March 1, 2010BY COUNCILLOR DOUG THOMPSON
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| Thursday, March 4th | 7:00 p.m. | Greely Community Centre |
The purpose of these meetings is to gather input from residents with regard to the recreational pathway stretching from Osgoode Village to the Ottawa Airport.
I am holding a Public Meeting at the Metcalfe Community Centre Hall on Wednesday, March 17 at 7:00 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to update residents on the Reconstruction Project of the 8th Line Road in Metcalfe.
SPIRIT OF THE CAPITAL YOUTH AWARDS
Online nominations are now open for the 2010 Spirit of the Capital Youth Awards, Child and Youth Friendly Ottawa’s signature ‘for-youth-by-youth’ gala event. In its 13th year, the Spirit Awards celebrate the extraordinary achievements of youth who make our community a better place – from athletes, young entrepreneurs and budding artists, to activists for social change and those who have overcome personal obstacles.
Youth and adults alike are encouraged to nominate young people who are doing inspiring things under one of our eight award categories: Arts and Culture, Service and Caring, Personal Courage, Academic Perseverance, Young Athlete, Young Activist, Youth and Technology and Young Entrepreneur.
Nominations must be received by Friday, April 2. Finalists will be honoured at the Monday, May 31 gala event. For a full description of the online nomination process, award categories and event information, please visit spiritawards.ca http://www.spiritawards.ca/ or e-mail questions to spirit@cayfo.ca.
OTTAWA YOUTH COMMISSION
The Ottawa Youth Commission (OYC) is a connector between youth and the decisions made at Ottawa City Council. OYC ensures the opinions, concerns and suggestions of youth are heard on a variety of different issues that affect their daily lives and works with City staff to implement youth recommendations.
They encourage youth through surveys, focus groups, workshops, a conference and online tools to better understand their role in their community and to ensure they are aware that they have a voice in decisions.
The OYC is a group of young people from different schools, communities and neighbourhoods trying to make a difference in the lives of young people across the City.
Please contact our office at (613) 580-2490 for more information.
OTTAWA MAKES THE 'SWITCH' TO A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
The City of Ottawa is celebrating www.EarthHour and will be asking all residents to participate in the campaign scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 27 from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Earth Hour is a global campaign, initiated by the World Wildlife Fund in Sydney, Australia in 2007. The campaign encourages individuals and businesses to join together to demonstrate how a small effort like turning off a light for one hour can make a real difference to our environment.
This year, organizers hope to reach one billion people in more than 1,000 cities around the world.
The City of Ottawa is again joining with Hydro Ottawa, the Ottawa Sun, and the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce, and is pleased to welcome a new partner, CTV Ottawa. The City and its partners will be reaching out to businesses and residents over the next six weeks to encourage them to shut off all non-essential lighting for Earth Hour.
For more information, or to register your participation in Earth Hour, visit www.ottawa.ca or http://www.wwf.ca/earthhour.
2010 COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS GRANTS PROGRAM (CEPGP)
The Community Environmental Projects Grants Program (CEPGP) funding has been made available for 2010. The City is seeking proposals from non-profit organizations wishing to help improve the environment in their neighbourhoods. The deadline date for applications is Wednesday, March 31, 2010.
The program is designed to help the City meet its environmental objectives in the areas of water efficiency, solid-waste diversion, wastewater, the water environment, sustainable development, air quality, and broader climate change issues.
In the past, the City has provided CEPGP grants to neighbourhood groups and non-profit organizations for projects that have improved our community environment. Examples of these successful projects include cleaning river banks, building cattle fences, planting trees, water displays, recycled product playgrounds, purchasing and distributing rain barrels, composting and creating informative web sites that support the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle), naturalizing green spaces and more.
Information on the program, and grant application forms, can be found at the City’s website www.ottawa.ca and following the string: residents/funding/community environmental projects grant. Information may also be obtained by contacting Sami Rehman from the Environmental Sustainability Department at (613) 580-2424 ext.13364.
NOMINATE A DESERVING VOLUNTEER FOR THE 2010 CIVIC APPRECIATION AWARDS
You can show your gratitude to that special individual by nominating them for a City of Ottawa Civic Appreciation Award. The City’s Civic Appreciation Awards ceremony is held each spring following National Volunteer Week. This volunteer appreciation program provides an opportunity to nominate and recognize individuals, groups and organizations that volunteer in a variety of ways throughout the city.
Deadline for nominations is Friday, March 26, 2010. Nominations can be completed online at ottawa.ca or you can also download and print the form. Nomination forms are also available at any Client Service Centre or any branch of the Ottawa Public Library.
Awards will be presented in the following categories:
- Citizen of the Year Award (youth, adult and senior)
- Brian Kilrea Award – for excellence in coaching in amateur sports
- Distinguished Civic Award
~ Arts and Culture
~ Recreation and Sports
~ Education / Training
~ Environment
~ Health
~ Heritage
~ Humanitarianism
~ Rural/Agriculture
~ Community Activism (youth, adult, senior and group)
For more information on the Civic Appreciation Awards, visit www.ottawa.ca/volunteering or call 3-1-1.
NEPEAN RIDEAU OSGOODE COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTRE
NROCRC is pleased to begin registration for our 2010 Community Volunteer Income Tax Clinics to the Nepean, Rideau and Osgoode area. We will have 33 tax clinics available across 6 different locations in our catchment area. We are currently only registering residents who live in the Nepean , Rideau & Osgoode area. Please call (613) 596-5626 for information.
For other residents, please call 2-1-1 for information.
COYOTE PROBLEM UPDATE
Our Community and other areas of the City continue to be experiencing an increase in the number of coyote sightings. Here is a resolution passed by City Council on February 24 dealing with Wildlife Issues. I believe that this motion is the beginning of the development of a workable, comprehensive strategy in dealing with the over population of coyotes.
| 1. Direct staff to work cooperatively with the MNR to develop and implement an integrated approach to addressing coyote issues, including but not limited to public awareness and education, and response to human safety issues as appropriate. | |
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2. Request that the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources review its wildlife relocation policies, particularly as they relate to healthy wildlife found in urban/suburban areas. |
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3. Direct City staff to provide support to Councillor Thompson in his role as representative of the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (Association of Municipalities of Ontario) on the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources’ Human-Wildlife Conflicts Advisory Group to help facilitate the development of an integrated coyote management strategy that will benefit residents and stakeholders across Ontario. |
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4. Recommend to the Chair of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee and the Chair of the Planning and Environment Committee that they convene a joint meeting of those committees to review and develop a wildlife strategy for the City of Ottawa. |
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5. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that staff be directed to develop a comprehensive and integrated wildlife strategy for the City of Ottawa - included in a biodiversity strategy (or like product), centred on wildlife-sensitive planning, with a focus on public education and awareness programs - and involve appropriate City departments, the National Capital Commission (NCC), the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), other relevant agencies and community stakeholder organizations in its development and implementation, including protocols to be required in conditions of plans of subdivision and site plans, and that said strategy go forward to a joint meeting of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee and the Planning and Environment Committee for discussion. |
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6. Direct staff to ensure that the lead department role, from the City's side of the matter, be shared by By-law Services and Planning and Environment, as well as the Rural Affairs Office. |
REGISTRATION FOR CITY'S MARCH BREAK PROGRAMS
The City of Ottawa is inviting residents to register now for March Break programs. Plenty of programming is available during the week of March 15 – 19, when most school-aged children are away from school. You can register your kids for programs like swimming, dance, arts and all sorts of other activities and interests for children of all ages.
You can register at www.ottawa.ca, by phone at (613) 580-2588, or in person at any Client Service Centre or recreation facility.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Osgoode Ward Winter Carnivals
Congratulations to the Community Associations and groups that held outstanding Winter Carnivals in Greely, Kenmore, Osgoode and Vernon! Our residents appreciate the tremendous work put into organizing these events.
March Break at O-YA!
(Osgoode Youth Association)
Looking for something FUN to do this March Break? Head to O-YA! Check out our website at
www.o-ya.ca for all the details on March Break. We're adding new things all the time! Here is a teaser of what's going on...
Tuesday, March 16: Canada Day Theme
12:30 – 5:30 p.m. (ages 12 - 18)
5:30 – 8:30 p.m. (ages 12 - 15)
We're going skating at the rink (don't forget to bring $2 admission, skates & helmets), having a visit from the Firefighters, making a Canadiana craft, enjoying chocolate fondue and sledding behind the post office (dress for the weather, and bring a sled!). Wear something RED.
Wednesday, March 17: St. Patrick's Day Theme
12:30 – 5:30 p.m. (ages 12 - 18)
5:30 – 10:00 p.m. (ages 14 - 18)
We're going skating at the rink (don't forget to bring $2 admission, skates & helmets), making Irish Stew, biscuits and Lucky Punch for dinner and making an Irish theme craft. Wear something GREEN!
Thursday, March 18: If You Build It
12:30 – 5:30 p.m. (ages 12 - 18)
5:30 – 8:30 p.m. (ages 12 - 15)
Lego, Duct Tape Challenge, Cup Stack Event, Popsicle stick creations and more. Please bring a brown bag snack / supper.
Friday, March 19: Chef School
1:00 – 5:30 p.m. (ages 7 - 12)
We're making pizza dough, pizzas and cupcakes from scratch so that you can bring home supper for your family! Please let us know if you are coming to this event so that we can have enough food on hand. Please bring a brown bag snack.
Friday, March 19: Outdoor BBQ
5:30 – 10:00 p.m.
Our first EVER outdoor BBQ on a Friday night - just for Seniors. Come by can see what we're grillin' on the barbie...!
All March Break events are FREE for youth! Don't forget to visit www.o-ya.ca for more details. Volunteers are always wanted and appreciated at O-YA. If you, or someone you know, would like to volunteer during March Break, please email Nicole at oya-nicole@rogers.com and we'll set you up.
An Incredible Fundraiser
Cheryl Deavy, a resident of Greely and a student in the Events Management Course at Algonquin College, is hosting an event with other members of her class and in partnership with the Children’s Wish Foundation (National Capital Region Chapter).
The event is called the “Ultimate Ladies Retreat” and will be held at Issac’s Steakhouse and Grill in Stittsville on March 4, 2010 from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. It will be an evening where participants will be engaged and entertained throughout the night. The event programming includes Belly Dancing, Manicures, Reflexology, Hair and Make-Up, Martini 101 and The Art of Living and Fortune Telling.
All proceeds from the event will be going to the Children’s Wish Foundation. For more information, please contact Cheryl Deavy at ultimateladiesretreat@live.ca.
Just Kiddin’ Theatre Presents “James Blond Gets Smart”
March 5 – 7, 2010
Join our company of young performers as we pay homage to our favorite spies of the 60’s in this globe-trotting es-spy-cade that is sure to entertain the whole family. Meet Maxine Smart, daughter of the legendary Maxwell Smart, trying to carry on the family name. “Try” is the operative word as she and British Intelligence agent James Blond are determined to prove who is the better spy while saving the world from imminent disaster.
Tickets are $6. Visit www.justkiddintheatre.com to purchase online or order tickets through members of the cast and crew.
Osgoode Lions 2010 Trade and Home Show
The 22nd Annual Osgoode Trade and Home Show will be staged at the Stuart Holmes Arena in the Osgoode Community Centre on April 16 and 17. The event will again feature a variety of products and services displayed by businesses in the region.
At the longest continuing event of its kind in the area, local residents can see who and what is new in the business world. Attendees will find that many of our required services and products are available locally and from our neighbours. Admission, parking, and door prize draws throughout the show are free. The attractions and events for children are still in the planning stage, but the popular colouring contest will have a new twist. All children who bring their entry to the show will receive a reward. The pictures to colour will be distributed at local schools prior to the event.
For businesses, there are still some indoor and outdoor display spaces available, and those who are unable to provide a display have the opportunity to be sponsors with promotional signage at the event and inclusion in trade show advertising. Application forms and entry information can be obtained by calling (613) 826-1248.
The Osgoode Trade and Home Show is another event sponsored by the Osgoode and District Lions Club and serves as a fundraiser for their work in the local community.
St. Patrick's Supper
Metcalfe St. Andrew's United Church will host their 2nd Annual "Irish Night" to be held at the Metcalfe Lions Den on Wednesday, March 17, 2010. A roast beef dinner will be served from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., followed by entertainment, door prizes and a silent auction. Limited seating - Sells out fast. Get your tickets early!
Contact Martha Robertson at (613) 821-1708, Nelda Isaac at (613) 821-2075 or Arnold Berry at (613) 821-4383. Adults $15.00, Children $7.50 - under 5 Free. Everyone welcome! Wear some green! Join us for some good old Irish "craic" !
Kars Public School Annual Community Used Book Sale
April 16
4:30 – 8:00 p.m. and
April 17
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
We are looking for good quality used children and adult books, VHS and DVD movies, talking books, etc. for our sale. If you would like the chance to clear out your home collection to make room for more, please drop off your books at Kars Public School, 6692 Rideau Valley Drive South during school hours, 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Donations can be made until April 12, 2010.
If you have questions, or need your books picked up, please call Megan Dodge at (613) 489-0631. Please note, a portion of the proceeds from the book sale will be donated to “Help Lesotho”, a Canadian-based charitable organization which helps families in the impoverished country of Lesotho, Africa. For more information, please check out www.helplesotho.ca.
"Cinderella" by the Greely Players
Tickets for our 21st annual production - "Cinderella" - are now on sale. There will be 6 shows:
| March 24 – 27 | 7:30 p.m. and |
| March 27 & 28 | 2:00 p.m. |
Tickets are $15 or $10 for seniors and children 12 and under. It is still a fabulous value for a high quality live musical theatre production. Tickets are now available on line at www.greelyplayers.ca or by calling (613) 821-5407. Remember the seats are assigned on a first-come basis and they're selling quickly!
Greely Legion: Upcoming Events
Location: 8021 Mitch Owens Road, Greely
March 17th St. Paddy's Day Party
Come on down to the Greely Legion at 8021 Mitch Owens Road for a “GOOD OLD FASHIONED ST. PADDY’S DAY IRISH HOUSE PARTY” on Wednesday, March 17, anytime from 2:00 p.m. ‘til closing! Lots of music—Step dancing with the “Fun on Feet” Trio—Tap dancing by Award Winner Patrick Kidney—Celtic fiddling by 16 year old Champion Fiddler Ellen Daly—Bands—Tasty Irish Stew—It even sounds like we’ll be getting some GREEN BEER for the “real” Irish!! And listen to this: Even Councillor Doug Thompson will be dropping in with his “40 SHADES OF GREEN WIG”!!!!!!
No cover charge—lots of free parking—COMERADERIE GALORE—Darts—billiards—shuffle board—just come and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in a “FUN—FRIENDLY” place—the Greely Legion!!! We’d love to have you!! Admission -- donations accepted.
March 21st
Country & Western Jamboree with Kings Creek and others, 2:00 – 7:00 p.m., Musicians bring your instruments. Musicians admitted free. Guests $5. Hot supper available for $7.
March 27th
Indoor Garage Sale Table rentals - $20 (extra tables @ $15 each) Contact Tom Keeley at (613) 822-4270 for details. Spring clean early this year.
Income Tax Assistance
Income Tax Assistance is available for seniors and adults with special needs. Please call the Home Support Program to arrange this free service – (613) 821-1101. A $ 5.00 mileage fee may apply.
Rural Women's Business Network
Date: Tuesday, March 30th
Time: 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Location: Red Dot Cafe, Osgoode
Cost: $25
There will be a guest speaker at the Rural Women's Business Network's (RWBN) quarterly meeting on Tuesday, March 30. Door prizes are a very positive element of the business dinners. The business person who donates a door prize for the evening must tell the group about their business (a one minute infomercial). Everyone is welcome! See website for full details www.rwbn.ca. Lots of networking and a wonderful meal!
For more information or to get on the list for attendance, contact Lynn Mann at (613) 258-3112, Cindy Jackson at (613) 445-5439 or Marg Newsome at (613) 394-1745. Advance payment is necessary and cancellation must be done 24 hours before the dinner date.
Nursery School Spaces Still Available
It’s not too late to register. The Osgoode Cooperative Nursery School is still accepting registrations for the 2 and 3 ½ day programs. It is a great way for your child to meet new friends, develop social skills and prepare for kindergarten.
For more information please call us at (613) 826-2528, e-mail us at ocns@live.ca or visit us at www.osgoodevillage.com/ocns.
Roast Beef Dinner: Save the Date
A delicious roast beef dinner will be held at Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Metcalfe on Sunday, May 2, 2010. For information, please contact Marjorie Stanley at (613) 233-1556.
2010 Car Raffle
Tickets are going fast for Our Lady of the Visitation’s 2010 Car Raffle. Only 3000 tickets have been printed and you could win a brand new 2010 Ford Focus with A/C, automatic and in your colour choice! Other prizes include a $200 gas card, a $100 gas card and a $50 cash prize. Tickets are only $20 each or 3 for $50 by cash, cheque, VISA, MasterCard or AMEX. Proceeds will be directed to OLV Building Fund.
Ticket information is available at www.olvis.ca or call Peter at (613) 821-1232 or Marie at (613) 526-2366.
Live & Learn Resource Centre
Our website is www.ruralfamilyconnections.ca.
Upcoming Events/Workshops:
| March 15 & 16th | 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. | Tax Clinics at Live & Learn Resource Centre. Please call Meaghann Darroch at (613) 596-5626 or mdarroch@nrocrc.org. | |
| Tuesday, March 23st | 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. | Workshop for Home Care Providers & ECE's - Early Identification & Intervention of Speech and Language Delays. | |
| Friday, April 16th | 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. | Baby Talk: a workshop for parents of young babies, birth to 12 months. This workshop will help you recognize that babies communicate in many ways. | |
| Saturday, April 24th | 9:00 - 12:00 noon | First Words Screening Clinic. |
Metcalfe Co-operative Nursery School
Nursery School still accepting registrations in the preschool program. Check the website at www.mcns.kids.org.
Metcalfe Home Daycare Agency
Childcare subsidies are available - please connect with our main office at (613) 821-2899.
The Parents as Teachers program is still accepting families into the program. Please visit our website for further information or call us at (613) 821-2899.
Local Events
The Metcalfe Community Knit Together (Ktog) takes place the second Thursday of each month from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Live & Learn Resource Centre. All fibre artists are welcome.
For more information, call Christine at (613) 821-0231.
March 9 and April 13 are the dates set aside for Caregiver Connection: Meetings for Private Home Child Care Providers and Families looking for child care options. (7:00 – 8:00 p.m.)
SPORTS REPORTS
The “Sports Reports” should highlight special achievements of minor sports teams from our Ward. Send us your story in 200 words or less.
A Weekend of Hockey in Osgoode/Manotick
During the weekend of February 4 – 7 , the Osgoode Rideau Minor Hockey Association hosted the annual Don Mott hockey tournament for the Atom, Bantam and Juvenile levels. Teams from Brockville , Durham & Hull , Gloucester , Nepean and Metcalfe were just a few of the 52 teams playing in 86 games during the 4 day event. By Sunday afternoon, we had 7 final games on our radar and 6 out of the 7 of them included teams from Osgoode.
Congratulations to our Bantam A House Team who beat out Gloucester 1 – 0 with only 1:38 left in the final period in a true nail biter of a game! Congratulations to all the players but especially Matt Bugby who was named player of the game in the final.
Many thanks to all of the volunteers who spent tireless hours preparing and attending the weekend event. Without these parents, this event would never have happened.
Congratulations to all!!!
OSGOODE / RIDEAU RECREATION INFORMATION
Area Program information now available at URL link: www.manotick.net/cityrecreation. For more information on area programs and services, please contact (613) 580-2424 ext. 30235.
Citywide Recreation Guides are available at the Client Services Centre or online at www.ottawa.ca.
COMMUNITY HEALTH NEWS
For more information or to register for programs, call Barbara O’Brien-Litten, Public Health Nurse, (613) 580-6744 ext. 26173 or email Barbara.obrien-litten@ottawa.ca.
Community Office: Lower Level of Metcalfe Client Service Centre
CPR/AED Course in Greely
Date: Saturday, March 6, 2010
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Greely Community Centre, 1448 Meadow Drive, Greely
This free course is offered by Ottawa Paramedic Services together with Ottawa Public Health and Ottawa Fire Services. Even if you have taken a CPR/AED course in the past, it is recommended to re-certify each year to ensure you feel comfortable using your CPR/AED skills and knowledge in an emergency situation.
Participants will learn how to: perform CPR on an adult, child and infant; use the automated external defibrillator; help someone who is choking; recognize if someone is having a heart attack; and prevent heart disease.
You must pre-register for this course. To register for the CPR/AED course, call (613) 580-2424
ext. 32434 or email cpr@ottawa.ca.
For more information, you can contact:
Barbara O'Brien-Litten
Public Health Nurse
Rural Health Program
Ottawa Public Health
(613) 580-6744 ext. 26173
If you are unable to attend this course, there are other CPR/AED courses offered throughout the city. Visit ottawa.ca/cpr to obtain the complete listing of courses.
Well Water Testing – Spring 2010
Water samples must be collected in Ministry of Health sample bottles and returned by the collection date, WITHIN 24 HOURS of the sample being taken. Samples may be dropped off on the following dates and locations.
Sunday, May 16
Osgoode Foodland: 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Vernon Variety: 8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 25
MacKinnon's Foodland: 24 hrs.
Metcalfe Variety: 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Thursdays
Ottawa Public Library, Metcalfe Branch: 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
For more information, contact Barbara O'Brien-Litten at (613) 580-6744 ext. 26173.
COMMUNITY POLICING NEWS FROM CONSTABLE FINNISS
Let's continue to report and make those calls.
| (613) 236-1222 ext. 7300 | Call Centre to report vandalism, theft from vehicles |
| 9-1-1 | Crime in progress / life threatening |
| (613) 230-6211 | Dispatcher all other emergencies |
| (613) 236-1222 ext. 3700 | Leitrim Information Desk |
| (613) 236-1222 ext. 3787 | Cst. Jennifer Finniss / finnissj@ottawapolice.ca |
Quote
“The difference between school and life? In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson.” Tom Bodett
