Sep - OSCA
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Sep - OSCA
The O•S•C•A•R © The Community Voice of Old Ottawa South Year 40, No. 8 The Ottawa South Community Association Review SEPTEMBER 2012 Fire on Hopewell Avenue Photo by Leo Doyle Photo by Gwendolyn Gall Community Calendar By Gwendolyn Gall They called it a “3-alarm fire” and sent at least seven firetrucks to 126 and 128 Hopewell Avenue on Saturday, July 14, 2012. It took the first trucks about 15 minutes to get there—eventually there were dozens of firefighters battling a blaze that spread so quickly through 128 and then 126 Hopewell that firefighters had their work cut out for them. In the end, despite firefighters working all night, both houses were completely destroyed. There were still firefighters dousing smoking roots on 128’s front lawn the next afternoon. Though they were not successful at saving the properties, it was obvious to onlookers that firefighters did their utmost under desperately dry conditions. Gwendolyn Gall and Greg Reilly were there and got plenty of action shots of the firefighters at work, which we’ve put together in a photo gallery for the appreciation of these dedicated workers: we’re calling them Hopewell’s Heroes. See the complete Hopewell’s Heroes Photo Gallery at http://www.oldottawasouth.ca. Sept 8 08:30 - 12:00 OHS Plant Sale at the Old Firehall Sept 8 09:00 - 15:00 OSCA Annual Community Wide Porch $ale Sept 11 19:15 Sept 15 OSWatch Meeting at the Old Firehall Sept 15 – 16 10:00 - 17:00 8th Annual Old Ottawa South Art and Music Festival at Windsor Sept 27 Rideau Canal Footbridge Open House at the Glebe Community Centre Sept 29-30 10:00 – 16:00 Quilts for all Seasons Show and Sale at the Glebe Community Centre House of PainT 2012 Urban Arts & Culture Festival at Dunbar Bridge OSCA Program registration begins September 6 at 8:00pm Page 2 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR HOPEWELL FIRE photos continued from page 1 All Photos by Gwendolyn Gall For more Hopewell Fire photos go to www.oldottawasouth.ca and click Photos in the Quick Links box The Ottawa Tennis & Lawn Bowling Club Your cottage in the city EARLY BIRD MEMBER REGISTRATION NOW OPEN Sign up at the Front Desk or online at www.otlbc.com Available from September 1 to Thanksgiving 176 Cameron Ave (next to Brewer Park) 613-730-7207 SEPTEMBER 2012 The OSCAR SEPTEMBER 2012 OSCAR The The OTTAWA SOUTH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION REVIEW 260 Sunnyside Ave, Ottawa Ontario, K1S 0R7 www.OldOttawaSouth.ca/oscar [email protected] Editor: Brendan McCoy [email protected] Distribution Manager: Larry Ostler Business Manager: Susanne Ledbetter [email protected] Advertising Manager: Gayle Weitzman [email protected] OSCAR is printed by Winchester Print Page 3 - OUR 40th YEAR 613-327-9080 613-730-1058 (not classy ads) NEXT DEADLINE: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 The OSCAR is a community association paper paid for entirely by advertising. It is published for the Ottawa South Community Association Inc. (OSCA). Distribution is free to all Old Ottawa South homes and businesses and selected locations in Old Ottawa South, the Glebe and Billings Bridge. Opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily of The OSCAR or OSCA. The editor retains the right to edit and include articles submitted for publication. FOR DISTRIBUTION INQUIRIES, CALL 613-327-9080 or email: [email protected] The OSCAR thanks the following people who brought us to your door this month: ZONE A1: Kathy Krywicki (Coordinator), Mary Jo Lynch, Kim Barclay, Élie Cantin Nantel, Wendy Robbins, Jim and Carrol Robb, Terri-Lee Lefebvre, Becky Sasaki, Kevin and Stephanie Williams. ZONE B1: Ross Imrie (Coordinator), Family Gref- Innes, Gabriela Gref-Innes and Fiona Fagan, the Montgomery family, Laurie Morrison, Susanne Ledbetter, Torin & Konstantine Assal. ZONE B2: Craig Piche (Coordinator), Pat Eakins, Hayley Atkinson, Leslie Roston, Melissa Johnson, Lydia Oak, Sandra Garland and John Callan & Diana Carr ZONE C1: Laura Johnson (Coordinator), the Williams family, Josh Rahaman, Jesper Lindeberg, Jeff Pouw, Brendan McCoy, Bruce Grant, and the Woroniuk-Ryan family. ZONE C2: Craig Piche (Coordinator), Alan McCullough, Charles and Phillip Kijek, Kit Jenkin, Michel and Christina Bridgeman, Anne Coyle, Patrick Hinton. ZONE D1: Mary Hill (Coordinator), Emily Keys, the Lascelles family, Gail Stewart, Gabe Teramura, Oliver Waddington, Franklin-Flack family, the Sprott family. ZONE D2: Janet Drysdale (Coordinator), The Adriaanse Family, Gaia Chernushenko, Jacqueline Littlewood, The Rand family, Aidan and Willem Ray, the Stewart family, and Mary Hill. ZONE E1:Brian Tansey(Coordinator), Karen Wolfe/ Curt Labond, Norah Hutchinson, Steve Adamson, the Sanger/O’Neil family, John Sutherland ZONE E2: Mary-Ann Kent, Glen Elder and Lorraine Stewart, the Hunter family, Brodkin-Haas family, Allan Paul, Christina Bradley, Caroline Calvert, Larry Ostler. ZONE F1: Carol and Ferg O’Connor (Coordinator), Jenny O’Brien, the Stern family, Ellen Bailie, Dante and Bianca Ruiz, Peter Kemp, Kelly Haggart and Taiyan Roberts, Goutte family (Joshua, Leo and Alina), Walter and Robbie Engert. ZONE F2: Bea Bol (Coordinator), Paulette Theriault, Ryan Zurakowski, Susan McMaster, Paige Raymond, Pierre Guevremont, Judy and Pierre Chamberland, Valerie Dancause. ZONE G: Bernie Zeisig(Coordinator), Claudia and Estelle BourlonAlbarracin, David Lum, Cindy MacLoghlin, Hannah and Emily Blackwell, Katya and Mikka Zeisig. Echo Drive: Alex Bissel. Bank Street-Ottawa South: Rob Cook, Tom Lawson, Paula Archer. Bank Street-Glebe: Larry Ostler. Alta Vista Branch Library: Larry Ostler CONTRIBUTIONS Contributions should be in electronic format sent by e-mail to oscar@ oldottawasouth.ca in either plain text or WORD format. SUBSCRIPTIONS Moving away from Old Ottawa South? Know someone who would like to receive The OSCAR? We will send The OSCAR for one year for just $40 to Canadian addresses (including foreign service) and $80 outside of Canada. Drop us a letter with your name, address, postal code and country. Please include a check made out to The OSCAR. SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS The OSCAR is sponsored entirely from advertising. Our advertisers are often not aware that you are from Old Ottawa South when you patronize them. Make the effort to let them know that you saw their ad in The OSCAR. They will be glad to know and The OSCAR will benefit from their support. If you know of someone providing a service in the community, tell them about The OSCAR. Our rates are reasonable. FUTURE OSCAR DEADLINES September 14 (October issue); October 12 (November issue); November 16 (December issue); December 14 (January issue); January 18 (February issue); February 15 (March issue); March 15 (April issue); April 12 (May issue); May 17 (June issue); June 14 (July/August issue); August 9 (September issue) The Old Firehall Ottawa South Community Centre [email protected] HOURS PHONE 613 247-4946 MONDAY TO FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY 6:30 AM TO 9 PM 8:15 AM TO 5 PM 9 AM TO 5 PM WHAT’S THAT NUMBER? Ottawa South Community Centre - The Old Firehall Ottawa South Community Association (OSCA) Ottawa Public Library - Sunnyside Branch Rob Campbell - [email protected] Kathy Ablett, Catholic Board Trustee Centretown Community Health Centre CARLETON UNIVERSITY CUSA (Carleton U Students Association) Graduate Students Association Community Liaison Mediation Centre Athletics CITY HALL David Chernushenko, City Councillor ([email protected]) Main Number(24 hrs) for all departments Community Police - non-emergencies Emergencies only Serious Crimes Ottawa Hydro Streetlight Problems (burned out, always on, flickering) Brewer Pool Brewer Arena City of Ottawa web site - www.city.ottawa.on.ca 247-4946 247-4872 730-1082 730-8128 526-9512 233-5430 520-6688 520-6616 520-3660 520-5765 520-4480 580-2487 3-1-1 236-1222 9-1-1 230-6211 738-6400 3-1-1 247-4938 247-4917 Page 4 Christy’s Corner By Christy Savage OOS is an exceptional community. It’s been a very busy introductory few months for me as the new Executive Director of OSCA, and a whirlwind. It is clear that Old Ottawa South is a very exceptional community. Although I am returning to Ottawa after 25 years in Montreal, it seems like only yesterday that I was a university student at Carleton, often just passing through OOS on my way somewhere else, or going for dinner locally and a movie at the Mayfair. While a lot has changed over the years, the feeling of community remains just as, if not more, vibrant. I can’t think of any other community that holds block parties of the calibre held here in OOS, and the competition in that arena is .... well......kind of scary. Since joining OSCA, and although very busy, I have had the wonderful opportunity to meet many individuals who are committed to this community in one way or another, from the incredibly dedicated staff at the Firehall, to the numerous board and committee members (Special Events, ECOS, OSWATCH, Program Committee), as well as individuals in the community (those using our programs, their families, as well as local business owners). And I want to thank all of you for welcoming me so warmly and openly. What’s coming up at the Firehall. The Fall Program guide is inserted with this edition of the OSCAR please ensure you look for it, as online registration begins on Thursday September 6th, check out our website to register and for further information- oldottawasouth. ca. There are a number of exciting programs lined up for all ages from preschool, elementary and youth, to families and adults. Not only are we offering our core programs, but we The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR SEPTEMBER 2012 FALL AT THE FIREHALL have expanded our repertoire in all: adding 3D paper and Creative art courses; cooking and dance classes; and a brand new ‘girls fit n fun’ program, to name a few. Firehall Fitness Centre- Please be sure to check out our bright and new Firehall Fitness Centre (FFC). If you are looking for a quiet and peaceful place to work out on brand new cardio machines (elliptical machines, bikes and treadmills), or lift free weights, this is the place to be. We’re local, our prices are fair ($40 monthly, or Sept-Dec $130) and our facilities exceptional. We consider our FFC a hidden gem, and we’re sharing the secret with you! Moreover, joining entitles you to a personal introductory consultation with one of our qualified personal fitness instructors. We will be holding an open house on Saturday September 15th from 10:00am3:00pm, with free consultations and an orientation to the FFC, so please come out. The Special Events Committee has been hard at work planning the year ahead in addition to commemorating the 35th anniversary of OSCA. At the OOS annual Porch Sale on Saturday September 8th, the Firehall will sell hotdogs and refreshments, as well as renting tables in the main hall to local residents who need a space to sell their wares. Register for a table, they’re cheap at only $20, as of Thursday September 6th online, or Friday September 7th in person. Fall Fest will also take place on Sunday September 30th at Windsor Park from 11:00am-2:00pm, so be sure to mark that exciting event in your calendars. Other potential events will be: a movie night at the Mayfair in December; the Winter Carnival in February 2013; a Murder Mystery dinner/evening at the Firehall in March 2013; a spring Earth Day event that ECOS is hoping to assist in organizing; and a Volunteer appreciation evening, also in the spring sometime. We are excited about the second year of ‘Art in the Park’ to be held in June 2013, and a surprise celebration for our 35th anniversary sometime in the summer, so keep looking for clues and announcements. Finally, and for those of you with a favourite family or personal recipe that you would be like to share, a wonderful group calling themselves The Cookbook Gals, are collecting recipes from OOS. The recipes will be published in a cookbook to be distributed in time for the winter holidays. The gals are hoping for an eclectic mix from around the world, including recipes for those with special diets. If you have a favourite recipe you would like to share with your neighbours we’d love to hear from you. Please consider adding to this worthy cause as all proceeds will go to charity. Submissions would be greatly appreciated with a brief bio of yourself and why this recipe is important to you. Saturday September 15th is the deadline, so get them in right away. Please feel free to include pictures of the food, or of yourselves with friends and family enjoying your favourite meal together. You may send submissions directly to me at osca@ oldottawasouth.ca Calling all Volunteers We are very excited about the upcoming events we have planned. As always, we rely on volunteers to make these events happen. To be honest, we simply don’t have enough volunteers to be able to run the events we really want to offer. While we do have a core set of volunteers on whom we rely, it is simply not possible to have them involved in all of our lofty ideas and hopes. While it can be overwhelming to consider signing up for the unknown, volunteering for an event really only requires 2-3 hours of your time during the event and perhaps a few hours leading up to it, to contribute to planning meetings and e-mail follow ups with the group. During events, we need help with the following kinds of tasks: selling tickets; directing people; general set up and clean up; and assisting and directing vendors and specialists (depending on the event in question). As you can well imagine, the bulk of volunteer work for OSCA events is really fun in that you get to oversee all of the creative planning for events; and experience the thrill of managing everything and everyone on the day it takes place. I originally got involved in my community in Montreal because a friend begged me to come out one day. I can tell you that after a difficult week at work, the last thing I wanted to do was ‘more work’ on a Saturday, let alone, set up and clean up. However, I met so many other people at the event who originally thought/ feared the same, which wasn’t the case. Beyond that, I was fortunate enough to meet some amazing and connected individuals whom I may not have had the chance to otherwise engage with, share with and learn from. I developed deep friendships and a sense of connection, which has sustained me through much and inspired me forward. Please consider embarking on this adventure with OSCA and becoming an enriching part of this wonderful community as we head into our 35th anniversary. To find out more, or sign up, please contact me at osca@oldottawasouth. ca. Happy Fall everyone! Thanks to OSCA Soccer Coaches By Deirdre McQuillan A big thank you to all the parents who signed up (or were coerced) to be coaches for the OSCA soccer this spring. The kids had a great time and even the weather cooperated for the most part. The Saturday morning soccer is a roaring success and special thanks is due to Irene Casey who has been the coordinator for a couple of years now. Hope you all liked the new nets. We do need more kids to sign up for Tuesday/Thursday soccer and there needs to be a coordinator also. Let’s hope we get lots of registrants and volunteers in 2013. As you probably know by now I am retiring but you will be in good hands – Christy Savage is the new OSCA Executive Director. You can contact her at 613-247-4872 or osca@ oldottawasouth.ca. Send your comments to [email protected] or drop them off at the Firehall, 260 Sunnyside Avenue. OSCA Program registration begins September 6 at 8:00pm The OSCAR SEPTEMBER 2012 - OUR 40th YEAR Page 5 OSCA PRESIDENT’S REPORT Community Reaction to Hopewell Fire By Michael Jenkin As you will all know from the reports on our website, the fire on Hopewell Avenue on the south side of the street between Leonard and Seneca has left two homes seriously damaged and uninhabitable and the residents scrambling for a place to live. Many of the residents of the two houses had little or no insurance coverage for their belongings and most lost virtually all their furnishings, clothes and personal articles as there was little time to evacuate the houses. The response of the community has been heartwarming with offers of temporary accommodation, and furniture and financial help. Neighbours on the street quickly organized a fund raising drive and Stella Luna Gelato on Bank Street offered to act as a temporary custodian for funds. In a few short days $508 had been deposited by people coming into the store. OSCA also pitched in offering to act as banker for the fund raising and setting up an on line mechanism to donate money using our program registration system on the OSCA website. As of August 3 some $2210 has been donated in this way. The OSCA girl’s summer camp ran a barbeque and silent auction with OSCA supplying the food and raised over $2440. Finally, on August 3 neighbours, led by Joe Silverman, held a street party on Hopewell, mainly to thank all those who helped out, but it too provided an opportunity to donate which people did and over $1760 was raised that evening. As some of those affected were Carleton students, the Carleton’s Student Union (CUSA) got in the act as well and raised $400. So far close to $7,000 has been raised in a few short weeks and by the time you read this the total could well be higher. This is a great example of a community that sticks together and helps its neighbours when they are in need. Thank you all for your generosity and for helping to make life for those who lost so much a little easier. Board Active over the summer While the Board does not meet over July and August, members of its committees have been busy. The program committee, and the special events group, have been planning activities for this autumn and winter. By September the finance committee under Steve Mennill will have looked at an accountant’s review of OSCA’s financial records and procedures to see what can be improved in the way of record keeping and financial management. And our Vice–President Linda Hancock will be leading a group that this autumn that will look at our future strategic goals. Christy Savage our new executive director has been hard at work looking at our human resources management and operational procedures and will be coming back to the Board this autumn with a series of recommendations on everything from volunteer recruitment to events management. So despite the holidays we hope to be in a good position this autumn to look at how we can improve our operations in a number of ways. OSCA Porch Sale – Saturday, September 8 By the time you read this you should start seeing advertising for our annual Porch Sale which always takes place on the first Saturday in September after Labour Day; which this year is September 8. The event runs officially from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., rain or shine. This is your time to sell all those treasurers that have been piling up in your closets, basements and attics over the years. People sell literally anything, from After School Hockey Back in Old Ottawa South Good news for parents looking for an alternative to expensive hockey programs. The Ottawa South Community Centre is offering three Fall Session - No program October 8. Winter Session – No Program Feb. 18, March 11, March 12, After school Hockey programs at Brewer Arena during the fall and winter sessions. Long time centre staff Dave Ho will be the Instructor. All your child needs is a pair of skates, stick, CSA approved hockey helmet with visor or cage and shin guars. No other equipment is necessary. The focus will be on participants improvement as the session progresses in their skating and stick handling. FALL 2012 Hockey Skills and Development Boys and Girls can join us at Brewer Arena to enjoy this weekly hockey program aimed at new comers to hockey or with little hockey experience. The focus is on providing children with the opportunity to enjoy the game of hockey in a fun environment without the expense that is associated with the game. Participants skating and hockey skills will improve over the course of the session. Don’t forget your skates and stick. CSA approved helmet with visors or cage, and shin guards are mandatory. March 14 Instructor: Dave Ho. 6 – 8 yrs Monday, 4:00pm – 5:00pm Sept. 17 – Dec. 10 (12 weeks) $122 Program Code: 817035 9 – 10 yrs Tuesday, 4:00pm – 5:00pm Sept. 18 – Dec. 4 (12 weeks) $122 Program Code: 817036 11 – 13 yrs Thursday, 4:00pm – 5:00pm Sept. 20 – Dec. 6 (12 weeks) $122 Program Code: 817037 WINTER 2013 6 – 8 yrs Monday, 4:00pm – 5:00pm Jan. 7 – March 25 (10 weeks) $102 Program Code: 817038 9 – 10 yrs Tuesday, 4:00pm – 5:00pm Jan. 8 – March 26 (11 weeks) $112 Program Code: 817039 11 – 13 yrs Thursday, 4:00pm – 5:00pm Jan. 10 – March 28 (11 weeks) $112 Program Code: 817040 Registration now underway at www. ottawa.ca, for both the fall and winter sessions. Each group has its own Program Code available above. You will need the number to register for the right age category and session on the city website. Unfortunately inperson registration at the community centre is not available at this time. If you have any questions please contact the centre at 613-247-4946 clothes and books to furniture, kitchenware, and electronic games, even baked goods and hot drinks. The turnout from the neighbouring parts of the city is usually very good so it’s a great opportunity to get some serious crowds viewing your stuff. This year, in addition to publicizing the event, OSCA will be providing an opportunity for those without a porch to set up tables at the Firehall to sell their items and will be running a BBQ on the site. As always, we ask those selling to make a donation of 10% their proceeds to OSCA to help defray advertising costs; any surplus is devoted to our community special events which we hold thorough the year. Simply mail a cheque to the Firehall (260 Sunnyside Avenue, Ottawa ON K1S 0R7) payable to “OSCA”. Thanks for your support and have a great sale! OSCAR Needs Volunteers For Monthly Distribution in OOS The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR Page 6 SEPTEMBER 2012 MAYOR’S MONTHLY COLUMN Budget Consultation By Jim Watson, Mayor of Ottawa In our first two years, City Council delivered on our commitment to keeping tax increases below 2.5 per cent, and in the upcoming 2013 budget we will do the same. This allows us to continue to invest in our communities, our infrastructure, our transit system and our families in a fiscally responsible manner. Budget 2013 will be tabled on October 24, which means that between now and then I am looking for your input. I am going to be speaking with families and businesses, and consulting with Councillors and staff, on how we can continue to skeep taxes under control while protecting the services residents expect. This is a collaborative effort and I value the constructive input I receive each year during the budget consultation process. Last year, I heard consistently from residents that our roads, City services Services municipaux 311 TTY/ATS 613-580-2401 sidewalks and other infrastructure were not up to par. From this feedback came the creation of the Ottawa on the Move program. We took bold action with a $340-million investment over three years to improve our transportation network for drivers, transit users, cyclists and pedestrians. Once again this year there will be public consultations on the budget across Ottawa which I encourage you to attend if you have any ideas or questions. You can also relay your budget ideas by e-mail to [email protected] and on Twitter using the hashtag #ottbudget. It is important that residents are engaged in this process and I will be doing all that I can to ensure that your voices are heard. It is also important that we receive specific suggestions on how to save money. We delivered on our tax commitment in 2011 and 2012 and I look forward to doing it again in 2013 with the help and insight from residents. By Brenda Lee goat will not be available this year. His owners will be out of the country during our festival (and no matter how wonderful a OOS festival is, it is still no match for a trip overseas!) As we go to press, we are still on the lookout for a goat for our slightly odd, yet most certainly hilarious, Fall Fest tradition. Fingers crossed that we will find a goat, or even two. This, and additional details, will be on the OSCA website (www. oldottawasouth.ca) closer to Sept. 30th and on the posters and flyers that will be in the neighbourhood. Stay tuned for more information and exciting details!! As always we LOVE volunteers for these events and we are exceedingly grateful for any help we can get. If you would like to volunteer an hour or two to help out with the BBQ, food service, the raffle table or the games then please contact us at 613 247 4946 or at [email protected]. Students who need their volunteer hours are especially welcome! For those of you who would like to volunteer, but are not quite up for a full festival, we can also use help putting up posters before the event. Just writing this article and thinking about fall makes me feel a bit cooler… ahhhhh. Where is my sweater?? See you at the Fall Fest! OSCA FALL FEST As the OSCAR goes to print, the planning is under way for OSCA’s annual Fall Fest. Yes, in the heat of a summer drought when one should only be thinking of swimming, cool beverages, air conditioning and praying for rain, there are a few of us who are already looking ahead to cool autumn days, bountiful harvests, warm, cozy sweaters and praying that on Sept. 30th there will be NO rain! In an effort to skip the bad luck and bad weather of the last few years, we have decided to move the Fall Fest ahead by a few weeks. This year the Fall Fest will be held on Sept. 30th, at Windsor Park from 11 a.m. till 2 p.m. This year the event will feature a community BBQ, live music, a giant inflatable slide, games, face painting, a hay ride, jelly bean guessing contest, a raffle table, a story time corner with everyone’s favourite librarian, Sue, and of course our many contests. There will be prizes for best Vegetarian Soup, best Carnivore Soup, best Pie, best Jam/Jelly, best Pickle/Preserve and best Bread. Please have your entries clearly labeled and at the park by noon to qualify for the contests. If you are bringing soup please bring a full pot, as we will be sharing it with festivalgoers. I know you are all eagerly reading this and wondering… what about GOAT BINGO. We have just heard that our usual To book an OSCAR ad call Gayle 730-1058 [email protected] The OSCAR SEPTEMBER 2012 - OUR 40th YEAR Page 7 CITY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT Councillor’s Column for September 2012 – OSCAR Graffiti by any other name When is painting on buildings, hoardings and other structures art, and when is it a crime? What’s the difference between creating legitimate urban art and simply defacing public or private property? The answer is simple — if you don’t have permission, it’s a crime — but the distinction is blurred when we use the term “graffiti”. Like “tagging”, it’s a word that sounds hip and artistic, even if much of what we call graffiti is as artistic as peeing on a fire hydrant. What if we used a much more blunt term, like “paint vandalism”, to describe illegal forms of selfexpression. That would let us identify two distinct categories: “artist” for people sanctioned to create public art, and “vandal” for everyone else. Both groups may show creative flair, using a wide palette of paints, styles and techniques. The difference is that artists are invited to beautify or enliven the city, while vandals damage property, decrease our sense of safety and community pride, and facilitate other forms of crime. Paint vandalism is an economic drain that deters business, discourages tourism and hurts local property values. Old Ottawa South residents, businesses and the City spend enormous amounts of time and money to remove or paint over the damage — money that’s no longer available for home improvements, community programs or parks. Legitimate wall art, on the other hand, benefits our communities through beautification (the Folk Music Hall of Fame murals along Bank are a fine example), historical interpretation (the Corso Italia murals on Preston), and positive artistic expression (the House of PainT graffiti wall under the Dunbar Bridge, in the southwest corner of Brewer Park). As councillor, I’d like to encourage more outdoor art while helping to crack down on the scourge of paint vandalism. There’s already a code on the street that you do not touch somebody else’s work unless you can improve upon it. It would be nice to extend that to not touching any piece of property or art unless you have been invited to do so. Crime Prevention Ottawa’s approach is to engage youth, prevent vandalism and enhance neighbourhoods through the Paint It Up! outdoor mural fund (crimepreventionottawa.ca/ initiatives/paint-it-up). Surprisingly, none of the 26 projects approved since the program’s launch 2010 is in Capital Ward. I would love to see local groups apply for funding in 2013! I’d also like to work with the City and local BIAs to make more art spaces available on public and World Car-Free Day on September 22 By Greg Zador Saturday, September 22 is World Car-Free Day. Leave your car at home and walk, bike, skate, or take public transit to your destinations. Giving your car a holiday on September 22 can help fight climate change, improve air quality, and offer a bit of active fun. Perhaps you can even take a bike ride along the canal (but beware of the hazards of crossing Colonel By Drive) and the local paths along the Rideau River. ECOS, the environment committee of OSCA, hopes to organize a cycling event on September 22 led by Greg Zador along with SLOE in Old Ottawa East. Greg and others are still working on the details of the event as the current OSCAR goes to press, so in early September please check the OSCA website http://www.oldottawasouth. ca/ for an update. As the cycling event comes into clearer focus, we’ll send out social media notices and put up a few posters on street corners and in public places such as the Firehall and the Sunnyside library. . OSCAR Needs Volunteers For Monthly Distribution in OOS private structures, as Westboro has done so successfully. Ottawa’s online Mural Guide (ottawa.ca/e/ CON064088) offers guidelines on commissioning or creating murals. Advance permission is required, and there are limits in terms of size and content, but artists retain enormous creative freedom. In Old Ottawa South, the large empty wall on the south side of the Cyclery building at 1115 Bank would make a great canvas. Maybe that’s a project for the Sunnyside Village Old Ottawa South BIA that many people hope will be up and running before Christmas. There’s no denying that people need an outlet for creative expression, but it’s time to stop confusing vandalism with art. Mugging and break-in victims never dismiss the crime by saying, “I’m sure they needed the money” or “Kids will be kids”. So why should we make excuses when it comes to defacing other people’s property? The City, police, by-law officers and business owners must join forces with residents to report all paint crimes, identify perpetrators (some of whom may be your neighbours or relatives), and make it clear that vandalism is not a benign creative outlet. Do your part by reporting vandalism by phone at 3-1-1 or online at serviceottawa.ca/en/bylaw/ graffiti. There are other, indirect ways to discourage vandalism. For example, you can remove the temptation of “blank canvases” by planting vines, shrubs or other vegetation in front of bare walls. If you do find signs of defacement, it’s best to remove them as soon as possible — and not simply because vandalism begets more vandalism. Perpetrators crave attention from their peers, so removing their “creations” quickly and consistently denies them the notoriety they seek. Finally, let’s try to offer more legitimate creative outlets. Is that perpetually tagged wall or garage door crying out for a mural? Give me a call or send me an email and we’ll find a way to connect you with a budding artist — in a way that can do both of you proud — and put an end to the needless hassle and cost of repainting. Out of problems are born interesting solutions. Let me hear yours. Lansdowne Redevelopment As work picks up pace at Lansdowne, I’ve added a section to my website to keep OOS residents informed about what’s going on just over the bridge. Visit capitalward.ca/ en/lansdowne for updates, FAQs and more. 613-580-2487 | David. [email protected] www.capitalward.ca OSCA Annual Community Wide PORCH $ALE Saturday, September 8, 2012 9 am to 3 pm Rain or Shine Turn your attic or garage clutter into $$$ 1000s Will Be Roaming Through Old Ottawa South in search of treasures and more……. A voluntary 10% of your sales to OSCA helps with advertising and community initiatives such as Program Subsidies, Friday Night Youth Program and Winter Carnival. Please drop your 10% donations off at the Firehall starting Monday, September 10. 613-247-4946 FIREHALL PORCH SALE BBQ Hot dogs, veggie dogs, drinks & fruit for SALE by OSCA (proceeds go to Youth Night at the Firehall) 260 Sunnyside Ave, Ottawa (1 block east of Bank) FIREHALL PORCH SALE BBQ Hot dogs, veggie dogs, drinks & fruit for SALE by OSCA (proceeds go to Youth Night at the Firehall) 260 Sunnyside Ave, Ottawa Page 8 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR SEPTEMBER 2012 Chance to give back to community builder By Kelly Ray Allison Woyiwada has been front and centre in the music education and performing arts fields in Ottawa for almost three decades. Well known in Old Ottawa South as Hopewell Avenue Public School’s music teacher from 1982 to 2008, she spent thousands of volunteer hours directing extra-curricular school bands, leading school band trips, and staging student musicals. As a recent-retiree, Allison has continued to touch lives through music through work with the Savoy Society of Ottawa and has performed in ‘Le nozze di Figaro’. Things changed for Allison, however, in late in 2011 when she was diagnosed with a “giant” brain aneurysm. Allison had a ten-hour “clipping” operation at the Heart Institute in Ottawa on May 28, 2012. Following the surgery, she was kept in a medically-induced coma for almost two weeks in the Intensive Care Unit on account of brain seizure activity, and was then moved to the Neuroscience Acute Care Unit and Neuroscience InPatient Unit at the Ottawa Civic Hospital. Although the surgery very likely saved Allison’s life, she now has significant cognitive and physical deficits that require extensive rehabilitation therapy. Allison’s basic post-teaching insurance coverage only provides limited benefits for rehabilitation therapy. There will also be a significant monthly fee once Allison reaches the stage when she can be released from hospital and accommodated in the restorative program at the Saint-Vincent Hospital in Ottawa. The Ottawa music community is hosting a benefit concert to raise funds for Allison’s rehabilitation and related medical expenses. “For a woman who has been so instrumental in the community,” said Nick Cochrane, former student and trumpeter at the Benefit Concert. “It is a pleasure to have a tangible way to give back in this way. I encourage all to attend the concert, donate online, or see how they can help out.” The concert will be on Sunday, September 23 at 7:00 p.m. at Southminster United Church. The line-up includes host Rob Clipperton; Singers Isabelle Lacroix, Marya Woyiwada, Sandra Graham, Dillon Parmer, Fraser Rubens, and Denis Lawlor with pianist Jean Desmarais; Pianist/organist Matthew Larkin; Trumpeter Nick Cochrane; Hopewell School Jazz Band conducted by Blair Smith; Members of the Savoy Society of Ottawa, featuring Shawne Elizabeth, accompanied by Robert Palmai; and the Southminster United Church Choir conducted by Roland Graham. Tickets are available at the Ottawa Folklore Centre or online at woyiwada.blogspot.ca. A trust account has been established for Allison. To make a donation, send a cheque payable to: Robert McMechan, marked “in trust for Allison” (28 Glengarry Road Ottawa ON K1S 0L5). For more information about the event or donations, please visit the website: woyiwada.blogspot. ca. ECOS would like your help By Gail Stewart An idea is developing in ECOS, the Environment Committee of OSCA. The idea is a series of short introductory sessions to the long story of Old Ottawa South, presented over the winter. Probably evenings, possibly ten sessions, perhaps in the Firehall, each session only an hour, including a presentation and questions. Conversation could follow. The idea would be to present, in quick overview, the story of OOS from the beginning in successive chapters: from our location in the universe and on the planet to our own specific rocks and waters, vegetation and early life, up to Old Ottawa South today and it inhabitants, including ourselves. This would of course require the help of various resource people or experts among us. The purpose would be to give us all an engaged and engaging sense of place. If there is interest in such a series, ECOS will do what it can to help make it happen. The help we ask is this. What should be the “chapters,” i.e. the focus of each session? Might you or someone you know (or know of) be able to present the story of a particular chapter? Also, if you like our idea, would you be able to help ECOS put such a series together, a short “course” about our place and ourselves: OOS101? Please email [email protected], phone 613 730-2796 or leave a note for ECOS (re OOS101) at the Firehall. Guide Dogs Need Your Used Stamps Saving stamps from old stamped envelopes for Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind is one way to help them “stamp” their way to a profitable future. • Cut or tear the stamps from the envelope (but not too close) • Either drop them off at the training Centre in Manotick, or put them in an envelope and mail to: Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind 4120 Rideau Valley Drive North P.O. Box 280 Manotick, Ontario K4M 1A3 (613) 692-7777 CGDB collects all types of used stamps, special issues, regular stamps, Canadian and foreign stamps. The OSCAR welcomes letters on subjects of interest to the community or in response to previous articles. All letters must disclose the name of the writer, as well as the address and phone number. Lettters may be edited for length, clarity, and libelous statements. The opinions of the writers are not necessarily those of the newspaper or its editor. Email your letters to [email protected] or leave in print at the Firehall. SEPTEMBER 2012 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR Page 9 Green Thumbs Up! Brewer Park Community Garden Gets Growing By Alison Kemp If you were shopping at the Ottawa Farmer’s Market at Brewer Park this summer, you may have noticed some big wooden boxes being constructed in the field just north of Westboro Academy, across from Brewer Pool. After two years of searching for a suitable location, the Brewer Park Community Garden (BPCG) — with support from the City of Ottawa, Just Food, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, ECOS (Environment Committee of Ottawa South), and City Ward Councillor David Cherushenko — is finally in the ground and growing. It’s a dream come literally true for volunteer garden coordinator Lori Waller and the Brewer Park Community Garden coordinating committee. The hope for the garden is that it will be a place where members of the Ottawa South community can meet and share knowledge around gardening and food justice issues in Ottawa. The community consultation meeting held this past January offered not only great feedback to the planning committee, but it also drew many local community members onto the garden coordinating team. The garden has been designed as a raised planter box garden, instead of an in-ground garden, as most of Brewer Park was built on top of a landfill site and there were concerns about possible soil contamination. The current raisedbed garden design incorporates technology that will prevent both soil contamination and local community groundhogs from eating all of the vegetables. The garden currently consists of 28 planter box plots and two pole bean teepees for the children’s garden. These comprise a mix of personal garden plots rented out to gardeners for the season, donation plots for volunteers to grow vegetables (to be donated to a local charity), and the children’s garden (being used by children in the community and campers at the Westboro Academy summer camp). The BPCG needs volunteers for help with gardening, garden building projects, maintenance, fundraising, committee work, and garden programming. Anyone interested in becoming involved is encouraged to get in touch at 343-883-7967 or [email protected]. For anyone interested in renting a personal garden plot for next summer’s growing season, please keep an eye on the garden website -www.brewerparkcommunitygarden. weebly.com -- for updates through the fall and winter. The BPCG would like to thank EcoAce Reconstruction for its continuing help on the garden; EZPZ Pizza, Havana Café, Ottawa South Ottawa Student Named First Prize Winner in Essay Contest A&E Network announced that Neve Sugars-Keen, a Grade 6 student at Hopewell Avenue Public School in Ottawa, Ontario, has won First Prize in the Grade 5 to 8 category of the A&E Lives That Make a Difference Essay Contest. Neve’s essay, A Hero Not Remembered, which depicts the courage demonstrated by an unidentified woman during the Vancouver riots following the Stanley Cup, was chosen from numerous submissions received this year for the nationwide contest. As the First Prize winner, Neve will receive $2,000 and her teacher will receive $1,000 for use in her classroom. “Heroes surround us every day, but it is up to us to recognize them” said Dr. Libby O’Connell, Senior Vice President, Corporate Outreach, A&E Network. “While watching a video of the Vancouver riots, Neve noticed a woman trying to calm the crowds, teaching Neve the importance of standing up for your beliefs and ultimately proving heroes can be found in the unlikeliest of places.” Neve’s essay compares the rioters to bullies and expresses her admiration for the woman who stood up to them, “In her situation, not many people would do what she did. And that is what makes this woman a hero to me… because she did not stand by. She stood up.” Groceteria, and Bridgehead for their generous donations of food to fuel the volunteer builders on garden construction days; and members of the new Lees Ave. Community Garden for donations of plants and materials leftover from their build day in June. Sell For Just 3.75% or Less Commission * *Independently Owned and Operated 613-230 - 8 8 8 8 Barry Humphrey Sales Representative 613-296-6060 Direct www.FlatFeeRealtyOttawa.ca GREAT SERVICE DOESN’T HAVE TO BE EXPENSIVE! The annual A&E Lives That Make a Difference Essay Contest invites Canadian students in grades 5 to 12 to write a 300-word essay based on someone they think has made an important impact on Canadian society in the past year. Students competed in two categories: Grade 5 to 8 and Grade 9 to 12. A grand prize of $3,000 and a first place prize of $2,000 were awarded to one student in each category. For encouraging participation in the essay contest, the winning students’ teachers each receive $1,000 for use in the classroom. “GLEBE” 596 O’Connor St. “CENTRETOWN” 646 MacLaren St. E L A S R O F E L A S R FO $529,000 $479,900 “GLEBE LOCATION” S D L O 0 er Ov 0, $70 00 “MARKET LOCATION” S D L O 0 er Ov 0, $45 00 Page 10 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR SEPTEMBER 2012 AMICALEMENT VOTRE Par Jean-Claude Dubé Le Cercle de lecture L’Amicale, sous l’égide de la bibliothèque Sunnyside, reprendra sa programmation le 11 septembre, 2012. Durant la période 2012-2013, les membres du Cercle de lecture lirons trois romans, trois œuvres de poésie, deux pièces de théâtre et une nouvelle. Se rencontrant le deuxième mardi du mois à la bibliothèque Sunnyside, les membres du Cercle de lecture L’Amicale proviennent en grande partie des quartiers de la ville d’Ottawa desservis par cette bibliothèque. Les rencontres ont lieu dans une petite salle de réunion au sous-sol qui se trouve au delà de la salle de lecture des jeunes papivores. Elles débutent à 18h30 et se terminent vers 20h. Il n y’a pas de frais d’adhésion ni de contraintes d’éligibilité : il suffit du pouvoir lire et communiquer en français. Les rencontres empruntent une formule peu structurée qui favorise la discussion et un échange d’idées parmi les participants. Dans la mesure du possible, les auteurs et auteures des œuvres littéraires que nous choisissons sont invités à nous rencontrer et à participer à nos discussions sans obligation de nous faire une présentation. Ceci crée un rapport intime et amical que les auteurs semblent beaucoup apprécier. Souvent, nous nous écartons du livre choisi pour s’enquérir sur les ambitions et la vie de ces auteurs invités ainsi que sur leurs autres œuvres et projets. Pour nos choix d’auteurs, nous accordons une préférence aux membres de l’Association des Auteures et Auteurs de l’Ontario français (AAOF) qui demeurent dans la région. Ceci facilite une présence d’auteur à nos rencontres. Par contre, nous n’excluons pas pour autant ceux qui ne sont pas membres de l’AAOF, ni ceux qui ne demeurent pas dans notre coin. Une autre stratégie du Cercle de lecture L’Amicale est de faire une répartition de divers genres littéraires tels que la poésie, le théâtre et les romans. Ce stratagème de varier nos lectures a bien réussi l’an dernier. Programmation automne 2012 11 septembre 2012 : Éric Charlebois, Le miroir mural devant la berceuse électrique, poésie, Éditions David, 2012. Eric Charlebois, poète atypique et anticonformiste, a été enseignant à l’Ecole secondaire catholique de Plantagenet et est présentement aux études en préparation pour un doctorat en littérature. Adroit dans la révision linguistique et le montage, McIntosh & Watts New Location 106 year old retailer McIntosh & Watts has announced its grand opening of a new location at 757 Bank Street between 1st and 2nd Avenue in the Glebe. The first McIntosh & Watts was founded in 1906 a few blocks north on Bank St. “To survive and thrive in retail for over 100 years is a testament to the leadership over the decades” said Mr. McIntosh. “This is truly a part of the fabric of Ottawa. We’ve been privileged to serve generations of Ottawa families and are excited to begin the next chapter.” Eric Charlebois a remporté dans la dernière décennie deux fois le Prix Trillium ainsi que le Prix littéraire Le Droit et a été finaliste du Prix du livre d’Ottawa. 9 octobre 2012 : Colette StDenis. Mémoires de la Villa Orléans, récits de vie, Villa Orléans, Orléans, 2010 Résidente de Vanier, Colette St. Denis est née et a grandi à Plantagenet. Enseignante à la retraite, elle écrit pour sauvegarder l’histoire et la langue des Franco-Ontariens et pour nous rappeler la contribution de nos ancêtres dans nos vies de tous les jours. 13 novembre 2012 : Danièle Vallée, Le d2ux, roman, Éditions David, 1998. Danièle Vallée est une auteure et conteuse d’Ottawa. Elle a publié des romans, des recueils de contes, des récits d’aventures et elle dirige des mises en scène. Depuis plusieurs années, elle anime les spectacles « Contes Nomades » à la Quatrième Salle du Centre National des Arts d’Ottawa. Le d2eux est un récit aventures vécues ou vues à bord de l’autobus municipal numéro 2 à Ottawa et Vanier. 11 décembre 2012 : Esther Beauchemin, La meute, pièce de théâtre, Prise de parole, 2005. Esther Beauchemin est la directrice artistique du Théâtre de la Vieille 17, une troupe est-ontarienne ayant résidence à la Nouvelle Scène d’Ottawa, rue King Edward. Douée pour l’écriture, Esther Beauchemin, comédienne depuis vingt ans, a créé des spectacles pour enfants aussi bien que de faire de la mise en scène pour de nombreuses pièces. L’Amicale existe depuis six ans déjà. Pour plus d’information et pour lire des rapports sur les lectures faites durant les quatre dernières années, consultez www.amicaleottawa.com Send your comments to [email protected] SEPTEMBER 2012 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR Page 11 Abbotsford @ The Glebe Centre Artsy Abbotsford Folks are going Folksy! By Pat Goyeche Abbotsford attracts a full range of programming but a recent surge on the Folk front deserves some special mention! On June 22nd Abbotsford hosted its first Log Drive Café featuring the talents of Maura and Daphne Volante. This was the beginning of what I think will prove to be a “beautiful thing”. Abbotsford packed in a good crowd who enjoyed the mellifluous harmonies of the Volante women, who kept the crowd entertained and engaged in their beautiful renditions of many Canadian Classic Folk songs. As with many of our programs a good idea starts with a friend of Abbotsford making a suggestion and a team of interested folks getting together to make an idea a reality, thus The Log Drive Café was born. Both music and dance are growing themes at Abbotsford this fall, all part of the plan of creating an exciting and interesting environment for everyone to experience. We will be hosting another Log Drive Café on Friday October 12 at 7 pm in the Abbotsford Dining Room. This time our theme will be Songs of Protest: An Evening of Collective Singing with Stephen Richer. Stephen is a retired Professor Emeritus of Sociology and former Chair of the Sociology and Anthropology Department at Carleton University in Ottawa. He has been a folk/protest singer since he was eighteen, taking part in both the civil rights and anti-Vietnam war movements. He currently teaches protest song history at Carleton and enjoys performing and engaging audiences with these classic protest songs. His wit and talent make for an entertaining look into an important tool in the protest tool kit...save the date! Folk Dancing is also making an appearance at Celebrating Jean Macdonald’s 90th Birthday By Glynis Doorbar On July 14th several store owners and staff members of Glebe businesses, along with family and friends, dropped in to Davidson’s Jewellers to wish Jean Macdonald a Happy 90th Birthday. Back in 1939 Eastman Davidson’s very first customer, eighteen year old Jean Macdonald, was quite taken by a huge bouquet of flowers in the store window. It moved her to go in and congratulate them on their new store. She soon became an avid fan of the fashion jewellery on display, and almost every pay check had a portion allocated for something special to add to her collection. Over the following years Jean became acquainted with the whole Davidson family, including daughter Judy who eventually grew up to take over the store from her parents and ran it until two years ago. With her lifetime loyalty to Davidson’s it seemed only fitting that the current owner of Davidson’s John Anderson should recognize both Jean’s 90th birthday and her long time customer status. “Jean is a very important part of the Glebe,” he said. “For Davidson’s she was not only our first client, but she has also been loyal to us for 73 years. Not many stores can say that.” For most of her life in Ottawa Jean has lived in the Glebe and she is well known and loved for her positive attitude and cheery disposition. It is hard to believe this lively, silver coiffed, smartly dressed lady is anywhere near 90 years of age. She can be seen almost daily in winter or summer, briskly walking along Bank Street; popping in and out of the local stores for items, or even just to look around and have a chat. During those 73 years Jean has absorbed much Glebe history, and remembers current and past highlights of the area as if they happened yesterday. She has a phenomenally sharp memory and no shortage of fascinating stories to tell, plus a vast collection of her own photographic gems of daily life in the Glebe. Recently, when Capital Home Hardware had their anniversary celebration she brought in photographs she had taken of some of the customers 29 years ago. One shot showed a young mother with a child in a stroller. That child turned out to be one of the current store managers. Jean’s actual Birthday is on Tuesday 17th of July, when she intends to enjoy a celebratory dinner in a restaurant with her son and husband. She already has her present from her husband. A pearl ring – naturally from Davidson’s. Abbotsford this fall with a new eight-week course on Tuesday afternoons from 1-2 pm. Susan Barker will be leading this class that will take her students around the world in 8 short weeks… without ever leaving Ottawa! The theme keeps the mind, body and soul engaged and promises to keep many muscles toned not least of which is the brain. Couples need not apply as it is a single sport; no previous experience required and no partner either just bring yourself and your curiosity. You will learn about different cultures each week through line and circle dances from varied cultures. Abbotsford at The Glebe Centre is a community centre for adults 55 +. It is situated in the old stone house directly across from Lansdowne Park with parking out front and OC Transpo buses # 1 & 7 stopping here at 950 Bank Street. Look for our full line-up of activities in our Fall Program Guide, which will be available mid-August at Abbotsford and Sunnyside Library. We can also be reached at 613-230-5730. To book an OSCAR ad call Gayle 730-1058 oscarads@ oldottawasouth.ca Page 12 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR SEPTEMBER 2012 AdoptWalk: Join Fun Family Fundraiser By Georgina Hunter The Ottawa family is among about 2000 Canadian families who adopt children from the child welfare system every year. “We chose the Canadian adoption route to help children here who desperately need permanency, unconditional love and support,” Varga-Toth says. Close to the same number of families adopt internationally, like Jennifer Dawson. Dawson and her husband, Roy Bent, have adopted three daughters from China. They decided to adopt from China because at the time, it was faster than the process to adopt an infant through the public system. sponsorships will help the Adoption Council of Canada support adoptive families and increase public awareness about the 30,000 children and Old Ottawa South is home to many families who youth waiting in foster care to be adopted into have adopted children both internationally and permanent families in Canada. from within Canada. “We are determined to make sure that every These OOS families are encouraged to year, more children will participate in AdoptWalk – a fun, family find the permanent homes they need and fundraiser. This five-kilometer walk and family deserve,” says Laura Eggertson, president of the event celebrates adoption and raises awareness Adoption Council of Canada. of the thousands of children still waiting for AdoptWalk will also support children in permanent families, in Canada and around the countries from which Canadians adopt. world. “The funds will provide life-saving medical AdoptWalk will take care and teachers to provide place Saturday, September education,” says Cathy Murphy, a 29 at Britannia Park. It’s member of the Children’s Bridge the fourth annual walk the Foundation board. Adoption Council of Canada Ottawa philanthropist Max has organized, but the first Keeping will open AdoptWalk. time the charity has held it Keeping has long supported in Ottawa. The Adoption organizations working to meet Council is the only national the needs of children and youth in non-profit organization foster care. in Canada that provides Eastern Ontario families are resources and support encouraged to participate in the about adoption to adoptees, walk to help make a difference adoptive families, and birth in the lives of the one in five families. Canadians touched by adoption. This year, the Council is The Adoption Council of Canada partnering with the Children’s and Children’s Bridge Foundation Bridge Foundation. The are also hoping companies will Foundation is an Ottawaenter teams for the walk, in the based charity that assists spirit of friendly competition. abandoned and orphaned “Let’s make this the best children in the developing walk ever! We have great prizes world. for those who raise the most AdoptWalk runs from money, and lots of fun activities,” 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. says Eggertson. “This is our It’s a fun, family oriented From left to right: Polly, Judi (Petra on lap), Jeff (Nicholas on lap), Emi Vargaorganization’s major fundraising th day that includes children’s Toth will participate in AdoptWalk a fun, family fundraiser this September 29 . They event, so we hope to see lots of entertainment, games for all encourage other families with adopted children in OOS to join in this five-kilometer people there.” ages and lunch. Everyone walk to assist thousands of children waiting for permanent families, in Canada and Registration is $35 for a is invited to participate, around the world. family or team of five ($5 for whether they have an adoption each extra person), and $20 for connection or not. “We were home from China with our first an individual (bring a friend for free). To register AdoptWalk is also great way to connect with daughter for several months before we received go to: www.AdoptWalk.ca (Join the Walk). other adoptive parents. Take a call from the Children’s Bridge International AdoptWalk is also seeking sponsors and recruiting Judi Varga-Toth and Jeff Cosman for example, Adoption local adoption service,” Dawson says. volunteers for the event. For more information who share their story to help promote this Still other families adopt infants privately, contact: www.adoption.ca fundraiser. working through an adoption agency or a lawyer. Georgina Hunter is a local Ottawa writer. They first gazed into their new baby’s eyes No matter which route families chose, parents like when Petra was seven months old. That day Petra Varga-Toth and Dawson agree that adoption is like gained adoring parents plus four excited siblings, giving and receiving a lasting gift that they’d like two of whom are also adopted. others to share. “Our two biological children grew to love this That’s why both adoptive families are coming experience so much that they plan to adopt,” says together this fall at AdoptWalk. Varga-Toth. The money raised through pledges and OSCAR Needs Volunteers For Monthly Distribution in OOS The OSCAR SEPTEMBER 2012 - OUR 40th YEAR Page 13 Children’s Programs at Southminster By Becky Sasaki Sunday School begins Sept 16 Southminster United Church welcomes you and your family as our Sunday programming for children begins a new year. Our approach for children is to present the stories of the Bible in a format that is geared to their agegroup. The children then discover for themselves what wisdom and lessons the stories offer in the context of their own lives. Our programs encourage creative response using a variety of arts-based media, as well as providing opportunities to share in outreach, care for the environment, lead worship, and contribute to a larger faith community. Southminster’s programs include: A nursery for babies and toddlers, which offers a safe, stimulating environment. Our class for children in Preschool - Grade 2 is a creative, artsbased, storytelling program designed for young children. Children in Grades 2 – 7 focus on Bible stories, artistic expression, and their relationship to a life of justice and caring for others. From Sept 16 – 30 (3 weeks), this class will be using the story of Creation (Genesis 1) as a starting point for discussions about some of the different ways people find meaning in Bible stories. There will be time for questions, discussions, and individual reflection. Classes begin on Sunday, September 16, and all are welcome! Children’s Choir begins Sept 23 Southminster is happy to announce the fall start up of the Children’s Choir. Last year, the choir practiced and performed a variety of songs, culminating in a spring-time musical, under the direction of Mrs. Merri THE ALPHA PROGRAM THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27TH AT ST MARGARET MARY’S CHURCH 5 FAIRBAIRN (CORNER OF SUNNYSIDE AND FAIRBAIRN) The Alpha Program provides an opportunity to explore the meaning of life in a relaxed, friendly setting. Alpha has become a worldwide phenomenon, now in 164 countries. Over 16 million people have come to explore the meaning of life. Each session begins with a meal or refreshments which is an opportunity to get to know others in a casual setting. This is followed by a short talk, which examines a different aspect of the Christian faith each week. Next is a time of discussion in designated small groups, where everyone is welcome to contribute their opinion, ask questions and discuss issues with the rest of the group. The emphasis is upon exploration and discovery in a relaxed and informal environment. Alpha is for anyone. If you’re interested in spirituality and want to share your views... If you think there may be more to life than what you’re experiencing now... If you’ve never been to a church or haven’t been in a while... If you want to learn about the Christian faith... Then...Alpha is for you! The Alpha course at St. Margaret Mary’s begins on Thursday, September 27th from 6:30PM to 9:00PM. Our first session begins with a catered meal. Contact the Parish Office at 613-730-5265 to pre-register. Participants are always welcome to sign up on the evening of the class. For more information on the Alpha program visit their website at www.alphacanada.org. 17th Ottawa Scout Group Registration For boys and girls! Monday September 10th , 7:00 – 8:30 pm Southminster United Church (downstairs in the Friendship Hall) Beaver Scouts Southminster (ages 5-7, start Wed. Sept. 15th 6:30-7:30) Cub Scouts (ages 8-10, start Mon. Sept. 13th 6:30-8:00) Scouts (ages 11-14, start Tues. Sept. 14th 6:45-8:45) Venturer Scouts (ages 14-18, start Tues. Sept. 14th 6:45) For more information contact: Brent McLean [email protected] 613-565-2726 For program information: www.scouts.ca Submit articles about interesting people you know in Old Ottawa South to [email protected] To book an OSCAR ad call Gayle 730-1058 oscarads@ oldottawasouth.ca I may not agree with what you have to say, but I will defend to the death, your right to say it. ....Voltaire Legris and accompanied by Brittany Clayton. We are delighted that Merri and Brittany will return and co-direct this year’s program. All children, aged 5 – 10 years old, are invited to join us this fall, starting September 23. The choir will practice at the church on Sundays from 12-12:30 pm. If you have a child who is interested in singing with our choir, please join us on September 23! Please contact Becky ( [email protected] ) if you have any questions. OSCAR Needs Volunteers For Monthly Distribution in Old Ottawa South Page 14 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR SEPTEMBER 2012 Brighton Beach Oak Sails Through Time By Paige Raymond Kovach lyrical curves from the six branches of the tree that twist and churn like waves. Peeking out from under the main Last fall, David worked under staircase in Carleton University’s Carleton’s Architecture Building new River Building is Sailing on the two-tonne trunk for just two Through Time, Brighton Beach’s months, carving most of it lying beloved oak tree transformed into down. He used a small electric Stihl a lyric reminder of mobility. In chainsaw, to feather the surface of the recognition of the 25th anniversary wood. “It’s like a hundred chisels,” of Rick Hansen’s Man in Motion he said demonstrating the technique. World Tour, the new oak sculpture He did not see the whole piece until by Ottawa-artist David Fels reminds it was stood up, clearly not his first us adversity can be overcome, transformed into something beautiful. sculpture. “It’s my 297th sculpture,” said David. He has another sculpture “You can’t control the wind, called You and Me in Carleton’s main just like you can’t control life, but in library building, as well as one as far sailing you make the best use of the away as Saudi Arabia. wind,” said David Fels. David finished the sculpture David sculpts to transcend enough to have it photographed and wood. He sculpts to represent how presented the concept to Rick Hansen a specific tree feels. He enters into a dialogue with it, not forcing his ideas when he was in Ottawa for his Man in Motion 25th anniversary tour onto the wood. His sculptures have last October. Rick really loved the a structural language, or logic, each concept and the story behind the oak segment and whole has four sides, tree. or four planes. His sculptures curve, The connection with Rick is flow, and dance. He knew the Brighton Beach oak really the work of Larry McCloskey, well as he used to live in Old Ottawa an Old Ottawa South resident and Director of Carleton’s Paul Menton South, and his kids used to play around it. Years ago he pointed to the Centre for Studies in Disability. Larry often walks his dog oak and said to them, “That tree is along Brighton Beach. About two dying, I hope to carve it one day.” He years ago, Larry noticed the oak is honoured to have had the chance to had no foliage. He contacted the carve the tree, and dedicated Sailing City of Ottawa, finally connecting Through Time to his children, to with David Barkley, the city’s head honour their connection to the tree arborist. and to his work. The city had tried over the years When he saw the trunk of the to save Old Ottawa South’s beloved Brighton Beach oak for the first time oak tree, but nothing worked, and it last fall after it was felled, he was was deemed necessary to cut it down. startled there was almost no wood. He had to adapt his original design to Larry asked what would happen to the wood when the tree was felled. reflect that reality. Mr. Barkley said there were no plans, David turned the tree upsidedown to make Sailing Through Time. so he came up with an idea. “It’s one thing to have an idea, The lower trunk was almost a veneer -- there was no wood there -- so from quite another to execute it. Early on many people thought it was whacky that he created the sails of the piece. and undoable, but we managed to The sails of the sculpture float out, solve the logistical problems,” said fluttering in the breeze. While at the Larry. bottom of the sculpture, he carved Larry was working on creating a new initiative to channel Carleton’s engineering, industrial design and other academic strengths to find Have you checked your practical solutions to solve Blood Pressure lately? mobility issues. Called the READ It’s easy. And we can help. Initiative, it would be launched in connection with Rick Hansen’s Ask how to get your FREE Blood 25th anniversary of his Man in Pressure Smart Card! Motion tour when it stopped in Ottawa in the fall of 2011. New to this location - We will He saw the opportunity to waive the $2 co-pay fee on all connect the READ Initiative ODB eligible prescriptions! Senior’s Day - Last Thursday of every month! Receive 20% off all regular priced merchandise! 1080 Bank Street 613-526-1800 Open 8-10pm 7 days a week! and its launch to transforming the oak. The city had the logistical know-how to get the tree trunk from Brighton Beach to under Carleton’s Architecture Building. The open space under the building provided Photo by Tom Alfoldi enough space so David Fels could sculpt it and reveal it in time for Rick Hansen’s visit. Sailing Through Time was unveiled to the public at an event in June. Mayor Jim Watson and the Honourable Lieutenant Governor David Onley were in attendance. Sailing Through Time brackets Old Ottawa South -- the sculpture from the east edge made from the beloved Brighton Beach oak, the base made from a chunk of the former doors of a Rideau Canal lock. It’s well worth a visit. First READ Initiative supports handcranked tricycles in Uganda Carleton University’s READ Initiative will be hosting a Parasport Festival on October 9, the 50th anniversary of Uganda’s independence. The sport festival will be held from 2:30-5:30 p.m. in the Field House, and an exhibition wheelchair basketball game in the evening 7-9 p.m. in the main gym. The festival will give the public an opportunity to learn about and try Paralympic sports. It will also offer an opportunity to connect with the groups in Ottawa that are organizing Paralympic sports, and learn about volunteer opportunities as coaches, guides, and trainers. The proceeds of the festival will go to the CanUgan Project to fund tricycles and other assistive devices that make a real difference in the lives of people with disabilities in Uganda. For under $200, a local manufacturer in Kasese can build hand-propelled tricycles, so a book of 20 tickets at $10 each can buy a bike, a means of transportation for a person with a disability in Uganda. For more details e-mail [email protected] or visit http://www5.carleton.ca/read/. Submit articles about interesting people you know in Old Ottawa South to [email protected] The OSCAR SEPTEMBER 2012 - OUR 40th YEAR Page 15 BACKYARD BEAT Brace for Technology By Cst. Khoa Hoang Every year I’m amazed at how fast summer flies by and before we know it fall has arrived warning us that winter is on its way. The 20122013 school year is about to begin and with it a set of new students and anxious parents who are trying to keep up with what their kids are doing. Not that long ago only kids were anxious about what to expect when going back to school, but an increasing number of parents today are finding themselves overwhelmed by the amount of issues they are unaware of. Teenage students today are facing concerns that I never dealt with over a decade ago. Cell phones, texting, sexting, and cyber bullying are some of the many issues that face our future generations. Without proper guidance and preparations our young people are forced to navigate through these challenging issues alone, which we all know can lead down some dark paths with little hope of return. Police are seeing an increasing number of teenagers sending racy photographs to one another, and then using them as leverage when the relationship gets rocky. Much of the motivation to even send these images is due to stronger than usual emotions towards a particular relationship. Special attention should be attributed to friendships during the early years of adolescence (12-15). My experience as a youth counsellor and education in psychology tells me that relationships during the earliest years of adolescence are more intense than any other friendship you make throughout life. These relationships are usually accompanied by strong emotions, and can significantly influence the development of personality and social skills. It’s important to note that the role of a parent should evolve as quickly as a child grows, and successful parents are usually the ones that have already planned for their children’s next stage of development. We may not be able to make decisions for them during conflicts, but we can certainly influence how they prepare for conflicts. This means educating yourself on the current issues that our kids are facing, preparing a plan of attack to deal with the situation, and having the confidence to talk about topics that may be quite uncomfortable to discuss within the parent-child relationship. If you already have an open communication type of relationship with your kids, than facing these issues together should be little more than maintenance. Remember you’re not alone! Use what’s available out there to assist you. There are a number of public counsellors and places throughout our city with tonnes of resources for parents. Your local Community Health Centres are a great place to start and our Community Police Centres (CPC) are always stocked full of materials for families. Teachers and friends are excellent resources available for you to monitor the progress of your child outside of the home. Talking to a teacher or their friend can reveal valuable information that you were not aware of and can give you the edge when trying to navigate through trying times. If you have recognized that your child is already heading down the wrong path and don’t know how to deal with it, the Ottawa Youth 2012 Phone Numbers for Police Services prese A SEPARATION*Iran, 2011 (123 min.) plus CARNAGE France/Germany/Poland/Spain, 2011 (80 min.) October 16-18 MONSIEUR LAZHAR*Canada, 2011 (94 min.) DARKNESS* plus IN To book an OSCAR ad call Gayle at 730-1058 or email: [email protected] Internat ional Series 9 gre at the be nights o f st world in recent cinem a! ALL 1 7 FILM S FOR ONLY $6 0 Memb ership is by e series ntire subsc ription For in only. forma tion, p hone 613-5 98-46 86 www.f ilmfi lmfilm .ca Choo se Tu Wedn esdays, esday s or Thu @ 7 p rsdays m Empir at the e @ Wo 7 Cinema s rld Ex c 111 A hange lbert St. Send your comments to oscar@ oldottawasouth.ca September 18-20 - 2013 OTTAW A FILM SOCIE TY nts 911 Life Threatening Emergency or Crime in Progress 613-230-6211 Other Emergencies 613-236-1222 – 0 General Police Inquiries 613-236-1222 – ext. 7300 Call centre for crime reports (not for crimes in progress) 613-236-1222 – ext. 5804 Constable Hoedeman at the Somerset Community Police Centre (e-mail: [email protected]) 613-233-TIPS (8477) Crime Stoppers & Gun Crime Stoppers 311 By-Law Enforcement 613-580-2424 ext. 23653 City of Ottawa Needle Removal Program 613-236-1222 - ext. 5766 D-23 Central West Neighbourhood Police Officers Services Bureau (ysb.on.ca) is a great place to start. With a variety of programs for both parents and youth, staffs at YSB are well trained to deal with a variety of problems. They can also assist in proactive programs such as employment and mental health maintenance. Most importantly don’t give up! Failing to address minor concerns today can lead to irreparable problems down the road. Far too often, police are called to the scene of an uncontrollable youth who has been conditioned through years of poor decision making. Poland/Germany/Canada, 2011 (145 min.) November 6-8 THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL plus SALMON December 4-6 UK, 2011 (124 min.) FISHING IN THE YEMEN UK, 2011 (107 min.) VOLCANO*Iceland/Denmark 2011 (95 min.) ARTIST France/Belgium, 2011 (100 min.) plus THE January 15-17 ALMANYA – WELCOME TO GERMANY* Germany, 2011 (101 min.) plus THE WAY US/Spain, 2010 (123 min.) February 12-14 A CHINESE TALE*Argentina/Spain, 2011 (93 min.) plus THE MAIDEN DANCED TO DEATH* March 12-14 Hungary/Canada/Slovenia, 2011 (107 min.) TAKE SHELTER US, 2011 (120 min.) NEVER LET ME GO UK/US, 2010 (103 min.) plus April 9-11 FOOTNOTE* Israel, 2011 (103 min.) plus THE SKIN I LIVE IN* Spain, 2011 (120 min.) *= subtitled May 7-9 THE FLOWERS OF WAR* China/Hong Kong, 2011 (146 min.) For more info, visit: www.filmfilmfilm.ca OSCAR Needs Volunteers For Monthly Distribution in Old Ottawa South Page 16 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR SEPTEMBER 2012 Opening their Homes for the Holidays By Hayley Lang, Fund Development & Communications, The Hospice at May Court Holiday cheer and the good-willtowards-all atmosphere is steadily approaching, as is the 10th annual Homes for the Holidays tour, in support of The Hospice at May Court. This event is The Hospice’s top fundraiser, expected to bring in an outstanding $150,000 this year through ticket sales and corporate contributions. The three day event features a tour of six beautiful Ottawa homes, whose homeowners have graciously opened up to us in support of the Hospice. The tour will take place November 9, 10 and 11, from 10 am to 4 pm each day, with the exception of Sunday, which will be noon to 4 pm in honour of Remembrance Day. During this tour, some 2,500 visitors will get the rare opportunity to view beautiful homes located – two each – in the Glebe, Rockcliffe and Manotick. Each home is artfully decorated by a top local florist, whose donated creative pieces have been especially designed to inspire tour participants for the holiday season. Ticket holders can visit each home once, in any order they please, over the course of the weekend. A café and boutique will be open at The Hospice at May Court, featuring unique gift and delicious food items. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased online – as of September 14th – through the Hospice website, and at various locations throughout the city. Visit www.hospicemaycourt. com for more information about purchasing your ticket. Located in Old Ottawa South, The Hospice at May Court is Ottawa’s only comprehensive end of-life and palliative care facility providing a nine-bed residence, home care, day hospice and family support counselling. Every year the Hospice delivers compassionate care to over 600 individuals. Over 500 hundred volunteers and dedicated staff work together in a peaceful and serene setting provided by the May Court Club of Ottawa on the banks of the Rideau River to realize our mission. The Hospice at May Court provides its services to patients and their families at no charge. In order to be able to offer this critical service to the community, The Hospice at May Court must raise $1.3 million annually. Thanks to the generosity of thousands of donors each year and funds raised through events such as the Homes for the Holidays tour and the very popular Hike for Hospice event held every May, the Hospice continues to help those in need. Volunteer Opportunity at The Hospice May Court Registration is now open for our Fall Orientation Course to prepare volunteers to work with patients and their families at The Hospice at May Court For more information, please call 613-260-2906 ext. 231 or visit our website at www.hospicemaycourt.com Area Worship Services Sunnyside Wesleyan Church 58 Grosvenor Avenue (at Sunnyside) Sunday Worship Services at 9am & 11am Children’s program offered during worship services. Southminster United Church 15 Aylmer Avenue (at Bank & the Canal) Sunday Worship: 10:30 a.m. Sunday School offered during worship Trinity Anglican Church 1230 Bank St (at Cameron Ave) Sundays: Holy Eucharist at 8 and 10am with Church School and Choir St Margaret Mary’s Parish 7 Fairbairn (corner of Sunnyside) Tuesday Evening at 7PM Friday Daytime at 12:15PM Saturday Evening at 5PM Sunday Mornings at 9:30AM and 11:30PM To book an OSCAR ad call Gayle 730-1058 oscarads @oldottawasouth.ca SEPTEMBER 2012 Page 17 COMPUTER TRICKS AND TIPS No, I’m Not in Spain and No, I’m Not in Jail, and No, I don’t need $1500.00 by Malcolm and John Harding, of Compu-Home Unfortunately, we have to carry on with an unpleasant subject from our last column, and get into some more details. Not only are we receiving more and more calls every week lately from people whose email account has been hijacked, but we are also seeing increasingly severe attacks. Hijacking used to be almost in the category of a prank, with an embarrassing or silly message going out to large numbers of your friends or business acquaintances, and no further damage. Now, address books and important messages are often lost forever and in the very worst cases people are being permanently locked out of their email accounts. First, it is important to understand that this is not usually something that is “your fault.” Typically it is not your computer that has been hacked, but rather it’s at the level of your email provider. All too frequently we are called in when it’s too late for us to be able to help very much and we have to admit that there really does not seem to be a bulletproof way to be absolutely certain this won’t happen to you, but there are a few measures that might help to protect you or to help you minimize the damage: Anecdotally, Hotmail seems to be the most vulnerable system; Yahoo! is in the middle, and Gmail appears to be the most robust. A strong password, changed regularly, is an important defense. Never use the same password for your email account and other purposes. Do you know how to change your email password? See our last column on the subject of strong passwords. You must become familiar with web access to your email. Many people prefer an email client, such as Outlook Express, Windows Live Mail, or Thunderbird for day-today use, but it is important also to be able to go to the website of your email system, and to know about the options and information that are there. In particular, you should have a record of your answers to the security questions, so that you can remember that answers you gave the colour of your first car, how you spelled your grandmother’s maiden name, did you capitalize the name of your high school, and so on. In a crunch your provider will need to have exact matches to all of these questions, to try to help you get your account back. Bookmark the website of your email and use it regularly so that it is not unfamiliar territory if trouble strikes. Become comfortable with running your virus protection utility manually. Email attacks that we To book a Market place ad call Gayle at 730-1058 email: [email protected] Submit articles about interesting people you know in Old Ottawa South to [email protected] are seeing these days do not usually stem from viruses on your computer, but sometimes the bad guys are smart enough to install a little piece of malware on your hard disk that will rat you out by reporting your password changes. Learn to be suspicious of every email message. The most diligent rule of thumb is if you aren’t expecting the message, don’t open it. If you do open it, look it over very carefully – is that an expression your friend would use? Is this subject a little unusual for him? Of course the biggest red flag is a link, with only a sketchy description. Conversely, when you are composing messages, always make sure to include lots of specific and personal details in the Subject line, and make sure that you have detailed explanations of any links that you are including in the body, so that the recipient can be sure that it was really you who sent it, and it will be safe to “Click here.” Create a second email account as a backup and use it sparingly. Use a different provider from your main address; a free account from a provider like Gmail would be just fine. Keep it for only business purposes for example, or limited to family and very close friends. This will allow you to communicate important information if your main address is hacked. If one of those bogus messages goes out under your name, don’t try to send a frantic message to everyone in your address book. If you feel you must, send an explanation only to those people who might not be savvy to this sort of thing. If you are contacting a large number, break it into groups of 10 or less, because a large number of recipients is a flag to Internet Service Providers that this might be a Spam message. If you are attacked, expect that it might happen again sometime soon. Change your password even more frequently for a few weeks, and watch the settings in your webmail site like a hawk. Back up your messages and address book. (We can send you instructions for that.) We’ll provide updates here as this battle progresses. We always enjoy hearing from readers and we learn lots from you when you get in touch. Write or call us any time. Malcolm, Frances and John Harding are the owners of CompuHome, assisting home and business computer users. Be sure to visit our web site for an archive of our columns. www. compu-home.com Write to [email protected] or phone 613-731-5954 to discuss computer issues, or to suggest future columns. www.freecycle.org Changing the world free & open to all 24 hours a day, 365 days a year The OSCAR Page 18 - OUR 40th YEAR SEPTEMBER 2012 AFTER THOUGHTS Wither the State? By Richard Ostrofsky of Second Thoughts Bookstore (now closed) Karl Marx famously predicted that after the overthrow of capitalist tyranny by a dictatorship of the proletariat, the state would wither away. It didn’t happen. The communism that came to pass, in Russia, China and elsewhere, was never a dictatorship of the proletariat but, in each case, something more like the sovereignty of a bureaucracy. In truth, this was only to be expected. When every loaf of bread and every pair of shoes is produced by government employees working government-owned land and equipment, to be distributed and sold in government-run stores, it should have been obvious that the senior planners and adminstrators of such a system would hold its supreme power. What we are seeing today is neither communism nor capitalism, certainly not the self-organizing marketplace that Adam Smith imagined. The world today is better described as an uneasy alliance of big business with big government – a ‘friendly fascism,’ as it has been called – which is not always or everywhere very friendly. Within this alliance, the state is distinctly a junior partner. The first-rank states haven’t ‘withered away’ exactly, not yet anyhow, but they aren’t thriving either. They are conspicuously failing at the critical Glebe Chiropractic Clinic New patients welcome Appointments available Monday through Saturday 99 Fifth Avenue, Suite 7 Bank & Fifth Avenue www.glebechiropractic.com 613.237.9000 tasks of governance in today’s world: environmental preservation, peace keeping, economic stability and social justice; and they have been humiliatingly unable either to regulate or persuade the great corporations whose cooperation they would need to do so. In fact, to the public at large, their governments (especially the democratically elected governments) look increasingly helpless and servile against the economic power of multi-national corporations (MNCs), especially in the sector of finance. We’re in a vicious circle here: As the alliance of big business with big government becomes effectively irresistable, the rhetoric of resistance spreads and hardens moving that alliance to tighten its grip still further. In fact, the governance of modern societies resembles less and less the model that we learned in our high school civics classes. What we see instead is a network of powerful institutions of various kinds, dominated by MNCs and governmental bureaucracies (at various levels of government), and with some powerful NGOs, media, religious bodies, etc. as well. The organizations in this network have various built-in differences of interest, and public opinion still carries some weight when such differences flare up. For example, the great corporations that make and sell consumer goods are sometimes at odds with those that sell military hardware. But in the main, the corporate/state system operates, albeit not very smoothly or cordially, on its internally negotiated understandings and arrangements – on a kind of diplomacy amongst the various powerful entities, rather than on a government’s policy and law. A cadre of politicians and lobbyists serve as that network’s spokespersons to one another and to the media; and the persons elected to public office mostly do what they are told. On the bottom line, governments enable the MNCs, powerless to regulate them except in a few ways (e.g. by setting industrial and agricultural standards) that actually help them to do business. But regulation in the public interest is exceedingly difficult – scarcely possible, when the voting process can be manipulated with clever political advertising and money. As is usually the case. We find ourselves in a troubled world where wise cooperation and effective public-spirited governance seem to be out of reach, however sorely they are needed. Neither powerful states nor powerful corporations will accept voluntary, cooperative limits on their freedom of action, although that freedom is increasingly constrained by objective conditions beyond any single power’s control. Meanwhile, the concept of sovereignty is changing, and we are seeing a new kind of diplomacy: not between sovereign states, but between powerful though mutually dependent entities that lack real freedom to decide and plan in their own long-term interests. Wikipedia defines the state as “a political organization with a centralized government that maintains a monopoly of the legitimate use of force within a certain territory.” It defines a “failed state as one characterized by: loss of control of its territory, or of the monopoly on the legitimate use of physical force therein, erosion of legitimate authority to make collective decisions, an inability to provide public services, and an inability to interact with other states as a full member of the international community. On these definitions, the state is indeed withering away, and many states are failing outright – to be sure, not due to any success of communism, but from the conspicuous successes and contradictions of capitalism, and its transformation into something else. Quite a long time ago now, the humorist James Thurber wrote about “government of the chickens by the foxes for the foxes.” The question now is whether a network of powerful states and oligarchic corporations can contrive to govern itself, and obtain a sufficient level of consent (and/or dumb passivity) from the governed. We’ll see. Meanwhile, the signs are that this network of powers is not up to its tasks of governance, and that the populace is becoming increasingly restive in its submission. Glebe Massage Therapy Center Open daily Online booking 99 Fifth Avenue, Suite 7 Bank & Fifth Avenue www.glebemassage.com 613.237.9000 OSCAR Needs Volunteers For Monthly Distribution in Old Ottawa South OSCA Program registration begins September 6 at 8:00pm SEPTEMBER 2012 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR Page 19 Yellowstone in the Summer by Joe Scanlon WEST YELLOWSTONE, MONTANA – When we mentioned we were considering visiting Yellowstone Park, everyone we talked to who had been there said it was fantastic. They were right. I have climbed down and up the Grand Canyon and I’ve visited Niagara Falls scores of times, even stayed in the Niagara Parks Commission apartments which overlook the falls. The Yellowstone canyons aren’t as big as the Grand Canyon and its waterfalls (there are more than one of those too) aren’t as enormous as Niagara but both are in a place with many, many other attractions. As you drive through the park which incidentally covers a huge area in two states – Montana and Wyoming – there are endless stopping places where one can get spectacular views of the canyons and the waterfalls. Some of these are just a few metres from parking areas. Others require longer walks but the results are worth it. There is also of course “Old Faithful” the geyser that spews up fountains of water on schedule day after day, year after year, century after century. There are also what must be hundreds of other places where hot water bubbles up from deep under the earth as well as other less regular geysers that spew up unexpectedly. One of them stopped erupting from 1890 to 1985 then erupted for 47 hours. One near Old Faithful started spewing water as we were waiting for Old Faithful. Quite a few involve steam spewing from holes in rocks right beside the roads. But that is only part of what makes Yellowstone so fascinating. There are the animals – Bisons, elk, mountain goats, brown bears, grizzly bears, and deer. We saw lots of Bison and we saw elk and deer and the day we left we saw a brown bear but we missed out on the grizzlies and we didn’t see mountain goats until minutes after we left the park but one woman we talked to saw a grizzly and her cubs the same day we were in the park. Spotting animals is fairly easy. Whenever anyone sees one he or she stops. Soon there is a line-up of vehicles all parked along the edge of the road. Because of that, traffic moves at a maximum 72 kilometres per hour and in many places the maximum speed is 40 kilometres per hour. Some of the mountain roads twist and turn enough to make it safer to drive at less than the speed limit. But there are many turnouts where drivers can pull over and most drivers are polite enough to get out of the way when someone wants past. In addition, there is the scenery – lakes, mountain streams, mountains with snow covered peaks – and the off-beat sights such as steaming hot water streaming down a small slope into a mountain stream. And there is the price -- $25 for a seven day vehicle pass no matter how many persons are in the vehicle. (It’s even cheaper for seniors who are US citizens.) There’s also the fact Yellowstone – something we had not realized -- is a high altitude experience. Most parts of the park are higher than 2,300 metres and the road that passes by Mount Washburn is close to 2,700 metres. When we passed along close to Washburn in mid-June there were still patches of snow in the trees and cut off snow banks along the road. Driving through the pass meant using low gear on an automatic, something that takes a little practice. Yellowstone incidentally was the first ever National park in the USA or anywhere else and it is unquestionably a major tourist attraction. In just one day, I saw vehicles with license plates from Idaho, Wyoming, Wisconsin, Arizona, California, Utah, Massachusetts, Washington, Minnesota, Illinois, Montana, Nevada, Texas, Indiana, Tennessee and Florida – though only one from Canada and that one was from Ontario. We made it to Yellowstone by flying from Ottawa to Calgary then renting a car and driving south from Calgary stopping at a number of other convenient places en route such as Frank and Hillcrest in the Crowsnest Pass and Waterton Park on the Canada-US border. Frank is the town that was partially obliterated in 1903 when tons of rock came down from Turtle Mountain. The rocks are still there on both sides of Highway 3 and the Province of Alberta has built a superb Interpretative Centre which includes games for children. For example after reading about what happened, the children can look at newspaper headlines from the period and indicate which were accurate. (There is even one from the Ottawa Citizen.) The town next to Frank is Hillcrest where 189 miners died in the worst loss of life ever in a Canadian mine incident. At the cemetery where the miners are buried is a monument surrounded by plaques which list all the other mass death incidents at Canadian mines, most of them in Cape Breton, a grim reminder of just how many men have died in mines most of them while mining for coal. We also stopped for a drive in Waterton Park on the Canada-US border. Perhaps because there are spectacular mountain views all along Highway 3 through the Crowsnest we were not so impressed with Waterton Park or with Glacier National Park next to Waterton on the US side of the border. (Despite the proximity you can’t drive from one park to the other.) Were there any drawbacks? While Yellowstone park access was inexpensive hotel prices and meal prices were not. We stayed in West Yellowstone a few blocks from the park entrance. There are scores of places to stay but not all that many restaurants. Breakfast was provided by our hotel but we ate dinner out and it easily ran to $50 for two – without alcohol, without coffee and without desert. The food wasn’t that great either. Hotel rates were also high – and significantly higher close to the park. We were there in June before the peak of the tourist season. I suspect it would be wise to book ahead during July and August. (There is accommodation in the park but it gets booked months ahead though there is also a chance of finding a room when someone fails to show.) Many of Yellowstone’s best sites are not completely accessible by road. Reaching Old Faithful requires only a walk across a large parking lot. But many other sights involve walking along a boardwalk, walking along a somewhat treacherous path and climbing one set of wooden stairs after another. It doesn’t seem too difficult until you remember the altitude. At Mammoth hot springs the walk – much of it up and down hill – takes two hours. To see Old Steamboat another geyser is about a 20 minute walk in each direction. In both cases the walk involves boardwalks and climbing down or up flights of steps. The park roads incidentally are in what might be described as a figure eight pattern. One part – it’s the part that includes Old Faithful and the Yellowstone canyon – is in my opinion the most attractive and there is enough to see to take up a full nine-hour day. The other – which includes Mammoth Hot Springs – has fewer attractions but equally dramatic scenery. We came back along highway 89 which connects to Yellowstone’s north entrance at Gardiner and there was virtually no traffic and only one major community, Great Falls. Gardiner itself was not as nicelooking as West Yellowstone but the prices there for accommodation were significantly less and park access was just as convenient. However we shifted to Interstate 15 at Great Falls and that led us through Lethbridge a real bottleneck. (The fact we hit a level crossing when a train with two engines and 109 freight cars had just started to pass didn’t help.) We would have been wiser it appeared to have stayed on US 89 which links to Highway 2 and Calgary. That also takes you through Fort MacLeod a home of the North West Mounted Police. (The first musical ride took place there in 1876.) However Highway 15 did however have one unexpected payoff. We stopped for gas at a hamlet called Sunburst just south of the US-Canada border. We tried to pay for the gas with cash but the women running the pumps said she could only handle credit cards. However across from the gas pumps was a brand new Swiss café with a menu including foods from Switzerland and Austria. In a town which appeared to have at the most half a dozen homes, the Swiss Café offered such treats as veal bratwurst, wiener schnitzel, a Swiss plate including Gruyere cheese and air dried beef from the Swiss alps plus steaks cooked on a sizzling stone grill with the rocks imported from Switzerland. Submit articles about interesting people you know in Old Ottawa South to oscar@ oldottawasouth.ca Your neighbourhood QUALITY HOME RENOVATION and restoration specialists John Wenuk (Owner), Sandy Hill Construction “There is no place more important to you and your family than your home.” For a comprehensive overview, please visit our web site: www.sandyhill.ca or contact John at (613) 832-1717 SERVING OTTAWA SOUTH FOR OVER 20 YEARS The OSCAR Page 20 - OUR 40th YEAR SEPTEMBER 2012 24th annual Wiggle Waggle Walkathon Join us on Sunday, September 9th, 2012 at the 24th annual Wiggle Waggle Walkathon to walk and raise money for Ottawa’s animals. The walk has a new home! The 2012 Wiggle Waggle Walkathon will take place at Bruce Pit. The beautiful walking trail though the Greenbelt will provide tranquil walking paths as well as lots of open space for our ever-expanding K9 Fun Zone, Family Fun Zone, VIP Area and Pet Pavilion Marketplace. Registration for the 2012 walk is now open! Your registration fees cover the cost of the walkathon. The animals are counting on the pledges you raise to provide them with food, shelter and veterinary care. Register online now and set up your fundraising page. The earlier you start the more awareness you can build about the importance of supporting the animals in need. Sign up for the Wiggle Waggle Walkathon 1. Registration Tip: Please ensure you store your login name and password in a safe place for future use. 2. Set up your personal fundraising page On your page, you can tell your story and post pictures. 3. Start a team Recruit your family and friends to participate in the walkathon with you. Have people join your team from your team Web page, or by sending them a team registration link via e-mail. 4. Fundraise online Send e-mails to your friends, family and colleagues. Make sure to include a direct link back to your fundraising page. Please read our tips on emailing for more information. Fundraising Tip: Never underestimate the power of a thank you… did you know that you are able to thank your donors right from your personal fundraising page? 5. Use social networking in addition to emails Think about using Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and other social networks to spread the word that you are hosting an event online and raising money for Ottawa’s animals. Reverse mortgage, home equity line or downsizing? By Linda M. Hancock, BSc., CFP, Senior Financial Consultant, Investors Group Financial Services Inc. Home is where the heart is and a lot of your money, too. The kids are gone, retirement is on the horizon, or for a number of other personal reasons, you may be at a point in your life where you’re looking to unlock the equity you’ve built in your home over the years. Let’s look at three popular strategies for making that happen. Reverse mortgage This is a mortgage secured by the equity in your home but unlike a regular mortgage you do not have to make principal or interest payments -- a reverse mortgage pays you. Generally available only to those over 55 years of age, a reverse mortgage allows you to receive up to 50 per cent of the value of your home and you can choose how you want to receive the money, either as a lump sum, in monthly payments, or a combination of the two. The money is tax-free, you keep ownership of and all remaining equity in, your home but the full amount of the reverse mortgage come due when you sell your home or move out. Home equity line of credit (HELOC) This is a relatively new cash management option that allows you to combine your mortgage, loans, line of credit, and chequing and savings accounts into a single line of credit based on the equity in your home. With a HELOC, you can access up to 80 per cent of the value of your home (reverse mortgages are capped at 50 per cent) and take any amount of money (up to your approved limit) on your own schedule. Many financial institutions offer this HELOC option: You deposit money in your HELOC account (your paycheck, for example) and take money when you need it to cover day-to-day expenses or for any other reason. Any unused money from your deposits is applied to your loan principal, reducing the loan balance and minimizing interest charges. Downsizing With the kids gone, your home may seem too big. You can replace it with a smaller one at a lower price, move to a cottage (if you have one) or by renting and using OSCAR Needs Volunteers For Monthly Distribution in OOS the difference to augment your income, invest for regular returns, or pay down debt. There are pros and cons to each of these equity-liberating options. Ultimately, choosing the right one for you will depend on your financial situation and the lifestyle you want now and in retirement. Your professional advisor can help you make the best choice for your situation as it is today and as you want it to be tomorrow. Contact your own advisor for specific advice about your circumstances. For more information on this topic please contact Linda M. Hancock @ (613) 798-7700 Ext. 240 or [email protected]. SEPTEMBER 2012 The OSCAR Page 21 - OUR 40th YEAR OSCA Windsor Park Art Show By Brenda Lee On June 17th OSCA held it’s first ever OSCA Windsor Park Art Show. Participants were able to do some one of a kind shopping with over 25 local artists and artisans on site. The show featured some amazing work and it was great to see how many local artists and artisans there are. Live music was provided by Spencer Scharf, Darcy Middaugh, Social Butterly and Charles de Lint and Maryann Harris. There was also a community BBQ held by OSCA. Like almost every day this summer, it was a very hot day, but artists and participants alike braved the heat and had a wonderful day The next chance to see some of these artists and new ones will be at the OSCA Shop Your Local Talent Christmas Sale. This will be held at the Firehall on Nov. 25th from 10-3. Watch the OSCAR for more details. Artist Chris Heilmann with one of his paintings at the Windsor Art Show all photos Dinos Dafniotis Glebe House Tour GNAG’s 12th Annual Sunday, September 16, 2012 1:00 - 4:00 pm Tickets $25 Performers Charles de Lint and Mary Ann Harris 6 glor ious homes to explor e Tickets available at the Glebe Community Centre 175 Third Ave., Ottawa 613-564-1058 www.gnag.ca 613-233-8713 To book an OSCAR ad call Gayle 730-1058 [email protected] Page 22 The OSCAR By Lori Pope SEPTEMBER 2012 - OUR 40th YEAR 34th Annual Brighton Avenue Clambake When: Saturday September 15, 2012 Where: Old Brighton Beach Current and former Brighton Avenue residents are invited to join old and new neighbours on Saturday, September 15th for the 34th Brighton Avenue clambake. This annual street party began 35 years ago in the backyard of Bill and Sharon Blakeman. It moved to the old Brighton Beach the following year and, with one blip, it’s been held there every year since. Preparations begin in the afternoon, as volunteers put up the tent and (if the fire ban is lifted by then) dig the pit for the fire. After the children’s meal, there will be a group photo at 6:00. This year we’ll also do a separate photograph of the children right after the group photo. Following the photo, residents and alumni of Brighton Avenue will enjoy clams, corn, baked beans, and potluck contributions while greeting new neighbours and renewing old acquaintances. This community feast is a big success year after year because of the many contributions of the residents of Brighton Avenue who, among other things, canvass, put up the tent, tend the fire, shuck and cook corn, wash and cook clams, lend their tables and barbeques, serve the children’s meal, and clean up after it’s all over Canvassers will be knocking on doors in early September to sell tickets, solicit loans of barbeques and tables, and sign people up for setup and clean-up jobs. If you miss your canvassers but don’t want to miss the fun, please fill out the form they leave you and drop it off at 31 Brighton Avenue. All Photos by Tom Alfoldi OSCAR Needs Volunteers For Monthly Distribution in OOS RETIRED? Come learn with us! Carleton University’s Learning in Retirement program offers affordable, daytime, non‐ credit courses in a wide range of subjects taught by experienced instructors. To book an OSCAR ad call Gayle 730-1058 [email protected] Registration begins August 13th for the fall 2012 sessions! For information or to register: www.carleton.ca/cie/linr 613‐520‐2600 ext. 1756 SEPTEMBER 2012 The OSCAR Page 23 - OUR 40th YEAR BACKYARD NATURALIST The Almost Lost Art of Making Jelly By Linda Burr Until last summer, I had never made my own jam or jelly. And I might never have learned to do it if it weren’t for a pack of raccoons that visited my backyard. The making of jams and jellies was a summer ritual in my grandmother’s kitchen. My grandparent’s large garden produced a steady stream of bounty all summer long, all of which had to be bottled, canned and preserved. All manner of fruits including black currants, red currants and Concord grapes were cooked, squashed and strained into ruby-coloured juices, which became the jams and jellies we eagerly devoured all winter long. Back then, the making of jams and jellies was more of a necessity than a luxury. It was a way to preserve the summer fruit in a time without refrigerators or the ready availability of produce from the southern USA. (Even if it could be bought it was too expensive.) Of course, my mother learned all these arts from my grandmother, and summer jam and jelly making became a tradition at our house, too. I would accompany my mother on strawberry or raspberry picking excursions, and return home with our baskets piled high. Rhubarb, strawberry and pineapple jam was one great favourite, and you couldn’t buy that in the store. Once I even picked wild chokecherries that my mother turned into jelly. Jams and jellies were also made at home because they were far superior in quality and flavour to the storebought brands. But my life away from home took me to university and then to jobs in other cities where I never seemed to have time for my own jam- or jelly-making. Besides, I could still get a jar or two from Mom on visits home. So it was with some chagrin last summer I realized, at the age of 50, that I’d never made a jar of jam or jelly in my life. I had watched it being done often enough, but I lacked the confidence to do it myself. It seemed like a tricky business to get it just right. Last summer, the chokecherry tree in my backyard was heavy with fruit. This was not an ordinary crop, quickly taken care of by the local wildlife. This was a positive bonanza of chokecherries. The branches were laden with pendulous bunches of dark, shiny chokecherries. I returned windstorm did that. But later that evening, I found out who (or what) the real culprits were. A trio of young raccoons came into the backyard just after we had finished supper. We watched as they climbed into the chokecherry tree with great dexterity and began searching for chokecherries to eat. The cherries grow at the ends of long, thin branches, and the weight of the raccoons caused the branches to sag or even break off. I enjoy all the wildlife that’s from a week’s holiday in August to find the chokecherry tree looking ravaged. Many of the branches were bent way down, and one main trunk had snapped right off. I thought to myself, it must have been some crazy attracted to the chokecherry in my backyard. The humble chokecherry is a large bush or small tree that grows in the wild all across Canada, from British Columbia to Newfoundland and Labrador, and as far north as the treeline. In spite of the chokecherry’s dark, shiny appearance, these fruit lack the appeal of a ripe raspberry or a sweet cherry because they’re dry and astringent (that is, they make you pucker). But that doesn’t seem to bother the hordes of birds and squirrels that feast on them. Squirrels cling like acrobats to the thinnest branches, straining to get the hardestto reach bunches. To prevent further damage to the tree, the next day I went out with a large bowl and picked as many of the chokecherries as I could reach. The big bowl gradually filled to the brim, so I brought it into the kitchen and sat it on the counter. What to do now? I couldn’t just throw them out – that would seem to violate all the rules ingrained in me about not wasting the summer harvest. So I set to work, cooking, squashing and straining the ruby red liquid out of those chokecherries until I had a large beautiful jar of clear garnet-coloured juice. And as I worked I came up with a plan. I was soon to spend a week at the cottage with my parents, and I would bring the juice with me. At long last, I would get my mother to guide me for the first time through the art of making jelly. And so we did. Afterwards, I felt a sense of pride as I gazed at the neat row of jars on the window ledge. The sunlight made the jars glow like jewels with their deep red colour. They were almost too beautiful to eat. (Almost.) And now a year has passed and all that delicious jelly has been eaten. But lucky for me there’s another bumper crop of chokecherries out in the backyard. And to think, I owe it all to the raccoons. Linda Burr lives in Old Ottawa South and is a biologist and avid backyard naturalist. Submit articles about interesting people you know in Old Ottawa South to [email protected] Page 24 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR SEPTEMBER 2012 Hopewell Avenue Fire Potluck Fundraiser To see a photo gallery of the Hopewell Avenue Street Party, go to www.oldottawasouth.ca, Community/Photos. Photos by Gwen Gall May not be exactly as shown. New fashions arrive weekly. www.cochranephoto.com It’s time for a change... ...from summer frocks, into new fall fashions. Back to work, or back to school, we have something perfect for you. See you at the Old Ottawa South Porch Sale, Sat., Sept. 8. We’ll be celebrating our 20th anniversary! www.theclothessecret.com Mon. - Wed.: 10 - 5:30 • Thurs. & Fri.: 10 - 7 • Sat.: 10 - 5 • Sun.: 12 - 4 • Closed Sundays in July 613-730-9039 1136 Bank Street (1 1/2 blocks south of Sunnyside) Ottawa ON K1S 3X6 The OSCAR SEPTEMBER 2012 - OUR 40th YEAR Page 25 The Essence of a Community By Don Westwood Last Friday evening, August the 3rd, was a perfect example of what a community is really all about. In this case, it was Old Ottawa South, demonstrating the true nature of the communal spirit, and the collective responsibility and generosity towards members of that community when faced with the tragic circumstances when one’s home and one’s worldly possessions are destroyed by fire. The occasion was a street party organized to honour and raise funds for all the individuals that were affected by the fire on Hopewell Avenue last month, specifically the occupants of 128 Hopewell, and the three students next door at 126. All the immediate neighbours were invited to enjoy a pot-luck BYOBBQ and an evening of entertainment and dancing. And it was a resounding success, due in no small part for the irrepressible energy and exuberance of Joe Silverman, a true embodiment of the ‘community spirit’, if ever there was! Folks brought their own chairs and tables, salads and snacks to share with everyone, and whatever they wished to ‘throw on the BBQ’ as their main dish. By the evening’s end, more than two hundred people had turned up, including the President of Carleton University, Dr. Roseann O’Reilly Runte, and the media from CBC, and judging by the air of jollity and enthusiasm, a good time was had by one and all. The evening began with a few explanatory words from Joe and others, and an invitation to contribute to the collection of funds to help the victims of the fire. There was a talent show, some beautiful demonstrations of dance and singing, culminating in an hour or so of music by a volunteer group of musicians to end the evening. The president of OSCA, Michael Jenkins, gave a short speech in which he reported that over $5,500 had been raised so far. The most moving speeches were given by two of the people who lived in each of the two houses affected. I shall always remember two things: the thanks from one of the students, Alexander Galbraith, who had been overwhelmed by the community’s generosity -- he had over 30 offers of a place to stay! -- and Beth Gorham and her daughter who lived at 128, who said that people had been so generous that “there was no time to wallow”. In fact, she is about to rent a property just a few houses from the shell of her house, and I believe she is determined to rebuild. It really was a wonderful demonstration of what a community can and will do to help each other in extenuating circumstances. It was also an opportunity to meet old friends and neighbours, and to make new friends. I even re-connected with two old students of mine and their families that I hadn’t seen since the 70s! I suspect that my experiences were repeated by many of those present that evening. A heartfelt ‘thank you’ to all involved. Such is the benefit of living in a community like Old Ottawa South! Update on Bronson Place Tree Planting By Declan Hill First, here is the good news. It was an intense, hot and hard summer thwarted. All through the long drought, which hung over Ottawa in June and July, the Bridge-to-Bridge conservation project was still able to get volunteers out to water the trees. By superb efforts, led by Dimitris Georgaras and David Amundsen, we lost far fewer trees than than the City in past years while maintaining the green space in an attractive fashion. The bad news is the news from Ottawa City Hall that there is to be a reconstruction of Bronson Avenue planned for 2013-14. If you have seen what the City Hall barbarians have done to other streets around the city in their ‘reconstructions’ here is what we can expect: more traffic, more pollution, more noise, less sidewalk space, less safe access for bicycles, and less beauty in our city. We are trying to stop the steady encroachment of Bronson Avenue onto our community by planting more trees. The plan now is to plant a series of flowering trees that in the spring will turn the area red and white and show both beauty and patriotism. Please join us, we will be doing another tree-planting on Saturday, September 29 at 9.30 a.m. on Bronson Place. Fa st ll C ar la t s ss oo es n! Martial Arts To book an OSCAR ad call Gayle 730-1058 [email protected] Sports Music Dance Art Classes ottawa.ca/recreation Page 26 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR SEPTEMBER 2012 Tasty Tidbits From Trillium Bakery Three Weddings and No Funeral By Jocelyn LeRoy Wedding on the Grass If I had written about this event when it happened, I might have gotten a bad rep, gone to jail, or, at the very least, been misunderstood. No one blogged back then, so I didn’t have to deal with glib comments rolling off loose tongues, stuck on the net forever, but still… One simmering hot day in August awhile back, I arrived at the wedding of one of my customers. She had kindly invited me, even though I had declined to make the wedding cake. Having hurried to get there on time, down by the Ottawa River at Remic Rapids, I sat down under a gnarly ancient willow. Did I have the wrong date? After 20 minutes a solitary figure appeared, walking slowly across the grassy park. We introduced ourselves and decided to sit and relax, and wait to see if anyone else showed up. This friend of the bride and groom liked to talk: he told me his story, going was back to the 1970s when he invented the Black Russian bread we make at Trillium, still to this day! He had been the baker at Ottawa’s first health food store, in the Byward Market. When his boss knew she was going to pass away, she called me to carry on with her recipe: would I please make it exactly as her baker did? She gave me the recipe; it was the only Trillium bread recipe ever created outside our kitchen. It was the inspiration of this person perched on a log beside me! Finally the wedding guests arrived, rather nonchalantly, and seated themselves under the willows. A goose joined the small party. Today I imagine 20 or 30 geese would show uninvited. By the time the bride and groom arrived, in separate little groups traipsing across the fields, I had heard not only the surprising revelation of the origin of our Black Russian bread, but also his account of six years in a wheelchair battling several degenerative and debilitating ailments. After trying every mainstream and holistic treatment he could, he learned about “medical marijuana” and obtained a license to grow a few plants to try and relieve his suffering and hopefully regain some of his lost health. He was fervently in favour of this “medicine” as a last resort in his case, which had improved his quality of life. He was here with no wheelchair! The parents of the bride and groom wore wreaths of freshcut marijuana leaves, emitting quite a strong scent. They looked uncomfortable. The (then) leader of the Marijuana Party was the best man, dressed in a fine suit. Many of the guests were in wheelchairs. Many more had canes or crutches. It was a lovely celebration, including a potluck picnic. The wedding couple shared a small “special” cake. No alcohol was served. As I mingled, I learned much about these folks: They shared their stories of illness, hopelessness, loss of jobs, and frustration with their experience of “Mainstream medicine and its side effects. They spoke of how the bride and groom and guests lobbied for legal marijuana for medical treatment. This has changed their lives for the better. Some with terminal illness found comfort after years of suffering. I saw a lot of caring among these people. A few were no longer using marijuana. Two sisters as down beside me and pulled cigar-sized joints from their pockets – these were actually bigger than any stogies I have ever seen. They lit up and quietly puffed away throughout the afternoon. The best story of all was the bride’s. She was well enough to be present at her own wedding after a lifetime of suffering grand mal seizures 24/7. Small amounts of marijuana brought her seizures down to only a few per year. Her doctors were impressed and supported her choice to include her “special medicine,” in her care because it was working in her favour. (Dare I say “Holy Smoke”!) This was a super-memorable wedding! The Wedding Where Nothing Could Possibly Go Wrong It was another sizzling summer day. After an eight-hour drive from Ottawa to my youngest daughter’s perfectly planned, executed and delivered Day of Her Dreams. Limp from the hot drive and trying to get air into our lungs through the thick beige smog, my family pulled up to the church parking lot “slightly early.” It was breathtakingly hot and humid, the air still as a stone. Once inside the church we seated ourselves on the hard wooden pews. Even the wood was hot. The bride’s side filled up shortly. The bride arrived, glistening and radiant, and, on time, she waited at the back of the church. The minister had encouraged the wedding party and families involved to arrive at 2:00 PM Canadian time, not “Caribbean time”. (Tree clock mon, no problem – da groom be here soon.) No sign of him. A look crossed my daughter’s face, a look I had seen before: “This is not happening; it will not be”. The organist played the precessional music eight times. It seemed to sound more frantic with each repetition. The accompanying sound of rustling papers was the only other thing happening: Bibles turned inside out, pizza menus dug out of purses and pockets, to use as fans in the stultifying heat. Finally, outside the low windows that ran down the sunny side of the church, a rainbow of colour moved slowly across the adjacent parking lot. I saw a sea of legs beneath red, pink, fuscia and orange skirts and dresses. There were long black pants and shiny shoes for the gentlemen. The top halves of these two-hour late folks were obscured by the partially pulled down blinds over the windows. The ceremony began. Those who had nodded off woke up, and all proceeded smoothly until a sudden “thump” resounded across the floorboards. The best man had fainted. That “look” on my daughter’s face appeared again. NO ONE DID ANYTHING! After what seemed like a long couple of minutes, the mother of the groom slowly pulled an elegant fan from her purse. She began to fan the hapless best man to consciousness. He made a stalwart attempt to stand up, and, with a little help, managed to get through the rest of the ceremony. My daughter’s “look” returned once more. The limousine filled with bride and bridesmaids had a long way to go to the park for photographs. Then the air-conditioning quit. Makeup rolled down the ladies’ faces in rivulets of blue and pink. My daughter fumed fervently while telling the driver in no uncertain terms that this was his problem and he must fix it immediately. Then the car’s engine conked out. My daughter became so angry, with her look and her fuming; I’m sure that’s why things suddenly started up. The engine and air-conditioning were jump-started, apparently by fumes alone! Cont’d on next page SEPTEMBER 2012 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR Page 27 Three Weddings continued from previous page At the park there were line-ups of wedding parties waiting for the prime photogenic spots. I watched high heels sinking into the lush green lawns and getting stuck. Once pulled out, the heels sported dull green grass and mud stains. The “look” was becoming fixed on my daughter’s face. Suffice it to say, no matter how much planning and “perfection guaranteed” goes into a wedding, things can go wrong. The drinks, the punch, and kitchen tap water was drained nearly dry at the reception before it even got underway. Ties were unknotted and disappeared into pockets, shirts were unbuttoned; nylons and shoes were discarded. The disheveled crowd draped themselves over all the chairs. People clapped half-heartedly, and even the pale, valiant best man attempted to redeem his fallen pride. When I see that “look” when my beautiful daughter is greatly displeased, these memories flash before my eyes and I get to enjoy the wedding all over again. Being the kind of person I am, I like a little mischief and out-of-the-ordinary adventure. My Wedding, Only Three Weeks Ago My hairdresser announced that thunderstorms were forecast for May 26, all day and night. He said, “This is good.” I asked “Why on earth…? He replied, “They’re always wrong.” Yes, when I awoke to a pictureperfect sunny day, I realized that a minor miracle had take place. After all, my winter was a roller-coaster of turbulence, weather and otherwise, so I wasn’t really upset at the thought of another storm. My best friend was sitting on my sofa in her pajamas, singing a song for this special day in her nearangelic voice. I made scrambled eggs as I wondered if all the wedding guests would find the church. After TRILLIUM RECIPES Fresh Strawberries Dipped in Belgian Chocolate Melt 200 g block of pure Belgian chocolate. Wash and dry 50 to 60 fresh, firm ripe strawberries. One by one, swirl berries in melted chocolate to coat evenly. Place on wax paper and set in a cool, dry place This is lovely with any kind of cake, especially a wedding cake! Tell OSCAR Readers about your travel or your interests. Send text and photos to [email protected] all, it was Race Weekend and also time for the Great Glebe Garage Sale. The usual routes to the church would be blocked and detours would be necessary. No worries. Nothing more could be done. Qué sera, sera. My eight “flower grandchildren” strolled up the aisle two by two. The groom looked incredibly handsome. It was hard to believe only weeks ago we thought we would be at his funeral, not a wedding. Leukemia and C-difficile and pneumonia didn’t conquer him. The ambiance was personal, heartfelt, relaxed and joyous– magical, dare I say. Our families and close friends shared our happiness – to be alive, to be well, and to be married after many years of leading up to this day. The cake made its own statement – everyone at the bakery had a hand it its creation. Jean poured a giant bowl of lemony batter into our largest pan. Our cake decorators mixed and stirred and tested a rainbow of colours. Yes, colours! My vision was a theme that reflected our lifestyle, enjoyable pastimes, and also a metaphor for our lives. A tall order! The cake was two-tiered, with water lilies in the four corners, with a small canoe heading bravely through lively waters. There were Tom Thompson trees in the background, ground cookie crumb sandy beaches, and even a loon. The bride and groom were in the canoe. This was art with icing – so much of it – making for a bit of a challenge. As the last of the guests were leaving the reception (held at my daughter’s house and gardens), what remained on the dining table was a small piece of cake: the piece with the canoe, the red-shirted groom, and the bride in the bow – hair flying in the wind – paddling their way to their future together. Renowned author and childhood counsellor Kim John Payne coming to Ottawa Author’s bestselling Simplicity Parenting book has been translated into 12 languages, and spurred an international parenting movement. He will be at Southminster United Church, 15 Aylmer Ave on September 28th at 7:30 p.m. Today’s busier, faster society is encroaching on what it means to be a child. With too much stuff, too many choices, and too little time, children can become anxious, have trouble with friends and school, or even be diagnosed with behaviour problems. Now internationally renowned family consultant Kim John Payne helps parents reclaim for their children the space and freedom that all kids need for their attention to deepen and their individuality to flourish. Kim John Payne’s lectures offer inspiration, ideas, and a blueprint for change. For example: Streamline your home environment. Reduce the amount of toys, books, and clutter—as well as the lights, sounds, and general sensory overload. Establish rhythms and rituals. Discover ways to ease daily tensions, create battle-free mealtimes and bedtimes, and tell if your child is overwhelmed. Schedule a break in the schedule. Establish intervals of calm and connection in your child’s daily torrent of constant doing. Scale back on media and parental involvement. Manage your children’s “screen time” to limit the endless deluge of information and stimulation. A manifesto for protecting the grace of childhood, Simplicity Parenting is an eloquent guide to bringing new rhythms to bear on the lifelong art of raising children. Kim John Payne will also host a workshop to deepen the theme on Saturday morning, the 29th, 9am at Trille-desbois public school, 140 Genest Street in Vanier. Tickets for both events are available at www. brownpapertickets.com, or in person at Singing Pebble Books, 202 Main St., Ottawa, (613) 2309165, and Collected Works bookstore, 1242 Wellington Street West, (613) 722-1265. For more information contact: Julie Le GalBrodeur Tel:(613)552-4813 Page 28 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR SEPTEMBER 2012 Our Roman Holiday By Marilyn Brown My daughter, our friend Anne and I arrived at Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci airport at 10:00 AM. on the 22nd of September 2011, and hailed a taxi to our hotel. My daughter commented that the driver must be Mario Andretti’s sister – sites along the route to our Hotel were just a blur. We stayed at Hotel Quirinale, stored our bags, and left immediately for Torre Argentina. These are the ruins of some of the ancient temples and the Senate and now home to Rome’s Cat Sanctuary. This is where Caesar was murdered. It is said that Cleopatra introduced cats to Rome, hoping Caesar would like them. Turned out he was allergic, and now they wander all over these ruins. There were cats of every description. Some had been abandoned, some lost, some having been hit by cars, etc. Each one of them had been named, some were friendly, some not so. Lucky Luciano, a blind cat, was very friendly. Some were healthy, some with 3 legs, and all were neutered. We continued on to the Pantheon, which is still used as a church. It had been an ancient temple to all gods. Everywhere we look are old, beautiful buildings, ruins and over 2,500 years of history. We found a cute little outdoor cafe on the Piazza de la Rotunda, and sat down for a cool drink, and to people-watch. There were people of all nationalities and countries, peddlers, clowns, and many different things to see. We then returned to our hotel, (an old palace with a walkway to the Opera House, day planned for next day. On the 23rd, we bought a ticket for two days on the Hop on/Hop off bus. Once we finally got a bus, we stayed on for the whole circuit to see what we wanted to do first. It had audio descriptions of all the points of interest, which were quite and a beautiful courtyard). Puccini stayed at this hotel in his day. We turned in quite early as we had a full informative. We got off at the Trevi Fountain - beautiful, but a little different from how I had seen it in movies. I didn’t know we had to go down some stairs, with crowds of people pushing and shoving. I stood at a post and watched while Karren and Anne went down, took pictures, and dodged coins being tossed. Back on the bus to the end at the Termini Station. Had a nice light lunch and then on to the Ste. Maria Maggiori Church, which houses the oldest Mary image in the world done by St. Luke, who did it on the table of the Holy Family. Bernini is buried in this Church. We then took a taxi to our pre-booked Vina Roma Wine Tasting. There was a great bunch there from all over, and it was in our Sommeliers own home (another old apartment building) on the banks of the Tiber. She had decorated it in all period furnishings. There were 12 of us in all, and we tried three whites and three reds, and learned which wines had come from the different areas of Italy. Great stuff. Then we had supper at another great outdoor cafe – Cafe Natalluci. I ordered a Pizza Diavola: cheese, spicy ham, hot peppers and tomato sauce, which went well with a nice cold Peroni. It was the best pizza I had ever had and I don’t favour Pizza. I have to find a place in Ottawa that has Diavola Pizza. The next day Karren and Anne went off to the Capitoline Hill while I wrote my post cards. It had a beautiful church at the top of 150 stairs, a museum which housed the original statue of Roma Lupa and other famous artifacts. There were beautiful statues and gardens on the grounds. It’s said some brides get married there to spite their in-laws by making them climb all the stairs. Once they were back we were off to the Coliseum. It was hot as Hades out and the lineups looked dreadful, but once we finally got to the entrance, we found admission was free as it was the UNESCO World Heritage Day. I had goose pimples the whole time of our tour even though it was 36 degrees Celsius without the humidex. Emperors of over 2,000 years ago, good and bad, watched plays, magicians, singers, and gladiators fight to the death against prisoners. Slaves and people who were not Roman citizens were pitted against wild animals, etc. We then taxied to Piaza Barberini and saw Fontana dei Triton, sculpted by Bernini. Later at the hotel we sat in the garden to relax, with a nice Chianti and we heard opera music: a Tenor and a Soprano practicing for their evening performance. They were doing La Traviotta - so cool. On Sunday we went to Mass at Ste. Maria de la Vittoria (translation: Our Lady of Victory) and coincidentally, I had married my first husband in Winnipeg, and both girls had been christened at a church with the same name. The beautiful church in Rome was featured in Angels and Demons. This Church is home to the famous Ste. Theresa in Ecstasy statue, by Bernini. Then we went to Isola Tiberina, dating back to 62 BC. We viewed the Tiber, crossed one of the oldest bridges Cont’d on next page SEPTEMBER 2012 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR Page 29 Roman Holiday continued from previous page (Ponti Fabricia) and found the ruins of Teatro Marcello and Port of Octavious. These are old ruins and my companions had to check them out as they were completely uncrowded. They discovered some old bones, and I thought it smelled of death and decay. We wandered through the narrow streets of the ancient Jewish Ghetto - which is of course, no longer a ghetto, then on to Piazza Navona - a huge piazza, that in ancient was used by Domitian for his chariot races. We visited another beautiful church - Ste. Agnus in Agone. Karren and I lit two candles for members of our family. On the 26thwe took a half day tour of the Catacombs of Ste. Calista, the Apian Way and the Acquaducts. This was a beautiful drive a little ways in the countryside. At the Catacombs, I tried to go down the steep stairs, and made it down the first set of them, and even four or five of the next set - but I could see another set and they were like a ladder. As a kid, Mom had given me many a book on the saints who were martyred in different Catacombs. I panicked and raced back up. Before I knew it, two of my bus buddies from Australia were up because they couldn’t make it either. I sat on a bench close to the exit, and as people came out, they could hardly get their breath, the stairs up were so steep. Karren and Anne, as well as the others, looked like they were bursting out of a womb by the time they came out. Onwards now to the Apian Way: the oldest paved road in the world. Jesus was supposed to have left his footprint on it. Amazing! We went to one set of the Aqueducts next. It is unbelievable how advanced they were - they all still work! Everything has lasted for well over 2,500 years, still operable, and now all maintained. On the 27th we woke at 5.15 a.m., for a day of sightseeing, food and wine tasting in Tuscany. It was a beautiful drive in the mountainous part of Tuscany district. We passed many ruins and medieval mountain-top villages along the way. We drove up a long winding mountain road passing Orvietto, then on further to Cortona. We had a wine tasting and a bit of sightseeing there. Then we went on to a beautiful restaurant called Castigliona del Lago (Castle on the Lake). The owner had been one of the celebrated Italian chefs, but bought the place and grounds. She and her family now produce all the food, vineyards, olive groves, spices, wines, chickens, beef, pigs, etc. On now to Multipulciano, where we went through a wine cellar, Cantine Contucci, that has been producing and operating the place for over 1,000 years. Karren even managed to go down the stairs in a local shop and see an Etruscan Tomb. This town was famous for, besides its wine, the setting for the 2nd Twilight book and movie. daughter who had just gone across the street. They came along, and he explained to them very long and detailed instructions, so we thanked him and decided on a cab. Wow! Another huge crowd, and although we had asked the cab driver to let us off at the top, she took us to the bottom. Afterwards, I told Karren and Anne I couldn’t handle another pasta On the 28th, we were off again on a pre-booked tour of the Bourghesi Villa/Museum and grounds. The grounds cover acres and acres. They house a restaurant, a zoo, and many picnic areas. The museum had so much beautiful art, paintings, sculptures by Bernini, period furniture, etc. After climbing at least 75 spiral, marble, uneven stairs it was great to view many Bernini, and Caravaggio works. When we left we asked the souvenir hawker outside how far it was to the Spanish Steps. He said they were just down the path. After walking or pizza, so we went to the Hard Rock Cafe and had a Burger and Chips. Delicious! On the 29th, we headed to another pre-booked tour -- a “skip the line” tour of the Vatican, which of course is a whole other country. We had a fantastic tour guide, very knowledgeable, who was studying for her art history degree. Surprise, surprise, to find more marble stairs to about five kilometers in the heat, we finally reached civilization. I saw some steep stairs not too far in the distance and Karren and Anne went to see if that was the famous steps. I sat and tried to figure out how to get to them on a not too good map I had. A nice Italian man asked me in both Italian and English if he could help. He offered to drive me to the steps, but I said I was waiting for my climb. The buildings were absolutely beautiful. First the museum, then on to the Sistene Chapel - ceilings again covered in beautiful, famous art. We were shown the doors where the Cardinals were sequestered on the death of a pope and the system of electing a new pope takes place and how: three puffs of smoke - black indicating no decision and white when a new pope is elected. We then went on to St. Peter’s Basilica. It is completely breathtaking. I can’t believe I saw all this. Tour ended and we were on our own with thousands of others milling about. We were told the ItalPost was very slow so we mailed all our postcards from the Vatican. September 30th and we had our last breakfast at the hotel, anxious to get home and see our cats. When it was time, the Concierge hailed us our taxi to Leonardi da Vinci airport. It was a beautiful, busy and unforgettable trip. I feel I could teach Roman Hisory 101. We have beautiful memories, but good to be home to rest up. I have been asked which I like best, Paris or Rome, and it’s a big decision. Paris to me is like a beautiful Museum, but Rome, is a step back in time to Ancient History. A lot of very good impressions of our Roman Holiday. Hail Canada (Ottawa). Marilyn Brown (nee Dancey) grew up in Ottawa South and is now back in the Ottawa South neighbourhood. Page 30 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR SEPTEMBER 2012 M.P.P. OTTAWA CENTRE Celebrating our Students By Yasir Naqvi, MPP Ottawa Centre With the new school year upon us, our students have a lot to celebrate. Our province continues to build on our reputation as a world leader in education and help more students than ever while promoting safe and accepting schools. Our hard work over the past eight years — and our students’ hard work — is paying off. Over 50,000 four- and five-yearolds in Ontario have benefited, this year, from full-day kindergarten giving them the best possible start. This fall, the full-day kindergarten program will be in over 1,700 schools across Ontario. In Ottawa Centre, the program will be offered at 6 schools: Connaught PS, Lady Evelyn Alternative School, Carleton Heights PS, Hilson Avenue PS, Churchill Alternative School and Centennial PS. By September 2014, full-day kindergarten will be available in all elementary schools across Ontario, with the support of about 3,800 more teaching positions and up to 20,000 early childhood educator (ECE) positions. This includes in an additional 12 schools in Ottawa Centre, and means that even more students will benefit from both teachers and ECEs working together to help them learn, play and grow. Our elementary students continue to prove why they are internationally recognized among the best in the world. Results from the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) show that 69 per cent of Grade 3 and 6 students are mastering the reading, writing and math skills that will lead to success in high school, postsecondary education, training and the workforce. This represents a 15 percentage point increase from 54 per cent in 2003. For the seventh year in a row, more Ontario students are graduating from high school with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed. Last year, 82 per cent of high school students earned their secondary school diploma -- a jump of 14 percentage points from 68 per cent in 2003-04. This means that 93,000 more students have graduated than would have had the rate remained at the 2003-04 level. And now Ontario’s schools will be safer, more accepting and inclusive places to learn thanks to the passage of the Accepting Schools Act — giving all students the support they need to grow and reach their full potential. We have created a new Accepting Schools Expert Panel to bring together experts who will identify and advise on the development of resources and practices that promote a positive school climate, equity and inclusive education, as well as bullying prevention and early intervention. Other elements of the comprehensive action plan include: bringing mental health support workers into schools - as part of Ontario’s 10-year mental health and addictions strategy - including telepsychiatry; having Ontario’s Curriculum Council report back on integrating equity and inclusive education principles and bullying prevention strategies across the curriculum; creating a public awareness campaign to promote the role that all Ontarians have in preventing bullying; and renewed support for Kids Help Phone. Investing in education while providing students with the tools they need to succeed is part of the McGuinty government’s plan to ensure Ontario has the skilled workforce needed to compete in the global economy. Our government is committed to working with our partners in education to eliminate the deficit while protecting the gains we’ve worked hard to achieve together over the last eight years — rolling out full-day kindergarten, maintaining smaller class sizes and preserving 20,000 teacher and support staff jobs to make sure that every student succeeds. For more information on education in Ontario, visit www. ontario.ca/education or contact me at my Community Office at 613-7226414. September Canal Footbridge Open House Addresses OSCA Recommendations By John Dance The proposed second canal footbridge positively responds to two key recommendations of the Ottawa South Community Association (OSCA) and the specifics will be discussed at the third and final public open house for the footbridge’s environmental assessment, scheduled for 7:00 p.m., Thursday, September 27 at the Glebe Community Centre, 175 Third Avenue. The City says the proposed footbridge “is to foster healthy communities by promoting active transportation through enhanced pedestrian and cycling connectivity.” From OSCA’s perspective, the new footbridge will provide pedestrians and cyclists with a safe and convenient alternative to the very busy and congested Bank Street and Pretoria bridges. In terms of location, as recommended to the City by OSCA in president Michael Jenkin’s letter of June 2011, the footbridge would link Clegg Street in Old Ottawa East to Fifth Avenue in the Glebe. A number of the Lansdowne “urban park” designs sited the bridge near Pig Island and the Riverdale-Echo intersection but the community associations of Old Ottawa South and Old Ottawa East argued that this location - far from the midpoint of the two-kilometer gap between the Bank Street and Pretoria bridges would simply provide easy parking for those going to Lansdowne Park events. In contrast, the recommended Clegg-Fifth location provides a critical link for the east-west cycling corridor and will benefit up to 400 students who attend school on the opposite side of the canal from where they live. Safe Parkway Crossing A safe pedestrian crossing of Colonel By Drive, something long sought by residents of Old Ottawa South and the community association, figures prominently in the proposed design for the new footbridge. The design shows the bridge spanning Colonel By Drive and landing on the large “island” just north of Clegg and between Colonel By and Echo drives. Stairs at the intersection provide bridge access for pedestrians to the bridge or they can use the switch-back ramp that runs along the island. In the City’s on-line consultations of April, some respondents recommended that the footbridge land at the canal wall so that it would be easy to access the bridge from the Colonel By pathway. However, as noted by Colin Simpson, the City’s senior project officer for the footbridge, the large majority of forecast bridge users will be accessing the bridge from either Echo Drive or from Clegg Street rather than from the pathway. Also, in the City’s consultations with the National Capital Commission and Parks Canada, there was a preference to minimize vertical elements at the canal wall so that the earlier proposal of a spiral ramp landing at the canal wall was set aside. In addition to the bridge providing safe passage over Colonel By Drive, a signalized crossing of Colonel By Drive at Clegg is also proposed. At the open house residents will be asked for opinions on the several options for a signalized crossing. The first option is to have a “pedestrian-activated signal” which only turns red when activated by a pedestrian waiting to cross Colonel By. The Clegg Street leg of the intersection would not be under the influence of the signal and there would be only one crosswalk - across Colonel By Drive, north of Clegg. The second option is to have a “fully signalized intersection” where all directions of vehicular traffic would be under the control of the traffic signal and crosswalks would be provided on all legs of the intersection. On the Queen Elizabeth Drive side of the proposed bridge similar options for signalization are proposed, however, the proposed bridge lands just north of the Canal Ritz Restaurant and does not go over the parkway. When the board of the National Capital Commission reviewed and approved the proposed design concept in June, a number of the board members stressed the need for safe crossings of the parkways. “The more stops there are [for motorists], the more likely they’ll take another route,” NCC Chief Executive Officer Marie Lemay said in her support for the parkways being leisurely routes rather than arterial roads. However, there was no discussion of the other safe crossings that were recommended in a study the Commission completed more than a year ago. Design Concept “The curved bridge design, with V-shaped under-deck piers, received enthusiastic support from the NCC Cont’d on next page SEPTEMBER 2012 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR Page 31 THE WINDSOR CHRONICLE PART 36 Dog Party For nearly eight years, from February 2000 to August 2008, OSCAR carried a monthly column written by Zoscha the Wonder Dog. “The Windsor Chronicles” made Zoscha a celebrity in the neighbourhood. Her observations on the passing scene, from a canine perspective, attracted her share of loyal readers as well as critics. OSCAR is reprinting some of Zoscha’s musings from eight years ago. The editors have annotated where today’s readers may need to be informed of references that are no longer familiar. We have also noted where recent scholarship has shed further light on the world Zoscha describes. For a broader look at Zoscha’s world, including her collected works, visit: www.zoscha.com. September 2003 Dear Boomer, Warm days with long shadows and deep shade. Alpha and the Pup return to more stable routines. Breakfast at regular hours. Then time to take the Pup for a walk up to the pup kennel at the top of the hill. We walk past the places where the humanoids have been burying their giant bones.(1) Never ones to leave things to half measures, they are now covering the bone deposits, first with gravel, then with concrete and asphalt. They are a very impractical species. How they expect to uncover those long metallicsmelling bones when they need them again is anyone’s guess. No wonder they need big noisy machines to accomplish what you and I can do with our paws and nails. (By the way, I’ll have you know that, with paws and nails, I have mastered the art of digging out under the back fence when Alpha leaves me in the yard to go out for adventures without me. I figure if I’m going to wait for him, it might as well be on the front steps where I can protect the perimeter from passers by. When Alpha returns, he finds me grinning at him from the porch. My ears back to let him know I know I’ve been naughty. But my tail wagging to let him know I’ve forgiven him for going somewhere without me.) But we were discussing the new routines and the daily walk to the pup kennel. I don’t think your Pup is old enough for the pup kennel(2) yet, so maybe you aren’t yet aware of the perils. Hundreds and hundreds of humanoid pups. All of them rambunctious in that exuberant pup way. Lots of noise, lots of running. And I’m left tied up to a tree to watch it all from the outside, while Alpha takes the Pup in to play with his friends on the other side of the big fence. It’s not fair, I tell you: all those pups on the other side, denied the pleasure of throwing balls for a handsome dog like me. But pups are an unpredictable lot, and you have to be careful when you’re tied up. Sometimes they want to shower you with attention at times when you are pre-occupation is making sure that Alpha and the Pup haven’t been kidnapped by giant squirrels or carried away by malevolent pigeons or any of the other horrors against which we protect them night and day. I hope they know enough to give a dog its space while she is waiting anxiously for the return of Alpha. I certainly don’t mind one or two pups coming up to pet me, but I get nervous when they swarm. But didn’t we have fun the other week when the fur was on the other paw! Every once and awhile, the humanoids seem to realize that they owe us all a collective debt of gratitude, and so they throw a party for us. The latest one was in the back yard of Seamus and Saatchi, right next to Windsor Park. Dogs and their humanoids came from miles around, it seemed. The 7 AM regulars were there, and the 5 PM regulars were there, and the doggies you don’t normally see in the park until after dark. All were gathered with their humanoids to celebrate the community of dogdom. (3) They had all brought hamburgers and hotdogs. The pups who came along with their parents thought the food was for them, but we knew better, of course. And there were so many dogs in the confines of that back yard, we got to do the swarming. It was so easy for one of us to distract a pup so another could snatch the wiener out of her bun when she wasn’t looking. Oh, a splendid time was had by all! But all this being said, I know that this has been a difficult time for you, Boomer. We’re all very sad at the passing of your long-time constant companion, Jasper.(4) She was a fine old dog, very regal in her own little black dog way. She insisted on proceeding through the park at her own stately pace. Even in her last months, when she was often short of breath and had to concentrate hard to make it up Brody’s Hill, she always seemed to have a wise smile when she stopped to look at the world. We will all miss her, but no one more than you, Beagle buddy. And so you take care of yourself. Stay young at heart. And don’t forget to take the occasional howl at the moon. Yip-yip-yaaaoowlll. Zoscha (1) Previous issues established that Bank Street was undergoing major reconstruction that summer. See also Monica Tardif, A Dog’s Eye View, Zoscha and Windsor, Unpublished Masters thesis, Carleton University, 2010. She believes the “giant bones” are, in fact, sewer pipes being buried by City crews. (2) The “pup kennel” is Hopewell Avenue Public School. “The Pup” would have been entering Grade 1 that month. (3) This is the first known reference to the Windsor Pups annual barbecue that has become a festive gathering for dog owners in the community. (4) The first reference to this dog appears in Part 5 (“Dog Days of Summer” August 2000) and there are many subsequent references to Jasper as Boomer’s companion. Proposed Canal Footbridge continued from previous page directors,” noted Kathy Krywicki, one of the three Old Ottawa South representatives on the City’s public consultation group for the footbridge. The two other OOS representatives, Mike Lascelles and Brian Tansey, also have been supportive of the progress the City is making with the footbridge environmental assessment. One of the new features of the design concept is seating for skaters at the base of the piers but this seating would be underwater when the canal is operational. Although narrower than the highly successful Corktown Footbridge linking Centretown and Sandy Hill, the proposed Fifth-Clegg footbridge would widen in the middle and have benches to allow contemplation of the canal scenery. One issue that footbridge advocates sought to have addressed with the construction of the new bridge was the removal or burying of the unsightly hydro wires that cross the canal at Fifth and Clegg. The City will not include this as part of the bridge proposal because of the related additional costs and the NCC has thus far refused to consider funding the removal of this eyesore. Estimated Cost The estimated cost for the new bridge will be part of the presentation at the open house. Over the last number of years the City built the $5 million Woodroffe pedestrian bridge linking the transitway to Algonquin College and the $7 million Corktown footbridge. A $5 million footbridge over the Airport Parkway at South Keys is now under construction. Also, the City is pursuing a $7 million footbridge over the Rideau River at Donald-Somerset and an $8 million footbridge over the Queensway, linking Coventry Road and the train station. A number of residents in Old Ottawa East oppose the proposed canal footbridge because of concerns that people will park in Ottawa East then walk over the bridge to Lansdowne events. Also, there are those who object to large investments in infrastructure for active transportation. On the other hand, eight community associations have endorsed the footbridge proposal and many other groups including school councils and businesses on both sides of the canal, think the bridge will be OSCA Program registration begins September 6 at 8:00pm beneficial. The footbridge proposal is expected to go to the City’s Transportation Committee in November. If endorsed, detailed design of the footbridge could be funded as part of the 2013 budget. photos on page 43 Page 32 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR SEPTEMBER 2012 Backpack Safety and Spinal Health By Dr. Melissa Baird It is that time of year again where proud parents are watching their kids head off to their first day of a new school year. They are well prepared for the day with notebooks and crayons packed up safely in the backpack. But are you buying the right backpack to keep your child’s spine healthy? Many of today’s backpacks are suited more for fashion than function. However it is important that children use backpacks properly by watching the weight of the pack and carrying it correctly. A heavy or improperly used backpack can injure the back, neck and shoulders. Numbness in the arms and reduced blood flow to surrounding muscles and tissues can result. Children will often alter their posture by hyperextending their back and rounding their shoulders to compensate for the heavy bag. These postures place added stress on the spine and muscles of the upper back and neck, leading to an increased risk of injury and fatigue. Over time, the natural curves of our spine begin to change to accommodate the daily stress. What can you do? Limit the weight of the back pack Your child’s backpack should be no heavier than 15% of their body weight. So a child weighing 50 pounds should carry no more than 7.5 pounds in their backpack and children weighing 100 pounds should carry no more than 15 pounds on their back. Choosing the Right Backpack It is important to pick a backpack that is proportional to the child’s size. The back pack should rest between the shoulders and the hips and should not be wider than the child’s torso. Light weight material should be chosen to keep the weight of the pack low. Wide, padded shoulder straps help cushion the shoulders. Backpacks are better than shoulder bags since the back and abdominal muscles are used to support the weight of the pack and the weight is distributed over both shoulders instead of just one. A waist strap can redistribute as much as 50-70% of the weight off the shoulders and spine to the pelvis which allows the weight to be spread over a larger area Pack it right Heavy items should be nearest to the body to keep the weight closer to your centre of gravity. If there are individual compartments available, pack each side evenly. This can distribute the weight of the load evenly and prevents items from shifting during movement. Clean it out Set aside a few moments each week to completely clean out the backpack. You will be surprised what kids have tossed in there to bring back and forth to school with them. Remove any unnecessary items that are weighing down the pack. Once at school, children should be encouraged to use their desk or lockers to unload any material they will not need frequently throughout the day. How do I know something is wrong? A backpack should be easy to get on and off. If you notice your child is struggling with this task, has indicated back, neck, shoulder pain, has to lean forward to carry the pack, complains of numbness or weakness in the arms or legs, it is important to speak with your child’s Chiropractor. These simple tips will help you pick the right backpack for your child and are easy steps in maintaining a healthy spine! Dr. Melissa Baird is a Chiropractor practicing at Glebe Chiropractic Clinic. She can be contacted at (613) 237 – 9000, www. glebechiropractic.com or at Glebe Chiropractic on Facebook. The next complimentary backpack safety health class will be held Aug. 22nd and Sept. 12th at Glebe Chiropractic Clinic. (FOPLA), is holding its monthly half-price book sale on Saturday, September 1, from 10 to 4, at 363 Lorry Greenberg Drive. Following sale on October 6. Drop by for great buys on hundreds of books (most under $2). (beginning September 12). Our human world is changing, often faster than our organizations or we can keep up. Focused on making a constructive contribution toward the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017, we will be talking together in community updating and broadening our understandings, appreciating and re-appreciating our situation, and considering or perhaps reconsidering our priorities. Coffee and cookies will be available. Please bring your own mug. For more information enquire at the library or contact a convenor at [email protected] or 613 730-2796. friendship on Tuesday, September 4 and 11, 2012, 7:30 to 9:30 pm at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 470 Roosevelt Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario. Singles welcome. See website http://MeriSquares.ca or call Harold Hedley at 613-731-6538 or Marilyn Collins at 613-820-9084 for details. Around Town Art Exhibition & Sale, “For the Love of the Farm” October 6-8: noon to 6 p.m. FREE Friends of the Farm are hosting a juried exhibition of amazing pieces of art by interesting artists from the Ottawa area. Building #72, C.E.F., east off Prince of Wales round-about, 613-230-3276, www. friendsofthefarm.ca By the Book, a used bookstore and cafe operated by the Friends of the Ottawa Public Library Association Conversations among Canadians Conversations among Canadians are continuing at the Sunnyside branch of the Ottawa Public Library on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 PM (beginning September 11) and Wednesday afternoons at 2:00 PM Love to Sing? Want to sing better? Here is your opportunity! Local Vocal Teacher and Performer with several years of experience is now accepting new students in her Vocal Studio Doretha L. Murphy, B. Mus. Tel: 613-565-3993 Meri Squares Modern Square Dance Club invites new dancers to two free evenings of dancing, fun and QUILTS FOR ALL SEASONS SHOW AND SALE Glebe Community Centre, Third and Lyon Streets September 29 and 30 10 am to 4 pm SEPTEMBER 2012 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR Page 33 OCDSB TRUSTEE REPORT School Year Start-up! By Rob Campbell I’ll use this column to help bring people generally up to date with where we are on some issues and issues we can look forward to as the school year starts up. First, the result of the Capital Ward area accommodation review continue to be implemented, with Glebe area 7-8s now to be directed to Glashan. This should help otherwise burgeoning Hopewell numbers and keep the school manageable. This accommodation review also called for the swap of Mutchmor & First Avenue schools with a wing addition at Mutchmor, with JKs directed to Mutchmor in the interim. These changes are in suspension pending Provincial money to help fund the needed wing addition. The proposal should be attractive to the Province as the money is manifestly needed and community and staff supported, we would be co-funding a good chunk of it and it is low dollar compared to some requests. As at the time of writing however, still to be seen. Another outcome of this area accommodation review was to require that a central discussion be held on OCDSB English language programming. This was a community recommendation I converted in to a Board motion. Staff are to set up a District focus group to begin this discussion this Fall and will be inviting a variety of folks to it, I imagine. What sorts of supports or guidance do schools need in this area? What is the right balance between program size / robustness and local neighbourhood access? Second, last column, I noted my motion on opening up Sunday access to OCDSB schools as a result of local requests. This passed unanimously in late June at Board. Starting this Fall, Community Use of Schools (CUS) office staff should start to allow Sunday bookings for at least one high school in each area of the city. This should help relieve some pressure for weekend space amongst community groups across Ottawa. Also, last year, readers may recall, a Board task force of three Trustees asked to come up with recommendations on how to improve special education services from a client perspective. We met an amazing 28 times last year and coauthored a large report with several recommendations, ranging from greater transparency, to greater stability of location for students and several others. Most of our recommendations were passed at Board late last year and I would look to staff implementation reports to be forthcoming this year. A couple of the more far-ranging recommendations were sent for further study - only fair - but maintain a head of steam. Key amongst them is a recommendation that special ed students be treated similar to regular students in that additional classes will get opened at designated sites by geographical catchment if more identified students register for the program. Currently, additional classes are not easily added and wait lists develop, and we do not have designated sites with catchments as with regular programs, etc. So, it will be very interesting to follow this progress of these recommendations this year. I have asked staff to look in to the idea of putting together a Request for Proposal guide and process so that the private sector will have a clear understanding of what it takes to partner on something such as yards co-development. Recently for instance, interest has been expressed in co-development of the Glebe HS field but this has been set back in part due to concerns over fuzzy process, criteria and obligations. I look forward to something useful emerging along these lines this year. We can also look forward to some sort of a review of School Council financial controls and purposes this year. Also this year coming we will see the first meetings of an interim community advisory committee on the extended day program and allday kinder. This advisory committee is to be a true community advisory committee and not just a staff committee as a result of a motion I got passed late last year. Its first job will be to advise as to its own longterm structure. In the news recently of course, is the matter of labour negotiations. I do not anticipate any disruptions to the start of the school year. What I do know is that, broad strokes, these discussions are across school boards and that solutions will need to be across school boards as well. Our board has agreed on negotiation-dates with the Federations locally to try to work out local issues together as we can. These will occur in the context of larger evolving discussions. I expect a steady diet of related news articles but do not expect an actual impact on the local classroom. There are other issues and ongoing files of real interest, as well, certainly including a new Board governance model to try and much else. It is going to be a busy year. Finally, I’d like to thank again all of the many volunteers in Zone 9 schools who give of themselves to help make school a richer and more engaging experience for students, whether helping with class trips, fundraising, school council meetings, advocacy or other sorts of engagement. Community members can make a huge difference to the tone of a school and a system and how students may be supported either locally or more broadly. If you have a suggestion or a concern, then please contact me via [email protected] or at 323-7803. Meeting and document info available at www.ocdsb.ca OSCA Annual Community Wide PORCH $ALE Saturday, September 8, 2012 9 am to 3 pm Rain or Shine SUE RAVEN PHYSIOTHERAPY CLIN IC Helping you to recover from: - Pain in Muscles, Joints; Neck & Back - Fractures; O rthopaedic Surgery - Sports, Musicians & Work Injuries - Stroke; Weakness - Balance & Vestibular Problems - Motor Vehicle Injuries Full Physio Services, plus: -Acupuncture -Ergonomics -Massage -Hand & Arm Splints 205 - 194 Main St., Ottawa K1S 1C2 Phone: 567-4808 Fax: 567-5261 www.sueravenphysio.com Turn your attic or garage clutter into $$$ 1000s Will Be Roaming Through Old Ottawa South in search of treasures and more……. A voluntary 10% of your sales to OSCA helps with advertising and community initiatives such as Program Subsidies, Friday Night Youth Program and Winter Carnival. Please drop your 10% donations off at the Firehall starting Monday, September 10. 613-247-4946 FIREHALL PORCH SALE BBQ Hot dogs, veggie dogs, drinks & fruit for SALE by OSCA (proceeds go to Youth Night at the Firehall) 260 Sunnyside Ave, Ottawa (1 block east of Bank) FIREHALL PORCH SALE BBQ Hot dogs, veggie dogs, drinks & fruit for SALE by OSCA (proceeds go to Youth Night at the Firehall) 260 Sunnyside Ave, Ottawa Page 34 The OSCAR CARLETON SPORTS - OUR 40th YEAR SEPTEMBER 2012 Not from Carleton But British and Olympic Football by Joe Scanlon (Joe Scanlon writes a monthly column for OSCAR on Carleton University sports. This issue he writes from Great Britain where he is watching Olympic football.) OLD TRAFFORD, MANCHESTER – It’s history now that Canadian women lost the Olympic semi-final to the USA 4-3 in penalty time added on after the second 15 minutes of overtime but the contest was a night to remember not just for Canada and the United States but for British spectators. It may sound strange to Canadians but when British teams play football the spectators from the competing teams are carefully segregated. At Old Trafford, Manchester United’s home field – where Canada played the USA -- for example, visitors are placed in a corner section sealed off from Manchester supporters. At St. James Park, Newcastle United’s home grounds – where Canada played Sweden --when teams like nearby Sunderland are playing, visiting team supporters either come from bus direct from their own grounds or by train to Newcastle Central Station. In either case, they are escorted or met by police – often including members of the riot squad – and brought to a special entrance at St. James’s Park so they can walk up a limited access stair case to a secluded section at the top of the north end of the stadium segregated from the rest of the crowd. When there’s a match at London’s Wembley Stadium – where championship and international matches are held -- supporters of one team come by train, supporters of the other team by London Underground. The fans enter the stadium using separated walkways and never come into contact with each other. In both cases, the authorities are determined to avoid any contact between the two sets of fans. It wasn’t quite as bad when I went to see a small town Lancashire club Accrington Stanley play a London suburban team, Barnet – I could walk unescorted from the Underground station to the grounds – but I had to declare which team I was supporting and sit with supporters of that team prevented from barriers, stewards and police from going elsewhere in the stands. The reason for these precautions is that Britain and other countries have had a number of crowd-crush and crowd-conflict incidents including one at Heysel Stadium in Belgium in 1985 when 39 were killed and 600 were injured when hooligans went out if control. There also have been incidents at Bolton, Ibrox (Glasgow), Bradford (a fire) and Sheffield. Segregation doesn’t stop all the problems. Although it is prohibited to take alcohol to the seats there is lots of booze available in the stadia and police spent their time breaking up fights between those supposedly supporters of the same team. Olympic football is very, very different. I went up to Newcastle by train from London on a train packed with persons from both Canada and Sweden. Many were wearing their teams’ colours, red and white for Canada, yellow with a touch of blue for Sweden. Leaving the station we were greeted by police and other guides, all friendly – every single police officer I met said hello – and signs pointing out the two walking routes to St. James` Park both available to anyone, not split between the supporters of the competing teams. At St. James’ Park, Newcastle United’s grounds, the friendly stewards pointed the direction – access is through various gates – and equally friendly stewards helped put our belongings in plastic bags and searched back packs all the time chatting with us. Inside everyone was equally friendly. I sat with some Brits – who merely wanted to see an Olympic event – behind some Swedes (who told me how to pronounce Daniel Alfredsson properly We’re now accepting medical clients from your neighbourhood. Starting September 17, Centretown Community Health Centre’s medical clinic is accepting prospective clients to the waiting list. To be eligible, you must: : be a resident in Centretown, Old Ottawa South or the Glebe. : currently not have a family physician or nurse practitioner. : have OHIP coverage. If that’s you, call us at 613-233-4697 x 2116 to register. Calls will be accepted from September 17 until the list is full. in Swedish) – and in front of a large group of Canadian supporters. When the Canadian players came out first carrying a large Maple Leaf flag all but two rows of spectators stood (they were not wearing either countries` colours) and applauded. Everyone but them remained standing for both national anthems. It was my first Olympic event and I was moved to hear ``O Canada`` and to hear spectators chant `Ca-nah-dah` and `Go Canada go`. In that game, Canada dominated early play but could not score then Sweden took a 2-0 lead with two superb goals. Canada made it 2-1 just before half time and tied it in the second half. The game ended 2-2 with both teams advancing to the quarter final. Canada could have won – at one point they got the ball past the keeper but a Swedish player managed to kick the ball away just before it crossed the line. There were two yellow cards – both to Sweden – one for a rolling block, one for a player who mouthed off to the referee – but no diving (a player falling down trying to make it appear there was a foul). There was a lot of crisp passing and some excellent tackles and nothing of what you could call dirty play. It was a lovely illustration of what soccer aficionados like to call “the beautiful game”. At half time, I chatted with a man from Newcastle who had brought his daughters to the game – one has just been accepted at the football academy in Sunderland – who expressed delight at the quality of the football. The couple sitting next to me (they actually came from Sunderland) commented how different the atmosphere was to a premier league game. All remarked how different it was in Canada where we don’t have segregated seating. En route to Newcastle I met some Americans including a soccer coach from San Francisco – he just wanted to see an Olympic event – and Barb Wescott who played goal keeper for University of Saskatchewan. She was travelling with relatives of one of the Canadian players, En route back to London I chatted with two Swedish journalists. They gave me the biggest news of the day: Daniel Alfredsson had just announced he has been training for the past month and a half and will play another season with the Senators. That was big news in Sweden. There too Alfredsson is known for his the loyalty he has shown to the Senators and the Swedish national team. If there was a disappointment it was the turnout for the CanadaSweden game. The entire west side – reserved for VIP’s and corporate sponsors – was almost empty. The other three sides of the stadium were not completely full. Organizers were embarrassed that for many events stands were partly empty but no tickets were available. Corporate sponsors were allocated tickets and were not using them. Another problem was the on-line ticketing set-up, both the one in Canada and the one in Europe. It was often hard to get on, not always clear how it worked. When I tried to get tickets for the next Canadian game the on line site was not working – and there was no phone number. The game was being played in Coventry and tickets should have been available. However when I contacted the Olympic committee by email to see if I could take my lap-top to a game I did get a reply – though it took two days – telling me I could. That meant I could carry it with me to and from games when I travelled by train and update and write this story en route back to London. Being in England, I was struck with something else – ethnocentric media coverage. I am sure it is much the same in Canada. It was impossible to miss when GB rowers won a gold medal. It was difficult to determine what Canadian competitors were doing –unless of course they were competing against someone from Great Britain. When a GB Evan Burton lost in judo to a Canadian in one minute and 45 seconds we heard over and over about his loss. All those years of training and it was over that fast. I don’t recall hearing the Canadian’s name. (I eventually found a story in the Daily Mail which said it was Antoine Valois-Fortier.) Similarly when I watched Canada play GB in women’s basketball, I heard a great deal about the GB team and how it could have won – though we did get some shots of the Canadian coach Allison McNeill briefing her players during a time-out. Once we saw Ken Shields briefing the British – Shields was coach of Victoria when the Vikes won seven consecutive Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) championships. He is now an assistant coach in the UK. Perhaps the best example of ethnocentrism came when the GB women’s soccer team defeated Brazil 1-0 in a game played before 70,000 spectators at Wembley, admittedly the largest crowd ever to watch women’s soccer in the UK. That was the same day Canada tied Sweden – and the results meant GB would play Canada in the quarter-final in Coventry. The fact team GB would be playing Canada was reported but there was virtually no mention of how Canada reached the quarter-finals or that the Canadians – ranked seventh in the world to the UK’s ninth – would be a formidable opponent. After a series of frustrating failures I finally managed to get on line again only to be still told tickets for the Cont’d on next page SEPTEMBER 2012 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR Page 35 Olympic Soccer continued from previous page Canada-GB football quarter final were not available. Then, realizing that if Canada won the Canadians would be playing the USA on the Monday I managed to get tickets for that game. After watching Canada defeat Great Britain 2-0 (to the dismay of the British commentators) I had the ticket I wanted – Canada vs. the United States, in an Olympic semifinal at what to many is the mecca of football, Old Trafford, the home stadium of Manchester United. I also heard – it was not yet confirmed – there would be a special train back to London after the game. (The last scheduled train left Manchester before the game ended.) The Canada-US game was similar in many ways to the Canada-Sweden game. Attendance totalled 26,000 but the VIP and corporate stands were almost empty. But the spectators – including many from the UK – were not segregated but sat with each other Carleton University English graduate Mark Oldershaw fulfilled a family dream when he won Olympic canoe bronze in a 1,000-metre race on Wednesday, Aug. 8. The thirdgeneration Olympian did what his grandfather, dad and uncles couldn’t do when he came from behind to claim the final spot on the podium. The gold and silver medalists edged him out by less than 1.5 seconds. Congratulations to Mark! Fifty-six of the brightest high school students from across the country, as well as two from Arizona and the Philippines, made products to help stop childhood obesity as they participated in the one-month Shad Valley summer program at Carleton in July. The program, which has produced 22 Rhodes Scholars, targets students in grades 10 to 12 with affinities for math and science and gives them an issue to solve by designing and marketing original products. The product that students declared the best is based on a website that tracks exercise and gives and the British fans were up on their feet cheering every Canadian goal – Christine Sinclair’s three goals were excellent – and also cheering the US free kicks awarded when in fact the game was not rough – and just two yellow cards (both to Canada). For another, the referee missed a hand goals. The only sad part was the refereeing, dubious to say the least. For one thing there were too many calls and ball in the American goal area which should have led to a penalty kick for Canada, a missed call greeted with loud boos. Since both teams played a very high level of football it was sad that the officiating didn’t measure up. Although Canada led 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 the USA started to dominate in the closing minutes of extra time – Canada was clearly hanging on – and the winning goal was not really a surprise. But it would have been dramatic had the referee not allowed the game to run on – referees control the time – and there had been a shootout. And yes there were extra trains back to London and they were delayed when the game went well past the scheduled ending time. Of course when I checked the papers the next morning there was no coverage of the game. It didn’t involve Team GB – as the British are known – and anyway it happened too late to make the morning edition of the Times. Editor’s note, Canada beat France 1-0 to win the bronze medal. CARLETON CORNER out points for prizes. It will compete against other winning designs in October from nine other Canadian universities that host the summer program. A two-part BBC documentary in mid-September will feature a Carleton master of science student. The U.K.’s largest news organization captured Anna Crawford on camera while doing field work on pieces of the Petermann Ice Island (PII) in late July and early August. PII was four times the size of Manhattan when it broke off from a glacier in Greenland two years ago. The island has since split into pieces, causing problems for Canada’s East Coast. Ships and offshore oil rigs wouldn’t stand a chance if they were to hit them and Crawford is tracking their movements to help avoid collisions. Meanwhile, the Carleton Ravens men’s hockey team continues to go local, as two Ottawa natives have committed to the team for the upcoming season. Left wing Mitchell Porowski stands 6-4 and played more than three seasons for the Gatineau Olympiques of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) before returning to his home province last year to join the Brampton Battalion of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He netted 17 goals and added 11 assists in 65 regular season games. Goalie Francis Dupuis played five seasons in the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL) with four different teams. He ended his 2010-11 season by shutting out the Vernon Vipers 2-0, hoisting the RBC Cup as a national champion with the Pembroke Lumber Kings. The CCHL named him goalie of the year last season. Carleton will host its first annual Terry’s CAUSE on Campus event to support the Terry Fox Foundation and cancer research on Sunday, Sept. 16 from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The city will hold a 10-kilometre run with the university, which will start at Carleton’s Anniversary Park on Campus Avenue. Carleton is among 11 Canadian universities organizing runs to commemorate Terry Fox. Groups, schools and cities hold runs in September to coincide with the timeline of when Fox’s cancer spread throughout his body and forced him to stop his marathon across the country. Carleton Corner is written by Carleton University’s Department of University Communications. As your community university, Carleton hosts many exciting events of interest to Ottawa South. For more information about upcoming events, please go to carleton.ca/events. Page 36 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR SEPTEMBER 2012 MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT OTTAWA CENTRE Cuts to CRA: a Disservice to the Canadian Public By Paul Dewar Canada Day celebrations in the Nation’s Capital were tempered this past month for many Canada Revenue Agency employees as another round of Public Service job cuts was announced at the end of June. Among the 1,289 CRA employees getting the axe this summer, the most visible losses will be at the CRA service and cash desks. Ottawans who enter the Tax Services Office on Heron Road will notice an empty counter where previously there would have been a cheerful CRA agent waiting to help with tax inquiries. This service is no longer available to the public. Instead, there is a sign urging clients to address inquiries to the CRA website, or to call the CRA help line. This is yet another cut that has been made to the public service without any union consultation and which has the dual effect of eliminating 285 well paying jobs and drastically weakening the services that the federal government is able to provide to Canadian citizens. While the job losses and service disruption might seem minimal in the larger perspective of Public Service job cuts, the closure of CRA service and cash counters is of particular concern to me and the NDP. Website self-service and help lines are convenient options for certain individuals, but there are others who are being left behind with the elimination of in-person services. Service counters are important to aid individuals who are not skilled with computers and those who have difficulty communicating verbally. Over 20% of Ottawans have a mother tongue other than English or French. Some of these individuals have difficulty communicating over the phone and need in-person centres to properly interpret the information provided. There are also elderly or disabled individuals who have difficulty communicating over the phone because of hearing problems or speech impediments. These individuals also need in-person aid in order to address their needs. Tax payers can still get in-person service if they make an appointment, but in order to make an appointment one must call the CRA help line and book a time to come in. The goal of the help desks should be to aid those individuals who have difficulty using the phone, so the government’s solution of forcing Canadians to call for in-person service is equally problematic. All of the preceding points do not even touch on the service levels from Call Centres. Embedded in the recent round of cuts to the Canada Revenue Agency was the closure of a Call Centre in Winnipeg. So now, not only will CRA call centres have higher call volumes from those who would normally go for in-person aid, they will also have fewer agents to respond to these inquiries. This will lead to longer wait-times for callers, many of whom already have difficulty getting through during business hours (the only time that the call centre is open). Ottawa has been hit hard by this recent Federal budget. Over 1,200 jobs have already been eliminated from the Nation’s Capital and more cuts are surely on the way. These cuts have a serious effect on Ottawa’s local economy. As unemployment continues to rise, spending will diminish and local business owners will feel the pinch. The problem is further compounded by recent changes to Employment Insurance which makes it less accessible for those in need. Unfortunately, the grief caused by these cuts is not limited to Public Service employees. The cuts continue to eliminate important services for Canadian Citizens across the board. The CRA service counters are just the most recent example, but many Canadians are being left by the way-side as the Federal government continues its ideological mission of reducing government services and abolishing well-paying public service jobs. I consider this unacceptable and I refuse to remain silent on this issue. The NDP will continue to press the Conservative government to adopt a more rational and less ideological outlook in their attempts to balance the budget. It is time for the Canadian Parliament to put partisanship aside and come together to draft a budget that works for Canadians. With the leadership of Thomas Mulcair I believe that the NDP is up to the challenge, and I believe that Canada’s Parliament can rise to the occasion. Boomerang Kids Booming By Krista Boomerang Kids celebrated its 18th year in business in Old Ottawa South by becoming a franchise! Jody Rubino, a 22 year veteran of the McDonald’s franchise chain, is the first franchise owner in the Boomerang Kids 4-store chain. She took over the franchise on June 15th, and is very excited to be part of the Old Ottawa South community. “I wanted to be a part of the Bank Street store because whenever I shopped at the store, I felt the positive energy of this vibrant community and the connection of parents with the store, as well as the high quality of all of the childrens items coming into the store every day.” said Rubino. Rubino also said that when she first joined the store in June, she was focused on getting to know the employees who all retained their positions with the store, and also focused on getting to know the customers. Now in the back to school season, Rubino is making sure that Boomerang Kids continues to connect strongly with Old Ottawa South, through the Strollercise program, sponsorship of local children’s soccer teams, and ongoing donations of children’s items to local families in need. Boomerang Kids is expanding in Ottawa, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia, with new franchise locations available in Barrhaven and Gatineau, and existing locations available in Orleans, Kanata and Westboro. Boomerang Kids Where Smart Families Shop Cash or Consign - your choice! SEPTEMBER 2012 The OSCAR Page 37 - OUR 40th YEAR Meet OSCAR’s new editor Brendan McCoy By Paige Raymond Kovach The September edition will be Brendan McCoy’s first issue of OSCAR as its editor, but he’s no stranger to the community newspaper. His articles about the work of the OSCA Board, and especially on OSWATCH, as well as the Rotary Centennial Playground at Brewer Park have kept local folks up-to-date regularly for several years. He has spent the last eight years actively volunteering on many OSCA board committees including the Firehall renovation and has acted as Board Secretary. That said, OSCA owns the OSCAR, and is its publisher, but the editor has editorial independence. “The paper is in great shape. Mary Anne has built it up financially, and it has lots of content and contributors. It’s now a colour publication, thick and heavy as our deliverers will attest,” said Brendan. “Mary Anne has every reason to feel that she is leaving it in better shape than she got it.’ Brendan wants to build on that success and has some ideas of his own. “I want make some changes to the format and refocus the paper on local issues and stories,” he said. Brendan wants to widen the perspective of the paper to include, for example, regular contributions from Hopewell Avenue Public School improve coverage of the issues and events that matter to them. He would also like to add more voices from the local business community. Many entrepreneurs write monthly columns in OSCAR, but some businesses are not – adding the voices of the community school’s students, staff and parents. He wants to make a stronger link between the print paper and the OSCA website so they can be mutually supportive. He also hopes to strengthen ties with the local faith community, and covered in the paper. If Old Ottawa South businesses decide to opt for a business improvement area designation, for example, he would like to bring that voice to the paper as well. “OSCAR is there to allow the community to have a conversation, Saints and Sinners in St. Matthew’s Seventeen Voyces’ extraordinary 2012-13 subscription series could be dubbed “From Saints to Sinners”. It kicks off with Carl Theodor Dreyer’s silent French classic The Passion of Joan of Arc (La Passion de Jeanne d’Arc) on Fri. Nov. 2 and Sat. Nov. 3 and ends with a semistaged opera about notorious philanderer Casanova on Sat. June 8. Joan of Arc will feature Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem sung by the choir and accompanied by organist Matthew Larkin. Thought by many to be the most powerful interpretation of the Maid of Orleans’ poignant story, the 1928 film starred acclaimed French stage actress Renée Maria Falconetti in her last cinematic role. The three-performance concert series includes the choir’s first all-jazz concert (All that Jazz on Fri. Feb. 22) and the world premiere of Andrew Ager’s opera Casanova accompanied by the Ottawa Baroque Consort. Ager based his work on Giacomo Casanova’s substantial Histoire de ma Vie. All performances are at St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, 130 Glebe Ave. near Bank St., at 7:30 pm. They will be directed by the choir’s founder Kevin Reeves, who lives in Ottawa South. Tickets can be purchased online at www.seventeenvoyces.ca. a discussion with each other, to tell local stories. Not only about our community, but also the larger Ottawa,” said Brendan. “Ottawa has not been terribly well served by city print media. City-wide papers are having a tough time, but local papers continue to thrive.” “It’s a pleasure to take over the paper when there are experienced staff that have agreed to stay on -- Gayle Weitzman, Advertising Manager, Larry Ostler, Distribution Manager, and Susanne Ledbetter, Business Manager, The paper is where all perspectives, all people should feel welcome to bring their stories,” added Brendan. “OSCAR’s volunteer writers provide the content for the paper each month, whether they be students, business people, or other folks from the neighbourhood.” To send Brendan McCoy your story or to provide your feedback, e-mail him at oscar@oldottawasouth. ca. Tell OSCAR Readers about interesting people, your travel or your interests. Send text and photos to [email protected] Page 38 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR SEPTEMBER 2012 Risk Free Returns or Return Free Risk By Rick Sutherland, CLU, CFP, FDS, R.F.P Over the past few years there has been a flight out of equities and into government bonds. People fear the volatility that has plagued equities since 2008. This strategy appears to have worked. However, there is risk associated with this perception of a risk free investment. Why is there risk when you are investing in government bonds you may be asking? Let’s first look at what has happened with interest rates. The Bank of Canada web site shows us that the interest rate on 10-year government of Canada bonds have fallen from 3.1% in June 2011 to just 1.6% as of the end of July 2012. Falling interest rates are a positive influence for increasing bond prices. Here’s the caution. The same math that causes bond prices to increase in a falling interest rate environment also will cause bond prices to decline in value and suffer significant losses during a rising interest rate environment. The greatest risk that bond investors face today is the risk of rising interest rates. This scenario is not only possible in the next few years, but it is highly probable. Hence, this is what we mean when we say that investors have shifted from risk free returns to return free risk. The average interest rate on the 10-year government of Canada bond for the past 50 years has been 7%. Given today’s interest rate of 1.6% the likelihood of interest rates rising is significant. We can’t say when it will begin or how high interest rates will rise. It wouldn’t take much of an increase in interest rates for bond prices to decline in value by 10 to 30% as interest rates climb back up toward the long-term average. In addition to the interest rate risk there are other risks associated with bond investing. With inflation running at about 2%, the bond investor is accepting a negative real return on their capital. If the money is not in a registered account such as a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) or Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA) there will also be taxes to pay on the interest earned. This will further erode the negative real return on the bond investment. Of course, there is the argument that bonds are guaranteed to return your capital in ten years. And you will receive 1.6% return on your investment for the next ten years. The question to ask is how long you can sustain your retirement years on this type of return? An investment of $100,000 will yield $1,600 each year for the next ten years and that does not include a deduction for tax. That might be enough money to buy groceries for one week per month for a retired couple. You will need $400,000 invested in your 10-year government bond just to eat. What are you going to do about your other living expenses? If you are relying on your investments to provide or supplement your retirement lifestyle you must look beyond bonds. There are alternatives. Take a closer look at equity prices. Try to eliminate the worries of Greece and Spain for just a few minutes. You will see that equity prices are cheap. Great, well managed companies are rich with cash and dividend yields are at historic highs. The dividend rates of many good companies are double or even triple the rate of 10-year government of Canada bonds. Yet equity prices continue to fall further every time there is another negative story about the woes of Europe. Don’t follow the sheep. Do things differently. This could go down in history as the equity buying opportunity of the century. Don’t miss it. The foregoing is for general information purposes and is the opinion of the writer. This information is not intended to provide personal advice including, without limitation, investment, financial, legal, accounting or tax advice. Please call or write to Rick Sutherland CLU, CFP, FDS, R.F.P., to discuss your particular circumstances or suggest a topic for future articles at 613-798-2421 or E-mail rick@invested-interest. ca. Mutual Funds provided through FundEX Investments Inc. To book an OSCAR ad call Gayle 730-1058 [email protected] Book Review The Storytelling Animal by Jonathan Gottschall Reviewed by Hélène Merritt, Supervising Librarian, Sunnyside branch of the Ottawa Public Library The Storytelling Animal explores human fascination with story in all its guises. Gottschall takes us through the landscape of story from childhood make-believe to fascination with modern day storytelling of electronic games and movies. He points out that in order to be compelling story often has an element of horror. Our relationship with story helps us define ourselves . Gottschall uses information garnered from fields as varied as literature and neuroscience to bring home the point that we are all storytellers and storymakers. I’m not sure how I found out about this book. It may have been throught the NYTimes – at all events, it is well worth the read and a good story in itself. Enjoy! SEPTEMBER 2012 The OSCAR Page 39 - OUR 40th YEAR WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE SUNNYSIDE LIBRARY Sunnyside Branch Library 1049 Bank Street, Ottawa 613-730-1082, Adult Services, extension 22 Children’s Services, extension 29 Children’s Programs Babytime For babies and their parents or caregiver with stories, rhymes, songs and games. 0-18 months. Tuesdays, 2:15 p.m. Session 1:September 25-October 30 Session 2:November 13-December 11 Storytime Stories, rhymes and songs for preschoolers and a parent or caregiver. Ages 3-6. Mondays, 2:15 a.m. Session 1: September 24-October 29 Session 2: November 12-December 10 Storytime (bi-lingual) Stories, rhymes and songs for preschoolers and a parent or caregiver. Ages 3-6. Contes, rimes et chansons pour les enfants préscolaires et un parent ou gardien. 3-6 ans. Wednesdays 10:15 a.m. Session 1: September 26-October 31 Session 2: November 14-December 12 Toddlertime For toddlers and a parent or caregiver with stories, rhymes, songs and games. Ages 18-35 months. Registration. Tuesdays, 10:15 a.m. Session 1: September 25-October 30 Session 2: November 13-December 11 OR Thursdays, 10:15 a.m. Session 1: September 27-November 1 Session 2: November 15-December 13 Children’s Special Programs Boo!/Bouh! Halloween stories and craft. Ages 3-7. Registration/ Contes et bricolage d’Halloween. Pour les 3 à 7 ans. Inscription. Saturday, October 27 octobre, Kids’ Research Skills Kids will learn amazing research skills and discover all that the library has to offer them when they are faced with their next big project. Registration. Saturday, September 22, 11 a.m. (60 min.) Children’s Book Clubs Mother-Daughter Book Club Ages 7-9 A place for girls and the special women in their lives to share books. Registration. Mondays, 7:00 p.m. (60 min.) September 10, October 15, November 5 Mother-Daughter Book Club Ages 10-12 A place for girls and the special women in their lives to share books. Registration. Mondays, 7:00 p.m. (60 min.) September 17, October 22, November 19 guysread Share the love of books. For boys and a significant adult. Ages 8-12. Registration. Wednesdays, 7:00 p.m. (60 min.) October 17, November 21, December 19. Teen Programs TAG Teen Advisory Group (Ongoing Event) Sunnyside Teens--join our new Teen Advisory Group and have a say in which programs, activities and services will be offered to youth and also help plan and implement them. Ages 14-18. To join, stop by the branch. Mother-Daughter Book Club A place for girls and the special women in their lives to share books. Ages 13-15. Registration. Mondays, 7:00 pm (60 min.) September 24, October 29, November 26 Adult Programs Conversations Among Canadians These weekly sessions are an opportunity to convene or participate in “conversations among Canadians.” There is much to be gained from simply sharing information with each other, and bringing together our knowledge, our personal experience and our reflections. Talking together, we might also challenge our imaginations, generating insights and developing ideas to share with each other and inspiring inventions and innovations toward helpful change in our world. Topics will include the environment, humanity, communication, science and technology and our changing brains. Registration. Tuesdays, September 11 – November 27, 7:00 pm (90 min.) Wednesdays, September 12 – November 28, 2:00 pm (120 min.) The Writing Workshop An opportunity for writers of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and experimental forms to gather. Our emphasis will be on developing works-in-progress for publication. The workshop will provide writers with encouragement and constructive criticism from their peers. Registration. September 17, October 22, November 19, December 17, 6:00 p.m. (120 min.) Conversation en français Improve your spoken French and meet new friends in a relaxed setting. Thursdays, September 6-December 20, 7:00 pm (60 min.) Adult Special Programs Talk About Art Art can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be! Using works by Ottawa artists on display at the Sunnyside Branch as a starting point, this discussion will focus on different ways to look at and interpret visual art. Hosted by the Ottawa Art Gallery. September 6, 2:00 pm (60 min.) Backpack Safety An interactive class with Dr. Brar of the Glebe Chiropractic Clinic designed to help develop great postural habits in children while they’re young. Improper wearing and lifting of backpacks is a common cause of spinal health issues in children. How much should a child’s backpack weigh? What kinds of backpacks are good? These and many more questions will be answered. Registration. September 6, 6:30 pm (60 min.) NFB Film Documentaries: Mystery of Mazo de la Roche Join us for a screening of Bone Wind Fire and The Mystery of Mazo de la Roche. Bone Wind Fire is an intimate and evocative journey into the hearts, minds and eyes of Georgia O’Keeffe, Emily Carr and Frida Kahlo—three of the 20th century’s most remarkable artists. Mazo de la Roche transformed herself from an obscure Canadian writer into one of the most widely read and internationally renowned authors of her day. Despite her notoriety, Mazo de la Roche remains a mystery; her name, her birth date, her family history, her sexual orientation—are all, to some degree, points of contention. September 13, 6:30 pm (90 min.) Arthritis and Joint Health Do you have arthritis or think you may get it? Can you take steps to prevent it? Is arthritis just a nuisance that causes pain and discomfort that can be eliminated with a pill or joint replacement? Join us for a presentation on arthritis and joint health by Graham Beaton, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine from Common Ground Collaborative Care. Topics will include a description of arthritis, anatomy and biomechanics of joints, methods of evaluation and diagnosis, risk factors, and description of management. Registration. September 20, 2:00 pm (60 min.) How to Buy a PC When buying a PC, you are faced with a lot of choices, laptop or desktop, dual or quad core processor, AMD or Intel, how big a hard drive, how big a monitor, is it better to buy a faster processor or more memory ... Chris Taylor, President of the Ottawa PC Users’ Group will help sort out the choices so you can buy the computer that is right for your needs. Registration. September 20, 6:30 pm (120 min.) The 17th Century Rosicrucians The first documented texts to refer to a mysterious fraternity of the Rosy Cross appeared in what is now western Germany in the second decade of the seventeenth century. Subsequently referred to as the Rosicrucian Manifestos, they created a flurry of almost 900 written responses, both for and against. Join Cecile Wilson, a scholar of the Western esoteric traditions, to investigate what was so intriguing about these manifestos, and decide what messages they may have contained that still have relevance for us today. Registration. September 27, 7:00 pm (60 min.) Antiques Evaluation Program Janet Carlile, an independent and accredited antique appraiser with CBC’s Canadian Antiques Roadshow and 30 years’ international experience Cont’d on next page Page 40 gained with major auction houses in Europe and North America, will describe the history of your favorite household treasure at this Antique Roadshow-style Evaluation Clinic. Maximum of one item per person. September 29 , 2:00 pm (120 min.) MASC Author Reading with Alan Cumyn Alan Cumyn’s books include the Giller Prize finalist, Burridge Unbound, and the acclaimed Great War novels The Sojourn and The Famished Lover. Join him for an author reading and discussion of the many aspects of fiction The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR and as a team of competitors punching well above their weight. The Boxing Girls of Kabul reveals a compelling journey of both personal and political transformation, and illustrates the power of fighting for what you believe in. November 1, 6:30 pm (60 min.) writing. Offered in partnership with MASC. For Adults 50+. Registration. October 4, 2:00 pm (60 min.) NFB Film Documentaries: Pink Ribbons, Inc. Join us for a screening of Pink Ribbons Inc., a feature documentary from the National Film Board of Canada that shows how the devastating reality of breast cancer, which marketing experts have labeled a “dream cause,” has become obfuscated by a shiny, pink story of success. October 4, 6:30 pm (100 min.) Plant & Rake Without the Ache Gardening is the most common source of back and neck pain during the summer. Dr. Chandan Brar of the Glebe Chiropractic Clinic has tips to help gardeners avoid the stiff and sore joints, muscle, neck and back pain that may result from work in the yard. Registration. October 11, 6:30 pm (60 min.) ABC’s of Fraud Tips to protect seniors against identity theft, internet fraud, investment scams, bogus charities and illegal telemarketing. Presented by The Rotary Club of West Ottawa and endorsed by Ottawa Police Services. Thursday, October 18, 2:00 pm (60 min.) Jakob Böhme In the early part of the seventeenth century, a cobbler in the small, eastern German town of Görlitz had a vision that completely changed his life. Böhme`s writings interpreting that vision spread throughout Europe and stimulated the creation of some of the most beautiful and unusual illustrations of the late 17th century. Join Cecile Wilson, a scholar of the Western esoteric traditions, for a look at the significant impact Böhme had on his contemporaries and the legacy he left for modern times. Registration. October 18, 7:00 pm (60 min.) A Trip to Ghana, Mali and Timbuktu You never thought you would make it to Timbuktu! Join photographer and traveller Alex Bissett on a journey through these major seats of Muslim and African cultural history. Timbuktu was once the center of the gold, salt, spices, silk, and perfume trade. Registration. October 25, 7:00 pm (90 min.) Estate Planning Free information session with Diem Nguyen, Associate with Kelly Santini, LLP. November 1, 2:00 pm (60 min.) NFB Film Documentaries: Boxing Girls of Kabul Join us for a screening of The Boxing girls of Kabul. The film shadows a group of young Afghan women closely over the course of a year, and we come to know them both as individuals Author Reading Series: Anita Rau Badami Anita Rau Badami is the author of the bestseller Tamarind Woman. Her second novel, The Hero’s Walk, won the Regional Commonwealth Writers’ Prize, was named a Washington Post “Best Book,” and was longlisted for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award and the Orange Prize for Fiction. Her newest novel is Tell It to the Trees. November 3, 2:00 pm (60 min.) Home Downsizing The kids are gone. The house is too big and it’s time to downsize. Condo apartment? Townhouse? Don’t make a move before attending this informative discussion on the transition to a new “right sized” home. Presentation by Bob Fraser and Travis Gordon from RE/MAX.” Registration. November 8, 6:30 pm (60 min.) How to Access Free Health & Wellness Information Have you ever wanted more information regarding your health or medication? Did you know that your public library can help you in your search for answers? Find out about the many reliable and trusted resources available to you through the Ottawa Public Library website. November 15, 2:00 pm (60 min.) Improve your Posture, Improve your Life So many of us take care of our teeth because we see them every day in the mirror, but often we neglect what holds our bodies upright--our spine! Poor posture takes years to develop, but not always that long to correct. Old thinking taught us that once one has a ‘hump’ back or a forward reaching neck, it’s too late! New research tells a different story. Come and learn about the connection between good health and an aligned spine. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and to learn posture improving techniques. Presented by Dr. Chandan Brar of the Glebe Chiropractic Clinic who will draw for a Glebe Chiropractic gift pack after the talk. Registration. November 15, 6:30 pm (60 min.) How to Buy a Digital Camera When buying a digital camera, you are faced with a bewildering array of choices. Chris Taylor, Ottawa PC Users’ Group President will help “focus” your search for the ideal digital camera. Registration. November 22, 6:30 pm (120 min.) Rudolf Steiner Mathematician, philosopher, innovator in education and health, and devoted Christian, Rudolf Steiner was a multifaceted man. Join Cecile Wilson, a scholar of the Western esoteric tradition to discover some of the aspects of Steiner’s thought and experiences that made him so unique. Registration. November 29, 7:00 pm (60 min.) NFB Film Documentaries: Surviving Progress Join us for a screening of Surviving Progress, a cinematic requiem to progress-as-usual. Throughout human history, what seemed like progress often backfired. Some of the world’s foremost thinkers, activists, bankers, and scientists challenge us to overcome progress traps, which destroyed past civilizations and lie treacherously embedded in our own. December 6, 6:30 pm (90 min.) Adult Book Clubs Cercle de lecture Partagez avec nous le plaisir des livres dans une ambiance détendue. 11 septembre, 9 octobre, 13 novembre, 11 décembre, 18h30 (60 min.) Sunnyside Adult Book Club Meet new people and join in stimulating discussions on selected titles in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. SEPTEMBER 2012 September 28, October 26, November 30, 2:00 pm (60 min.) Second Friday Adult Book Club – new! Meet new people and join in stimulating discussions on selected titles in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Newcomers are welcome. Registration required. October 12, November 9, December 14, 2:00 pm (60 min.) The OSCAR SEPTEMBER 2012 - OUR 40th YEAR Page 41 CLASSY ADS CLASSY ADS are free for Old Ottawa South residents (except for businesses or for business activity) and must be submitted in writing to: The OSCAR, at the Old Firehall, 260 Sunnyside, or sent by email to [email protected] by the deadline. Your name and contact information (phone number or email address) must be included. Only your contact info will appear unless you specify otherwise. The editor retains the right to edit or exclude submissions. The OSCAR takes no responsibility for items, services or accurary. For business advertising inquiries, call 730-1058. Accommodation FOR RENT: Furnished 3 bedroom house, starting mid-September/ October 2012 (start date flexible). We’re going on posting for a year and are looking for a family or mature students to rent our home to. Located on a quiet street just a few blocks from Bank Street and the Canal, it’s within easy walking distance to Carleton University and Brewer Park. It has 3 bedrooms (or two bedrooms and an office), a finished basement, a fenced yard, parking in the rear, AC, forced air heating, fireplace, sun room and is fully furnished. Dogs are welcome, smoking is not. Rent is $2200/month. Please contact David at: 613-236-3690 or [email protected] ---------------------------------------------Lakefront Post & Beam 3200 sq. ft. furnished house, 30 minutes from Ottawa, $2250 month/year lease, or Lakefront Post & Beam 1000 sq ft. furnished apartment, $975 inclusive (laundry, heat, hydro, high speed internet), too beautiful and too many amenities to include, please check: www.celticcrosscottage.ca Larry 613 203 0480 larryjohnmcc@ gmail.com ---------------------------------------------Modern Townhouse for Rent in Old Ottawa South. One block from canal, 3 blocks from Bank St. Newly painted, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, finished basement, garage, fenced backyard with deck, 6 appliances, gas heat, hardwood tiles and carpets, fireplace. Quite street in nice location. Available Oct 1, 2012 for minimum 1 year lease. $2,000 + utilities. Call 613-730-9986. ---------------------------------------------- Old Ottawa South – Furnished, spacious, newly renovated three bedroom home steps from Brewer Park, the Rideau River, the Canal, Bank Street and Carleton University. Cycle to the University of Ottawa along the bike path. Family-oriented community. On the bus route. Large, private backyard. Features include high end furnishings, luxury kitchen, 2.5 bathrooms, sunny family room, central air-conditioning, hardwood floor, 6 appliances, large, private backyard, alarm system and finished basement. Non-smokers only and no pets please. Rent: $3200 plus utilities. Available January 15-July 25, 2013. References required. Please contact 613-730-4615; for photos see http://www.sabbaticalhomes.com/ OfferedDetails.aspx?id=43716 ---------------------------------------------3 bedroom winterized waterfront cottage. 355 Chemin du Lac Hotte Beautiful Lac Hotte,is situated in la Petite Nation region of Quebec under one hour from Ottawa This motor-boat free, sandy shored lake is jess than 1 hour from Ottawa. Property has year round access. Cottage comes with two additional, shady building lots cleared for future development. Please check-out our web-site: WWW.355WHITEPINES.COM For more information contact John at 613 7301190. Child Care ---------------------------------------------Quality child care available in Old Ottawa South - My objective is to provide a safe stimulating environment for the children in my care. Regular outings in the neighbourhood to playgroups, parks, library. We read and sing daily. Healthy snacks and lunches. Please contact me for details. Bonnie Ostler [email protected] 613730-9080 ---------------------------------------------Bilingual Babysitter - Female Glebe Collegiate Student 3 years experience: caring for children from ages one to nine completed babysitting course and first aid classes. Available some weekday evenings and weekends. 613 730-0033 ---------------------------------------------We are looking for an area family who would like to share the services of a nanny in our home. We are seeking a full time share beginning September 2012 for our then 18 month old and hope to find another similarly-aged child to join in on the fun. Post-school (3:30pm) care may also be needed for our 3 year old (TBD). Please contact us at [email protected] to discuss! For Sale Nearly New Shop at Fourth Ave. Baptist Church 107A Fourth Ave. at Bank Street Consignment Quality Items Find “Something Special”. Previously advertised Fashion Clothing Sale for August 24th-25th is cancelled. For information call 613-236-1804 Free ---------------------------------------------Upright Weber piano and bench (1920’s). Yours to pick up for free in Old Ottawa South. Needs tuning. Please call 613 265-7156. Barbara or Gerald --------------------------------------------Classic rattan sun room set. Two easy chairs, two foot stools, end table, magazine rack . This is a high end rattan set, not the cheapie stuff that is all wobbly in a year, complete with upholstery cushions. Non smoking, no pet exposure and in excellent condition. Could be used outdoors but in a dry area. Hard to describe but can send email photos. Call Fred at 613 730 3096. (Message can be left also) ---------------------------------------------- Music Lessons Grand Opening! September 12, 2012 10:00 A.M.-2:00 P.M LAP TOP FOR SALE Lenovo Ideapad Y560 15.6 inch laptop 18 months old light use, very good condition with: original box and manuals, Razer mouse and MEC neoprene pouch 15.6 inch widescreen 1280x768 Quad core Intel i7-720QM 1.6 Ghz 4 GB RAM 500 GB HDD DVD-RW ATI HD 5730 with 1 GB of dedicated VRAM Built-in Webcam Usual ports - USB, VGA/HDMI, SD card reader and eSATA Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit) Asking $450 or near offer. For a photo of the laptop and/or further information please email [email protected] VIOLIN VIOLA LESSONS Experienced Teacher New to the Ottawa Area Can teach all ages & all methods (Suzuki and traditional) If interested please call 613 854-9002 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR Page 42 SEPTEMBER 2012 Gibbon’s Painting and Decorating Local House Painter - Bonded With 20 years experience Customer satisfaction ALWAYS GUARANTEED For a free estimate please call Rory 322-0109 Ask about my $25 referral rebate Book now for your All your painting needs www.gibbonspainting.ca EXTRA-MILE RENOVATIONS Beautiful Decks, Fences, Gates & Porches. Quality Bathrooms & Kitchens. We also do trim work, plumbing, electric, installation of doors & fixtures. Local Renovator. Creative Solutions References. Please call for an estimate 613-297-8079 Private Art Lessons (two options) 1) Creative CatZ - 1 on 1 for ages 10-14 2) Creative Catz... on a mission.... 1 on 1 portfolio preparation for Canterbury High School Interested? Please call Vanessa Coplan at 613 558 4661 or email [email protected] www.vcoplan.ca SEPTEMBER 2012 The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR Page 43 At Brewer Park, Sundays 8:00 am-3:00 pm Above: The proposed footbridge would curve over Colonel By Drive (IMAGE: CITY OF OTTAWA) Below: The proposed footbridge widens at the centre to provide a lookout area (IMAGE: CITY OF OTTAWA) See the Footbridge article on page 30 The Ottawa Farmers’ Market locally-grown and locally-made food, arts and crafts from within 100 kilometres of Ottawa. The market boasts more Savour any other market and many of the City's favourite artisans. Taste of the Season The Farmers’ Feast Be inspired by the mouthwateringly beautiful pictures and recipes on The Gouda Life. Kelly Brisson, the creator behind The Gouda Life, the local food blog, receives a basket of surprise ingredients once a month from the vendors at the market. She uses the fresh produce, savory meats, cheese grains & eggs to make delicious dishes. To learn how to use the freshest ingredients the region has to offer and be inspired in the kitchen, visit www.thegoudalife.tumblr.com. Come enjoy the market’s new tasting tent. Sample creative dishes using the freshest, local ingredients straight from our market vendors. We’ll even share our recipes, so you can try it at home. New Location On Saturday, August 18th, we’re opening our newest location in Westboro. Located in the Byron Tramway Park, starting at Golden Avenue between Richmond Rd and Byron Avenue from 9:30am-3:00 pm. The market will be open every Saturday until October 27th. Our Orléans Market at Centrum Plaza is open on Fridays, 11:00 am-6:00 pm. Thanks to Capital City BBQ and Appliances for the donation the BBQ for our market tasting tent. 2nd Annual Tomato Festival, September 9th Join us to celebrate the wolf peach, the love apple, tomato, tomahto. On Sunday, September 9th, the Ottawa Farmers’ Market is hosting the 2nd Annual Tomato Festival. With activities and contests for the local gardener, foodie, health nut, and inner artist, the Tomato Festival will be a fun and tasty outing for the whole family. @OttawaFarmMkt facebook.com/OttawaFarmMkt www.ottawafarmersmarket.ca The OSCAR - OUR 40th YEAR Page 44 SEPTEMBER 2012 LE R FO R SA FO R FO 136 Mason Terrace 68 Brighton Avenue 229 Hopewell Avenue LD SA LE LE LE SA R FO 64 Fentiman Avenue 174 Pretoria Avenue 62 Fulton Avenue SO 20 Wilton Cresent SA LE SA R FO FO FO R R SA LE SA LE Serving Ottawa South and Surrounding areas 270 Holmwood Avenue 159 Gilmour Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 0N8 ~ www.tracyarnett.com ~ 613-233-4488 This is not intended to solicit properties already listed for sale