare Zoe’s Apple Pear Salad with ricotta. Tonight from 7:00pm to 10:00pm. $95 per person. 
   
•  Black on the Ballot: Centring Black Narratives in Public Life brings together show runners and guests from the new Black on the Ballot podcast to discuss what’s needed to get more Black voices into politics, journalism, and research. Richcraft Hall, Carleton University. 
   

• Show your family some Valentine’s Day love with the Pizza Party prepared meal for four from Urban Element. Not only will you split two pizzas but your DIY Vanilla Cake dessert includes toppings so everyone can customize to their heart’s content. The order cut off is tomorrow (Wednesday February 12) at 2:00 pm. 

• It’s New Play Tuesday at the undercurrents festival. 

• 🆓 or PWYC:  The In Our Tongues Reading and Arts Series celebrates Black History Month at SAW Gallery with an evening of poetry, comedy, and music. 

• The IM Different Dance + Cello Performance Event explores what it’s like to feel “different” through live Cello music, choreography, and art. As the event takes place at allsaints event space you can order a meal from its onsite restaurant Working Title Kitchen. 

• ByTowne Cinema: I’m Still Here, Universal Language 

• Mayfair Theatre: Sing Sing, Hard Truths, Eraserhead

  Gigs

• Trivia Night. Pour Boy

  
   

TOMORROW

•  This week’s noontime Doors Open for Music at Southminster concert is Indigenous Sounds. Pianist Elaine Keillor C.M. and composer/pianist Beverley McKiver play excerpts from works by Canadian Indigenous composers. In-person and streamed. 

•  It's your final chance to take a hands-on course to learn how to prepare Zoe’s Apple Pear Salad with ricotta, a heart-healthy recipe, and enjoy it with a delicious entrée and dessert. Today at Zoe's Restaurant in the Chateau Laurier from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. $95 per person. 

• Night Oat’s new Trivial Matters is three brain teasing rounds (general knowledge, music and other media, and a surprise round) for teams of two to six people. Will you win the inaugural event? 

• 🆓 YMCA presents Black Resistance, an in-person event celebrating the rich heritage, achievements, and contributions of the Black community. 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at 180 Argyle Ave, 2nd Floor. 

• Bring your gently used but unwanted clothes to House of TARG’s Community Clothing Swap #11. 

•  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. 

• Break up the week with a glamorous cocktail party for a good cause. Snowball: A Cool Winter’s Eve, is raising funds for the Snowsuit Fund. 

• There are only five chances left to see Elevator Theatre Company’s Late Company at the Gladstone Theatre. 

• Members of the National Capital Region YMCA are invited to register for Celebrate Black Resistance, featuring performances, an art exhibition by OBÁSOLÁ, and special guests. 

• Timothy Chooi draws inspiration from Winterlude and Valentine’s Day as he performs music for violin and strings in Thirteen Strings Chamber Orchestra’s Treasures and Delights of the Violin Repertoire.

• 🆓 Historical Society of Ottawa presents Black History in Ottawa Streets, a virtual presentation featuring Jean-Marie Guerrier, Vice-President of Black History Ottawa. 

• ByTowne Cinema: I’m Still Here, The Last Showgirl, Universal Language

• Mayfair Theatre: Hard Truths, Sing Sing, Pulp Fiction

  
  Gigs

• Jazz Nite with Peter Woods. Bar Robo

• Open Mic Night. Atomic Rooster

• Moonfruits. Richcraft Theatre

• Decapitated, Incantation, Darkest Hour, and Exmortus. Overflow Brewing

• Open Mic. Pour Boy

• Kellie Loder. National Arts Centre

• Jazz Nite with Peter Woods. Bar Robo

THURSDAY

• 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. 

• FREE 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.” The event is a haven for introverts and people who just want a bit of silence while they spend time with others. Before and after the allotted reading time you’re welcome to mingle and chat - that is, if you want to. 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. Bring your squad, your love, or yourself. 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

JUST ANNOUNCED / NOW BOOKING

•  If you want to donate some of your time to a worthy cause this year, plan to be at Volunteer Ottawa’s Community Breakfast on Friday February 21. You’ll enjoy a continental breakfast, hear about the VO’s programs and services and connect with others working to make Ottawa a better place for everyone. $20 
   

• 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.

DEALS OF THE DAY

BUT, ONE MORE THING ...

RAPID RESPONSE QUALITY CONTROL

THE END