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Cyclist honoured for her advocacy Michelle Nash michelle.nash@metroland.com
Community - Riding a bicycle is more than a just a way to get around for Vanier resident Sarah Partridge, who was recently honoured for her contribution to the cycling community. Since moving to the neighbourhood, she has been involved with nurturing the local cycling community. Starting with joining the community association, Partridge helped create the association’s subcommittee, Vanier Cycles, and invited all area cyclists to participate in promoting cycling. From there, Partridge has led the fight for better bike lanes and routes in the east end and helped launch the neighbourhood’s annual bike festival, which takes place each June. It’s easy to see how Partridge has changed the way people think about bicycles. Recently awarded the Bruce Timmermans Award for her advocacy of cycling, Partridge said she just wanted to participate in the conversation and to
promote riding to work. After learning she’d won the award, Partridge said she was surprised and credited the achievement to the community. “Really, I know this award is for an individual, but it would not have happened if not for the strong community that made it possible,” she said. SAFE CYCLING
According to the city’s website, Bruce Timmermans was a long-time cycling educator and advocate, an active member of the Ottawa Bicycle Club and a founding member of Citizens for Safe Cycling. Each year the city hands out one individual award and one group award. The individual award honours an exemplary citizen who has proactively and publicly promoted the benefits of cycling as a principal mode of transportation. In only two years, Partridge has accomplished this and more. The creation of the Vanier Velo Fest last year was a big part of that, an event that encouraged everyone in
MICHELLE NASH/METROLAND
Sarah Partridge arrives at Ottawa-Vanier’s all-candidates debate on June 5 on her favourite mode of transportation -- her bike. The young cyclist receives the Bruce Timmermans award for her individual advocacy for cycling in Vanier on June 8. the community to celebrate cycling. The festival offers free helmets and T-shirts for
children, a barbecue and bike rodeo. The event is made possible by donations and support
PET OF THE WEEK
from local partners. But aside from organizing festivals, Partridge and
her cycling committee have taken an active interest in the east-west bikeway, and ensuring the east-end connections not only get made, but make sense. Most recently, at the suggestion from the committee, Partridge led an effort to see Vanier- and Overbrookspecific paths were added to the official bikeway plans. Partridge said she still has a lot of work to do to get cycling routes in the east end up to snuff. First up is continuing work to get bicycle lanes on St. Patrick Bridge. Currently, more than seven community associations have joined the fight. “I’m hopeful that we will be successful,” Partridge said. When asked if she ever gets weary of her community involvement, Partridge said she and the community are just getting started. “None of the initiatives would be possible without the Vanier community’s support and interest,” Partridge said. “I feel all this work is simply raising Vanier’s cycling profile and that we love to bike. I hope it inspires others to become involved.”
Pet Adoptions Meet Betsy, an affectionate and active German shepherd/boxer mix looking for her forever home. Betsy would love to live with a family that enjoys exercise as much as she does! Betsy’s favourite game is playing fetch – she will be wellmatched in a home with older or dog-savvy kids who can throw around the ball with her, take her on walks and enjoy her playful personality! Betsy is a very social gal and likes the company of other dogs but would do best with other four-legged friends who will respect her space. She would benefit from an experienced owner who can help her be the best pooch possible with obedience training. For more information on Petra and all our adoptable animals, stop by the OHS at 245 West Hunt Club Rd. Check out our website at ottawahumane.ca to see photos and descriptions of the animals available for adoption.
BETSY (A168181 )
Summer at the OHS
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Ottawa South News EMC - Thursday, June 12, 2014
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Hi, my name is Shasta and I’m a 4 year old Maltese. I love to help Gramma tend to the garden and explore the back yard! I love to play tag with my cat cousins Cosmo and Nikita! I love to hang out with my canine cousin Toby! I really love going to visit GG (Gramma Gisele) where I kiss and cuddle her and ride on her walker! But when the day is done, I love to settle down with my Mom & Dad and dream about tomorrows adventures!!!
part of their owner’s summer plans. Along with challenge of so many animals needing care in the OHS shelter, far too many dogs are rescued from hot cars. Even before temperatures climb into the 30s, temperatures inside parked cars, even on moderate days, can soar to 40 degrees and beyond. As many as two dozen dogs every week will need to be rescued from these vehicular ovens this summer. Summer also becomes lively in a good way. A favourite addition is the very popular summer camps that begin at the end of the school year. Almost
Please note: The Ottawa Humane Society has many other companion animals available for adoption. Featured animals are adopted quickly! To learn more about adopting an animal from the Ottawa Humane Society please contact us: Website: lll#diiVlV]jbVcZ#XV Email: 6Ydei^dch5diiVlV]jbVcZ#XV Telephone: +&( ,'*"(&++ m'*-
400 children attended OHS camps last summer. Not only do they bring life to the OHS, but they leave with knowledge and attitudes that will change the future for Ottawa’s animals. In addition to young summer campers, the OHS also reached 2,444 through other camps, children’s tours and birthday parties and an astounding 6,900 through school and summer humane education programs. Their learning experiences will result in permanent change. They won’t leave their pets in hot cars, and they won’t surrender their pet to go on holidays.
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Now that summer has finally arrived, things will be getting very lively here at the Ottawa Humane Society. Both great things and tremendous challenges are a part of the season. As soon as the weather gets warm, the shelter begins to fill with stray animals and those surrendered by their owners. In fact, OHS intake rises from a dozen or so a day, to up to 50 animals some days, all of whom have nowhere else to go. It is a sad fact that as summer holiday time approaches in June, the number of animals surrendered peaks, often as a result of pets not being a