Glebe Report April 2024

GCA BOARD

Bank Street fire closes Glebe Apothecary

By John Crump, with Glebe Report files

Police cars, lights flashing, blocked intersections on Bank Street as fire trucks from around the city responded to a three-alarm fire at the Glebe Apothecary on the cold Sunday morning of March 24.

Smoke billowed from a large hole cut by firefighters attacking the blaze from the roof of the building. A thick beige hose snaked from a fire hydrant in front of the city parking garage and up a ladder that extended from a fire truck where it was aimed into the attic where the fire had taken hold.

Out on Bank Street, smoke swirled into the bright blue sky from the second-floor office windows above the Apothecary. Said bystander Bhagwant Sandu, “I could smell the smoke from as far north as Patterson and as far south as Holmwood.”

Three ladders were raised to the upper storey windows, one of which had been broken to allow crews to enter. From the street, it was possible to see firefighters at work in the damaged office, their oxygen tanks reflecting the early morning light.

Index

People watched the action from across the street, among them several employees of McKeen Metro who were driven from the grocery store by the smoke from the fire next door. Watcher Randal Marlin commented, “Around 9 a.m., there was an incredible number of emergency vehicles, lights flashing on Bank Street starting from about Glebe Avenue down to about Fourth Avenue. Considering how the damage was localized, it is a wonder that so many vehicles and manpower were required. Maybe it was for training, or for extra security. The result was certainly welcome: a very orderly, controlled, fire-containing action, without the impediment of traffic passing along Bank Street.” And Chris McNaught reflected that “such an incident and all the gathered observers accentuates how special and valued local services are.”

McKeen Metro was closed the day of the fire, but reopened the next day, albeit with deli and in-store bakery closed temporarily. The Glebe Community Association issued an email update about Metro reopening, as it is a key community amenity.

A three-alarm fire on March 24 has closed the Glebe Apothecary indefinitely. Clients may pick up prescriptions at the nearby Shoppers Drug Mart at Bank and Glebe Avenue. PHOTO: RANDAL MARLIN

Shoppers Drug Mart on the corner of Bank and Glebe Avenue.

According to media reports, the fire caused approximately $700,000 in damage. The Glebe Report contacted the Ottawa Police Service about the suspected cause and was told there is no comment while the fire is being investigated. Media reports have posited possible arson.

The manager of the Glebe Apothecary, Zenah Surani, was instructed to redirect inquiries to the Loblaws PR department. Loblaws owns Shoppers Drug Mart, which owns the affected

pharmacy. The Glebe Report submitted a list of questions to the PR department, including about plans for reopening the store and what is happening to the Apothecary staff – are they being transferred to other locations or being laid off? And are there indications of possible arson?

No response was received by press time. (More photos on page 2)

John Crump is a former journalist and public servant and also serves as president of the Glebe Community Association. He witnessed the fire.

Forty years of the Glebe Apothecary

By Claudia McKeen

When I sold my pharmacy to Shoppers Drug Mart in 2011, I was so delighted that they would carry it on as the Glebe

In my early 20s, right out of University of Toronto Pharmacy Faculty, I began preparing myself to start a new business of my own. Since I was 17, I had known I wanted to be a pharmacist

Forty years

Continued from page 1

and own my own business. After Alan Forhan turned down my request to buy his business (Forhan’s Pharmacy), I began to look around the Glebe. In 1984, 40 years ago, I opened the Glebe Apothecary at the corner of Bank and Glebe, where La Strada is today. In 1988, I moved the business to its current location.

The community from far and wide supported me, and my team grew to be a staff of 32 by the time I sold it. It became a vibrant and vital business, and in turn we supported the community whenever we were asked to.

As I watched the brave firefighters tame the fire on March 24 as water poured through the building, I felt an overwhelming sadness. Will the Glebe Apothecary rise again from the ashes? Can the building be restored quickly enough to maintain the business, or will someone have to start all over again like I did? Or will my baby finally be in the archives of The Lost Glebe Businesses? Only time will tell.

Bank Street fire

Continued from page 1

Directed by Kevin Reeves

Rideau Chorale is joined by Soprano Ania Hejnar, Baritone Phil Holmes, and Chamber Orchestra.

www.rideauchorale.com/faure-requiem

Claudia McKeen is a retired pharmacist who founded the Glebe Apothecary in 1984.

PHOTOS: JOHN CRUMP

House of Targ 10 years on: from a jam space to a local staple

By Jeremy Borg

House of Targ, a bar, restaurant, arcade and concert venue on Bank and Sunnyside, right across from the Mayfair Theatre, will celebrate its 10th anniversary on April 17. It is co-owned by partners Mark McHale, Paul Granger, Kevin Berger and Blake Jacobs.

According to co-founder Mark McHale, the celebrations will include exciting music acts and other things. The details of the anniversary celebrations will be posted on their website at www.houseoftarg.com closer to the date.

House of Targ gives any patron a unique experience, bringing back memories from childhood while producing an exhilarating and memorable night for an adult. The space combines flashing arcade and pinball machines, bringing back a classic arcade theme that has been lost in many other establishments. “It’s an experience that we all grew up with to kind of give to a new generation, you know, that arcade experience with live music,” said McHale.

And the name? “Targ was the very first video game that came into our possession. It was the first game played at the old space that kind of started it all. The series of local band shows that we started doing…were aptly called House of Targ shows. When we moved to our current location, we felt keeping House of Targ was important because it was a nod to its origins,” explained McHale.

In addition to music and arcade games, House of Targ serves up delicious perogies. When creating their

concept, the founders of House of Targ wanted to diversify the experience patrons would get when coming in. “When we were thinking of building the place, we knew that we couldn’t survive if it was just an arcade or just a music venue. We’re like, we need to do a restaurant…Paul [Granger, another co-founder] is of Ukrainian descent. And we sat in my backyard coming up with ideas, and we thought that running with perogies, we could do something with that and here we are,” said McHale.

Targ came from small beginnings and has consolidated itself as a highlight of the local community. Starting out as a niche space, it became a place that many locals frequent. While it has become a public staple, it stayed true to its humble origins.

“It was a small little band studio that sort of started everything with one [pinball] machine. And it was a showcase of

shows that we did once a month. And it just grew and grew and grew,” McHale said. “It was kind of like Ottawa’s bestkept secret. And then we had to go sort of public. So looking back that it’s 10 years now, it’s kind of surreal, that everything happened.”

According to McHale, one of House of Targ’s goals was to be a positive factor in their community. To this end, they host Pinball Women Ottawa, a group for women, non-binary, and gender-diverse individuals to play and learn about pinball. House of Targ hosted Pinball Women Ottawa for their April tournament on April 3.

“One of our goals was to be very community driven. And we didn’t want to just be a bar, or, you know, a nightclub or something like that, we wanted to be welcoming to all ages and families, and we wanted to be more a part of the community and just somewhere for families and everybody to go and have an

experience,” said McHale. “We always wanted to have more of an impact with the community. So you know, doing charity stuff and donation. It was intentional right from the start. One of our goals was to kind of be accepted by the community.”

Looking forward House of Targ hopes to continue providing a unique and unforgettable experience. According to McHale, they hope to find a bigger location to make them more accessible and to keep making and selling perogies. Their goal is to keep growing.

Jeremy Borg is a Carleton journalism student.

House of Targ on Bank Street near Sunnyside celebrates 10 years of music, pinball and perogies this April. PHOTOS: JEREMY BORG

House of Targ serves up delicious perogies

Our Volunteer Carriers

Jennie Aliman, Lawrence Ambler, Nico Arabackyj, Aubry family, Miko Bartosik, Alessandra & Stefania Bartucci, Selena Beattie, Adrian Becklumb, Beckman family, Joanne Benoit, Inez Berg, Carolyn Best, Carrie Bolton, Daisy & Nettie Bonsall, Martha Bowers, Bowie family, Adélaïde and Éléonore Bridgett, Bob Brocklebank, Naomi and Audrey Cabassu, Ben Campbell-Rosser, Nico Cauchi, Bill Congdon, Ava & Olivia Carpenter, Chiu-Panczyk Family, Sarah Chown, Sebastian, Cameron & Anna Cino, Janis Ellis-Claypool, Jenny Cooper, June Creelman, Marni Crossley, Olivia Dance, Mark Dance, Dawson family, Richard DesRochers, Davies Family, Nathan and Roslyn Demarsh, Marilyn Deschamps, Diekmeyer-Bastianon family, Dingle family, Delia Elkin, Nicholas, Reuben, Dave & Sandra Elgersma, Patrick Farley, James & Oliver Frank, Judy Field, Federico Family, Maria Fobes, Liane Gallop, Joann Garbig, Joyce Goodhand, Camilo Velez Gorman, Barbara Greenwood, Marjolein Groenevelt, Oliver, Martin, Sarah & Simon Hicks, Cheryle Hothersall, Jennifer Humphries, Sandiso Johnston, Jungclaus Family, Janna Justa, Elena Kastritsa, Kasper Raji Kermany, Michael Khare, Lambert family, Fenton & Cora Hui Litster, Leith and Lulu Lambert, Catherine Lawr, Mel LeBlanc, Jamie, Alexander & Louisa Lem, Brams and Jane Leswick, Alison Lobsinger, Aanika, Jaiden and Vinay Lodha, Hudson Love, Andy Lunney, Vanessa Lyon, Pat Marshall, Patrick Collins Mayer, Catherine McArthur, Ian McKercher, John and Helen Marsland, Matthew McLinton, Josephine & Elise Meloche, Cameron Mitchell, Julie Monaghan, Thomas Morris, Vivian Moulds, Karen Mount, Maddy North, Diane Munier, Xavier and Heath Nuss, Sachiko Okuda, Matteo and Adriano Padoin-Castillo, Brenda Perras, Brenda Quinlan, Annabel and Joseph Quon, Beatrice Raffoul, Bruce Rayfuse, Kate Reekie, Thomas Reevely, Mary & Steve Reid, Jacqueline Reilly-King, Anna Roper, Sabine Rudin-Brown, Frank Schreiner, Short family, Cathy Simons, Andrew Soares, Stephenson family, Cameron & Quinn Swords, Ruth Swyers, Saul Taler, John & Maggie Thomson, Tom Trottier, Trudeau family, Will, Georgie & Blaire Turner, Zosia Vanderveen, Veevers family, Nick Walker, Vanessa Wen, Paul Wernick, Hope, Jax and Ash Wilson, Howard & Elizabeth Wong, Ella & Ethan Wood, Berkan Yazici, Martin Zak.

WELCOME TO:

Catherine Lawr

Berkan Yazici

THANKS AND FAREWELL:

Charlotte & Ryan Cartwright

CARRIERS NEEDED FOR:

QED: Broadway to townhouses at #520; (15 houses)

Quality of life

These days it’s a struggle to maintain a certain quality of life. Sure, we have our own individual and family struggles, as ever was – cost of living, aging, family dysfunction, sickness, what have you.

But it’s the larger struggles I’m noticing – the gradual diminishing of a public quality of life.

Take for example the upcoming Tulip Festival – a popular tourist draw, with a long history dating back to the Second World War – an innocent festival redolent with wartime sentiment and dependent on nothing more menacing than weather and the timely blooming of flowers. We hear that this festival, like many others, has suffered a severe loss of funding this year and will be a much-reduced shadow of its former self. Its former self was at times spectacular, with live music and unparalleled displays of tulips.

Same for all the other public festivals in Ottawa – the Writers’ Festival, Jazzfest, Music and Beyond,

Chamberfest – all experiencing a catastrophic loss of government funding.

We probably can’t blame the government for the lack of skating on the Canal these last two years – no matter how much we would like to – but it is still a bitter pill to swallow and adds to the growing sense that public life – community life – is getting thinner and thinner. The St. Patrick’s Day parade, long a tradition in Ottawa, was cancelled again this year.

Even the Ex at Lansdowne, gone these many years and considered by some a thorn in the side of the Glebe, was a big, unifying event full of excitement and memories, that brought us all together, if for nothing more than selling parking. And does anyone remember when we closed Bank Street in the Glebe and held a “dancing in the streets” night?

I hope this fading away of a lively community life is a mere gathering of forces before a happy resurgence – but I worry that it is instead just the gentle lapping at the shore of what will become a tidal wave of loss.

Liz McKeen

Glebe Apothecary has closed indefinitely due to a fire on March 24. Clients may pick up their prescriptions at the Shoppers Drug Mart at Bank and Glebe Avenue, 702 Bank Street.

Tim Hortons is now open at 900 Bank Street, on the ground floor of the Amica building.

Smile Society Dentistry is coming soon, also to 900 Bank Street.

Starbucks is coming soon to 1050 Bank Street, across from the Sunnyside Library.

For God Shakes is also coming soon to 1050 Bank Street. “Ottawa’s first milk shake bar.” It has another location at 204 Dalhousie Street.

Wall Space Gallery is now open at 1090 Bank Street, corner of Sunnyside Avenue. “The gallery represents both emerging and established Canadian artists working in traditional and new media.”

MacEwan Gas, Bank at Catherine, is closed for renovations.

Third Son Tailor Shop coming soon to 796 Bank Street, formerly Koyman Galleries. “Family-owned bespoke tailor shop.” 3rdson.ca

Iva Apostolova

Alex Campbell

Denis Caron

Adrian Cho

Dan Chook Reid

Jaden Croucher

John Crump

Wendy Daigle Zinn

John Dance

Colette Downie

Gwynneth Evans

Mary Forster

Patricia Goyeche

Joel Harden

Walter Hendelman

Clare Jackson

Sharon Johnson

Kathy Kennedy

Jeremy Kerr

Christina Keys

Dave Keys

Shawna Laing

Julie LeBlanc

Katherine Liston

Janice Manchee

Randal Marlin

Angus McCabe

Claudia McKeen

Barbara McIsaac

Ian McKercher

Shawn Menard

Ahmed Naheen

Margret B. Nankivell

Yasir Naqvi

Michael Kofi Ngongi

Tim O’Connor

Josh Rachlis

Jeanette Rive

Mark Redwood

Sue Reive

Pamela Robinson

Marisa Romano

Sarah Routliffe

Howard Sandler

Sue Stefko

Ben Syposz

Emma Tibbo

Zeus

Tulip Festival, June 2023 PHOTO: LIZ MCKEEN

Lansdowne 2.0 no laughing matter

Editor, Glebe Report

Re: “Waterski show coming to Brown’s Inlet,” Glebe Report, March 8, 2024

Bob Irvine’s April fools-ish reporting on a major initiative at Brown’s Inlet was a superb satire of the City’s ludicrous Lansdowne 2.0 plan. Yet, according to Bob’s in-depth reporting, Ottawa Geyser and Entertainment Group would contribute $100,000 towards the half billion-dollar Brown’s Inlet project. In reality, Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group is contributing absolutely nothing to the cost of Lansdowne 2.0. That’s not satire – it’s a really bad joke foisted upon all Ottawa taxpayers by Mayor Sutcliffe, suburban and rural councillors and OSEG.

John Dance

Kudos for Clay

Editor, Glebe Report

Re: “The ‘Go-to’ man in the Glebe,” Glebe Report, March 8, 2024

I relished Pat Marshall’s lovely feature about Clay Anderson, “The ‘Go to’ man in the Glebe” March 8.

During his two decades of work at Home Hardware, he has been enormously helpful to me. His advice on things, like what covering to use to stop water coming up from the basement or through stone foundation walls, has saved me hundreds of dollars, at least.

More recently I had a problem with a sagging, hand-operated, lift-up door to our garage. It’s an intricate device with springs, tracks, wheels and counterweights. I could see things getting worse, and I wondered what the replacement cost would be. That’s if the product was still available!

The Sunday parking blues

Editor, Glebe Report

Re: “Never on a Sunday,” Glebe Report, March 8, 2024

First, I would like to continue Rafal Pomian’s thread on parking in the Glebe. A few Sundays ago, I parked my car after 5 p.m. on an almost deserted section of Second Avenue. I was issued a $70 ticket at 6:40 p.m. for exceeding the one-hour parking limit. The following Sunday a neighbour was issued a similar ticket. Yesterday, a Sunday, she knocked on my door to inform me that bylaw officers had “chalked” my visiting daughter’s tires at 4:30 p.m. Later, as I walked from Bronson to Bank, I noted over 15 cars chalked on Second Avenue alone, at least $1,000 in tickets to be issued when the bylaw officer returned, all late on a Sunday.

Until recently I was able to reassure visitors that, despite the restrictions posted, tickets had generally not been issued on weekends in the residential areas of the Glebe since I moved here in 1981. Perhaps a new, overly zealous bylaw officer is vying for “Rookie of the Year” award. Hopefully they are not assigned duty during the Great Glebe Garage Sale.

Glebe concerns

Editor, Glebe Report

I am wondering whether the next Glebe Report will include or address two issues in our Glebe community.

The lights of the Moving Surfaces on the berm at Lansdowne have not been working since March 20. This is a beautiful piece of art that enhances and graces the Glebe. The city councillor’s office is aware of this problem.

I am sure that Glebe readers would also like to know what the status is.

As you are no doubt aware, part of the 700 block of Bank had a fire. Will the Glebe Apothecary be closed for good? The fire also affected part of the Metro Glebe – when will this be repaired? Both the places are integral to the lives of people in the Glebe, who certainly are worried about what will happen. Can this be reported on in the next Glebe Report? [editor’s note: see front page article]

Denis Caro

Long-term and proud resident of the Glebe

Thank you to all the volunteers who clean our community spaces.

I have been a resident of the Glebe for over 45 years. For the last few years, I have watched, at this time of year, volunteers fanning out through the Glebe, cleaning our public spaces. In their yellow safety vests, garbage bags and picks in hand, they quietly and efficiently clean up our garbage.

These faceless volunteers deserve our thanks for their community spirit.

Well done. It is community dedication like this, that makes any community a special place to live.

Wendy Daigle Zinn

I found that the problem was it was missing some key, tiny bolts. But where to get them? Solution: Clay. After a diligent search, he found exactly what I needed. Installing them took time, patience and effort, but the actual cost was only a few dollars.

I can’t thank Clay enough. No doubt others have similar stories to tell.

Randal Marlin

I suggest a solution could be to have the parking restrictions on Monday to Friday only, allowing family and friends to visit on weekends without having to constantly shuffle cars on the street, or, heaven forbid, erase chalk markings from tires.

Second, I have no qualms about the new speed camera on First Avenue in the Glebe Collegiate block. However, if the intention is to slow down cars rather than generate revenue, perhaps one of those radar cameras that displays your speed with either a sad face (going too fast) or a smiley face (not going too fast) before the ticket-issuing camera could give miscreants a chance to correct their ways before running afoul of the law.

Ben Syposz

How much do you love reading the Glebe Report?

A little or a lot? We want to know!

Does our newspaper connect you with what’s important in the Glebe?

As a volunteer group of neighbours putting together the Glebe Report, we want to hear from you, whether you live in the neighbourhood or not.

Give us a few minutes of your time and take the readership survey! You could win a $75 gift certificate to Glebe Central Pub!

The survey is open until May 3, but why not do it now!?

Glebe Collegiate is offering spots for rent to vendors during the Great Glebe Garage Sale on May 25

Spots are approximately 10 feet wide and of varying depths, around the perimeter of the school on Glebe, Percy and First Avenue. Rent is $50, payable online only.

Proceeds from the rental will go towards improving the school’s green space.

For information, email the TWIGS (Those Who Initiate Greener Spaces) student group at green4glebe@gmail.com

May 13 at 7:00 p.m. in the Pre-School Room at the Glebe Community Centre, 175 Third Avenue.

Join the volunteer board and production team to learn more about your community’s non-profit, independent newspaper.

All readers of the Glebe Report are welcome to attend.

What does

mean

a

What makes a good neighbour – simply someone who lives close to you, or does it go deeper? What about a country close to your borders? What do you want and what do others value in you as a neighbour?

As your neighbourhood newspaper, we are asking you to consider these questions – poetically – and if the idea inspires,

April 22, 2024.

information

to send us your

your grade and school if you are in school.

Community safety and well-being in the Glebe

By Dan Chook Reid

This past summer, I found myself in a very awkward situation. I was in a Glebe café when a patron began to yell loudly. It was not clear who they were addressing. However, it was clear that this person struggled with mental health problems. I noticed fellow customers glancing at each other, what should we do? I immediately felt compassion for the baristas. I imagine that they are not trained for this type of scenario. The individual continued to cry out to no one in particular, louder and louder. Someone went over and asked them to be quiet. It didn’t work. The individual yelled even more.

I was in the middle of writing, and I am ashamed to say that I simply finished my coffee and went to another establishment nearby to finish my work.

Afterwards I felt bad. I realized that although I like to advocate for people experiencing mental health or homelessness, I often do it from the comfort of my beautiful Glebe home. I did not know what to do in this situation.

What about you? If a loved one were to experience a mental health crisis, do you know what to do?

If a person who is sleeping rough starts to sleep near your house, would you feel comfortable walking the streets at night? Would you know what to do?

If you see a needle in a park, do you know who to call and what resources are available?

If you hear of bike or car theft on your street, do you know how to report it to the police?

These are all scenarios that people in our neighourhood are currently facing.

Many of us have personal stories or know stories that reflect these different scenarios.

The Glebe Community Association (GCA), Glebe Neighbourhood Activities Group (GNAG) and Glebe Business Improvement Area (BIA) is asking an important question: What can we do to address the issues of substance abuse, mental health, homelessness and crime in our neighbourhood?

One of our initiatives is to develop a “Who to Call” page that can be a centralized resource for business owners and community members. This resource is available on the GCA website and will be displayed in the community centre and in different Glebe businesses. We aim to make it possible for the community to know how to find resources quickly when they need them.

In addition, this spring we are hosting the Glebe’s first Community Safety Forum on May 2 at the Glebe

Community Centre from 7 to 9 p.m. We will have a panel featuring our community police officer and our elected officials so that the neighbourhood can hear what resources are available in the city and have an opportunity to ask questions and share concerns. In addition, Ottawa Public Health will set up a table and share their amazing resources.

We encourage you to spread the word and come to this event. If you have any concerns regarding a lack of resources for mental health, access to affordable housing or increases in theft, it is important to come to show our city that we care about these issues and long for better solutions.

Help us prepare for this event by emailing your questions or concerns to: communitysafetyforum2024@ gmail.com

In addition, it is our hope that this kind of event may create some potential for organic community initiatives where neighbours who want to make a difference can find ways to practically make a difference, for example, by setting up Neighbourhood Watch on their street.

Register online on our Eventbrite page https://tinyurl.com/4h8vjm93 or scan the QR code on our poster.

As a parent of young children, I know that these conversations are very important. Many of my friends with teenagers and young adult children are navigating mental health challenges. I want to be better equipped to be a caring and compassionate individual who knows how to help our society’s most vulnerable. Though I hope it is never the case, I need to be ready in case these issues surface on my own doorstep.

Dan Chook Reid loves living and working in the Glebe. He has served with the Glebe Community Association for almost a decade. When he is not advocating for affordable housing, he can be found driving his two sons to hockey rinks, writing in Glebe cafés and biking along the canal.

Schools on Bronson and Powell

By Sue Stefko

We have had a number of schools in our small neighbourhood over the years. The first two schools were on Bell Street, with the next two, including the only one still standing, on Powell.

The first school on Powell, which was built on the corner of Bronson, no longer exists. It was initially known as the Bronson Avenue School and was built to replace the old Bell Street Public School that was in use from 1876 until 1905 (see Glebe Report, “Bell Street Public School,” March 2024). The Bronson Avenue School was officially opened in February 1906 by Sir Robert Borden – who at the time was the Conservative leader of the opposition and MP for Carleton Ward. (The choice is somewhat puzzling, as the party was not in power, and this was not his ward.) The new school was lauded as being modern, clean and, unlike the previous Bell Street school, healthy. It doubled the previous classroom space from two to four rooms, with the community particularly appreciating that this school was now big enough to host a kindergarten class.

The opening ceremony was full of pomp, ceremony and speeches, including one by a Dalhousie Ward trustee, Mr. McClenaghan, who took the opportunity to advocate for higher teacher salaries to ensure that men continued to be teachers. McClenaghan noted that if salaries did not increase, it wouldn’t be long until there were no male teachers in the country. As quoted in the Ottawa Journal, he stated, “It was necessary that the higher classes should be taught by men, and they could not hope to have good men unless they paid good salaries.” (The implication is of course that women teachers would have been content with a lower salary but could only teach lower-level classes.)

As population grew in the area east of Bronson and north of the St Louis Dam (Dow’s Lake), more space was soon needed. In 1914, an addition was built at the back of the school, increasing the size from four classrooms to 16. Sir Robert Borden again officiated at the 1915 expansion ceremony, this time as prime minister. At the ceremony, the name was changed from t Bronson Avenue school to Borden Public School. This was controversial, as some thought that naming schools after people would be precedent setting and confusing, and that names based on location made more sense. As there have been at least three schools in Ottawa bearing Borden’s name, including the present-day Sir Robert Borden High School, which for many years operated at the same time as the Borden Public School, it is difficult to argue the point.

Once again, the school grew dated, and a new school was needed. The Borden Public School closed in June 1966 and was quickly demolished, becoming the playground for a new school which was built next door. The new school was sleek, modern and topped by a greenhouse – it was so impressive that plans for the school were selected for display at a national exhibition of school architecture in 1966.

The new Borden school was opened in October 1966 at 515 Cambridge Street. Over the years, it has been referred to as the Borden Public School, Borden Technical School and Borden High School. It was designed to be a vocational school, focused on teaching ca reer-specific skills that students would need to perform a particular job. Classes included gardening, food preparation, automotive maintenance, merchandizing (for girls training to be cashiers) and horticulture. The school also provided counselling staff to help students find employment upon graduation.

The technical school closed in 1990, after which the building was used as a welcome centre, administrative dents as other schools were being r

put on the market for $2.9 million; in 2003, it was developed by Charlesfort Developments. The project included the conversion of the existing school building to 47 condominium units (the Powell Lofts at 300 Powell Avenue), a

new six-storey, 45-unit condominium where industrial arts workshops once stood and two-storey condos in whating is the only physical reminder of the four schools that once stood in this Sue Stefko is vice president of the Glebe Glebe Report. 613.238.2801

The Robert Borden School in 1943, which has been torn down and is now the site of the Glasgow condominium building

COURTESY OF CITY OF OTTAWA ARCHIVES

The Borden Technical School at 515 Cambridge Street, which has been redeveloped into the Powell Lofts at 300 Powell Avenue. COURTESY OF POWELL LOFTS

The Great Glebe Garage Sale - a model for promoting the circular economy

By Colette Downie

More and more, the Great Glebe Garage Sale (GGGS) is recognized for its success in contributing to the circular economy. In contrast to the traditional model of take-make-dispose, the circular economy model promotes the reuse, refurbishment, recycling, and regeneration of products and materials to create a closed-loop system.

Over the winter, we heard from several organizations that see the GGGS as a model and wanted to know the secret of our neighbourhood-wide success. For example, we heard from university researchers and a charity wanting to better understand our success in closing the loop on an enormous scale. We also heard from someone in another municipality looking to understand best practices for a giant area-wide garage sale to foster reuse and community spirit and from the City as it considers ways to minimize the waste that heads to landfills.

Beyond finding new owners for things, garage sales like the GGGS extend products’ lifespans, so fewer items are discarded prematurely and dumped in landfills. Instead of buying new items, shoppers at the GGGS can purchase second-hand goods at bargain prices. Items get a second or even a third life with a new owner.

The GGGS is also seen as a model for those looking to reinforce a culture of conscious consumption. For example, the GGGS encourages people to think twice before buying new items or discarding old ones and to consider alternative options such as donation or resale to reduce waste.

There’s no doubt the GGGS contributes hugely to the circular economy, and we think its organic, community-wide, spring-festival spirit is what makes it such a success year after year. Community engagement is the secret sauce of the GGGS – the sale fosters connections between neighbours and encourages community participation. This sense of community involvement, including fundraising for the Ottawa Food Bank, promotes the sharing and exchange of goods, raising awareness and reinforcing the concept of a circular economy.

This year’s GGGS is scheduled for May 25 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you live in the neighbourhood, no permission

Check out our FAQs ( glebeca.ca/ great-glebe-garage-sale-faqs-2/) if you want to know more about how to take part. You’ll also find links to a list of organizations that accept donated goods and to the City of Ottawa’s Waste Explorer – in case you don’t manage to sell everything and for any time you want to recycle or give your stuff new life.

Since its inception in 1986, the Great Glebe Garage Sale has been a fundraiser for the Ottawa Food Bank. Again, this year, we hope you’ll join us by donating a portion of your sale proceeds to the Food Bank – or by donating in-person or online in the name of our community.

A scene from last year’s Great Glebe Garage Sale. This year’s sale will take place May 25 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. PHOTO: LIZ MCKEEN

Sarah Routliffe GNAG Executive Director

GNAG brings the sunshine

I was recently at a meeting and when it came to my turn to introduce myself, what came out very naturally was: “I’m the executive director of GNAG, where our mission is sunshine, fun and community connection.”

While that did get a few laughs around the table, I started to think about the humour and positivity the entire GNAG team brings to this community daily. The full-time team, who are all superheroes in my opinion, come to work every day, and no matter what is going on in their lives, they put on giant smiles and truly bring the sunshine. Their talent and positivity open our organization to more innovation and fun. Thank you to all the staff and contractors at GNAG for everything you do. With this energy, we can continue to create an inclusive and vibrant community where everyone feels valued and supported!

Emilie Phaneuf wins

Best Dance Instructor of the Year!

We couldn’t be prouder of our very own Emilie Phaneuf for winning “Best Dance Instructor of the Year” in the Ottawa Faces Magazine Awards. Having personally experienced Emilie’s captivating dance classes, it’s no wonder she has earned this recognition. Her infectious energy and comedic flair light up the studio, leaving participants inspired and delighted. We are honoured to have her on our team!

“Emilie’s dance classes offer a oneof-a-kind dynamic experience that energizes and infuses me with joy,” says Tina Lamontagne, owner of Yoga Attic and a regular at Emilie’s sessions. “She brings unwavering attention and generosity to every one of her classes.

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to take part in her offerings.”

Emilie attributes her recent accolade to the extraordinary group of dancers who have consistently supported her and attended classes at GNAG. “This type of recognition means so much because it reflects the incredible support of all my dancers who voted for me. I am very proud that Dance with Emilie has become known as such a welcoming and positive community.”

With genuine appreciation, Emilie reflects on her passion, saying, “I love what I do, and I am so appreciative that my classes bring joy, connection and a love of dance into people’s lives.”

Emilie, from all of us at GNAG thank you for the dedication to keeping the community dancing. Enjoy this award – you wholeheartedly deserve it! Visit www.dancewithemilie.com or www.gnag.ca for more info.

Community Safety Forum

Part of what makes our community

safe for everyone is feeling empowered to know how to manage a safety or mental health crisis – and knowing exactly what services are available. You’re invited to join us at the Glebe Community Centre on May 2 at 7 p.m., with our co-hosts the Glebe BIA and Glebe Community Association, at the Community Safety Forum for Glebe residents and local businesses.

Ottawa Public Health will be directing attendees towards resources and free online training that parents can take at home. In addition, there will be presentations and panel discussions from Joel Harden, Shawn Menard and Constable Stephanie Lemieux, our community police officer.

Questions from the community can be submitted via email in advance to: communitysafetyforum2024@ gmail.com

If you will be attending this free event, please register in advance. Register at www.gnag.ca in our events section.

Let’s commit to learning more about community safety, supporting one another, and creating spaces where everyone feels empowered and informed.

Spring Programming

Registration is ongoing this year, as

many spring programs have been split due to the Main Hall closure. Lots of outdoor programming starting in May this year, peek at www.gnag.ca

GNAG Art Show and Sale

One thing that all the full-time team and I are looking forward to is the beautiful month where our lobby is adorned with local artwork from emerging artists. This show and sale gives the artists the chance to display and sell their work with 100 per cent of the sales going to the artists themselves.

The dates for artists to submit their art are May 6-10.

Exhibition: May 15- June 19, Glebe Community Centre Vernissage (opening art show)- May 15, 6 – 7 p.m.

Please come by our Vernissage and see some of the beautiful art for sale in this building.

Summer Camp Volunteers

If you are a youth looking for an opportunity to get in some volunteer hours, enjoy having fun and want some good experience, please apply to come hang out with us this summer!

Application period for volunteers this summer is April 15 – May 3.

It’s time for the city to re-think fossil fuel advertising

By Shawn Menard

If the city really wants to get serious about its commitment to fighting climate change, that determination should be reflected in our advertising and sponsorship policies. That’s why at the Finance and Corporate Services Committee meeting on March 20, my team brought forward a motion to review a change to the updated Advertising Using City Assets and Programs Policy that would examine options to end fossil fuel advocacy advertising. This motion stemmed from some questionable advertising that has occurred at city facilities recently.

In 2023, we saw Enbridge at Lansdowne Park for Winterlude – in a winter when it was too warm to skate on the canal. This year, we were alerted by various residents, including former Capital Ward Councillor David Chernushenko, to fossil fuel advertising at Brewer Arena.

As the residents rightfully pointed out, ads like the ones at Brewer are

misleading and inappropriate, considering the city’s goal of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

We’re seeing ads from pro-fossil-fuel-burning advocates (often dressed up as some type of environmental organization), ad campaigns seeking to undo good work, ad campaigns intended to accelerate the degradation of our environment.

In 2019, a motion our team put forward had the city declare a climate emergency. It passed with overwhelming support at council and put a stronger voice to the calls of residents to have the city take better care of our environment.

Following this declaration, we were able to take greater steps towards environmental sustainability—empowering the climate change team at the city, more building retrofits saving us money and lowering emissions and beginning the transition to a full fleet of electric buses at OC Transpo.

This term, as chair of the Environment and Climate Change Committee, I continue this fight for improved environmental protections and measures to reduce the city’s contribution to climate change. As extreme weather batters our city, affecting the lives and homes of residents and

taking a toll on city finances, the city must redouble its efforts to be better prepared for what faces us.

These advertisements are working directly at odds with city policy and goals. According to the updated advertising policy, all advertising must not affect the quality and integrity of the city’s properties or programs. It is wholly inappropriate for the city to be displaying ads that are subverting all the work the city and its residents are trying to do to combat climate change and mitigate its effects.

If the ads were a real cash cow for the city, the temptation to run them would be understandable (though still not justifiable). However, these ads do not comprise a significant source of revenue. In 2023, they brought in just $5,459 at arenas, which forms just two per cent of advertising revenue and 0.0078 per cent of overall revenue for the Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services Department. It would cost the city little to change advertising policy and do outreach to regain these funds from heat pump technology advertising. The issue seems to be one of a legal right to advertise, but that hasn’t stopped the city from stopping advertising for guns, cigarettes and pornography.

The Canadian Association of

Physicians for the Environment has a national campaign on this issue centered on the health implications of air pollution and climate change. Ecology

Ottawa also took the lead on a letter to the mayor signed by 15 organizations calling for a ban on fossil-fuel advertising at city facilities.

There were many compelling delegations at committee in favour of a review or a full ad ban for fossil fuels, and I thank everyone who came out to speak, who wrote to councillors and the mayor and who gave of their time and energy to help fix this hole in city policy.

This issue is low-hanging fruit. It’s a quick and easy policy improvement the city could make that would cost us almost nothing. Granted, eliminating these ads won’t solve climate change; but if we can’t trust the city to make the quick-and-easy changes, then how can we trust them to be stewards of the city’s stated environmental policy?

Ultimately, the motion was passed unanimously and will go to Council in April for a final vote.

Shawn Menard is City Councillor for Capital Ward. He can be reached at CapitalWard@ottawa.ca

Emilie Phaneuf’s dance class

Shawn Menard Councillor, Capital Ward N 613-580-2487 www.shawnmenard.ca

Telephone: 613-746-2367

Email: GreentreeCo@sympatico.ca

www.GreentreeOttawaRentals.ca

The Glebe Community Association is a volunteer organization that unites residents interested in improving the Glebe. Together, we advocate for a liveable, sustainable, diverse urban neighbourhood.

Our committees are made up of neighbours who work on issues related to planning, including meaningful consultation on Lansdowne 2.0, greening our environment and parks, traffic patterns and infrastructure renewal, heritage, education, and health, affordable housing and social services. We also run the Great Glebe Garage Sale. New members are always welcome.

Amplify your voice on issues that matter!

$10 per year makes a difference in your community.

Join today

Buy a $10 membership (per PERSON) at the door

or online at glebeca.ca/membership

John Crump President, Glebe Community Association www.glebeca.ca

GCA makes a difference in the Glebe

Province’s new rules mean the AGM moves to the fall If you are a careful reader of this column, you will recall that, like all not-for-profits in the province, the Glebe Community Association is required to comply with the new Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (ONCA). We have until this October to do this, and we are using the updates to ensure that all of our governance practices are modern and consistent with best practices for the not-for-profit sector in Ontario.

To make sure we have time to deal with all the requirements under the new law, the GCA’s Annual General Meeting – normally held in June –will be held in early September, the actual date to be confirmed. This will allow time to provide members with our updated governance documents with plenty of notice, before voting on them at the AGM.

Which brings us to membership and some significant modernization efforts. Important aspects of the new provincial rules reinforce the pivotal role played by members in notfor-profit organizations such as the GCA. In keeping with the spirit of the Ontario changes, we are updating our practices to make sure they are fully aligned. At the March board meeting, we had a presentation from the Membership Committee on planned changes for this year – with more work to come as we look to continue to modernize over time. Highlights include:

• Existing “household” membership will be kept but we will clarify that voting rights will be for one individual per membership. That means even if more than one name is provided for a household, only one person in that household may vote unless a second membership is purchased.

• To ensure that members who are entitled to vote at our AGM can be easily identified at the door, we are working to improve and streamline the ways we manage and update our membership

information while continuing to protect member privacy.

• To better communicate member rights and responsibilities, the GCA will provide key information immediately upon registration and look at ways to encourage more input and feedback on issues, closing the gap in time between when a member joins/ renews and receives information from us.

Our annual spring door-to-door membership campaign will be starting soon. You can also join the GCA online by going to Glebeca.ca and clicking on “Become a Member,” or use the form in this edition of the Glebe Report and drop off a cheque at the Glebe Community Centre, 175 Third Avenue. Everyone who lives or works in the Glebe is eligible to be a member.

Community Safety Forum

As a response to concerns about community safety, the GCA, Glebe BIA and the Glebe Neighbourhood Activities Group are sponsoring a forum on Community Safety in the Glebe, Thursday, May 2 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The event will involve a discussion and information session on community safety with our Community Police Officer, local politicians and Ottawa Public Health. This event is free, but you are asked to register through Eventbrite at www.eventbrite.ca/e/ community-safety-forum-in-theglebe-tickets-868047763227

The forum is a product of continuing conversations about how to deal with mental health and addiction crises in the community. The GCA, BIA and GNAG have produced a poster on whom to contact in the case of a crisis, and there will be information available at the meeting.

Garage Sale Planning

We’re hoping for a repeat of last year’s excellent weather for the annual Great Glebe Garage Sale on Saturday, May 25. Planning is well underway, and once again the GCA is working with the BIA and the Ottawa Food Bank to raise funds for the latter organization. The GCA has applied to City of Ottawa’s civic events funds for up to $3,000 to support the installation of several additional portable toilets, in addition to those being provided by funding from the Glebe BIA, St Matthews Church and Councillor Shawn Menard’s office.

The next GCA board meeting will be Tuesday, April 23 at 7 p.m. at the Glebe Community Centre. All are welcome.

Protecting kids online, delivering on pharmacare

It has been a busy but productive winter session in the House of Commons. The following is a brief update on some key legislation and programs that are important to our community.

Many Ottawa Centre residents have been engaged in the discussion relating to online harms. Kids deserve safe environments to learn and play whether they are at school, on the playground or online. In addition, we cannot tolerate distribution of hateful material online. After much consultation, the federal government has tabled the Online Harms Act to make online spaces safer and hold web giants more accountable for the harmful content they host. This bill will create stronger online protections for children and better safeguard everyone in Canada from the proliferation of online hate and other types of harmful content, including intimate images shared without consent.

Additionally, we announced historic pharmacare legislation that creates a framework to establish national universal pharmacare for Canadians. It is a giant step forward in delivering better healthcare to Canadians. This plan starts with free coverage for contraception and diabetes medications. It will support nine million Canadian women, and it will include diabetes coverage for 3.7 million Canadians. We believe that everyone

deserves quality care, no matter how much they make. We are investing in a healthier Canada, because things get better when you do more for Canadians, not less.

The Canadian Dental Care Plan is also a transformative investment that will help Canadians who are unable to access quality dental care because of their income. To find out if you are eligible to apply, visit Canada.ca/ dental. Already, over one million seniors have been approved for the Canadian Dental Care Plan! Additionally, dental-care providers can now confirm their participation in the program as well.

And lastly, the federal government will be tabling Budget 2024 on Tuesday, April 16. I am grateful to hundreds of constituents who have sent their thoughts and ideas as part of our community’s pre-budget consultation. I am confident that the upcoming budget will reflect our community’s priorities on fighting climate change, building more homes, making life affordable, delivery of quality healthcare and creating good paying jobs.

Locally, I am pleased to share that my office is once again running a Free Tax Clinic on Saturday, April 13. To be eligible to receive this service, individuals must have a modest income and a simple tax situation. Please visit my website at YasirNaqviMP.ca to learn more and contact my office to book an appointment!

As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or my team if you have any questions on government programs or need assistance. We are here to help.

JAMES McCULLOCH LAWYER IN THE GLEBE

James provides legal services to Glebe residents, offers home visits and welcomes new clients.

613 565-5297

mccullochlawyer@rogers.com

Don’t despair, organize!

And support community leadership

I recently toured our city with Official Opposition colleagues. We met with health care experts, patients, business leaders, housing providers and seniors’ groups.

They all told us the same thing: we are underfunding or ignoring solutions to the problems we face. Let’s review the example of primary care.

At the moment, over 160,000 people in Ottawa are without a family doctor or nurse practitioner. The lack of primary care, as I have noted before, means hospital ERs are now jammed with patients for non-urgent conditions.

But solutions exist.

Ottawa’s Community Health Centres told us they could offer primary care to almost 30,000 new patients in Ottawa for less than $24 million per year. The Seniors Health and Innovation Hub is another local proposal that would offer primary care to thousands of at-risk seniors and people with disabilities.

Sadly, neither of these projects were funded in the last budget year. The Ministry of Health increased its funding for “primary care innovation” from $30 million ($2 per Ontarian) to $110 million ($7 per Ontarian). It’s still a pittance, and Ottawa is largely snubbed.

The only new primary care proposal in Ottawa is led by two visionary nurse practitioners, Hoda Mankal and Joanna Binch. The clinic could serve 10,000 Ottawa residents with mental health and addictions issues, along with their families. The proposed cost was $7 million. If supported well, this is a major opportunity.

But as Elizabeth Payne reported, the clinic has received $2.5 million despite the housing and homelessness emergency declared in our city in 2020. It will now figure out how to do more with less, which is not ideal for marginalized people.

What would help is prompt access to mental health support, which is also available in Ottawa through Counselling Connect. This program brings together dozens of mental health service providers in Ottawa to offer three no-cost therapy sessions to people in crisis. The aim is to place someone in therapy within 48 hours of intake. This service is multilingual and has cultural competence for Indigenous and 2SLGBT+ folks.

Counselling Connect currently supports over 700 clients per month and has been a game changer for people and families in crisis. An application has been made to the Ministry of Health for permanent funding at an estimated cost of $550,000 per year.

That’s not even a rounding error for health spending in Ontario. For a half million dollars, we can divert hundreds from hospital ERs in Ottawa. Further investments can offer primary care to many in urgent need of support.

Of course, some will prefer private sector solutions. That’s code for allowing companies a chance to find profit in health care. Like an online app that charges fees for access to primary care. Or the clinic that charges fees for accessing nurse practitioners. Or the fees many diabetics pay to access essential medicines.

But we mustn’t despair, for now is the time to organize and support community leadership. That’s how we won dental care for seniors, youth, and people with disabilities in recent years. I’m very pleased the federal government (under great pressure by citizens and opposition parties) just introduced universal access to contraception devices and diabetes medications. We will build on this momentum together.

Yasir Naqvi

Bees need trees, not ‘No Mow May’

By Christina Keys

Over the past couple of years, you’ve probably heard of the No Mow May challenge.

The concept behind No Mow May is to delay mowing your lawn until June to allow insects to forage on wildflowers that grow in the lawn during spring. This movement was popularized in Britain, and in the last few years has arrived here.

However, the movement is misguided in the Canadian context, particularly in urban areas like the Glebe.

The purpose of No Mow May is to support pollinators early in the season as they emerge from hibernation. In Britain, there are commonly native flowers that sprout up from unmown turf to support bees and other pollinators that have co-evolved with those flowers.

In Ottawa, we do not often have native flowers thrive among our non-native turf grasses. Instead, we have non-native or invasive species such as dandelions, Siberian squill, crabgrass, creeping charlie and black medic which are not suited to our native bees. Neglecting to weed invasive species from your lawn is also harmful to local ecosystems.

Bees need trees

Tree pollen is the earliest food source for Ottawa’s native bees. In particular, wild bees thrive on native willows, maples, serviceberries, wild cherries and dogwoods. When our yards lack this pollen, generalist native bees turn to dandelion pollen, but it is too low in the quality proteins they need. Specialist bees cannot feed on dandelions, as

Rockcliffe Park Spring Book Sale

25,000 + donated books at bargain prices!

Saturday, April 27 10am - 5pm

Sunday, April 28 11am - 5pm

Where:

Rockcliffe Park Community Centre

380 Springfield Rd.

Ottawa, K1M 0K7

Proceeds support the Rockcliffe Park Branch of the Ottawa Public Library and wider library system

they feed exclusively on the pollen of the particular native plant species that they evolved with over thousands of years.

Wildlife-friendly garden design includes early flowering trees and shrubs and also plans for continuous blooms from spring into November. Spring flowers include wild columbine, woodland strawberry, golden Alexander and hairy beardtongue. Late flowering species are smooth aster, grey goldenrod, tall ironweed, spotted Joe Pye weed and cardinal flower.

Less lawn is more

The actions we need to take to support native bees and other pollinators are more complex than delaying mowing.

Instead of No Mow May, reduce the amount of yard that even needs mowing by expanding your garden beds. Lift the turf or smother it with cardboard and mulch. Establish a drought tolerant garden planted densely with native perennials, sedges and grasses. Add flowering trees and shrubs as space allows.

If you prefer the lawn look, plant dozens of Pennsylvania sedge in sunny conditions or ivory sedge in shade.

Support pollinators by minimizing spring and fall clean up in your yard to allow habitat for hibernating insects, amphibians and other creatures. Never rake garden beds. Remove invasive species such as dog-strangling vine, burning bush, creeping bellflower, barberry, periwinkle, miscanthus and lily of the valley.

Mow and rake your lawn as needed, but to create critical pollinator habitat, reduce the amount of lawn you actually have.

Our biodiversity crisis requires more from us than simply neglecting the lawn for the month of May.

Christina Keys volunteers with the Manor Park Community Association to remove invasive species and establish native plant gardens across the neighbourhood.

This article originally appeared in the Manor Park Chronicle. ,

In the Glebe

By Josh Rachlis | SparkTheGenius.com

By Angus McCabe

Happy spring once again everyone!

How fortunate we are in the Glebe to be home to 13 beautiful city parks along with other green spaces – an ongoing source of daily joy, peace, health and wonder for residents young and old.

The Glebe Community Association’s annual park cleanups, part of the City of Ottawa’s Spring Cleaning the Capital program, will take place this year on Saturday, May 4 starting at 10 a.m. (pouring rain date: Sunday, May 5).

These events can easily be turned into great opportunities for neighbours to gather for some fun park play and a little bit of community service as part of our ongoing effort to help keep our community’s parks safe, clean and green. If this sounds good to you, organize from the park “grassroots” up! Join with others and start planning now.

On the cleaning front, the main goal is to pick up litter. For parks with play areas, this includes giving the sand a rake over to remove any other dangerous items (to be carefully removed and safely contained by adults with gloves). In green areas, it is advisable to “leave” the leaves alone (yes, that’s why they’re called leaves, right?) and let nature do its thing.

If you can, bring along a rake, work gloves, a container (like an empty can of soup),and a few smaller, compostable bags to help consolidate any garbage we find into one garbage bag’s worth (or hopefully much less!) at each park (to minimize our use of larger single-use plastic bags).

Come together with your friends, family and neighbours to the park cleanup near you, make some new acquaintances, and create some more wonderful neighbourhood moments and memories!

Here is a listing of GCA Parks Committee contacts who plan to be on hand at the parks that morning. Always feel free to contact us at parks@glebeca.ca to get involved and organize for this and other Glebe parks initiatives in the years to come.

Angus McCabe is the chair of the GCA Parks Committee.

house Finch

By Jeanette Rive

If you see a sparrow-sized bird in your backyard which looks as though its head has been dipped in raspberry jam, it’s most likely a male House finch. It’s one of the few “red” coloured birds seen in our urban areas, along with the cardinal and the less common Purple finch, with which it is often confused.

The female House finch is about the same size but light brown with white streaks on the chest. During the breeding season, they are mostly seen in pairs. They are sociable birds, collecting at feeders or perching high up in trees, often with flocks of sparrows. As the name suggests, they live in urban areas, around houses, parks, gardens and forest edges. They feed on the ground, like juncos, as well as at feeders, jostling for space with other finches or sparrows. Strictly vegetarian, they eat seeds from weed stalks, flower buds on trees in the spring and fruit and berries.

House finches were native to western North America until the early 1940s. They were originally captured in Santa Barbara, California, taken east and sold in pet shops as “Hollywood finches” in New York. However, to avoid prosecution under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, pet shop owners released them in 1939. They thrived and expanded their range, finally joining up with their western

The

relatives, and they are now among the most widespread birds across North America. Some consider them invasive as they compete for food with Purple finches, less commonly seen in urban areas. Although they both have distinctive red colouring, the Purple finch’s colour is a deeper red which extends down the back and covers more of the face and neck.

Distinctive to finches, they have a notched tail which is visible when flying. They have a 20-25 cm wingspan and weigh anywhere from 16 to 27 grams – about the weight of a tablespoon of maple syrup! Finches in our area are mostly migratory but if the winter isn’t too harsh and there is food to be found, many winter here. House finches are monogamous,

pairing up in spring and returning to the same area to breed, occasionally using the same nest location. You may have seen courtship displays occurring in the trees in your garden – the female fluttering her wings gently pecking at the male’s bill to encourage food regurgitation until he finally feeds her. The female will seek out the more colourful males with larger red patches – a sign of a healthier and well-fed male. They nest in trees, on rock ledges, in hanging flower planters and streetlamps and around buildings. The female is the primary nest builder, spending about two days creating a small cup nest from fine stems, leaves, twigs, bits of wood and string.

Between two and six pale blue, slightly speckled, eggs are laid, one a

day in the morning. The female sits on the eggs for about two weeks while her mate brings food to her and the hatchlings which fledge after about three more weeks. Shortly after the eggs are hatched, the female cleans the nest, removes the empty eggshells as well as the fecal sacs – a mucous membrane which surrounds the feces making it easier for disposal!

The baby birds are altricial when born – that is to say, their eyes are closed, they have no feathers, they stay in the nest for a few weeks and are totally dependent on their parents for food, heat and protection. Most passerine (perching bird) chicks as well as hummingbirds, swallows and woodpeckers are altricial. Exceptions are birds of prey, owls and some seabirds which, although altricial, hatch with well-developed down cover. Precocial bird hatchlings such as ducklings, chickens and goslings are born with eyes open and dense down cover, and they are able to walk, run, swim and find food shortly after hatching.

In spite of the non-typical winter we’ve had, peak migration will start in April when millions of birds will head to their summer breeding sites. Many pass through the Ottawa area, and we may find unusual birds spending a few days in our gardens. Make sure your feeders are full, and a bird bath is always appreciated especially in summer. And a special plea to keep cats indoors; many bird biologists estimate that cats kill about 2.5 billion birds a year. Enjoy the spring and return of the birds. If you want to listen to bird songs or identify a bird you’ve heard, the Merlin bird ID app is a great resource.

male House finch looks as though its head has been dipped in jam. Here it’s eating buds on a crabapple tree.

PHOTO: JEANETTE RIVE

Jeanette Rive is a Glebe bird enthusiast and frequent Glebe Report contributor.

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Vera’s story

By Emma Tibbo

Ninety-three-year-old Vera Abercrombie is a resident of the Glebe Centre and is very excited to share her story. Her father travelled from Manotick, Ontario to Saskatchewan in 1905, settling on a farm in Unity. Vera was born in 1931, and her childhood was filled with climbing trees and doing chores such

as feeding chickens and raising prizeworthy pigs. She also developed a great aim playing a game with her brother of shooting down gopher holes. After completing high school, she went to Winnipeg to train as a nurse and came home to work in the rural hospital in Unity. She also spent time in a Victoria, B.C. military hospital where she treated many of the young men returning from their tours in Italy during the Second World War.

She met her husband, who was a member of the Officer Training Corps, at a local roller-skating rink in Victoria. They moved to Kingston where he pursued his studies at Queen’s University before finally settling in Ottawa where they raised their two daughters.

Upon his retirement after 30 years with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, they spent quality time together and enjoyed car rides in the country where they stopped at restaurants and cafés for lunch. While her husband was involved in the local bowling league, Vera enjoyed quilting at Southminster United Church and volunteering at various fundraising events. Vera’s husband suffered from Alzheimer’s and spent his last 10 years under the care of the Perley Rideau Veterans Health Centre before being laid to rest in the National Military Cemetery at Beechwood. Vera also lived at the Perley Rideau independent living until she fell seriously ill. Displaying the tenacity and determination for which she is known, she regained her strength and came to join the Glebe Centre family. Vera is an avid reader and enjoys completing puzzles as well as participating in the other activities offered at the Glebe Centre. In addition to enjoying the more sedate aspects of life, Vera also likes to

Spring spotted at Abbotsford

By Pat Goyeche

Early-bird spring has brought the Canadian geese home early, and the “snowbirds” have landed!

Everyone is flocking back to Abbotsford for a taste of spring programming, and we won’t disappoint.

A recent survey of our membership asked for feedback on programming ideas, and one dominant request was for more art classes and workshops. This spring, we have added five new workshops of one afternoon each. Members will bring home completed projects in block printing, silk-screening, mini textured landscape painting, tulips painted on silk and watercolour on plexiglass and DuraLar. These will be wonderful keepsakes for the artist or lovely gifts for friends and family.

We also have watercolour, drawing and an expressive portraits class on our spring menu. Members will be able to join pottery classes, facilitated bring-your-own art project sessions, as well as club time, where members work on projects with fellow members. Our potters continue to enjoy studio time under the guidance of Andrina Cox.

Abbotsford has an extraordinarily creative bunch of volunteers: our craft group has swelled, and the group that makes handmade teddy bears is bursting at the seams. These two groups have been creating and fundraising for Abbotsford since the mid 1970s. Each year, they create unique crafts to sell in our “nearly new” shop with seasonal offerings and at our craft fair on the last Friday of November.

get active. This includes taking part in the Bike Around program which reminds her of the sunny days riding her bicycle in Unity. The Glebe Centre uses a special bike to help residents explore their hometowns and countries they’ve travelled to without leaving the building. Vera also biked around the Glebe Centre itself, a huge accomplishment for which she earned a medal.

Her loving daughter visits often and in the warmer weather, they sit and chat on the outside patio or go to Kelly’s Landing and sit by the river eating ice cream. Vera loves her ice cream. You can always find Vera surrounded by pictures of her large extended family that includes grandand great-grandchildren who keep her busy. She truly is living her best life.

Abbotsford’s

If you are looking for something special for a baby, child or friend, you should stop in at Abbotsford during our hours of operation Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We have gently used ladies clothing, books, cards, puzzles, jewellery and many “white elephant” items for sale daily. We also stock brand new, handmade teddy bears and seasonal craft items that our talented volunteers create.

Fresh air brings fresh starts. Get started by getting fit when you join one of our many exercise programs.

We have different levels for different levels of participation. You will be challenged no matter the fitness level. We also continue to offer some programming virtually over Zoom. Do like pool or ping pong and are looking for an opportunity to play? We have that covered. Are you keen to play bridge? Yes, we have that too. Make your move, come on over and see what you have been missing out on! Abbotsford Seniors Centre is for adults 55+. It houses the community programs of The Glebe Centre Inc., a charitable, not-for-profit, organization

which includes a 254-bed long term care home. Find out more about our services by telephoning 613-230-5730 during regular business hours or by checking out all The Glebe Centre facilities and community programs on our website www.glebecentre.ca. See Abbotsford Seniors Centre’s dropdown menu for a comprehensive overview of our services and our current program guide.

Pat Goyeche is coordinator of community programs at Abbotsford at The Glebe Centre.

volunteer craft group in action PHOTO: PAT GOYECHE

Emma Tibbo is executive director of the Glebe Centre.

Vera Abercrombie and some celebratory ice cream – nothing better!

Vera Abercrombie and her daughter

Freud’s Last Session

an elegant delight

UK / US / Ireland, 2023

Directed by Matt Brown

Review by Iva Apostolova

Freud’s Last Session is an elegant delight of a movie that will appeal to connoisseurs, historians and the uninitiated alike into psychoanalysis. And certainly, to Anthony Hopkins’s fans. It is directed by the English Matt Brown whose previous credits include The Man Who Knew Infinity, the story of the Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan. I would call Freud’s Last Session a fictional historical drama but not a biography, as it focuses on 24 hours in the London life of the father of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud, played by none other than Sir Anthony Hopkins. We know that approximately a fortnight before Freud, with the help of his family physician, Dr. Schur, practically euthanizes himself, he is visited by an Oxford don. Despite scholarly speculations, however, the identity of the Oxford professor or the nature of the visit for that matter, has never been established with certainty.

Brown’s artistic choice did not disappoint, though. You can imagine my delight when the fictional (or not!) visitor turned out to be the British writer C.S. Lewis, the beloved author of the Chronicles of Narnia, expertly portrayed by Matthew Goode (viewers may have seen him in the last season of Downton Abbey ). I have always considered C.S. Lewis a borderline

philosopher, especially because of the strong theological underlining of his literary works. What unfolds is a supremely executed sparring match between the scientist, Freud, and the theologian, C.S. Lewis, on the existence of God (or lack thereof), the nature of evil, faith and mortality. With a series of flashbacks, the viewer will learn about the origin of C.S. Lewis’s faith, as well as Freud’s own personal biases and fears. Even J.R.R. Tolkien, who was a close friend of C.S. Lewis, makes a brief appearance.

Another noteworthy detail is that not an insignificant portion of the narrative is devoted to Freud’s best student, his daughter Anna Freud, who became a renowned psychoanalyst in her own right and is now recognized as one of the founders of child psychology. Anna is played by the brilliant German actress Liv Lisa Fries (whom the viewer may recognize from the show Babylon Berlin). Anna’s close relationship with Dorothy Burlingham has always ignited speculations about her sexuality, especially given that she was psychoanalyzed by her father in her early years (something which Freud’s own theory strongly discourages for the increased risk of transference). The movie makes a strong and a rather

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convincing case for Anna’s queerness, which was certainly not welcomed by her father for reasons that are too complex to be treated in full in a movie, but which are, nonetheless, tastefully broached.

I would be remiss not to mention the director’s clever and, to me, more than appropriate choice of not making Anthony Hopkins do Freud’s accent

(although, he does utilize a German rhythm of speech). I have always found that forced accents in movies are more of a miss than a hit. Viewers will get their fix from the natural German accent of Fries, which adds class and authenticity to the parlance. And by letting Hopkins’ own signature staccato chuckle make it into the movie, the viewer will be gently tricked into a delightful Freudian slip about the true owner of said chuckle.

Rated PG 13

Running time:1 h 48 mins

Available on Prime Video

Iva Apostolova is associate professor and vice-rector, research and academic, at Saint Paul University and a regular Glebe Report contributor on films and TV.

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Active transportation for a healthier Glebe

By Mark Redwood

Active transportation refers to any form of human-powered transportation, such as walking, cycling or using a wheelchair, as opposed to motorized transportation like cars. It has gained attention in recent years due to its many benefits. Several provinces have active transportation strategies, notfor-profit advocacy groups promote it (including the Canadian Automobile Association), and cities such as Ottawa have made active transportation central to its climate action strategy.

Being active helps maintain good health and prevent chronic diseases like obesity and heart disease. Walking or cycling improve cardiovascular and muscular health and boosts mental well-being. Active transportation produces no greenhouse gas emissions and reduces air and noise pollution. Meanwhile, investing in walking and cycling infrastructure can boost local economic activity by increasing pedestrian traffic, attracting businesses and enhancing property values.

In 2021, the federal government launched an ambitious National Active Transportation Strategy for 2021-26, signalling a policy push to improve community well-being, local economies, accessibility and health. A little over a year ago, the Transportation Committee of the Glebe Community Asso

We are lucky to live in a “15-minute” neighbourhood, where residents can easily access many services without having to drive. According to StatsCan, 37 per cent of trips in the Glebe are done by active transportation (walking or cycling) compared to an average of 10 per cent for the whole of Ottawa.

But questions remain: What should active transportation look like in the Glebe? How can the Glebe be better connected to other Central Ottawa neighbourhoods? How can active transportation be encouraged and accommodated safely with other traffic in the Glebe? What funding would be required for improvements?

To conduct the study, the GCA commissioned Momentum Transport Consultancy, a firm based in Montreal, to look at options for improving active transportation in the Glebe. Our study took place in three phases. First, Momentum did a context analysis with support from the GCA Transportation Committee. Together with the GCA, Momentum then hosted consultations, organized a survey and conducted several neighbourhood walks to identify challenges and opportunities. More than 360 people responded to the survey or participated in the consultations. Finally, after incorporating feedback, Momentum presented the results at an open meeting of the GCA. In February, Momentum’s final Action

Nineteen project ideas were recom mended to improve our neighbourhood. Each idea comes with examples from other cities and neighbourhoods where similar projects have been implemented. Some of the ideas are modest, but potentially impactful. For example: partial street closures around schools, the addition of more pedestrian crosswalks to bridge the Glebe with pathways along the canal and building bike hangers for long-stay residential cycle parking.

Other options are much more ambitious in scope. This includes the provision of active transportation improvements on Bank Street, the redesign of Bronson Avenue as a “complete” street and linking the segmented green spaces between Glebe Memorial Park and Patterson’s Creek to create a cohesive linear park.

Planners are often still focused on car options versus non-motorized choices. We believe, however, that these barriers can be overcome. Safety is a concern: fatality risks per distance travelled for pedestrians and cyclists in the U.S. are 23 and 12 times higher than for those who travel by car. In Norway, which is more supportive of active transportation, the numbers are lower at 4 and 7.5 respectively, which shows that these changes can work. There is also evidence that the more active transportation users there are, the more safety risks decrease. This is termed “safety in numbers.”

There are barriers, of course. Not everyone is able to be active due to age and mobility challenges. Winter creates challenges for pedestrians, cyclists and wheelchair users. Some residents could resist an increase in active transportation promotion over car use.

We encourage all Glebe residents to review the Active Transportation Study Action Plan. The Action Plan should inspire ideas, conversations and interest. Importantly, the Glebe now has a clear set of choices to discuss, develop further and to advocate for to create the kind of community we believe it can be.

Mark Redwood is a Glebe resident and a member of the Glebe Community Association Transportation Committee

MAKE BIKING SAFE FOR OUR KIDS

By Katherine Liston and Alex Campbell

As spring arrives, we have been reflecting on how lucky we are to live in a walkable and bikeable neighbourhood – but we also believe that we as a community can do better. Sometimes it seems that conversations overheard between parents and children walking or biking through the neighbourhood are dominated entirely by repeated warnings and reprimands for the kids about traffic and parked vehicles. We teach our kids to watch out for cars, to wear high-visibility clothing and to avoid disrupting the flow of traffic. Let’s instead put the onus on drivers to remedy safety concerns by modifying their driving habits.

We suggest we consider our own behaviours and take steps to create an environment more conducive to active transportation, especially for our kids. When driving, is it necessary to pass a cyclist at the first opportunity just to make it to a stop sign faster? Is it necessary to park in the bike lane for the most efficient drop-off or pick-up of a passenger? Is it necessary to always drive the maximum speed limit? What are the costs of behaviours that prioritize efficiency over safety?

These are exactly the behaviours that create an environment in which many parents don’t feel safe allowing their kids to walk or roll to school because of traffic safety concerns. They cost our kids the benefits of active transportation, which include a sense of competence, autonomy and independence.

Active transportation also has benefits for brain development and academic success, according to research by Active Living Research. With teachers raising concerns about decreasing attention spans and children who have difficulty sitting still in class, and with only 28 per cent of children aged five to 17 in Canada meeting the national guideline of 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day, there has never been a better time to encourage kids to walk or bike to school.

In September, the Ottawa Citizen reported that 74 per cent of Canadian children, including 53 per cent of children who live within a 5-minute walk from their school, arrive at school by motorized transportation. In comparison, in many other urban centres around the world, cars, bicycles and pedestrians coexist.

We know there is an appetite in our community for more infrastructure that is friendly to active modes of transportation – in the most recent mayoral election, Catherine McKenney carried Capital Ward with 62 per cent on a platform of significant and immediate investment in bicycle and pedestrian friendly infrastructure.

With or without government investment, we can all help ensure our neighbourhood is one where children are free to explore by keeping in mind some of these best driving practices.

Be aware of your speed. Studies indicate that pedestrians involved in collisions with a vehicle traveling faster than 30 km/h are far more likely to be killed or seriously injured. The Canadian Association of Road Safety Professionals estimates that 9 out of 10

pedestrians would survive a collision with a vehicle travelling 30 km/h; that number decreases to 2 out of 10 when the vehicle is travelling 50 km/h.

Do not block bike lanes. Vehicles parking in designated bike lanes is a daily occurrence in our neighbourhood, and it poses a major safety risk, especially to kids who have a more difficult time joining the flow of cars and trucks to navigate around a stopped vehicle.

Use the “Dutch reach.” When opening your driver’s side door, use your right hand, which automatically requires you to look over your shoulder to check for approaching cyclists. Remember that children may be lower than your window height, so in addition to a glance over your shoulder, look down and open the door slowly.

Be aware of your vehicle’s blind zones. Vehicles, in particular modern SUVs and trucks, have increasingly large blind spots in all directions.

“Frontover fatalities,” in which a child is run over by a vehicle slowly moving forward, are on the rise. An Indianapolis radio station had children sit in a line extending forward from the front of a 2019 Cadillac Escalade until the driver could see them – 13 children fit in the front blind spot of the vehicle. It is up to all of us to make sure our driving habits create an environment where parents feel comfortable allowing their children to navigate our streets by foot or by wheel. We can all do our part to help make our neighbourhood one where kids can safely use our streets and sidewalks. This spring, we hope to hear more calls for drivers to “slow down!” and fewer admonishments for kids to “be careful!”

Katherine Liston and Alex Campbell live in the Glebe with their three young children.

The authors’ son rides his bicycle in the bike lane. Up ahead is a parked car blocking the lane. PHOTO: ALEX CAMPBELL

The ultimate indulgence

can just imagine its crispy sides shining in the sun.

By Tim O’Connor

It’s easy to walk into Nicastro’s and enter a state of cheese hysteria and buy a bit too much. Two weeks later and I’m standing in the light of my open fridge and thinking, “How do I get this massive assortment of cheese into my mouth as quickly as possible before it goes bad?”

There’s only one superhero I know who can solve this problem, and that is Captain Grilled Cheese. Soon enough, there I was, eating a flavour town of a sandwich while on my sofa in sweatpants on a Sunday night and

The grilled cheese is also accommodating, as you can use almost any mix of cheeses you have in your fridge. You can also use most any type of bread, and any of the countless flavours that complement cheese can make a tasty condiment for your sandwich.

On this Sunday night, I had some sharp white cheddar, some brie, that was so runny it might have come straight from the famous Monty Python sketch, and some rich blue cheese. I prefer sourdough bread, and I made a quick pesto of arugula, lemon juice and olive oil.

The only ingredient I had to go buy was sliced mozzarella, which serves as a flavour base for those other more piquant

as a condiment. I wanted that mustardy tang of arugula to cut through the richness of my cheese mix.

We don’t need a separate recipe for this cooking task. Just heat your pan on the stove to medium, not too hot. Take soft butter (I pull it out of the fridge a half hour earlier, so it softens just a bit) and spread it evenly from edge to edge of the sourdough.

Place both pieces in the pan butter side down, add your preferred layer of arugula pesto on one slice. Then I start layering my cheeses on each piece of bread. I use only a small bit of the blue, as it’s so intense. As a general rule, use more of the milder cheeses, such as mozzarella and less of the stronger-flavoured varieties, as the milder will tame the extreme of the bold.

At about the five-minute mark I check underneath to see if the bread is starting to get a little crisp. That’s when I flip one piece of

MargoFresh celebrates its first anniversary

By Marisa Romano

MargoFresh, the international food store operated by Margo Njiaim at 566 Gladstone Avenue, opened its doors last April in the space vacated by Red Apron. On the shelves are familiar products and specialty foods imported from all over the world: the Middle East, Europe, Asia and South America. There are halal meats and basic fresh produce, in-housemade homey meals and fresh salads to go, and the ever-tempting counter of savoury and sweet pastries. Inviting and alluring. I paid a visit to meet the people behind it all.

Margo Njiaim, the Lebanese store owner, has left her office and is restocking shelves. Everybody pitches in. Owner, manager and employees do what needs to be done to smoothly run the place.

A couple of early-morning customers approach the cash, and I ask them about the store. “I am Spanish, and he is Turkish,” says the young woman. They come to MargoFresh to find the products that make them feel at home. “That is what I want my store to be,” says Njiaim once the customers have left the premises. “A neighbourhood store, a place where everyone feels at home.” Wherever “home” is.

This is a new venture for Njiaim. She played a pivotal role in developing the family business from the small Lebanese store that her father opened on Kirkwood Avenue in 1972 to the large and popular Mid-East Food Centre on Belfast Road. Now she is growing her own. Determination, a clear vision and the know-how that comes from years of working on the ground is what drives her. One year in business and the store already has regular happy customers, shelves have been restocked with new sought-after items, and plans are in place to cater ever more closely to the needs of the neighbourhood.

The store is above the bakery where Mai is working in the kitchen corner at the back, preparing soups, sandwiches and the mini meat pies that I have been enjoying with soups all winter long. She

is one of a few others who take turns to cook in this space during the week.

It was a crisp morning when I descended into the hull of MargoFresh where pastry chef Ornella Imbrogno-Mahfouz (Nella) bakes the lip-smacking pastries that are sold in the store above the bakery. A tray of croissants is cooling on a rack, and the oven is filled with biscotti almost ready for slicing and “toasting.” Needless to say, the warm fragrance is mouth-watering, well worth the cold stroll to the store.

Biscotti are Nella’s specialty. Her earlier business, Tutti Biscotti, supplied the twice-baked Italian cookies displayed in tall glass jars in cafés all over Ottawa. During that time, she developed a plethora of recipes; now she uses them for MargoFresh.

Tutti Biscotti was Nella’s venture before she packed up her business to become bakery manager at Farm Boy and later product developer for Natural Food Pantry. Her connection to the Lebanese community through her Lebanese husband is what brought her to MargoFresh.

Daughter of Italian immigrants, she first dipped her fingers into flour in her aunt’s bakery in Cosenza,

Italy as a child. After graduating from Glebe Collegiate, she completed the pastry program at Algonquin College and her career took off from there.

Happy birthday MargoFresh! And many more.

Nella’s filling for

Cannoli alla Siciliana

Cannoli, the crispy pastry pods filled with a fragrant smooth ricotta-based cream, are the symbol of Sicilian pastry. Empty cannoli shells for sale at MargoFresh reach the store shelves from the bakery downstairs, fresh, crunchy and ready to be filled.

Make your own confections with Nella’s basic cream recipe and your favourite additional ingredients.

Makes 12 large or 24 small cannoli

500 g ricotta cheese, full fat

1 cup icing sugar

1 tsp vanilla

Spoon the ricotta onto a cheesecloth-lined strainer. Place the strainer over a bowl and set a weight over it (e.g., a plate or bowl). Leave overnight in the fridge. Discard the liquid.

In a mixer, blend the drained ricotta, icing sugar and vanilla for 5 minutes at full speed.

To this basic velvety cream filling, add your ingredient of choice to make an assortment of cannoli: chocolate chips, ground pistachios, candied orange or lemon rind. Replace vanilla with lemon juice and add lemon zest for a citrusy confection. Add pistachio paste with ground pistachios for a nutty taste or cocoa powder with chocolate chips for a rich cocoa flavour.

Now you are ready to stuff the pods and enjoy the pastry.

Marisa Romano is a foodie and a scientist with a sense of adventure, who appreciates interesting people and foods.

Ready-to-eat cannoli baked by Nella and available at MargoFresh, celebrating its first year in business

Chapman’s latest mystery features Ottawa and familiar characters

Fatal Harvest

by Brenda Chapman

Review by Barbara McIsaac

Fatal Harvest is the third installment of Ottawa author Brenda Chapman’s series featuring true crime podcaster Ella Tait and police detective Liam Hunter.

Like the earlier books (Blind Date and When Last Seen), the action takes place in Ottawa and environs. It starts with the double murder of a couple on a farm just outside the nearby town of Ashton. Yes, that Ashton. The one with the brewpub and the beer. Hunter is called in to lead the investigation into the murders. There is no apparent

motive and no apparent suspect. In addition to working to solve the murders, everyone is understandably concerned about 11-year-old Matt Clark who was staying with the murdered couple and is now missing. Matt was staying there for the summer while his parents worked out their separation, but all is not as it seems. Matt does not know how to reach his mother. He was told to stay off social media, and nobody seems to know much about him. Only his neighbour and friend, Jimmy, seems to have had a connection with him.

Finally, Hunter and his team locate Matt and believe they have the murders solved. But, once again, things are not what they seem, and Chapman delivers

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of the Ottawa Police Department. Rosie, who is a compelling character herself, must deal with her own insecurities, her recovery from an earlier work-related traumatic experience and the misogyny and outright hostility of Auger as he tries to undermine her.

The murders might be solved by the end of the book, but there are some outstanding issues which we hope means a fourth book is in the works. Will the working relationship between Hunter and Tate develop into something more?

Will Rosie find her way as a detective?

Will Auger receive his comeuppance?

her trademark twist. You think you know what is going on. But you don’t.

As with the earlier books in this series, the plotting is strong and the character development consistent. We meet up again with some of the characters from the previous books: Ella’s neighbour, Tony; her childhood friend, Finn; Hunter’s sister and her boys; his partner, Detective Rosie Thorburn; and Rosie’s nemesis, Detective Auger. As a side issue, there are ongoing conflicts in the Homicide and Major Crimes unit

As with many series featuring the same characters, it helps to read the books in order. Although Chapman’s books are stand alone in that they each feature a new set of circumstances and a new mystery to solve, reading the first two books will help the reader understand and appreciate the character development. Indeed, even though I have read and thoroughly enjoyed the two earlier Hunter and Tate books, I found myself a bit confused and uncertain when being reintroduced to some of the repeat characters. A little more background, while perhaps repetitive, would have been helpful.

Fatal Harvest is scheduled for release on April 15.

Barbara McIsaac has been a fan of Brenda Chapman’s writing for years and has read all her previous books. PREMIUM SENIOR LIVING

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Surprise highlights from Sunnyside Library

By Jeremy Kerr

Most clients of the Ottawa Public Library (OPL) are aware they can borrow books, DVDs, CDs or games. Here are some other services you might not know about. Everything described is completely free and can be accessed at the Sunnyside branch.

Library Tutorial 1:1

The local library offers in-depth, oneon-one tutorials with staff on a variety of topics. These tutorials can be booked through the library’s website and can be by phone or in person. For clients looking to improve their computer skills, a computer tutorial can help. Library staff can assist with basic email skills, internet navigation and digital literacy. For clients interested in eBooks or eAudiobooks, the library offers tutorials on the Libby and Cloud Library apps that are used to access

the library’s digital collections. Tutorials can assist with setting up and using e-readers or accessing these apps on a smartphone or tablet. For those who are looking to get a bit more out of their library experience, tutorials are offered on the library’s catalogue and many online resources such as the Ancestry Library genealogy database and the Naxos classical music streaming service.

These tutorials are not limited to just computers and e-readers. For clients interested in research assistance, a one-on-one tutorial can help. For those looking for their next read, a readers’ advisory tutorial can offer suggestions – this likely comes as no surprise, but library staff love suggesting books!

RAPP (Reading and Parent Program)

Packs

A RAPP Pack is a literacy kit intended for parents to use with their children

to help them engage with reading. These packs are intended for children aged 6 months to 10 years. Each pack contains a book, a booklet of resources and either a CD or DVD containing some songs or discussions of the book’s themes. The booklet of resources contains information for parents to help them guide their child in engaging with certain aspects of the books (such as with rhymes or vocabulary) as well as activity sheets which can be photocopied. The activities range from colouring sheets to instructions for crafts that can be completed at home. The RAPP Packs come in three types: American Sign Language packs, which include a DVD with an interpreter signing a discussion of the themes of the book; Voice packs, which include a CD with songs and discussions of the book; and French packs which are designed to encourage French language and literacy skills. Check the children’s section at Sunnyside for RAPP Packs.

The Library of Things OPL lends out many items beyond what clients traditionally associate with libraries. For astronomy enthusiasts, the Sunnyside branch has an Orion Starblast II telescope available for borrowing for a seven-day period. For fantasy enthusiasts, many rulebooks for the tabletop game Dungeons and Dragons are also available. Those Glebe author Denise Chong will launch her new book, Out of Darkness, on Thursday, April 18 at 7 p.m. at Library and Archives Canada, 395 Wellington Street. The book goes behind the headlines to tell the gripping story of a Bangladeshi woman blinded by her husband in a domestic assault. Refusing to give up on her determination to live a life with meaning, she is now a lawyer in Vancouver. The event, with host Adrian Harewood, is free. Register for tickets at writersfestival.org.

concerned with their energy usage may be interested in the Kill-A-Watt electricity usage monitor. While those interested in hunting for ghosts (or other thermal imaging) may be interested in borrowing a thermal camera. Museum passes are also available, although they are extremely popular and often in short supply. Simply come to the front desk and request the desired item.

Jeremy Kerr is a student in the Library and Information Technician program at Algonquin College who completed a placement at the Sunnyside branch of the Ottawa Public Library.

If your book club would like to share its reading list, please email it to Micheline Boyle at grapevine@glebereport.ca

The Sunnyside branch of the Ottawa Public Library has some surprises available for loan, like this Orion Starblast II telescope.

Bytown Voices spring concert features songs of home

By Mary Forster

The Bytown Voices choir invites you to attend their spring concert entitled Home: Songs of Belonging, Land and Connection. Please join us at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 28 at Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Lisgar Street.

The choir performs under the direction of Joan Fearnley with accompanist Carla Klassen. Fearnley has directed the choir for eight years and brings with her many years of leadership including time with both the women’s and children’s choirs of the Notre Dame Basilica in Lowertown along with a noted career as a soprano soloist.

Among the featured songs will be Canadian classics like “Un Canadien errant” and Gilles Vigneault’s “Mon pays.” Songs celebrating the rivers of Canada and Georgian Bay will be performed along with a very special premiere of the song “Home to Africville” composed by local musician and teacher Lyndsey E. Bolden to remember the sadly displaced and vibrant black community of Halifax. A bluegrass band will accompany a suite of songs entitled “Dear Appalachia,” while another beautiful trio of songs celebrates Emily Carr and the divinity she found in the pulse of nature. This celebration of nature and relationship can also be found in “She is the Woman who Sang me the Birds” with music by

Indigenous composer Beverly McKiver and words by poet Wendy Duschenes.

Bytown Voices is a “no-audition-necessary” choir of mixed voices – soprano, alto, tenor and bass. Children aged 9 and up are eligible for membership too, making the BV a true community choir. We encourage parents to join with their children. And we are especially interested in tenor and bass voices – we need your participation! No previous choir experience is necessary, and members benefit from many online learning supports in a nurturing environment.

The Bytown Voices choir practises at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday nights at St. Basil’s Church on Maitland just north of the Queensway. Registration for this fall will begin in August. Check our website, www.bytownvoices.com, in late summer for more information on repertoire and starting dates.

Tickets for the concert are now on sale on our website www.bytownvoices.com or from choir members. Adult admission is $20, children 12 and under are FREE. Free parking is available on the street and for $2 at the nearby City Hall lot, entrance on Laurier Avenue.

Mary Forster has sung with the Bytown Voices for four years. She strongly encourages anyone who loves music and singing to try them out. It’s a fine choir with a supportive ethic.

Bytown Voices presents:

Home

3 p.m.

Sunday, April 28

Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Lisgar Street

Songs of land, belongging, and connection

Bytown Voices, a multi-generational choir, performing at their Christmas 2023 concert conducted by Joan Fearnley.

Musica Viva spring concert –‘Lovers and Friends’

By Walter Hendelman

A Little Background

Musica Viva Singers (MVS) is a community choir which enjoys singing in four-part harmony. The choir was founded in 1997 under the direction of Brian Cameron in the basement of Glebe-St. James United Church but has since migrated to Centretown United Church on Bank Street just north of the Queensway, where it continues to attract Glebe residents to its ranks.

In 2013, Musica Viva welcomed its current musical director, Scott Richardson. Richardson’s lifetime passion for Canadian, Celtic and American folk and popular styles has been contagious. With his background in literature, he constantly challenges choristers to become more aesthetically aware of the intimate relationship between lyrics and musical setting. His thematic programs combine music from diverse eras, genres and cultures, allowing the choir to showcase its versatility.

Richardson is joined weekly by our very accomplished and versatile piano accompanist, Tom Sear, whom you may hear playing the odd solo at our concerts.

MVS is a non-audition choir, which means that you decide whether you are able to participate in a four-part choir. There is usually a brief “hello” session with the music director to make sure that you are singing in the right section for your voice. Reading music is not mandatory, but you should be able to match and remember pitches. Regular rehearsals are held on Monday evenings, and practice files are usually available online for each of the sections, which facilitates working on the pieces at home. The choir is rebuilding its membership following the COVID19 loss of many long-time members and has been very successful at attracting new singers, giving us added energy.

We continue to welcome new singers in all sections of the choir. The choir will resume its rehearsals in early September.

Our Spring Concert

For our spring concert, “Lovers and Friends,” Musica Viva Singers celebrates love in all of its forms and phases. It may be our spring concert, but the choir is singing all the seasons of love: new love, true love, and yes, also the blues of love. Plus, the love of that friend who you know will stand by you in times of fear and turmoil. The program includes music by pop music giants such as Carole King, George Gershwin, Gordon Lightfoot and the Beatles. It also features compositions by leading choral composers Bob Chilcott, Matthew Emery, Donald Patriquin and Dan Forrest.

We’d love to have you join us on Monday, May 6 at 7:30 p.m. at Centretown United Church, 507 Bank Street (accessible via ramp).

Tickets: $25 General Admission, $15 Low Income, $70 Family Pass (up to 2 adults and 4 kids). All three ticket types are available from choir members. General admission tickets can be purchased online on Eventbrite or through the MVS website at www. musica-viva.ca.

Please note that an online auction “Talents, Gifts & Treasures” will be available via the website about three weeks prior to the concert.

See you at the concert!

Walter Hendelman has been a bass singer in Musica Viva Singers for several years. He is an active member of the Glebe community, participated on the GCA Parks Committee to help create the new Fire Station Park at O’Connor and Fifth, and attempted to stop the Ottawa Hospital build on the Experimental Farm.

Meet Yvonne, a dedicated Personal Support Worker with over 24 years of service to the residents at Villagia in The Glebe. Yvonne, an unsung hero, cherishes her work, happily caring for residents whom she considers family. With 3 children, 6 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, she truly understands the needs of seniors and their families. Yvonne’s warmth extends to everyone she meets, greeting them with a big smile and genuine interest in their wellbeing. At Villagia, we celebrate Yvonne’s compassion, warmth and dedication to our retirement community.

Jazz & Tapas

Saturday, May 11, 4 to 6 p.m.

St. Matthew’s Church

Jazz & tapas at St. Matt’s

By Margret B. Nankivell

St. Matthew’s Anglican Church in the Glebe will be filled with the sultry sounds of Ottawa’s popular jazz singer Diane Nalini at its Jazz & Tapas fundraising event on the afternoon of Saturday, May 11.

Nalini, who began singing at age three, will perform with her husband, bassist Adrian Cho, the founder and artistic director of the Ottawa Jazz Orchestra (OJO). A teacher with Carleton University’s Learning in Retirement/Lifelong Learning program since 2011, Cho has been dubbed a “cool guide to hot jazz” by the Ottawa Citizen. He is also a wildlife photographer.

Nalini sings and writes in four languages, has performed at the Montreal Jazz Festival and has released several acclaimed albums. In Ottawa, she sometimes sings at the National Arts Centre’s Fourth Stage with the OJO. She has also given gala performances for former U.S. President Bill Clinton and Sir Paul McCartney.

Joining them will be Mike Tremblay, a superb saxophonist who often performs with the National Arts Centre Orchestra and is co-founder and director of the annual Carleton University Jazz Camp. Some of his performance credits include Natalie Cole, Alanis Morissette and Lou Rawls.

The intimate jazz event will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. at the back of the church in a space with excellent acoustics. It is being sponsored by Amica The Glebe which is also providing some tapas, such as marinated lobster caps, duck confit spring rolls and caramelized brie and pear.

A wonderful range of nibblies will be served, including donations from local restaurants and food merchants. The last Jazz & Tapas event in 2018 received

130 Glebe Avenue entrance, just west of Bank Street.

Tickets can be purchased through St. Matthew’s online boutique (auctria.events/stmatthewsboutique.com) or use the QR code.

Adults: $60, students (not including alcoholic beverages): $40.

contributions from Flipper’s Seafood Restaurant, Von’s Bistro, Café Morala (now Happy Goat Coffee Co.), Erling’s, Irene’s Pub, Light of India and more.

Tickets will include food, entertainment and non-alcoholic beverages. A complimentary glass of wine or beer is included in the adult ticket price. There will also be a small silent auction table.

“Many guests offered enthusiastic compliments on the food and the décor, specifically noting the night club ambiance with black tablecloths, red napkins and candles,” one parishioner said after the 2018 event. “A resounding success all round, music, food, community and ambiance!”

Half of the proceeds will go to the Black Canadian Scholarship Fund, which is administered by the Ottawa Community Foundation. Since 1998, the fund has provided bursaries for first-year university students who have graduated from Ottawa area high schools. Last year four scholarships of $6,000 each were awarded.

Margret B. Nankivell is a longtime St. Matthew’s parishioner and regular contributor on music to the Glebe Report.

Diane Nalini and Adrian Cho bring their jazz stylings to the Jazz & Tapas fundraiser at St. Matthew’s church on May 11. PHOTO: ADRIAN CHO

Mike Tremblay, saxophonist

Canadian folk legend Lynn Miles to headline Ottawa Grassroots Festival

By Jaden Croucher

Folk, bluegrass, blues and anything in between has a home at Ottawa’s very own Grassroots Festival. Founded by Bob Nesbitt back in 2012, the Ottawa Grassroots Festival is more than just performances. The festival pairs concerts with workshops to foster a vibrant creative community experience. This 12th annual edition takes place at Irene’s Pub and the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa from April 25 to 28.

Three multi-talented Canadian artists are set to take the stage as headliners – Charlie A’Court, Connie Kaldor, and Lynn Miles and the Tumbleweeds. After releasing 16 albums, collaborating with Grammy-nominated artist Claire Lynch, scoring three Juno nominations, one Juno award and six Canadian Folk Music Awards, Miles continues her reign on the music scene with her most recent album Tumbleweedyworld which is nominated for Album of the Year at the 2024 Canadian Folk Music Awards. I had the chance to chat with Miles before her upcoming gig at Irene’s Pub on April 25.

What are you most looking forward to about the festival?

“This particular festival is very community oriented. It’s been going on for a while now. It’s a really lovely, small, community-run festival. [The] people are kind, and the music is great. I’m looking forward to doing a song-writing circle on Saturday. I love doing song-writing circles; it’s usually three or four songwriters sitting on stage, each playing a song, and explaining it. It’s really fun as a songwriter to hear other songwriters’ songs. That’s kind of the thing I want to do the most because especially if you’re a touring artist, you don’t run into other artists. You’re by yourself. When you get to the festival, you get to hang out with other artists, connect with them, listen to their music and get to see what they’re doing. That’s a big part of this festival for artists, when you get workshops, you get to see artists that you wouldn’t

positive relationships with other artists and presenters, and be gracious as you would in any other line of work. I also emphasize mental health. When you’re a young artist, you’re sensitive. A lot of artists are very sensitive. The reason they’re artists is because they’re sensitive. So, when you’re young, work on your mental health. Figure out what the things are that stress you out. A lot of people have stage fright, anxiety or depression. Figure out a strategy to get through those things so that your art

doesn’t suffer too much.”

For more information on the Ottawa Grassroots Festival, go to ottawagrassrootsfestival.com. All daytime performances and workshops are free. Evening performances are free for kids 15 and under when accompanied by a ticketholder.

Jaden Croucher is a journalism student at Carleton and a writer for Her Campus Carleton.

Spring concerts

Doors Open for Music at Southminster (DOMS) presents free 45-minute concerts on Wednesdays at noon at Southminster United Church, 15 Aylmer Avenue. Concerts are both live and live streamed on YouTube. Follow DOMS online at www.DOMS613.com.

DOMS, led by artistic director Roland Graham, is sustained by freewill offerings. Concert attendees can donate cash at the door or online via Canadahelps.org.

April 17 – INNOCENCE

Ottawa based soprano Whitney Sloan and pianist Fabien Tousignant play French Mélodies by Duparc, the Chansons de Bilitis by Debussy and the final set of Romances (Op. 38) by Rachmaninoff.

normally see together. I’m [also] looking forward to playing with my band because I really love these guys.”

What inspired your latest album, Tumbleweedyworld, and what message or emotions were you hoping to convey through your music?

“I think this is the first album I’ve ever done where I wasn’t really interested in conveying specific emotions or messages or anything. I just really wanted to salute bluegrass sounds. I love the sounds. Especially live with the threepart harmony, it’s just beautiful.”

As a Canadian singer/songwriter with a long and successful career, to what do you attribute your longevity and continued success?

“Well, music is the thing I love the most in the whole world, so I’m happy when I’m playing music, and I guess I’m just following my bliss. I’m doing the thing I love the most. It doesn’t always reward you financially, but it rewards me emotionally. [It] rewards my soul and my spirit. I just keep following that path. I think to keep going you need to grow as a human in terms of getting your ego in check and making sure your mental health is good. Open your eyes to what’s going on in the world, which is something hopefully you do as you get older. I think that can keep your music going forward.”

What advice do you have for aspiring artists who are looking to participate in the Ottawa Grassroots Festivals and establish themselves in the music industry?

“I would say practise, practise, practise. If you’re a songwriter, constantly be writing, keep your ears up, and tap into what’s going on in the world, what’s going on in your community and what’s going on in your own heart. Try to be kind to everybody. When you’re young, your ego can get in the way of the way you feel. You have to look bigger than you are, and that’s a part of the music industry that I don’t really like. Just be kind to people, form

APRIL 24 – PIANO PERSPECTIVES

Mexican pianist Fabrizzio Vargas explores the influence of nations on the piano, featuring works by composers Debussy (Images Livre II), Mozart (K 533) and Rachmaninoff (Op 16) whose influences defined their time and place.

MAY 1 – BACH INSPIRATIONS

Baroque flautist Alexa Raine-Wright reveals the versatility of the Baroque flute, playing original arrangements of J. S. Bach’s three violin partitas along with new works by Canadian composers Matthias Maute and Grégoire Jeay.

MAY 8 – LEGENDS COLLIDE

Guitar quartet Pete Townshend, Jimmy Page, Paul Simon and Zak Wylde present an original program of works that should have been but were never written, performed or imagined.

May 15 – DANCE WITH ME!

Pianist four-hand duo Mauro Bertoli and Frédéric Lacroix breathe life into a selection of instrumental dances by Eastern-European and Russian composers written and adapted to the piano.

May 22 – COLLECTED STRANDS

Stylistically versatile improvisors (cellist Raphael Weinroth-Browne, violinist Leah Roseman, pianist James McGowan, and percussionist Mike Essoudry) assemble to fuse classical, world and jazz traditions.

MAY 29 – OUR UNIVERSE

Diabolus in Musica (Mia Beaudoin-Dion, compositions and piano, Denis Rousseau, trombone, and Keiran Warskett-Lambert, double bass) present a program of original indie jazz compositions, influenced by the community, culture and the cityscape.

SPRING IS IN THE AIR

...and you could be the new neighbour on the block.

Award-winning local musician Lynn Miles will headline this year’s Ottawa Grassroots Festival taking place April 25–28. She will perform April 25 at Irene’s Pub.

Hope, health and harmony

15th annual Gil’s Hootenanny and the power of singing together

By Kathy Kennedy

“I go because I love to sing” is a frequent testimonial from folks who have been participating in Gil’s Hootenanny for years. And no wonder! The Hootenanny is at its heart a celebration of the collective power of song to change the world.

Gil’s Hootenanny is an annual singalong event inspired by the legacy of Gil Levine, founding director of research at the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). Levine was a peace and social justice activist and a folk music enthusiast. When he died at 85 in 2009, three words in his obituary, “plan a hootenanny,” inspired the launch of this remarkable, annual, musical get-together. With a focus on songs of hope and protest, Gil’s Hootenanny will celebrate its 15th anniversary on May 1, May Day.

Singing is not only fun, it also helps us cope with physical and emotional pain. It strengthens the immune system, enhances memory and helps manage stress. It also builds community.

Gil’s Hootenanny organizers coined the term “singalongability” to describe ideal Hootenanny songs with easy lyrics and catchy choruses. This year’s headliner, Annie Patterson, is expert at that concept. As one of North America’s premiere interpreters of song,

Patterson has been singing around the globe for over 40 years. She is well known as the co-creator, along with her husband Peter Blood, of the popular songbooks Rise Up Singing and Rise Again , which share lyrics and chords for over 2,400 songs.

Patterson, accompanied by Blood, will be leading the audience in singing songs that inspire hope and teach about social justice. As she says: “Singing can knit communities together and touch peoples’ lives in a unique and amazing way. It has been an enormous privilege to lead groups in song and feel the power of hundreds of voices singing in harmony.”

The Glebe is a hotbed of people who

share Patterson’s enthusiasm for bringing people together to make music. Four of these musical personalities – Steve Richer, Chris White, Tamara Levine and Debbie Rubin – have also helped build the Gil’s Hootenanny community.

Singing plays an important role in giving voice to protest movements. For Glebe resident and Carleton University professor emeritus Steve Richer, songs of protest and freedom have been a lifelong field of study. Until recently, Richer taught sold-out courses on the history of protest music, featuring songs of the civil rights, labour and peace movements. A folk singer since he was 18, Richer has led sing-along musical tributes to legendary folk musicians in Canada, the United States and Mexico, including a tribute to Pete Seeger at Gil’s Hootenanny in 2019. Along with a group of local musicians, Richer currently leads monthly hootenannies at Abbotsford House. He is also writing online articles on the history of protest music for The Journal of Wild Culture Glebe resident Chris White was on the Gil’s Hootenanny organizing committee until 2016. A singer-songwriter, choir director, radio host and event organizer, White loves to lead singalong sessions for people of all ages and abilities at retirement residences, schools, churches and summer camps. He has founded numerous community singing groups over the years, including a group for home-schooled children and one for people with dementia

and their partners. White has recorded three albums of his songs, many of which include sing-along opportunities.

Tamara Levine’s earliest memories include singing with her dad Gil, mom Helen and sister Karen around the campfire and on long car trips. The longest serving member of the Gil’s Hootenanny organizing team and its chief fundraiser, Levine has been bringing together formal and informal sing-along gatherings and events for years. Levine and Debbie Rubin help coordinate the Abbotsford Hootenanny where local musicians lead the audience in singing and playing along to new and traditional songs.

Gil’s Hootenanny is honoured to have financial support from organizations such as CUPE, PSAC/NCR and Ravenlaw. Sponsorship ensures the artists are paid decently, keeps the ticket price low and allows Gil’s Hootenanny to create an archive of AV and print materials.

But most of all, Gil’s Hootenanny is a joyful, fun event that celebrates the power of singing together to help make the world a better place.

Gil’s Hootenanny will take place at 7 p.m. on May Day, Wednesday, May 1, at 30 Cleary Avenue, the campus of the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa. The venue is accessible, has ample parking and is serviced by OC Transpo. Tickets will be $20. Kids are free.

From left, Steve Richer, Chris White, Debbie Rubin and Tamara Levine sing a tune from Rise Up Singing, Annie Patterson’s group-singing songbook. PHOTO: SHAWNA LAING

Kathy Kennedy is on the organizing team for Gil’s Hootenanny.

Annie Patterson will headline this year’s Gil’s Hootenanny singalong on May 1 at 30 Cleary Avenue.

Rideau Chorale sings Fauré

By Pamela Robinson and Janice Manchee

Gabriel Fauré was a great champion of modern music. He provided an essential link between the Romantic tradition of Chopin, Schumann and Brahms and the Modernism of Debussy and Mahler. It’s not surprising then that Rideau Chorale is pairing him with two modern locally based composers at its upcoming May concert.

Fauré was born in France in 1845. By the age of nine, Fauré’s musical gifts and a scholarship found him in residence at the far-from-home Ecole Niedermeyer de Paris. Here he remained for 11 years. It was where Saint-Saëns introduced him to then little-known composers like Liszt and Wagner who were busy innovating traditional music. And it was here he composed “Cantique de Jean Racine.”

Upon leaving school, Fauré took up a series of positions playing organ and teaching private students. When the Franco-Prussian war broke out, he volunteered, saw action and won the Croix de Guerre.

On his return, he resumed his work as an organist and teacher and continued composing various works, including pieces for the violin and piano.

Fauré married during this time, a woman he was reportedly quite fond of. This didn’t stop him, however, from seeking passion elsewhere. Contemporary reports agreed that he was extremely attractive to women and that “his conquests were legion in the Paris salons.”

Although Fauré had been known for his cheery nature as a young man, by his 30s he was suffering from bouts of depression. This was partly due to his struggle for recognition.

Fauré began work on his “Requiem” in 1887, in his own words “purely for the pleasure of it.” He selected the text to emphasize the idea of rest and peace. The original composition only had five movements, which is not a complete

liturgical requiem. The final two movements were completed later.

Things began to change for Fauré in the mid-1890s when he was hired by the Conservatoire de Paris as a professor of composition.

Fauré’s students found him openminded and fair. Maurice Ravel recounted that Fauré was initially unimpressed by one of Ravel’s compositions, but later asked to see the score again. He told Ravel that he might have been wrong.

In 1905, Fauré was appointed head of the Conservatoire and immediately modernized and broadened the range of music taught. There were resignations, but Fauré stayed the course.

Toward the end of his life, Fauré lost much of his hearing and music sounded distorted to him. He retired from the Conservatoire and was awarded the grand-croix of the Légion d’honneur, a distinction rarely given to a musician. When he died in 1924, Fauré received a state funeral.

Fauré would be pleased to share the stage with two modern composers. Ottawa’s own Andrew Ager composed the music for “Garden Shadows,” with text by Canadian poet Bliss Carman. Rideau Chorale music director Kevin Reeves drew on Archibald Lampman’s poem “In Beechwood Cemetery” to compose a piece for this concert. Lampman specialized in poems about nature, and it is this poem that welcomes visitors to Beechwood, where he is buried.

The concert takes place Saturday, May 4 at 7:30 p.m. at Southminster United Church.

Information about Rideau Chorale and its virtual and upcoming performances can be found at rideauchorale. com. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.ca.

Pamela Robinson (alto) and Janice Manchee (tenor) are members of Rideau Chorale.

Seventeen Voyces present Bartók and Kodály

Friday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m.

St. Francis of Assisi Church (20 Fairmont Avenue).

Tickets are $30 for adults, $20 for students and free for children 12 and under. Tickets online at www.seventeenvoyces.ca/concerts/ or at the door

and Zoltán Kodály on May 10 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church. PHOTO: ALI BOTY

Seventeen Voyces presents the passionate music of Hungarians Bartók and Kodály

By Clare Jackson

Seventeen Voyces will present choral and violin music of Hungarian compatriots Béla Bartók and Zoltán Kodály at the final concert of their 2023-24 season. The concert will feature Bulgarian-Canadian violinist Ralitsa Tcholakova and organist Matthew Larkin. It will take place on Friday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 20 Fairmont Avenue, in Hintonburg. Tickets are $30 for adults, $20 for students and free for children 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased online at www.seventeenvoyces.ca/ concerts/ or at the door by cash, credit and debit.

Béla Bartók, considered one of the most important composers of the 20th century, and Zoltán Kodály were friends and contemporaries, born in Hungary a year apart in 1881 and 1882, respectively. Both were ethnomusicologists who collected folk songs together from Magyar (Hungarian) villages to inform their compositions. The concert program will include Kodály’s Mátra Pictures for unaccompanied choir, which paints scenes of daily village life in Mátra, a region of volcanic mountains in Hungary. The piece contains references to the 19th-century Hungarian outlaw Márton Vidróczki, who appears in Robin Hood-like stories about his exploits. Kodály’s Four Slovak Folk Songs will also be featured – it mirrors the rural scenes depicted in Kodály’s Mátra Pictures. Rounding out the program will be a glorious Graduale with organ accompaniment from Hungarian composer Ernő Dohnányi, who used the German form of his name, Ernst von Dohnányi, on most of his compositions. The Graduale comes from Dohnányi’s Missa in Dedicatione Ecclesiae (or ‘Mass for the Dedication of a Church’) which he composed in 1930.

Joining Seventeen Voyces in this concert will be Ottawa-based violinist Ralitsa Tcholakova, who will perform Bartók’s enchanting Romanian Folk Dances with Matthew Larkin accompanying on piano. Tcholakova has performed as a soloist with orchestras in over 25 countries and was nominated for the Premier’s Award for Excellence in the Arts in 2018. She has recorded many acclaimed albums, including

“Remembered Voices” which was developed in collaboration with Carleton University professor Elaine Keillor. Seventeen Voyces is delighted to perform with Ms. Tcholakova for the first time.

Seventeen Voyces, directed by founder Kevin Reeves, has a well-established reputation in Ottawa for presenting diverse programs of rarely heard music. While the choir began as a specialist in early music of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, its repertoire has expanded to encompass music of all eras, from early to modern. Seventeen Voyces has collaborated with many Ottawa ensembles, including Thirteen Strings, the Ottawa Baroque Consort and the National Arts Centre Orchestra.

This concert will mark the first time that Seventeen Voyces will perform at St. Francis of Assisi Church. Built just over a century ago between 1914 and 1915, this magnificent church is used regularly for choral performances, and its Guilbault-Thérien Organ, installed in 1988, is one of the finest in Ottawa. This concert will allow guest organist Matthew Larkin to take advantage of this magnificent instrument for the main work on the program, Kodály’s majestic Laudes organi (‘In praise of the organ’). This monumental work was written in 1966, one year before Kodály’s death, for the National Convention of the American Guild of Organists. Laudes organi is built on a 12th-century melody which can be heard repeated throughout the piece by both choir and organ.

Please join Seventeen Voyces on May 10 for an exciting evening of passionate music by Hungary’s best-known composers!

Seventeen Voyces’ 2024-25 season will begin with a Remembrance Day-themed concert featuring Ottawabased composer Andrew Ager’s work The Unknown Soldier. The concert will take place on Sunday, November 10 at 4:00 p.m. at St. Matthew’s Church in the Glebe. In spring 2025, the choir will perform live choral music to accompany the 1925 picture Ben Hur, marking the centenary of this silent film classic. Clare Jackson is a singer and board member with Seventeen Voyces.

Coffee Houses on Sustainability

Your roadmap to sustainable transport and zero waste

Here are some really good reasons to attend the next two Coffee Houses on Sustainability, presented by the Glebe Community Association with CAFES (Community Associations for Environmental Sustainability) and support from the City of Ottawa. Both will be at the Glebe Community Centre from 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Each hour of the Coffee House on Transportation, Saturday, April 27 will kick off with brief presentations on “Myths about EVs” and “The 15-Minute Neighbourhood.” Knowledgeable neighbours will discuss EVs, PHEVs, hybrids, car-sharing, transit, biking, e-biking and complete streets. Reps from the EV Council of Ottawa, Walkable Ottawa, the City of Ottawa, Strong Towns Ottawa and CAFES will answer your questions.

The Coffee House on Zero-Waste Living, Sunday, May 5 will explore how to reduce waste by purchasing less stuff, opting for reusable goods and packaging, repairing, mending, sharing and redistributing underused items. Valérie LeLoup, CEO of NU Grocery, will kick off the event. You’ll get tips on reducing household organic waste and a chance to try the city’s waste sorting challenge!

Register at www.bit.ly/GreenCoffeeHouses

Seventeen Voyces will present choral and violin music of Hungarian composers Béla Bartók

30 Years Ago in the Glebe Report

by Ian McKercher

SPEED LIMITS TO BE LOWERED

Councillor Watson reported that Ottawa City Council approved the first step in lowering the speed limit on residential streets from 50km/h to 40 km/h. The next step will be to get provincial government approval.

PART-TIME OR FULL TIME?

Several articles dealt with Ontario Bill 77, provincial legislation that was expected to reshape both city and regional councils. The articles focused particularly on whether elected councillors at city and regional levels should be part-time or full-time and what their salary range should be.

MYRNA FENTON RETIRES

After 22 years as the owner of Two Sisters clothing store on Bank Street, Myrna Fenton was retiring. Her father, Earl Murdock, had purchased the store in 1952 from the Besson sisters, the original owners.

GLEBE TROTTERS

A new shoe store had just opened in the Glebe at 860 Bank Street. Owners Paul Shields and Alan Yakibchuk shared a total of 25 years’ footwear experience working for Bally Shoes.

They decided to specialize in casual footwear for men, women and children, no running shoes or dress shoes, but everything in between.

GCI HOCKEY CHAMPIONS

The Glebe Collegiate Gryphons ended a 40-year dry spell when they captured the Ottawa High School Athletic Association hockey title on February 25. Head coach Peter Bangs, who was also head of the Glebe history department, saw his team gel in the playoffs. The Gryphons defeated Hillcrest in the quarter finals, Louis Riel in the semi-finals and defending city champions, Samuel Genest, in the finals.

QUEEN’S PLATE

In his “Glebe Questions” column, Clyde Sanger related that the Mutchmor Driving Park was the site for the running of the Queen’s Plate horse race in 1872 and 1880. The Driving Park was located between First and Fifth Avenues, extending from Bank Street to Bronson Avenue.

Elbow fractures

By Sue Reive

Elbow fractures are quite common, especially in children. They account for 10 per cent of all childhood fractures, most likely because kids are active, riding bikes, running, jumping and sometimes falling.

In the elbow, the bone is superficial with minimal soft tissue covering. A fall on an outstretched arm, landing directly on the pointy tip of the elbow, or a direct blow to the elbow are the usual causes of fractures.

The elbow joint consists of three bones joined together by a capsule: the humerus (arm bone) articulates with the radius and ulna (forearm bones). The elbow joint is considered a three joint complex: the joint between the rounded humerus (trochlea) and the concave ulna (trochlear fossa), the joint between the rounded humerus (capitulum) and the concave radial head and the joint between the radius and ulna. Note that the ulna has a hook-like appearance at the joint due to the olecranon, the bony tip of your elbow. Thus, the elbow joint is classified as a hinge joint where bending and straightening occur. The joint between the radius and ulna is classified as a pivot joint as the radius spins around the ulna, allowing the forearm to turn the palm up and down.

All three joints share the same soft tissue capsule which holds the bones together and is reinforced by ligaments. There are also nerves on either side of the elbow; the ulnar nerve, on the

inside of the elbow, is often referred to as the funny bone.

There are three types of fractures of the elbow: radial head and neck fractures; distal humerus fractures; and olecranon fractures. I will focus on olecranon fractures which are common due to the bony appearance and lack of protective soft tissue covering. Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising and a limitation of movement, particularly in straightening the elbow. There can sometimes be numbness if the closely associated nerves are compressed.

Doctors will examine the patient and ensure the integrity of the nerves and blood vessels. X-rays usually confirm the diagnosis. Treatment depends upon the severity of the fracture. If the fracture is not displaced, it is possible that the arm can be splinted in a half-cast while using a sling for six weeks to allow sufficient bone healing. Unfortunately, most olecranon fractures displace, moving out of position,

which requires surgery to put the bony pieces back into alignment. This is usually done with a metal plate and screws or wires and is referred to as OIRF (Open Reduction Internal Fixation). Occasionally a bone graft may be necessary. An open fracture is the most severe, where the bone breaks and protrudes through the skin – that requires immediate surgery.

Post-operative treatment includes two weeks of immobilization of the elbow in a half-cast with a sling. It is very important to frequently move the hand and fingers to maintain circulation to prevent blood clots. To reduce swelling, the hand must be elevated one foot above the heart. Applying ice packs will also help.

After two weeks, provided sufficient healing is seen on an Xray, patients will be able to start moving their elbow but not bear weight on it. It is crucial to mobilize the elbow joint as soon as possible because it tends to stiffen up and the patient could be left with a slight reduction in range. It is

difficult because there are three joints in the elbow that need to work together to allow movement. Strengthening exercises start as early as six weeks or as late as 12 weeks – it depends on whether the bones have knit together sufficiently to allow loading. It can take three to four months for a fracture to completely heal.

I am quite familiar with an olecranon fracture. Last October 26, I fell off my bicycle and fractured the olecranon off my ulna. I guess I’m just a big kid at heart! It was displaced and required surgery (ORIF). I have a plate and seven screws. In fact, the two X-ray pictures in this article are my elbow. Luckily, I received great care at the Ottawa Hospital, and I was able to return to work six weeks after surgery. While I still plan to cycle in the Gatineau hills, I will no longer be flying down the Pink Lake hill like I used to!

Sue Reive is a physiotherapist at Ottawa Physiotherapy and Sport Clinics Glebe.

How one small arts studio empowers creativity in the disability arts community

Being an artist shouldn’t be difficult

By Naheen Ahmed

BEING Studio is a quaint studio space with spacious windows on the third floor of the Bronson Centre, 211 Bronson Avenue, filled to the brim with art. From acrylic paintings to hanging felted mobile pieces, it houses the creations of over 60 artists who live with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

A lot has changed in the way people with disabilities are treated in Canada. For a long time, people with disabilities were put in institutions and segregated from most parts of society. Some 40,000 Ontarians with developmental disabilities were placed in institutions between 1876 and 2009. People with cognitive disabilities did not get the right to vote in Canada until 1997.

In 1987, the Canadian government announced a plan to transition away from institutions. Community-based organizations and services were formed to fill this gap. BEING Studio is part of this transition.

“The studio opened its doors 22 years ago as H’Art Ottawa, an extension of the Kingston branch whose mission was to support inclusive arts for those facing barriers,” says executive director Walter Howell, “Fostering a creative practice through day programs allows adults to explore expression, learn new skills and find the support they need to make art.”

Many of the artists who create at the studio have been part of the program since its inception, cultivating a community of care and independence. “[The community] has benefitted me in many ways because it’s taught me independence. Being able to do some things without your mom and dad around,” said Bing Cherry, one of the artists at the studio. “I like it now because we can choose what we want to do. That’s what we love the most.”

Analisa Kiskis, another artist, says that being an artist has improved their mental health. “I’m a little shy, but I’m coming out of it. So that’s helped with my mood, and I have a great mood when I’m doing art. I want to feel something in my heart, my mind,

emotionally and physically. Coming here is the best thing.”

Says artist Frances Laube, “I really like how everybody can connect with each other and talk to each other. I also like to have my own space to do my own artwork.” With support from facilitators and support workers, each artist gets the opportunity to map out their artistic goals and how they wish to navigate their creative practice.

In recent years, there has been growing research on the positive impact creativity has on mental health. “Using our creativity, we can also practise releasing and letting go of what could potentially become toxic to our mind, heart, soul and body,” says Kim Nguyen, clinician at Diversus Health. “Whether it’s through written words, physical or artistic movements such as interpretive dance, along with our favourite melodies, splattered watercolour paints, acrylic paints, intuitive drawings or repeat patterns with Zentangle, all of these techniques help us to access the powerful tool of our mind, the imagination to heal ourselves.”

In addition to providing arts programming, the studio sells the artists’ work at biannual pop-up shops at the Bronson Centre. The shops showcase the skills they’ve gained from the program as well as the unique interests of the artists themselves. From

needle felting to acrylic paintings to designing merchandise, artists at the studio get time to be with community and master new skills.

One of the big ambitions of the studio is to allow artists the opportunity to explore media and support ambitious projects. From releasing podcasts to supporting film projects, the community supports itself through partnerships, grants and donors.

The studio recently released its latest season of its SPEAK podcast where you can hear the stories and voices of artists. The most recent episode shares the inspiration and art process of Ashley Hiscott, exploring her evolution as an artist, her passion for exploring romance through her work and her deep fascination with New York City. With accessibility as an important part of the studio’s mandate, podcasts include transcript, images and audio for those with barriers. Each episode features an interview with one of the artists at the studio as they share their ideas, dreams.

The studio will hold its annual pop-up shop on May 5, where you can browse and shop for artworks, just in time for Mother’s Day.

Naheen Ahmed is the communications coordinator of BEING Studio who enjoys supporting artists in the local community.

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Artists at work in the BEING Studio in the Bronson Centre. Artworks will be available for sale May 5 at the studio’s annual pop-up shop.

Spring Fibre Fling

May 3 (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.) and May 4 (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.)

For the love of fibres and textiles

By Sharon Johnson

Do you love fibres and textiles – wool, cotton, silk, felt, fabric? Are you intrigued by fibre and textile artworks? Then you won’t want to miss Spring Fibre Fling.

Out of the Box Fibre Artists are hosting their ever-popular Fibre Spring Fling on Friday, May 3, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, May 4, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., just in time to find that perfect Mother’s Day gift! We’re holding it a bit later than usual, hoping for better weather.

You’ll meet machine and hand embroiderers, art quilters, weavers, felters, doll makers, embellishers, silk painters, beaders, dyers, book artists, mixed media and other fibre artists. (Whew! That’s a lot!)

these lovely handmade goods.

The $5 admission price goes directly to the Ottawa Food Bank and the Stephen Lewis Foundation.

This is the 14th year for the event. It just keeps growing and getting better every year. We get many repeat customers – and they bring their friends!

This grassroots support is one way that helps us get the word out!

And what’s the difference between “fibre arts” and “textile arts,” you ask? Come to the show and find out!

Sharon Johnson is a Glebe fibre artist and a 20-year member of Out of the Box.

Donna Edwards

House Portraits

613 233 4775

www.donnaedwards

houseportraits.com

Facebook:

Donna Edwards Art

To them, we’re a support system, a studio, a playground, a blank canvas. Here, they can explore beyond the curriculum, developing passions and skills that help them achieve whatever they can imagine. We’re

As well, various demos each day will feature different fibre art techniques. These demos help visitors to better understand the methods, processes and skills involved. And because reaching out to touch fibres and fabrics is deeply instinctive, the demos will provide some chances to satisfy those haptic senses.

The two-day art show and sale takes place at the Kitchissippi United Church, 630 Island Park Drive. Artists from Ottawa and area will exhibit their artworks and sell their wares, including cards, embroidery paintings, wall hangings, purses, silk scarves and much more. Prices are modest, considering the quality and originality of

Kitchissippi United Church 630 Island Park Drive

“Once in a Blue Moon,” 16 x 16 inches, beads individually sewn on fabric background, created by fibre artist Sharon Johnson PHOTO: SHARON JOHNSON

Fall registration opens for Glebe Co-operative Nursery School

By Julie LeBlanc

One of Central Ottawa’s longest running preschools, the Glebe Co-operative Nursery School (GCNS), is the perfect place for your preschool child to blossom. GCNS is a non-profit licensed childcare centre in which parents can take an active role in creating an exceptional learning environment for their child.

The school is located in the fully accessible Glebe Community Centre in the heart of our community. The children learn and play in a bright and spacious classroom. The classroom is organized into carefully planned learning centres. These learning centres allow the children to choose their own activities and to work and play independently or in small groups at their own pace and ability level. Learning centres include special areas for reading, science and discovery, drama, cognitive toys, blocks, sensory exploration and art. The classes also have regular access to the large main hall in the community centre.

GCNS is the only nursery school in the city that takes the children outside to play year-round. The fully fenced yard is equipped with a variety of

materials to provide opportunities for gross motor and social experiences. GCNS has exclusive use of this yard for its outside playtime.

The goal of the program is to provide a positive learning and social experience and to encourage the development of the whole child. It lays the foundation for a lifelong love of learning. Children learn to view school as a positive place, learn to love finding out new things, learn how to make friends and learn that adults other than their parents can be fun, caring and trusting. At GCNS, children are considered competent, capable of complex thinking, curious and rich in potential.

The Glebe Co-operative Nursery School began in September 1977 as a parent-child playgroup. Over the years, the playgroup evolved into a preschool staffed by highly experienced, professional early-childhood educators. There are two programs offered from September to June:

The Toddler Program, for children ages 1.5 years to 2.5 years, takes place on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, from 8:30 am to 11:30 am. Here, children eager to play will enjoy the learning activities in their first entry into early education. Wonderful, loving teachers, a bright, cheery environment and lots of learning opportunities

provide a happy start to learning and socializing.

The Preschool Program, for children ages 2.5 years to 4.5 years, takes place on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, from 8:30 am to 11:30 am. Through independent engagement in stimulating activities and directed learning time with educators in small groups, preschool children develop the social, physical, intellectual and creative skills that form the foundation for success in their ongoing education. The morning program is an excellent way of preparing for junior kindergarten.

The Glebe Neighborhood Activities Group also offers a supervised Lunch Club Program within the community centre from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm as well as a variety of supervised afternoon preschool programming from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm to extend your child’s day. Visit glebepreschool.com for more information and to register your child.

Glebe Co-operative Nursery School’s Annual Spring Fling Fundraiser

Mark your calendars for the Glebe Co-operative Nursery School’s Annual Spring Fling Fundraiser on Sunday, May 26 from 10 a.m. until noon. This family-friendly street party takes place on Third Avenue in front of the Glebe Community Centre. All are invited to enjoy live music, a fire truck visit, crafts, face painting, snacks, refreshments and a silent auction.

Glebe Montessori School students held a food drive on behalf of the Centretown Emergency Food Centre, collecting 44 boxes of non-perishable items and raising $200. Congratulations, one and all! PHOTO: BRYNLEY THOM

Julie LeBlanc is responsible for communications for the Glebe Cooperative Nursery School.

The Glebe Co-op Nursery School, in operation since 1977, is a cheerful, child-centred preschool located in the Glebe Community Centre. Registration for fall programs is open.

The Glebe according to Zeus

Glebe guinea pigs squeak for peace in the Middle East

Non-partisan pigs have long advocated for peace. “The guinea pig is a prey animal, and understands vulnerabilities, in particular for their fellow pigizens across the globe,” explained long-time environmentalist Save-it Kuzooki. “Peace is in their DNA.”

“Weighing in at about two pounds, most guinea pigs don’t stand a chance against larger animals,” added Kuzooki. “The guinea pigs just inherently prefer cuddling to killing.”

According to long-time military analyst turned peace advocate, Plees Nogun, the lack of thumbs has also made it difficult for the rotund rodents

to build or operate good defences. “Typing is difficult for them. Can you imagine operating a complex missile defence system?”

To support peace, the guinea pigs have staged multiple lie-ins, nap-ins, eat-ins, and they even fasted once for up to 15 minutes at a time to support peace. But their calls to fellow bipeds have gone unheeded. “No one seems to hear us,” uttered Floof, a founding member of the United Neighbourhood Rodents for Peace Agency (UNRPA).

“My analysis shows that humans just don’t have the capacity to understand guinea pigs,” offered Roam Vronsky, renowned linguist and political pundit pigeon. “Guinea pigs speak at a very high frequency which often comes across as just wheeking or squeaking to the average biped.”

Indeed, Vronsky seems correct since when asked, nearly all levels of

government either denied receiving calls for peace from guinea pigs or refused to respond to the question.

But as Floof noted, “Peace requires a two-pronged solution.” In addition to continuing to write and leave messages with all levels of government, the guinea pigs have taken their squeaks for peace to a tactile level as well. “We are now offering cuddle services in the hopes of bringing calm to the chaos,” explained Floof from his fleece-lined cuddle cup for two.

Are they synonymous?

By Michael Kofi Ngongi

There are many synonyms in the English language, different words with the same meaning. There are also many words that we use as though they were synonyms, when in fact they are not. I’m thinking of words like labyrinth and maze, critique and criticism or even simple and easy. In each case, we have a pair of words that are used interchangeably, as if they had the same meaning, when they really do not.

Take labyrinths and mazes. On the surface, they appear to be the same and can both be quite puzzling, but they are quite different. A labyrinth has a single continuous path which leads to its centre, while a maze has multiple paths branching off in different directions which do not necessarily lead to the centre. You can get lost in a maze, but not in a labyrinth.

Then there’s critique and criticism. Yes, they are both forms of feedback, but each has a different focus. A critique is feedback focused on

providing suggestions for improve ment; criticism is feedback focused on finding fault or placing blame. Unfortunately, when this difference is misunderstood or ignored, a wellfounded and well-meaning critique can be easily misconstrued as criticism (with its accompanying negative connotation).

And what about simple and easy? If something is simple, it means it is straightforward and uncomplicated. Whereas if something is easy, it means it requires little effort and is not difficult to do. That’s a significant and fundamental difference. Yet we frequently use these two words as though they’re meanings were identical. I’m sure we can all think of many things that are simple but are by no means easy to do.

These few examples, and many others like them, highlight what is a very common occurrence in our everyday use of language. It is often harmless. But at times, it can lead to confusion and misunderstanding. So, take care when choosing your words. And next time you have some work to do in your garden, take a moment to ask yourself whether you’ll need a shovel or a spade.

Michael Kofi Ngongi is a new Canadian originally from Cameroon. He has experience in international development and is a freelance writer.

Beverlee McIntosh and the Funeral Co-operative of Ottawa

By Gwynneth Evans

Beverlee McIntosh grew up in a small town outside Cornwall, a town small enough that when a death occurred, almost everyone knew the person who died. Funerals were part of community life. Death often occurred in the home, funerals were held in the church, the dead were laid to rest in the cemetery.

During her undergraduate and graduate studies in Ottawa, McIntosh was interested in the existential questions of life and its meaning. This drew her to studies in aging and how awareness of our death informs our humanity. After her master’s in social work degree, McIntosh worked in hospitals where she provided counselling for older adults and their families and caregivers. Inevitably she came to know their families as their loved ones’ lives ended. She realized that in the city, death seemed to be private and hidden from public view. Funeral homes took over the planning for the disposal of the body and for the celebration of the life. Choices were limited, and funerals were often a significant financial burden.

Both of McIntosh’s children became interested in the co-operative movement in Canada, and she inevitably followed suit. This movement produces alternatives to the independent business models in many areas, including housing and workers co-operatives. In 2010, a dedicated group familiar with the co-operative model laid the foundations to establish a funeral co-operative here in Ottawa. This was to be a “consumer co-operative” with values built on social justice – transparency, consumer choice, good working conditions

for staff are embedded in a not-for-profit model to provide fair pricing and excellent service to families in Ottawa and Eastern Ontario. At that time, the only other funeral co-operative in Ontario was in Sudbury, too far from Ottawa for the two groups to share experience and resources.

Here in Ottawa, McIntosh’s son introduced Beverlee to the founder for our funeral cooperative, Mark Goldblatt. She was impressed by his passion and his experience in the cooperative world. At their first meeting, she asked Mark: “How can I get involved?” The founding group already had substantial support from the Coopérative funéraire de l’Outaouais, but funerals and burial are regulated by provincial authorities, and the legislation would not allow Ontario and Quebec to form a single funeral cooperative.

McIntosh, who lives in the Glebe Annex, became involved and helped establish this not-for-profit funeral home in a competitive and closely regulated environment. A small group of hard-working volunteers in Ottawa and Eastern Ontario applied their expertise to the undertaking, and the Funeral Co-operative of Ottawa (FCO) opened its doors in 2013. It initially provided funerals and memorial services using venues in the community. Over time, and with a rapidly growing membership, the FCO also offered a secular venue for memorial services and receptions as part of a full-service, not-forprofit funeral home.

In the aftermath of COVID, when attendance at funeral services was severely restricted, the Co-operative began to offer live streaming of services, giving family and friends the

opportunity to “attend” a memorial service virtually from far away.

This year, the Funeral Co-operative of Ottawa is celebrating 10 years of service to the community. Since its opening, over 3,000 people have become members. As a founding member, McIntosh is proud that she has been part of this movement to offer dignified funeral services with transparent pricing and without “up-selling” to families at a time when they are vulnerable to such sales pressure.

For information on all its services and on how to become a member, visit the web site at: www.fco-cfo.coop/ca Helpful presentations on Zoom offer valuable information and experience in many areas of aging and death. And the staff will assist at all times of the day and night if you call.

The Funeral Co-operative of Ottawa offers an excellent service based on cooperative principles of social justice and fair prices.

Beverlee McIntosh played an instrumental role in creating the Funeral Co-operative of Ottawa, this year celebrating 10 years in operation following cooperative principles of social justice and fair prices.

Gwynneth Evans is on the board of the Funeral Co-operative of Ottawa.

This space is a free community bulletin board for Glebe residents. Send your GRAPEVINE message and your name, email

Messages without complete information will not be accepted. FOR SALE items must be less than $1,000.

ABBOTSFORD SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTRE

(950 Bank St.) The SPRING PROGRAM GUIDE is now available. Pick up your paper copy at Abbotsford, Mon.–Fri. 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. or go to www.glebecentre.ca click on Abbotsford Seniors Centre and then Current Program Guide. Registration for classes and clubs can be done online at myactivecenter.com/ with you key-tag, by phone at 613-230-5730 or in-person at the Abbotsford Reception Desk.

ABBOTSFORD SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTRE

(950 Bank St., Tel.: 613-230-5730) MEN’S BREAKFAST CLUB, Thursdays, 9–10:30 a.m., May 2 & June 6, in Margaret’s Room (the upstairs kitchen). Gentlemen, this is your chance to come together with other men in your own time and space at Abbotsford for coffee/tea/juice muffins, pastries and conviviality. Must register in advance (limited seating), cost: $5 per day.

ABBOTSFORD SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTRE

(950 Bank St., Tel.: 613-230-5730) continues to look for cards, flea market items, jewelry, women’s gently used clothing and your treasures to fundraise. Accepted at Abbotsford Senior Centre on Mon.–Fri., 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Your donations will be supporting the Centre’s Programming and Services.

ABBOTSFORD SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTRE (950 Bank St., Tel.: 613-230-5730) LEARN & EXPLORE SPEAKER’S SERIES, Wednesdays, 1–2.30 p.m. APR 17: Jody Maffett is a self-employed graphic designer with a background in journalism. In 2015, her 79- year-old father suffered a traumatic brain injury while curling, something that could happen to anyone. While he had all his legal papers in order, it was up to Jody and her sister to sort out all of his “stuff.” Then, after Jody had her own mishap last summer, she created a journal for her kids with all of her own “stuff” listed. She recently published a cheeky end-of-life workbook called “It’s been nice but now I’m dead, or just really, really sick,” Jody will talk about “stuff” and how to start the conversation with your loved ones.

LIVE only. APR 24: Nick Karrandjas from Ottawa General Contractors will be speaking about the new zoning changes, coach homes (ADU’s), modifying your home for multigenerational living, and aging in place. Many of us are wondering about next steps, ‘should I stay or should I go.’ Nick will help clarify some of our burning questions. It will be held LIVE and on ZOOM simultaneously. May 1: Debbie Charbonneau and Valerie Oldfield are Death Doulas. They will present on what Death Doulas do as well as how they can be a vital support to clients, caregivers and families at the-end-of-life, whether a natural death or a MAID death. Our own

death and/or the death of a loved one can be a difficult topic, let’s begin the conversation with the help of these compassionate professionals and find out how to access Death Doulas. It will be held LIVE and on ZOOM simultaneously. MAY 8: Pat McLaughlin is a member and volunteer who has facilitated two sessions of Poetry Workshops for members as part of Abbotsford programming. She and some of her students will be on hand to read excerpts from their creations and challenge us to a bit of fun by writing a verse or two ourselves. Roses are red, poetry is fun. LIVE only. The lectures are free, but one must register in advance for a seat or ZOOM link. Tea/coffee and treats available for purchase in the dining room courtesy of your Members Council.

COFFEE HOUSES ON SUSTAINABILITY are open from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Glebe Community Centre. The topics covered are: Sat., Apr. 27: Transportation, Sun., May 5: Responsible Consumption, Sat., June 8: Climate Risk, Basement Flooding (N.B.: this one will be held at the Jim Durrell Recreation Centre, 1265 Walkley Rd.) For more information or to register for these free events, please go to www.eventbrite.com/cc/ coffee-houses-on-sustainability-2828129

GIL’S HOOTENANNY Singer-songwriter and legendary song leader Annie Patterson headlines the 15th annual Gil’s Hootenanny on Wed., May 1, starting at 7 p.m. at the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa, 30 Cleary Ave. Tickets are $20 (kids free). Information & tickets: www.gilshootenanny. ca & Facebook.

Mingle & network at Ottawa’s finest spring event, MARTINI MADNESS 16th annual, Thurs. May 2, 6 p.m. at Lago on Dow’s Lake. Your attendance raises funds & awareness for transformative IBD research. Tickets include gourmet dinner stations, live music, local art and of course, martinis! For info & Early Bird Ticket pricing, visit www.martinimadness.ca. Follow event updates @martinimadnessottawa, Crohn’s & Colitis Canada’s Ottawa-Gatineau Chapter.

MAY FIBRE FLING EXHIBITION & SALE Out-ofthe-Box Fibre Artists host the ever-popular Spring Fibre Fling this year on Friday, May 3 (10 a.m–5 p.m.) and Saturday, May 4 (10 a.m.–4 p.m.) at Kitchissippi United Church, 630 Island Park Dr. Ottawa and area fibre artists will be displaying original artworks and offering their wares for sale – just in time to find that perfect Mother’s Day gift! The wide range of items includes cards, embroidery paintings, wall hangings, purses, silk scarves and much more. The $5 admission goes directly to the Ottawa Food Bank and the Stephen Lewis Foundation.

street address and phone number to

OLD OTTAWA SOUTH GARDEN CLUB MEETING, Old Ottawa South Community Centre (The Firehall), 260 Sunnyside Ave., Tues., May 14, 7 p.m.: Ecological Gardening. After decades of conventional gardening, Sundaura Alford-Purvis, owner of “A Cultivated Art” (www.acultivatedart.com), has transitioned from conventional gardening to tending native plants to foster thriving plant communities. Based on ecological gardening principles, she will share her learning and offer advice on combining native species into communities according to their ecosystem specialization. - Membership: $25 per year, $40 for a family, drop-in fee $7 (Taxes not included) per meeting. Info: 613-247-4946 or info@oldottawasouth.ca

PROBUS Ottawa is welcoming new members from the Glebe and environs. Join your fellow retirees, near retirees and want-to-be retirees for interesting speakers and discussions, not to mention relaxed socializing. See our website: www.probusoav.ca for more detailed information about the club and its activities as well as contact points and membership information. We will be meeting on Wed., April 24 at 10 a.m. at Gloucester Presbyterian Church, 91 Pike St. for a presentation about the “Diefenbunker and Museum.”

RAIN BARREL FUNDRAISING SALE in Support of the 61st Newfoundland 2024 Trip Unit of Girl Guides of Canada (local unit travelling to Nfld this summer!) $65 Rain Barrels – Up to 75% off retail price! Order online by April 26 (pick up date May 3) at rainbarrel.ca/61stnewfoundland/. Rain Barrel Pick Up Details: Friday May 3, 4–7 p.m., 32 Gary Ave, Nepean. *Local Delivery available (choose at check out). For additional information, contact: Jessica Scallen, 613-277-6835 or jessicascallen@ gmail.com

RUMMAGE SALE, Parkdale United Church, 29 Parkdale Ave, Sat., April 27, 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Use Gladstone Parking lot entrance. Clothing, shoes, books, toys, puzzles, household items, linen, electronics, sports equipment and more. Bring your own cloth bags. 613-728-8656. www.parkdaleunitedchurch.ca

FOR SALE

Beautiful antique mahogany Duncan Fyfe DINING ROOM TABLE 72” x 42” wide x 28” high, incl. one extension leaf: $925. Call 613-261-4504. Antique 19 th century OVAL MIRROR black hand forged, 29” x 16.5” from France: $175. Call 613-261-4504.

Three large OAK PLANTERS (new) from authentic whisky barrels, secured rings: $195. Can be delivered in the Glebe. Please call 613-261-4504.

VISITORS FROM OUT OF TOWN IN MAY OR JUNE?

Furnished, fully-equipped two-bedroom apartment with roof deck for rent in the Glebe, minimum 30 day rental period. Reasonable rates. Roof deck, parking, bicycle storage, WiFi, Fibe TV, all utilities included, except Hydro.

Call Hugh or Carolynne at 613-233-9455 for availability and details.

RUSSELL ADAMS PLUMBER

613-978-5682

Home renos and repair — interior/ exterior painting; all types of flooring; drywall repair and installation; plumbing repairs and much more.

Please call Jamie Nininger @ 613 852-8511.

FURNISHED APARTMENT FOR RENT

SEPTEMBER 1, 2024

Furnished, fully-equipped two-bedroom apartment for rent in the Glebe. Roof deck, parking, bicycle storage, WiFi, Fibe TV, all utilities included, except Hydro.

Call Hugh or Carolynne at 613-233-9455 for availability and details.