Ten people forced from their homes on Fourth Avenue near Lyon by a devastating fire in early July have all managed to find temporary housing in the Glebe, thanks to the efforts of family, friends and the neighbourhood.
Within hours of the blaze, Anne Curtner posted on Being Neighbourly The Glebe, a local Facebook group, in what turned out to be a successful search for an apartment that her elderly parents can stay in while their house is repaired.
“My parents are so relieved that everyone is alright, that pets and people are safe,” Curtner said in an interview. “They were away when the fire happened. Nobody wants to experience something like this, but it really helps knowing that there was a groundswell of community support. We are so grateful.”
Flames erupted around 10:37 on Saturday, July 5, prompting 911 calls about the visible smoke and fire. Residents say the blaze started in an attached garage and quickly spread to the four semi-detached houses, several outdoor decks and a garage.
Firefighters responded quickly and made two quick calls for reinforcements. Executing an “aggressive” attack by pulling down ceilings, opening walls and cutting holes in roofs, they were able to bring the three-alarm fire under control shortly after 11 p.m.
On Facebook, Carole Tremblay described the terror and confusion as shouts of “Fire!” rang out in the street and someone helped her scramble to get out of her house.
“I don’t know exactly who knocked on the door to get us all out,” she wrote. “I don’t know in which arms I cried. Who lent us a bottle of water, T-shirt, flip flops. If you recognized yourself, we are extremely grateful, we are infinitely grateful. Your generosity and goodness made us cry.”
One bystander, a 60-year-old woman, suffered minor injuries while watching the fire, but no one else was hurt.
The next morning, police still surrounded the site. From Fourth Avenue, broken windows and holes in the roofs were evident, but the view behind the houses from Lyon Street was even more chilling – the charred and tangled remains of decks, garages and a burned-out car.
If there is a silver lining to this story, it is the incredible outpouring of community support.
“The Glebe is a wonderful and responsive community,” says June Creelman, vice-president of the Glebe Community Association. “Almost immediately, I was receiving offers of
support for those impacted by the fire.”
Creelman sent out a series of emails and received a flood of offers for supplies, clothing and leads on accommodation within the neighbourhood.
Ottawa Centre MP Yasir Naqvi visited the site the day after the fire and praised the quick response of the community in offering to help.
“The damage was a reminder of how we need one another in difficult times,” he posted on Facebook. “I was moved by the community stepping up – calling, visiting and offering homes to help.”
According to neighbours, the extensive damage to the homes is likely to take up to a year to repair. They will need to be stripped down to the studs due to extensive smoke and water damage.
Jessie-Lee Wallace is a writer, non-profit leader and volunteer who believes in the strength of local community. She lives in the Glebe Annex.
Scenes from the fire that took place on the evening of July 5 on Fourth Avenue near Lyon The community responded with offers of support for the fire victims
By Elaine Marlin
Most people in the Glebe are familiar with Sylvia Holden Park, behind the firehall near Lansdowne Park. Who was she and why was a park named in her honour?
People who lived in the Glebe in the late 60s until the 90s will remember this cheerful, friendly but determined woman as a key community activist.
Many will also remember that it was Sylvia who introduced them to the Glebe Community Association when it was a small organization or to the fledgling Glebe Report in the early 70s. She was extremely active in both organizations.
“Introduced” may not be quite the word. “Roped in” or “infected with her enthusiasm” may be more accurate.
Advocating for park space was one of her passions. She brought many people together to plan and push for more recreational amenities. The land along the south side of Holmwood Avenue between Bank Street and
O’Connor Street was originally designated as a park in her honour by the City of Ottawa.
About 85 trees were planted there by community volunteers in cooperation with the city. It was a shady space enjoyed by many for picnics with the food purchased at the Farmers Market or simply to socialize.
But as part of the Lansdowne Park redevelopment in 2012, that strip of land was designated for housing, and the trees were cut down. So, the designation Sylvia Holden Park was changed by the City to a new location – the current space with the wading pool, playground and basketball courts near Fifth and O’Connor.
The activity that I remember most was her groundbreaking efforts to establish city recycling. Along with Esther Luke and others, Sylvia cajoled McKeen’s IGA, now Metro, to give over part of their parking lot, now a parking garage, to be used as a depot for residents to bring newspapers, cans and bottles for recycling. This effort led
to a pilot project for curbside recycling. It was the beginning of what we now refer to as the blue, black and green bins we dutifully put out on garbage pickup days.
For many years, Sylvia, her husband Clem and their two sons, Jeff and Albert, lived on Renfrew Avenue. Clem was also civic minded and involved in many neighbourhood causes, especially putting up lawn signs for elections. An avid cross-country skier who was active long after retirement age, he once remarked when skiing in the Gatineau hills while watching younger men speed by: “I don’t want to be the fastest skier around the trails. I want to be the oldest.”
When Sylvia’s mother needed care and support and the boys had grown up and moved away, Sylvia and Clem moved to her hometown of Burlington, Vermont.
There, they continued to be physically, socially and politically active.
Sylvia in her 80s would take a bus to Washington to rally against or for a cause she cared about.
In 2023, after Clem had died at the age of 97, Albert took his mother to Ottawa for one last visit.
My husband Randal and I spent a long, five-hour lunch reminiscing and sharing all the recent news with Albert and Sylvia.
Albert was an excellent trip manager. He organized many meetings for her with old friends in old haunts, including the Glebe Community Centre, the Glebe Report (see the November 2023 issue) and Abbotsford.
A note in an obituary published in a local Burlington publication Seven Days will bring a smile of recognition to those who encountered Sylvia when she lived in the Glebe.
“In her very long life she was known for flitting about Burlington in a little red car to deliver flowers, chocolates, books, magazines and other small comforts to people she knew and some she did not.” And, in my memory, neighbours and friends regularly received clippings and brochures dropped off on our doorsteps to read and discuss in those pre-internet days.
Sylvia Heininger Holden, born November 22, 1929, enjoyed good health and a lively mind until close to the end of her life. She died on June 5, 2024.
Elaine Marlin is a long-time Glebe resident active in community affairs, a former editor of the Glebe Report and a friend of Sylvia Holden.
Sylvia Holden, centre, with her son Albert (left) and Randal Marlin, on her last visit to Ottawa in 2023 Sylvia Holden was a pioneering Glebe activist from the seminal 1970s up to the 1990s She campaigned tirelessly for parks, trees, recycling and other ground-breaking causes Her influence on the shaping of the Glebe was profound
By Alan Freeman
Dr. Jill Fulcher, a hematologist who lives on Powell Avenue, is accustomed to loud noise. From her office window at the Ottawa Hospital, she frequently hears the intense racket of emergency helicopters landing with patients.
But in recent months, that kind of noise has invaded her home on Powell Avenue. According to Dr. Fulcher and scores of residents in the neighbourhood, the din comes from rooftop air-conditioning equipment at The Clemow, a new 17-storey apartment building on Carling Avenue.
Dr. Fulcher says the noise is even worse than a chopper because it’s constant. “I work as a physician caring for people with leukemia,” she says. “My backyard was a place where I found peace in the morning over coffee in preparation for the workday ahead.”
But the ambient noise is so intolerable that she now avoids her garden – “I have lost my peaceful place.”
“It’s brutal,” says Heather Irwin, who lives on Clemow Avenue between Percy and Bronson. The noise is a “gut punch” each time she steps outside.
“It’s like there’s a kid with a drone who won’t go away.”
From Renfrew Avenue south to the avenues and in the Glebe Annex, residents are staying inside and closing their windows, even on hot days. John Sims on Second Avenue and Powell resident Paul Jenkins are spearheading a grassroots effort to get the owner of The Clemow, KTS Properties, to rectify the problem. They’ve complained to the City and hired their own acoustic engineer.
The Glebe Community Association is calling on KTS to take mitigation measures, noting that excess noise
The Clemow clamour
“has been linked to a range of negative physical and mental health outcomes, including heightened stress, sleep disturbance and impaired concentration.”
The City’s bylaw office says it has received 59 complaints related to The Clemow and sent officers to take readings but has observed no violations of the 50-decibel limit. It is continuing to work with The Clemow’s owner to explore “potential ways to reduce the noise.”
Councillor Shawn Menard says the City can’t force KTS to act because there’s no legal ground to do so. He has yet to meet personally with residents but says he and his staff are working “non-stop” to find a solution.
As for KTS, it insists it is complying with the rules. In a statement to the Glebe Report, Tanya Chowieiri, a partner in the family-controlled firm, said both the City’s bylaw staff and a testing firm hired by KTS “confirm our
systems are operating within the City of Ottawa’s Environmental Noise Control Guidelines.”
Chowieri said compliance with regulations is “just the baseline,” adding that the company is “actively exploring additional noise abatement measures to further reduce any impact on the surrounding community.” There are no details yet about any measures or timeline.
Residents are frustrated. Jason Christie, a neighbour of Dr. Fulcher, complained about the noise in May. Two bylaw officers turned up on May 13, when temperatures hit a high of 26 degrees. Christie says they captured a reading above 50 decibels and told him they believed there was a violation.
Five days later, another bylaw officer returned at 3 a.m. when records show it had cooled to about 12 degrees – it was unclear whether the AC at The Clemow was even running at the time. The officer wrote Christie that the “newer more
OTTAWA’S ‘JEKYLL AND HYDE’ PERSONALITY
By John Richardson
In Robert Louis Stevenson’s famous 1886 novella, Dr. Henry Jekyll develops a potion that allows him to split into two different personalities. One is good and the other is an embodiment of the doctor’s darker impulses. I see something similar at work in Ottawa.
On the side of kind-hearted Dr. Jekyll, fabulous new NCC facilities are deeply rooted in a humanistic view of city living. The Ottawa River House, Kìwekì Point, Westboro Beach and the Dow’s Lake swimming area provide innovative ways for the public to enjoy the wonder of our waterways.
On the side of evil Mr. Hyde, the City of Ottawa’s apparent commitment to the interests of developers and disregard for residents’ quality of life. My example? The ongoing case of The Clemow, a new, 50-plus, rental highrise at 275 Carling Avenue near Bronson, where the city permits a row of eight, unshielded rooftop air conditioning units to blast the surrounding neighbourhood with 24/7 noise pollution.
The Clemow’s online Google reviews offer a glimpse of neighbourhood frustration at this aural assault. “For the last few weeks, I was wondering why helicopters were constantly hovering, only to realize it’s the AC of this building. I am blocks away on Third Avenue, so it is loud!” writes one resident.
“The noise of the air conditioners has totally taken away my enjoyment of working in my garden and eating in my backyard,” writes another. “It is difficult to carry on a conversation with the constant helicopter like drone.” And from a third: “Intensification we all get, but surely it can be done without destroying the livability of our neighbourhoods.”
Section 5 of Bylaw No. 2017-255 forbids “any air conditioner, heat pump, compressor, condenser, chiller, cooling tower or similar device, the noise from which has a level greater than 50 dB(A) when measured at the point of reception.” While The Clemow causes readings of 50 to 60 dB (decibels) on Powell Avenue, Clemow Avenue, Glebe Avenue and beyond, bylaw officers refuse to
accurate noise reading” showed no violation, so he closed the case because it was “frivolous.” Says Christie, “To me, it highlights that bylaw didn’t take this seriously and seemed to want to close the file.”
The dispute echoes one 15 years ago when local residents complained about noise from AC units at the Lord Lansdowne retirement home on Bank Street. After a concerted campaign, the landlord installed panels around the equipment, and the issue was apparently resolved.
KTS Properties is a sister company to Katasa Group, a developer based in Gatineau controlled by the Chowieri family. In addition to The Clemow, KTS owns the adjacent office building at Carling and Bronson, which it plans to convert to residential use.
KTS also owns a large vacant lot across Carling where it got Council approval in 2023 to build a 22-storey apartment tower. A controversy erupted in 2024 when it was disclosed that the developer had agreed to provide $300,000 as a “voluntary contribution” for affordable housing and traffic improvements in an arrangement negotiated by Shawn Menard. Katasa rescinded the offer after Council determined the money should be spread across the city rather than be linked to a specific project or ward. KTS says the proposed high rise is still in the planning stages.
The prospect of problems at future KTS developments is another reason why local residents want to resolve the current one at The Clemow.
Alan Freeman is a journalist, columnist and academic who lives in the Glebe and is also bothered by the noise.
act. They have provided residents a bewildering array of responses:
1. In spite of the bylaw, 50 dB is not enough to trigger an infraction. Readings must be at least 60 dB to take ambient noise into account.
2. The math involved in filtering out the effect of ambient noise is too complicated to explain. Residents can ask bylaw officers to do readings, but there will most likely never be an infraction.
3. The sound measurement is best done inside a house with the windows closed.
4. Only the bylaw officer’s device can be used to assess noise. It is a very expensive, highly specialized equipment that residents could never acquire.
5. For an infraction to occur, a reading must be over the noise limit for a prolonged period.
The Bylaw and Regulatory Service’s refusal to support residents’ quality of life concerns was most clearly seen
when an officer conducted a reading on Powell Avenue on May 18 at 3 a.m. when the temperature had dipped to 12 degrees and The Clemow’s AC units were switched off. The officer wrote to residents that there was no noise violation, his decision was final, the case was closed, and their complaints were “frivolous.”
At the end of Stevenson’s novella, Dr. Jekyll’s dark side takes control. In Ottawa, the struggle between civic-mindedness and profit-driven greed continues. Which will win out – the city that puts people and quality of life first as seen in the NCC facilities? Or the city that lets developers undermine the quality of life by bombarding neighbourhoods with noise as seen with The Clemow? As citizens and voters, let’s choose Jekyll over Hyde by demanding that residents always come first.
John M. Richardson teaches at the uOttawa faculty of education.
The Clemow, a new 17-storey apartment building on Carling near Bronson, is the subject of numerous complaints from Glebe residents of noise pollution from air conditioners on the roof
PHOTO: JOHN RICHARDSON
A Glimpse of the Glebe
Contributors this month
IVA APOSTOLOVA
MATTHEW BERGERON
JOHN BOND
RONNIE R. BROWN
LINDA BRUCE
BEN CAMPBELL-ROSSER
DENIS CARO
SYLVIE CHARTRAND
KATHLEEN CONNOR
CORY CONTY
JUNE CREELMAN
JOHN CRUMP
GABRIELLE DALLAPORTA
JOHN DANCE
ELLYN DUKE WATSON
EILEEN DURAND
RUBY EWEN
SEAMUS GALLAGHER
BOB GERNON
JOSEPH GIBSON-KING
PAT GOYECHE
KRISTIN GREENACRE
DANNY HANDELMAN
PAUL JENKINS
MAUREEN KORP
CELINE LANGEVIN
RUTH LATTA
JOHN LAW
TAMARA LEVINE
PATRICIA LIGHTFOOT
PHILLIP LIGHTFOOT
DAVE LONGBOTTOM
JIM LOUTER
COOPER LOVE
ELAINE MARLIN
SUZANNE MCCARTHY
CAITLIN MCKINLAY
CATHERINE MCKENNEY
SHAWN MENARD
JOHN MEISSNER
JAY MILLER
YASIR NAQVI
RALPH NEVINS
JANET NISBET
JOSH RACHLIS
PAIGE RAYMOND
KATE REEKIE
SUE REIVE
JOHN RICHARDSON
MARISA ROMANO
SARAH ROUTLIFFE
DOUG RUTHERFORD
GAIL MARLENE
SCHWARTZ
SUE STEFKO
KYLIE TAGGART
JENNIFER TILLER
ANDREA TOMKINS
MARY TSAI
DEBORAH-ANNE TUNNEY
ZOSIA VANDERVEEN
JESSIE-LEE WALLACE
CHRISTINE WALSH
EMILY WALSH
CAROLINE WARBURTON
DELLA WILKINSON
CHARLES ZAVE
ZEUS
Editorial
WATER PLAY
The NCC’s current push to create places for people to play by the water is a great advance in Ottawa’s congeniality index (not a thing, I made that up).
What with River House for swimming and sitting (and soon relaxing in a floating sauna!) and taverns and bistros at various locations on the water or at least near the water, the NCC has succeeded in making Ottawa’s abundant rivers and lakes a thousand times more attractive. The list of establishments includes the Tavern on the Hill at Major’s Hill Park, Tavern on the Falls at Rideau Falls, Tavern on the Lake at Lac Leamy, the Westboro Beach Club, Tavern on the Island at Bate Island, the Remic Rapids Bistro, Patterson’s Creek Bistro and the pop-up bar at Dow’s Lake (our home turf!) and bistros in Confederation Park and at Hog’s Back Falls. My only quibble with these places (admittedly a big one) is the relatively low-end food choices – I’m sure they could do better.
Add to these the recent introduction of swimming at Dow’s Lake, and you have an astonishing lineup of waterbased innovations!
Swimming at Dow’s Lake is truly evidence of innovative thinking. I’m pretty sure we’ve all believed over the years that the Canal and Dow’s Lake are unfit for human immersion. But someone, somewhere in the NCC had the audacity to question this long-held understanding of the world.
They may have asked themselves “where’s the evidence? The water should be the same as the Rideau River, and do we not swim at Moonie’s Bay on the Rideau?” They brought in scientists with their water-quality tests, and voila – it’s A-OK for swimming!
But there’s no denying – the idea of swimming in Dow’s Lake clearly raises the ick factor and that is hard to shake. Maybe with time, the psychological barrier of ick will fade.
I’m working on it. And in time, on sun-drenched summer afternoons or hot, sweltering evenings, we’ll all be able to enjoy a refreshing dip in the Glebe-adjacent waters of Dow’s Lake!
–Liz McKeen
Established in 1973, the Glebe Report, published by the Glebe Report Association, is a monthly not-forprofit community newspaper with a circulation of 7,500 copies It is delivered free to Glebe homes and businesses Advertising from merchants in the Glebe and elsewhere pays all its costs, and the paper receives no government grants or direct subsidies The Glebe Report is made available at select locations such as the Glebe Community Centre, the Old Ottawa South Community Centre and Brewer Pool, and is printed by Winchester Print www.glebereport.ca
PROOFREADERS................ Martha Bowers, Jennifer D'Costa, Jeanette Rive
AREA CAPTAINS................. Martha Bowers, Bob Brocklebank, Judy Field, Deb Hogan & Dave Yurach, Lynn & Dave Johnston, Elena Kastritsa, Brenda Perras, Julie Stephens, Della Wilkinson
The Glebe Report strives to be inclusive and to represent the full diversity of the community we serve.
Ackerman-Katz Family, Jennie Aliman, Baily Alyman, Lawrence Ambler, Nico Arabackyj, Aubry family, Gaja Bartosik, Alessandra & Stefania Bartucci, Selena Beattie, Adrian Becklumb, Joanne Benoit, Carolyn Best, Daisy & Nettie Bonsall, Martha Bowers, Bowie family, Bridgett family, Bob Brocklebank, Naomi and Audrey Cabassu, Ben Campbell-Rosser, Nico Cauchi, Bill Congdon, Chiu-Panczyk Family, Sebastian, Cameron & Anna Cino, Claypool Family, JJ Comptois, June Creelman, Marni Crossley, Olivia Dance, Mark Dance, Dawson family, Richard DesRochers, Davies Family, Roslyn Demarsh, Marilyn Deschamps, Diekmeyer-Bastianon family, Dingle family, Delia Elkin, Patrick Farley, James & Oliver Frank, Judy Field, Federico Family, The Foo Family, Liane Gallop, Joann Garbig, Camilo Velez Gorman, Barbara Greenwood, Marjolein Groenevelt, Oliver, Martin, Sarah & Simon Hicks, Cheryle Hothersall, Jennifer Humphries, Sandiso Johnston, Tani, Pete & Bryce NisbetJones, Jungclaus Family, Elena Kastritsa, Kasper Raji Kermany, Michael Khare, Lambert family, Fenton & Cora Hui Litster, Leith and Lulu Lambert, Kathleen Larocque, Brams and Jane Leswick, Alison Lobsinger, Aanika, Jaiden and Vinay Lodha, Andy Lunney, Vanessa Lyon, Pat Marshall, Paul McA, Catherine McArthur, Ian McKercher, John and Helen Marsland, Matthew McLinton, Josephine & Elise Meloche, Julie Monaghan, Vivian Moulds, Karen Mount, Diane Munier, Benjamin Munter-Recto, Rafi Naqvi, Imogen & Maddy North, Xavier and Heath Nuss, Sachiko Okuda, Nicholas & Reuben Ott, Matteo and Adriano Padoin-Castillo, Finn Pedersen, Brenda Perras, Brenda Quinlan, Annabel and Joseph Quon, Beatrice Raffoul, Bruce Rayfuse, Kate Reekie, Thomas Reevely, Mary & Steve Reid, Jacqueline Reilly-King, Anna Roper, Frank Schreiner, Short family, Cathy Simons, Andrew Soares, Stephenson family, Elsie Sutherland, Cameron & Quinn Swords, Ruth Swyers, Tomlin Boys, 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, Berkan Yazici, Martin Zak.
WELCOME TO:
Benjamin Munter-Recto Ackerman-Katz Family Finn Pedersen
THANKS AND FAREWELL: Deka Simon
Jamie, Alexander & Louisa Lem Catherine Lawr
CARRIERS
If
Swimming from the NCC dock at Dow’s Lake PHOTO: LIZ MCKEEN
Noise from The Clemow a health risk
Editor, Glebe Report
The noise pollution from The Clemow high rise is appropriately receiving increasing public attention. Much of the focus has been on measurement of noise levels, with city Bylaw staff dismissing our community’s concerns by claiming that The Clemow is within code. This has been questioned on several fronts. But importantly, such measurements are just at a point in time.
There is considerable peer-reviewed research showing that persistent, cumulative exposure to noise pollution, even at so-called acceptable bylaw levels, can have serious consequences for both mental and cardiovascular health.
From a mental health perspective, research shows continuous exposure to relatively high noise levels has been strongly linked to increased stress, anxiety and sleep disturbances and decreased cognitive performance. The brain’s constant reaction to unwanted sound disrupts normal psychological functioning, leading to a heightened risk of depression and emotional fatigue. In children, it can impair learning and memory; in adults, it may reduce productivity.
Just as alarmingly, cardiovascular health is also at risk. Studies have shown that persistent noise exposure, especially at night, activates the body’s stress response, leading to elevated levels of cortisol and adrenaline. These hormonal changes can increase blood pressure, damage blood vessels and accelerate the development of heart disease. Individuals exposed to chronic noise pollution are at greater risk for hypertension, heart attacks and stroke.
Testimonials from our neighbours clearly show the serious consequences for our community’s overall well-being: a hematologist has lost her peaceful place to prepare for her workday caring for leukemia patients; parents see negative consequences for their children; volunteers providing services across Ottawa are fighting sleep disturbances and mental fatigue.
Each testimonial points to the same conclusion. Given these serious health implications, it is crucial to take noise pollution seriously – not just as a nuisance, but as a public health risk. It’s time for City Council, City engineers and The Clemow to step up to do the right thing – install effective sound barriers now.
Paul Jenkins
New requirements for heat pump refrigerant
Editor, Glebe Report
Use of heat pumps is on the rise, with an eye to reducing emissions.
Unfortunately, most heat pumps sold in Canada have used the R-410a refrigerant, which has a global warming potential 2,088 times higher than carbon dioxide.
But there is good news: R-410a is being phased out in many countries, including Canada, to be replaced with something less harmful to the environment.
In fact, this year, the use of R410a refrigerant in new HVAC systems will be prohibited across Canada. This regulatory change is aligned with new Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) requirements, known as SEER2.
What does this mean for you if you are looking at acquiring a heat pump? If possible, hold off on your purchase a bit and avoid acquiring a heat pump that uses R-410a!
If you already have a heat pump installed that uses R410a, please be very careful when it comes time to recharge or scrap the unit – even a little leak of the refrigerant is extremely harmful for our atmosphere.
Jay Miller
Correction
In the article “The Legacy of Sarah Pouliot,” (Glebe Report, June 2025), the colour photo in the centre of the page should be labelled “Sarah (right), in India.”
On reading
Editor, Glebe Report
Reading liberates the mind, soul and spirit. It teaches one to live in the present moment, learn from one’s past experiences and cry out in joy for the future. It strengthens friendship and conversations which become lived experiences and then stories to be recounted. Most of all, reading heals wounds and impassions one’s thoughts and actions to support others. It improves memories of love and fairness and, depending on what one is reading, it harnesses undesirable urges by expanding vocabulary and connection with one’s emotions. All to say, there is nothing to ease the mind in peace and community like a good book to enhance the utility of one’s possessions, making oneself happy.
Danny Handelman
GLEBE REPORT
COVER ART
As a Glebe artist – amateur or professional –would you like to have your artwork featured on a future cover of the Glebe Report?
The Glebe Report is seeking photographs of visual art suitable for use on its covers The photo should be a clear, horizontal, rectangular photo of artwork that is appropriate to the season, colourful and preferably features a scene or event associated with the Glebe (Compensation is not available )
Please email your photo as a separate highres jpeg file to editor@glebereport.ca
Castles built of sand
Editor, Glebe Report
It makes me sad when I see high quality homes being demolished in the Glebe so that rental properties can be built in their place. Instead of individuals being able to purchase their future residence, corporate interests are buying up the properties and churning out rentals. Expensive rentals that ensure that young families in particular can never save enough to own their homes.
It is important that we offer the next generation a chance at home ownership and give our young families a path forward to a sound investment in their future retirement. This is achieved by putting limits on the amount of corporate-owned rental units being built. Corporate buyouts are preventing families from either finding affordable rent or owning their own homes.
These multi units increase traffic and congestion, create a lack of green space and decrease personal privacy. As a structural expert, I see no reason to tear down most homes in the Glebe that are presently being considered for demolition.
So, what is the solution? If you are thinking of selling your home, make sure the new purchaser is a private citizen and not an investment group. This one act will help preserve the Glebe as we know and appreciate it as an outstanding community to live in.
Charles Zave
Sultan Ahmet Turkish Cuisine at 575 Bank Street was listed erroneously by Google as closed but was in fact open at the time. It has since closed.
Last Train to Delhi at 103 Fourth Avenue has closed. “I regret to inform you that I will no longer be running the restaurant. For the future I will be changing business models and doing catering on my own time.” (Chef Surinder Singh on Facebook)
D’Or Thrift Shop at 857B Bank Street is closed.
Siam Bistro opening soon at 925 Bank Street, former home of the Taj Mahal of the Glebe.
Insomnia Cookies, known for latenight cookie delivery for those with late-night cravings, especially students, is opening soon at the corner of Bank and Fifth. It is now hiring.
Luxe Blooms Flower Café (formerly in the Market) opened on July 18 at 200 Marché Way, Unit 103, Lansdowne. A combination flower shop and coffee shop.
Mandy’s Gourmet Salads is set to open at 581 Bank Street on August 15.
Poulet Rouge is now open at 900 Bank Street. “Customized grilled chicken bowls.”
Coming soon to Bank Street at Lansdowne
COMING SOON The Glebe House Tour!
By Caroline Warburton, with photos by Suzanne McCarthy
Join us on Sunday, September 21 from 1 to 4 p.m. for a special opportunity to tour homes in Ottawa’s historic Glebe neighbourhood.
Due to the recent fire on Fourth Avenue, one of our original participants is no longer able to open their home for this year’s tour. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the family during this difficult time.
Thanks to the swift efforts of our volunteer team and the generosity of two additional homeowners, we are pleased to confirm that this year’s tour will feature six homes, one more than usual.
We’re deeply grateful to all the homeowners who so graciously open their doors and to the dedicated volunteers who make the Glebe House Tour possible.
Your ticket grants you access to these beautifully curated homes and helps support a subsidy program for Ottawa families and children with special needs, allowing them to take part in programs offered by the Glebe Neighbourhood Activities Group (GNAG).
This self-guided tour lets you explore at your own pace, with knowledgeable volunteers at each home to
answer your questions. Stroll through the neighbourhood or hop on our complimentary shuttle bus. Afterward, relax at the Glebe Community Centre between 2:30 and 5 p.m. with a complimentary tea service and delicious homemade baked goods.
Tickets are $40 in advance and $45 on the day of the event and are available at the Glebe Community Centre or online at gnag.ca under the “Events” section. Children 12 and older require their own ticket. Babies in arms are welcome free of charge. Tickets are limited – get yours early!
We are looking for additional volunteers to help on the day of the tour. Volunteers will arrive at their assigned home around 12 noon and stay until just after 4 p.m. The house leader will assign each volunteer a room and provide notes with key details to share. When visitors arrive, volunteers answer their questions and help manage the traffic flow in the house. At the end of the tour, volunteers are invited to join us for tea at the Glebe Community Centre.
For more information about volunteering, please contact clare@ gnag.ca.
Caroline Warburton and Suzanne McCarthy are long-time organizers of the annual Glebe House Tour.
9 Monkland Avenue
Just steps from the canal and Queen Elizabeth Driveway, this home is a classic example of early 20th-century Tudor Revival architecture, featuring an asymmetrical façade, prominent chimney, exposed wood beams and plaster walls. Historic details like the iron staircase railing and leaded-glass windows have been preserved, while tasteful renovations – such as a curvedline kitchen with a breakfast nook and a spa-like bathroom with heated floors – honour the home’s Tudor charm. Decor blends designer, antique and Mediterranean-inspired pieces, with art and even an olive tree reflecting the family’s heritage.
38 Fourth Avenue
A life-changing fall and severe concussion left the homeowner bedridden, unable to continue her nursing career. In that difficult time, caring for her beloved pets became her lifeline, grounding her with purpose and connection. Designing creative habitats for her tortoise and gecko offered a spark of joy and mental stimulation when television and outside activities were impossible. Slowly, the home blossomed into a haven of life and happiness, enriched by her husband’s art. A mixed media artist, his work – welded metal and plaster sculptures, melted plastic canvases and custom plantfilled coffee tables – echoes her love of greenery. Their separate studio doubles as a guest house, office and home theatre, reflecting resilience, creativity and hope.
This grand semi-detached home features 10-foot ceilings and a recently rebuilt two-storey porch with a stunning three-season sunroom painted a rich, gorgeous green. Inside, a firstfloor powder room delights with pink floral wallpaper, panelling and classic black-and-white tile. The spacious main-floor living room is welcoming and comfortable, with an inviting window seat, fabulous chandelier and built-in shelves, mirrored by an equally generous second-floor family room above. Whimsical touches include a third-floor interior window offering a view down the staircase and up to a skylight, filling the space with natural light. Two sets of stairs – front and back – connect the main and second floors, adding charm and flow to this thoughtfully designed home.
This stunning home has a wide front porch perfect for people-watching on lazy afternoons. Inside, the fabulous kitchen opens to the family room, an ideal hangout for the homeowners’ children and their friends. The secondfloor outdoor space boasts a gas fireplace and seating for eight. On the third floor, the peaceful primary bedroom includes an upholstered built-in headboard. The expansive bathroom completes the suite with a huge tub perfect for unwinding. Reproductions of classic doors, handles and moulding throughout help retain the home’s wonderful character.
This lovely home was recently renovated top-to-bottom with help from Bytown Designs. Art Deco influences appear throughout, starting with striking black-and-white geometric tiles that flow into other rooms. The open main floor features a dramatic living room with deep blue walls and matching floor-to-ceiling velvet curtains. The kitchen, free of upper cabinets, feels bright and modern and is uncluttered thanks to a well-equipped butler pantry. The family room’s huge, black-framed windows overlook the backyard. On the third floor, a serene primary bedroom retreat includes an ensuite with incredible blue and stone tiles flowing seamlessly from floor to shower, creating a spa-like atmosphere. Wallpapered accent walls and original art add personality throughout.
This home beautifully blends timeless character with modern living. Skilled craftspeople from Ottawa, Stittsville and Montreal lovingly restored period details, balancing old charm with fresh design. The welcoming entrance hall features vibrant colours and original woodwork on the fireplace. A charming powder room, added in 2021, showcases elegant wallpaper and an 80-year-old period sink relocated from upstairs. The staircase and stained glass on the first landing hint at its history, while the back opens to a bright, contemporary kitchen and dining area. With over 40 years of history, including time as a doctor’s office, this home is a bright, warm and truly unique piece of Glebe heritage.
295 First Avenue
128 Fourth Avenue
231 Glebe Avenue
256 Second Avenue
LANSDOWNE 2.0 – IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO STOP IT
By June Creelman
We’ve been hearing about Lansdowne 2.0 for so long that you may have tuned out. But it’s time to tune in again. The final decision on whether to proceed will be made by City Council this fall.
Much has changed since 2022 when OSEG first proposed Lansdowne 2.0 to the City.
At the time, OSEG was losing money at Lansdowne and wanted the City to replace the sports facilities to make the site more profitable for them. This was after two years of COVID shutdowns. But a recent independent study carried out for the City by EY (formerly Ernst & Young) reports that Lansdowne has broken even in the past two years and is expected to be profitable by 2030.
Another thing that has changed is Ottawa’s financial situation. In 2024, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe declared that Ottawa was in a financial crisis. This spring, the City identified a very significant service gap of $11 billion for city infrastructure over the next 10 years. In other words, it is short $11 billion for core city assets like roads, pipes and recreation facilities. And there are never enough city funds for other priorities like housing, public transit and community services.
At the same time, we’ve learned that the costs for Lansdowne 2.0 were underestimated. The City’s Auditor General reported that the estimated cost of $419 million was too low by as
much as $73 million and the actual cost would likely be closer to $500 million. And that was before tariffs came into effect. We’ll know the real price of Lansdowne 2.0 after construction costs come in. But even at current estimates, Lansdowne will be the most expensive infrastructure project considered by City Council this term. Is Lansdowne really the number one city priority?
Personally, I wonder if Lansdowne 2.0 is a good plan at any price. Cutting the number of seats in the arena and stadium, eliminating the stadium roof, circumventing the new building code by submitting plans before April 2025, aiming low on environmental standards, removing green space, designing access routes with obvious pedestrian-vehicle conflicts and failing to even consider any transportation solutions – these are indications of a flawed planning process driven by private-sector priorities rather than public interest. It’s hard to see how this plan will make Lansdowne more successful.
Odds are that Lansdowne 2.0 will make Lansdowne less successful.
Lansdowne will be a construction site for the next seven to 10 years. The noise, dust and truck traffic (an estimated 20 trucks per hour at peak times) will make it difficult to enjoy outdoor patios or outdoor markets. The Great Lawn will be off-limits for years so there go the outdoor festivals and tobogganing. Lansdowne was deemed good enough to host King Charles. Why expose this increasingly popular and busy destination to a decade of construction when it’s only 11 years since Lansdowne was revitalized at great public expense.
Perhaps you’ve heard that the stadium and arena have been declared unsafe. This is false. Independent
engineering reports indicate that they are structurally sound and safe to use for another 40 years. To keep the facilities operational would require about a million dollars a year. And let’s not forget that OSEG has a legal obligation to maintain them until 2054 in return for their favourable $1/year lease.
Certainly, the sports facilities at Lansdowne could be updated. But there is no need to demolish them. Renovations could improve accessibility at a much more affordable price, and Lansdowne could operate for many more years before becoming a construction site again. This time could be used to come up with a better design plan.
It’s not too late to stop Lansdowne
2.0. Councillor Shawn Menard does not need to be convinced, but other councillors do. So, take a moment to contact friends who live in other parts of the city and let them know that Lansdowne 2.0 will most certainly affect them too. They may not know that the costs of Lansdowne 2.0 are being borne by the City, not by OSEG, so it’s likely to lead to higher taxes or reduced city services for everyone. They may not have considered that every dollar spent here will not be spent on other city projects. It is likely that Lansdowne 2.0 will go to Council in October – so the time to spread the word is now.
June Creelman is chair of the GCA’s Lansdowne Committee.
Lansdowne 2 0 would be a construction site for the next decade, producing an inferior arena at great cost, while displacing more important city priorities Residents in all parts of the city should know what projects and services they will lose in favour of Lansdowne Now is the time to speak out to friends and acquaintances throughout the city
Sarah Routliffe
N 613-233-8713
E info@gnag.ca gnag.ca
Here’s to another 50 years of GNAG!
As I sit in my office, smack dab in the middle of summer camp, I can hear children laughing and shouting. Fall feels a million miles away. Right now, I want freezies, sunscreen and whatever nerdy bucket hat you might catch me wearing as I wander through the Glebe.
But, as with all things, the seasons will change. Eventually, we’ll have to welcome fall into our hearts. Here’s your reminder: Fall program registration opens on August 26 at 7 p.m.
After what may be the briefest article I’ve ever written, I’ll now turn this page over to the amazing Mary Tsai, chair of our 50th anniversary committee. A huge thank you to Mary for planning the best birthday party I have ever been to. We are truly lucky to have you continuing to be such a big part of GNAG.
GNAG’s 50th Birthday Bash:
A Party to Remember!
The Glebe Neighbourhood Activities Group (GNAG) turned 50 this year and the community came together on the last weekend of May to celebrate this golden milestone in true GNAG style!
The weekend kicked off Friday night with a lively youth dance organized by Erica Nolan and her amazing youth team. Glebe teens packed the community centre with energy, excitement, and lots of dancing, which we think is the perfect way to launch the festivities. Meanwhile, I was tucked away in the next room setting up the Decades Room, listening to the music drifting in. To my surprise and joy, the teens were belting out every word of the hits
from the 70s and 80s – like they’d been raised on their parents’ (or grandparents’!) record collections. Who knew today’s youth could sing along to ABBA’s Dancing Queen or Madonna’s Vogue without missing a beat? Some songs and dance moves are clearly timeless.
On Saturday, Third Avenue was transformed into a fantastic afternoon street party. Families enjoyed a bouncy castle, preschool crafts and activities, a hayride and classic carnival games organized by GNAG’s own Glebe Leadership teens. Feddi’s Zumba Street dance got the crowd grooving, followed by showcases from GNAG’s children’s dance classes and a performance by the Mary Poppins musical theatre cast.
Musicians from this year’s Be in the Band program kept the energy high, and the daytime fun wrapped up with a crowd-pleasing set by the Uturn Singletons, the perfect finale to an unforgettable outdoor celebration.
Inside, visitors strolled through the nostalgic “Decades Room,” reflecting on GNAG’s 50-year journey in
James provides legal services to Glebe residents, offers home visits and welcomes new clients. 613 565-5297 mccullochlawyer@rogers.com
the community. Local artist Robbie Larivière of Fall Down Gallery led a collaborative art project where kids and adults contributed their creativity to 10 art panels that will soon hang in GNAG’s new youth room – a lasting reminder of this special day.
Food and treats flowed freely while roving entertainers kept smiles on every face.
As the sun set, the celebration continued indoors with an unforgettable evening party featuring Juno Award winner Kellylee Evans. The dance floor filled, the birthday cake was cut, and the community danced the night away!
This celebration was nearly a year in the making, thanks to the hard work of a dedicated volunteer planning committee. It was an honour to work alongside this incredible team – Sheri Segal Glick, Les Bunbury, SD Neve, Jennie Aliman, Clare Davidson Rogers, Sarah Routliffe, Erica Nolan and Paul O’Donnell. Thank you all for your creativity, dedication and the countless hours you gave to make this milestone event such a success.
A special shout-out to the many volunteers, past board members, friends and neighbours who generously gave their time to set up, run activities, clean up and help the day run smoothly. There
are far too many names to list, but your spirit and generosity truly define what makes this community so special.
And to GNAG’s Board of Directors, past and present, a big thank you. To those who came before: your vision and hard work built the foundation of this remarkable organization. And to the current board: your ongoing leadership ensures that GNAG continues to grow, thrive and serve our community with creativity, care and connection. This milestone celebration was possible because of the legacy you created and the dedication you carry forward. And of course, sincere thanks to our wonderful sponsors for supporting this milestone event: Ashton Brewery, Bloomfield Flowers, The City of Ottawa, Derek Wooverton, The Glebe Community Association (GCA), Il Negozio Nicastro, Ilse Kyssa, Judith Slater, Kellylee Evans, Megan Malloy, Metro Glebe, The Papery, Pelican Grill and Fishery and Zoom Photobooth.
Happy 50th, GNAG! Here’s to the next 50 years of community, creativity and connection.
Sarah Routliffe is the executive director of Glebe Neighbourhood Activities Group. Mary Tsai is the former executive director.
A fabulous community party May 31 celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Glebe Neighbourhood Activities Group
An open invitation to join the board
Annual General Meeting
All members of the Glebe Community Association (GCA) are invited to the GCA Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, September 10 at the Glebe Community Centre. This is your opportunity to learn about the many ways the GCA is working to build a liveable, sustainable and diverse urban neighbourhood. We will be electing a new board and hearing a report on last year’s activities and current finances. The business portion of the meeting will be efficient, leaving ample time to socialize with your neighbours.
The GCA is run entirely by volunteers who care about making the Glebe a great place to live. We are now looking for new board members — especially a Membership Chair, a Transportation Committee Chair and an area rep for the Lansdowne Quadrant (Fifth to Holmwood, Bank to Canal). The new board will be elected at the AGM so why not join and help make a difference in your community? To learn more, visit the board page (glebeca.ca/board/) or email the Nominations Committee at secretary@glebeca.ca.
We are also recruiting volunteers to join GCA committees. Whether your interests lie in the environment, transportation, planning, parks, communications, heritage, health, safety or community engagement, there’s a place for you to make a difference. Click on the Committees tab on the homepage to see where you might get involved!
Wrapping up the year
The first heatwave of the summer was underway as the GCA held its last
John Crump President, Glebe Community Association www.glebeca.ca
meeting of the year at the end of June. Appropriately, there were parks on the agenda.
The first was a motion requesting that the City of Ottawa effectively budget for and prioritize the building and operation of sufficient social housing with wrap-around supports to meet the needs of citizens experiencing homelessness. The motion also calls for interim housing solutions outside of City parks to meet the needs of people currently living in park encampments, and it requests the City to resolve issues related to illegal park encampments in a humane way. The GCA has pressed these points in a letter to City Council – again.
Winter rink plans
The City plans to install a boarded rink in Sylvia Holden Park and will test the rink’s popularity this winter before deciding whether to make it a permanent feature. This rink would replace the one at Mutchmor Public School after the school administration decided it no longer wanted the rink on school property.
Permanent winterized water service will be added to Sylvia Holden Park via O’Connor Street to support the operation of the rink. Temporary lights will
be installed and pointed away from homes on O’Connor.
The GCA heard concerns about this plan at its June meeting. In response, the board passed a motion requesting the City “to urgently explore an alternative location for a boarded rink at Sylvia Holden Park – such as the area between the baseball diamonds – to preserve park space and have less impact on nearby residents.” However, the City raised concerns about the impact on the diamonds, so the decision is to run the pilot in the original spot, a grassy area next to O’Connor.
The Clemow AC problem
There have been many concerns raised about the persistent noise generated by the rooftop air conditioning from the new Clemow building near the corner of Carling and Bronson. The GCA Board has heard from many residents over a wide area who have reported that the noise – particularly on warmer days – is affecting their quality of life. Following an emergency motion in early July, the GCA wrote to the building management company to urge a swift resolution to the problem.
Prolonged exposure to this kind of noise has been linked to a range of negative physical and mental health
outcomes, including heightened stress, sleep disturbance and impaired concentration. Area residents have already reported these kinds of effects. At the same time, the building residents need air conditioning. The solution seems obvious: construct baffles around the AC vents to reduce the noise.
Our July 8 letter noted our appreciation that Councillor Shawn Mendard’s office has been talking to the company, KTS Properties, and stated: “The GCA appreciates that KTS has acknowledged the issue and expressed a willingness to address it. However, to date, a clear plan and timeline for mitigation efforts has not been shared with the community. In light of the continuing impacts on nearby residents, and the apparent feasibility of practical noise-reduction solutions, we ask that KTS provide, within a reasonable timeframe, a concrete plan and schedule for implementing effective mitigation measures.”
Next Meeting
Please join us for the next GCA board meeting on Tuesday, September 23 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Glebe Community Centre. And don’t forget the AGM on the 10th, your chance to join the board.
COMPUTER HELP IN YOUR HOME
WE COME TO YOU TO fIx COMPUTER PRObLEMs.
Compu-Home is a highly regarded family business located right near you. Service is honest, reliable, affordable and prompt.
HOW CaN WE HELP YOU?
• Computer slowdowns
• Problems with Internet connections
• Spam, spyware and security programs
• Setting up and maintaining home and office networks
• Printer problems
• Helping plan, purchase and use new computer equipment
• Transferring and backing up data
• Using new digital cameras
• Coaching
info@compu-home.com
Malcolm and John Harding
Heading back to work or school? We have fabulous finds for Fall. Summer all 40-80% off.
Summer in the Glebe
New boarded rink location in the Glebe
For decades, the city has installed a boarded hockey rink in the Glebe every winter. For many years, the rink was set up in the schoolyard of Mutchmor Public School, although it had a temporary home at the St. James Tennis Club, as well.
While there are other public skating rinks in the neighbourhood, this was the only community rink with boards. It has been a popular amenity, and one which continued thanks to much work and collaboration over the years by dedicated volunteers, GNAG, community advocates, city staff and others.
Mutchmor will no longer host the rink, last year being the final season for the rink on that site. Seeking another location, city staff found that many other parks were unsuitable due to lack of water and lighting connections, among other challenges. Ultimately, the most feasible site was identified at Sylvia Holden Park along O’Connor Street.
Long-term, the city would install permanent light fixtures (pointing away from O’Connor Street), but for the upcoming 2025-26 season, no permanent changes are necessary – temporary lighting and trailer for skate changing will be installed at the park.
This gives us the ability to treat the upcoming winter as a pilot project, to see how the rink works. We want your feedback. An online consultation is live at engage.ottawa.ca. Please complete the survey if you are interested,
Shawn Menard
Councillor, Capital Ward
N 613-580-2487
www.shawnmenard.ca
or send your feedback to CapitalWard@ ottawa.ca.
The Clemow air conditioner
As many are aware, an issue has arisen in the neighbourhood about the noise coming from the air conditioners atop The Clemow, a new highrise on Carling Avenue near Bronson. The air conditioners face east across the Glebe, and residents in the vicinity have raised concerns about the noise.
This is an ongoing concern for my team, and here is where things stand at the time of writing.
Our office is actively working with residents, Bylaw Services and the management of The Clemow to resolve the issue. We requested that Bylaw Services investigate the violation of the noise bylaw. Upon their initial investigation, Bylaw Services found that the noise levels were not a violation, though they were close. This came after multiple readings were taken, both during the day and at night. More readings are being conducted during hotter summer days.
We contacted the property management directly, seeking collaboration to install noise mitigation measures. Management said they were committed to finding a solution once they determine if the noise is coming from the building and, at the time of writing, they had hired a sound engineer to review this.
The ownership of the building has
also expressed a desire to work with neighbours directly and provided the following point of contact for updates: theclemow.com/news/.
City planning staff also need to do a final inspection of the new tower, and they have confirmed that they will be reviewing a noise study that will be submitted by the building owner. This should be completed by the time you are reading this. This will be another possible means of finding a resolution. It took many years to help resolve a similar issue more than a decade ago at the Lord Lansdowne. We are doing what we can to ensure this has a quicker resolution.
Lansdowne 2.0
– what to watch for next
My team remains dedicated to keeping residents informed on this crucial issue. Here is what to watch for:
The city has still not revealed what a renegotiated partnership plan would
look like (i.e., the financial and legal relationship underpinning this public/ private partnership). This should come to light at least one month prior to any final vote on Lansdowne 2.0.
The final vote of Finance Committee and City Council is tentatively expected in October. Residents across Ottawa can register to speak out at the Finance Committee meeting.
We will see how much developers have bid for the public air/subterranean space at the park and which developer was selected to build the skyscrapers (a key question will be if there is a connection with current OSEG ownership, who wrote the Lansdowne 2.0 proposal).
My team will be holding a public forum in the fall prior to a vote on the issue. We will announce it in our newsletter and on our website once details are confirmed. You can sign up for our newsletter by emailing CapitalWard@ ottawa.ca.
Patterson’s Creek Bridge restoration
By John Dance
The Glebe’s iconic Patterson’s Creek bridge on the Queen Elizabeth Driveway is undergoing a massive restoration that will see every face-stone restored to its place but with significant improvements, notably a wider pathway.
Work on the 114-year-old structure began in earnest mid-July and will be completed next April. Vehicle detours around the structure are in place and will continue until October 31, though work will continue after that under the bridge.
Five years ago, the four unique light standards on the concrete arch bridge were removed because of deterioration, and the elaborate wrought iron balusters and their concrete cap were covered with plywood – nicely painted with the baluster image – to protect them from further corrosion and deterioration. As much as possible, the original materials will be salvaged but where the corrosion is too severe, new components will be fabricated to match the originals.
The very short bridge marks the entrance to Patterson’s Creek off the main part of the Rideau Canal and is a magical passage for adventuring skaters and paddlers through the various seasons. This winter, however, during this once-in-a-century restoration, Canal skaters will not have access to Patterson’s Creek.
Access for pedestrians and cyclists over the bridge will be maintained and
the NCC weekend bike-days program will continue as planned.
The vehicle detour requires motorists to use O’Connor or Bank, and this poses an inconvenience for those who use the Driveway as their primary north-south route through the Glebe.
As a result of the detour, the Ottawa Redblacks will not be offering shuttle bus service from Ottawa City Hall to TD Place this season. Instead, fans can park for free at the Canada Post (Riverside) and Carleton University lots and take a shuttle to games. The detour of the stretch of the Driveway between Fifth and Pretoria is scheduled to end by October 31.
According to the NCC website, new features after the work is completed include: a stronger and rehabilitated bridge, a wider multi-use pathway, repaired railings and new lighting.
The website also informs us that the Patterson’s Creek Bridge is a single-span, two-lane structure constructed circa 1911 and has heritage value. However, it is showing notable degradation due mainly to inadequate water drainage, ongoing use of road salt in winter and decades of freezethaw cycles causing frost heaves of the asphalt surface and numerous wide cracks.
John Dance is an Old Ottawa East resident and a frequent visitor to the Glebe. He reports on municipal and local affairs for The Mainstreeter and the Glebe Report
Restoration work has begun PHOTO: JOHN CRUMP
The iconic Patterson’s Creek bridge on the Queen Elizabeth Driveway is undergoing a massive restoration to ensure its integrity and widen its pedestrian/cyclist pathway This coming winter, Patterson’s Creek ice will not be accessible to Canal skaters PHOTO: JOHN DANCE
Volunteer opportunities with the Glebe Community Association
By June Creelman
Do you want to make a concrete difference in our community? Then consider volunteering for the Glebe Community Association (GCA) board or one of its committees.
For more than 50 years, the GCA has advocated to improve the livability of our neighbourhood. We focus on areas such as planning, transportation, parks, environment, heritage and more. We coordinate the Great Glebe Garage Sale, park clean ups and the monthly bottle collections.
The GCA takes on big planning issues that affect the whole neighbourhood like Lansdowne, the Bank Street Height and Character Study and the Active Transportation Study. We also work on concrete projects. Past endeavours include the dock at Patterson Creek, the toddler Exploration Park, heritage plaques and the coffee houses on sustainability.
The Glebe Community Association is an entirely volunteer-run organization.
What we do depends entirely on the drive and commitment of our volunteers. Right now, we have a few vacancies on our board and would also welcome volunteers for many committees. In particular, we are looking for individuals to chair our Membership and Transportation committees.
You do not need to be a subject-matter expert or have experience to be a GCA volunteer. We are looking for people who are willing to learn and give their time to improve the livability of our neighbourhood. If you have coordination, engagement, communications and consensus-building skills, you would be a great fit. What do you get out it? You get to meet interesting people, learn what’s going on in our community and make
a difference where you live.
If you are building your career, volunteer work with the GCA can help you develop new skills and build your resume. If you’re already established, volunteering is a way to give back. If you’re somewhere in between, the GCA can be a great complement to your current activities.
If you are new to the neighbourhood, the GCA is a great way to get connected; if you’re a long-time resident, we welcome your knowledge and insights. The GCA has helped build our community since 1967. Please join us. For more information, visit glebeca.ca or contact secretary@glebeca.ca.
June Creelman is a vice president of the Glebe Community Association.
National Grandparents Day, Sunday, September 7, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
(Rain date: Sunday, September 14)
Grandmothers Bridge Crossing
The Ottawa One World Grannies along with the Aylmer GoGos invite you to join us for a Grandmothers Bridge Crossing, an awareness-raising event on National Grandparents Day, Sunday, September 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Adawe Crossing pedestrian bridge in Strathcona Park.
Learn about the Stephen Lewis Foundation’s Grandmothers Campaign, the impact of foreign aid funding withdrawal on communities in sub-Saharan Africa and how to help to Bridge the Gap. Grannies will be available to answer questions and provide additional information. Donations will be gratefully accepted with a QR code to the Stephen Lewis Foundation.
Write messages of hope and support to the grandmothers in sub-Saharan Africa and pin them onto temporary clotheslines to demonstrate solidarity. Walk, run or ride across the Rideau River on the beautiful Adawe Crossing pedestrian bridge with new understanding and purpose.
Claudette Commanda, chancellor of the University of Ottawa, will give opening remarks at 11 a.m., followed by several city councillors.
Bring family and friends to enjoy a picnic in Strathcona Park and listen to African music. The Ottawa and Aylmer Grannies look forward to welcoming you.
Frozen leaves, a quiet life: A Glebe farewell to Jo Tickle
By Emily Walsh
“What do you think these are photos of?” I asked my mother.
For days, I had been staring at a framed set of abstract photos without knowing what I was looking at. They hung above a fireplace in my aunt’s apartment on Fifth Avenue near Bank Street. At first glance, they resembled aerial landscapes. But no, they were photos of autumn leaves, suspended in the ice at Dow’s Lake. Mid-fall, midfreeze, mid-melt. The metaphor was striking. Without my aunt, the apartment felt similarly suspended, resting in a quiet stasis.
My Aunt Jo was a local fixture. Many of you might have passed her in the neighbourhood. She lived in the same apartment at 209 Fifth Avenue for 34 years. This June, while helping my mother sort through her things, the space felt unchanged, it was as I’d remembered it. Her favourite chair was still in the corner. The books were still stacked. The small side table still held a perfectly arranged display of found objects and notebooks.
She was consistent to the point of reverence. A creature of ritual and habit, she returned to the places she loved with regularity: The Papery (her stash of stationery was astonishing); Jericho (a seeming favourite based on the years of business cards she had stashed in a drawer); Kettleman’s (toasted sesame bagel with cream cheese); Compact Music (she loved her CDs and vinyl); the local Metro (couldn’t pass up a good deal on 2-for-1 canned goods); Octopus Books and The Book Bazaar (the books . . . so many books).
She died on June 12 at the age of 72,
after living nearly four years with stage 4 lung cancer. Her decline was sudden but not surprising. Jo had already survived a massive brain tumour and surgery in 1987 when she was just 34. In recent months, she told my mother that the past 38 years had been a gift she hadn’t counted on. Perspective was something she cultivated.
How to describe someone like her? Jo was brilliant and eccentric in equal measure: a lifelong public servant with Agriculture Canada, a queer woman, a musician, a proponent of “buy nothing” and thrifting before it was trendy, and the most voracious reader I’ve ever known. She mended everything, clothes included, with duct tape. She never owned a television. She didn’t have internet at home. She resisted smartphones and “distracting technology.” Her world was analogue, tactile and shaped by intention.
Helping my mother sort through her apartment felt like wandering through the geography of her mind. Musical instruments tucked into corners. Plans for a handmade astrolabe sketched by my grandfather. Annotated theatre scripts from her time as a stage manager. Drawings for sustainable buildings. Found-object art built from items most of us would overlook. And her 38-year-old peace lily, still green and thriving.
And the books. Shelves upon shelves of them. I’ve never seen a personal library so dense or omnivorous. She also used her books as a filing system, stuffing passwords, clippings and notes in their pages. Among her writings and letters are glimpses of a woman shaped and shielded by a life outside convention. The contours of queer identity
surface quietly, through longing, wit, solitude and scrap-paper observations. Some of it is sad. Some is sly and hilarious. All of it reverberates with thoughtful conviction.
The hardest part of sorting through a life is realizing how much I didn’t know. How much I assumed. How little we often ask the people we think we understand. Everyone contains multitudes, yes, but Jo contained libraries.
But what I do know is this. She gave generously to causes she believed in. She thought deeply, wrote constantly, loved books, maps, music, stillness and her neighbourhood. She lived alone, but not inward. She observed the world and gave it her full attention.
Jo Tickle wasn’t just a resident of the Glebe. She was part of its texture – its resistance to the conventional, its independent spirit, its preference for quiet eccentricity over performance. It makes sense that this was where she made her home for more than three decades.
So, if you happened to know Jo, I hope you’ll raise a glass. Pull a book off your shelf. Put on a record or CD. Take a walk and notice something small. Find a discarded object to treasure. Or visit Dow’s Lake. Look for the beauty floating just below the surface. And remember the quiet brilliance of a life carried out on its own terms.
Emily Walsh is the niece of long-time Glebe resident Jo Tickle. She lives in Tucson, Arizona, but spent time with her Aunt Jo in the Glebe when she was 15. In June, she spent several weeks living in her aunt’s apartment following her death.
Jo playing guitar in her apartment on Fifth Avenue PHOTO: EMILY WALSH
The author’s aunt Jo Tickle on the ferry to Vancouver Island PHOTO: CHRISTINE WALSH
Leaving 37 Craig Street
By Tamara Levine
It’s time. A bittersweet moment as we prepare to leave 37 Craig Street. I love almost everything about this century-old abode: the B.C. fir that frames the windows and doorways. The cobalt blue woodstove that keeps us warm on winter nights. The front lawn we turned into a wild garden. The falling-apart clapboard garage –the last car in it was probably a Model T but is a fine shelter for bikes and garden tools. I love where our house sits: across from Capital Park, close to the canal, schools, daycare, the library, shops and cafés. It’s the house where Larry and I have lived for 42 years and where Rachel, 42, and Daniel, 39, grew up.
Rachel was almost a year old when we moved here in 1983. Broke after several months of unpaid parental leave, everything in the neighbourhood seemed so expensive. Then one day while riding our bikes down Craig Street, an old buddy of Larry’s waved from the stoop at number 37. Andy and his family were moving back to Halifax and hadn’t decided whether to rent or sell. Larry yelled back, “If you decide to sell for 110 thousand, give me a call.”
Andy called. A knowledgeable friend declared it a “fixer-upper” with good bones. We bought the house with a 13-per-cent mortgage. Painstakingly over many years, we made 37 Craig Street our own.
There are so many memories of 37 Craig Street. Celebrating Rachel’s first birthday in the backyard when she tasted chocolate for the first time. Bringing Daniel home from the hospital, trying to rock my nocturnal babe to sleep. Pushing them toward the sky
in the baby swings across the street. Racing between home, my job in Hull and the daycare. Mountains of laundry. Songs and stories. Hilarious bathtimes. Finding the moon. Falling into bed exhausted. We were a good team. If the walls at 37 Craig Street had ears, they would know the tears. They would remember the times when I hated living in this house, when I’d sit in the unfinished basement beside the thumping clothes dryer and weep. When I wondered how we would make ends meet, if I was a bad mother, if I’d get through the day.
37 Craig Street would also know the joys: the laughter, the suppers with friends, the holiday celebrations, the family gatherings of two, three and four generations, the music nights, the intimacies shared. The times around the dining room table where we’d brainstorm how to make our work better in literacy, the labour movement, the world. The warm gatherings of the book club, the Hootenanny team, the writing groups.
Our granddaughters love sleeping over at 37 Craig Street. They explore its nooks and crannies and pick chives from the garden. We read Anne of Green Gables aloud eating popcorn around the woodstove.
37 Craig Street was both jail and sanctuary during my year from hell with breast cancer. I was honoured when my mom asked if she could die here at 95.
Larry is 82, I’m 74. There are three flights of stairs. No walk-in shower. Laundry in the basement. I didn’t want the next move to be driven by a stroke or a fall or some other crisis. We need to accept that we’re aging.
There were tensions between us: I
was ready, Larry wanted to stay till the end. It was agonizing, but Larry came around. We bought a condo in March. There was 42-plus years of stuff at 37 Craig Street. My life passed before me as I sifted through the detritus of my life, the mountains of clothing, letters, photographs, books, writing and treasures. My sister came for a week and got me through my worst paralysis. There were painful partings. My grandmother’s china. The grey corduroy miniskirt I’d held onto for 60 years. My mom’s old bicycle. The story of my work life.
I was hell-bent on finding good homes wherever I could. The piano went to Rachel’s brother-in-law. Friends were invited to take what they wanted from
our collection of hundreds of albums and CDs. We drove vanloads of boxes to Abbotsford.
37 Craig Street sold in four days to a family with three little girls who wrote a letter telling us how much they loved the house.
A couple of years ago, we asked our friend Randy Cameron to paint a portrait of 37 Craig Street. We’ll take the painting and the memories with us. It will be a bittersweet moment, but it will be time.
Tamara Levine is a long-time Glebe resident and, among other things, is a Gil’s Hootenanny organizer to honour her father.
Wednesday, September 10, 7 pm Glebe Community Centre
Join us to hear what the GCA has been up to and what’s ahead for 2025–26.
Meet your neighbours, connect with board members and enjoy some light refreshments.
GCA members can vote for the new Board of Directors and are also welcome to apply to join the Board.
Visit glebeca.ca to learn more or to join/renew your membership.
A portrait of 37 Craig Street, by Randy Cameron
WASN’T IT A PARTY – IN THE PARK!
By Sue Stefko
After last year’s cold and gloomy weather, it couldn’t have been a better day when The Glebe Annex Community Association hosted the 2025 edition of Party in the Park on June 21. The day was warm, sunny and crisp, much to the relief of the organizers.
This year we were excited to feature Bert the bubble guy, who was a hit with children and adults alike. Both groups watched him demonstrate how to make some spectacular, shimmering bubbles, and then try some bubble making of their own. Diana, a community volunteer, set up a pollinator craft area near the pollinator garden, featuring educational material about pollinators as well as a colouring activity. With the help of our DJ Morris and Gabrielle, one of the key organizers, we also ran some games for the kids and kids-at-heart, including freeze dance, an egg-andspoon race and the ever-popular threelegged race.
While the party included a mix of ages, we were thrilled to see the most children that we ever remember hosting. Between the park playground equipment, the pollinator area, the games and the bubbles, there was
Glebe Fine Art Show
Saturday & Sunday
September 13 & 14, 2025 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Glebe Community Centre 175 Third Avenue, Ottawa
Anne R. Thompson
Beata Jakubek
Cara Lipsett
Catherine Schissel
Christiane Kingsley
Daniel D. St-Cyr
Denise Guillemette
Erwin Mistlberger
Goran Basic
Heather Lovat-Fraser
Ingrid Black
Isabelle Jerome
Jane Cass
Janie Park
Janis Fulton
Janis Miller Hall
enough to keep them occupied and having fun!
No party is complete without food, and we once again held a barbecue, and Gabrielle and Neil made their nowfamous crepes. While some of our previous sponsors were not able to help us this year, we were grateful to have two repeat sponsors, Abbas Grocery and Massine’s Independent, who enabled us to put on the spread.
While we regularly host other events, the free Party in the Park is our keystone event of the year. It is a wonderful opportunity for neighbours to linger, snack, catch up and make new friends in the neighbourhood.
GACA is now taking a bit of a summer break before coming back in the fall. There are plans already for another community cleanup and our spooky Halloween event, which will feature treat bags for the children and, weather permitting, an outdoors photo booth. This will be our third Halloween at the park – the first two were incredibly popular, with adults, children and even pets in the line to get photos taken.
We’re appreciative of all the volunteers and attendees who made this year’s Party in the Park a resounding success – we are already looking forward to the next one!
Sue Stefko is vice president of the Glebe Annex Community Association.
Jenn Raby
Judi Miller
Karen W. Mackay
Kathryn Sauvé
Katrin Smith
Kimberly Bernier
Linda Loder
Luminita Serbanescu
Lynne Morin
Margaret Chwialkowska
Marie Arsenault
Martha Markowsky
Rose Marie Roy
Roy Brash
Roy Whiddon
Therese Boisclair
Tricia Wilmot Savoie
Wendy Quirt
FROM THE TOP:
And they’re off! The three-legged race gets underway
Some adults wisely chose to sit under the shade of the gazebo! Enjoying some snacks as part of the barbecue
PHOTOS: GABRIELLE DALLAPORTA
BACKYARD TOAD, our Glebe neighbour
By Ben Campbell-Rosser
A Glebe backyard in the summertime. You see what seems to be a frog. You ask yourself, “The ponds and canal are blocks away, what’s that doing here?” Actually, it is probably a toad, specifically an American toad ( Anaxyrus americanus).
Toads and frogs comprise about 90 per cent of the world’s roughly 8,700 existing amphibian species. There are 10 species of frog in Ontario, each reported in the Ottawa area. It is easy to differentiate frogs and toads. Frogs have smooth, moist skin while toads are rough and dry. Frogs are long and slender, toads broad and squat. A frog’s hindlimbs are longer than the rest of its body and are used for long leaps. Toads have short stout legs for endurance hopping to traverse long distances. Frogs are always near water. Toads may reside hundreds of meters from water, but they must return to it to mate and reproduce.
American toads range from yellow to olive, brown and black, from solid to speckled. Their colour may change with temperature, humidity, stress and habitat. A light line often runs down the middle of the back. The back is dry and bumpy; the underside is lighter and without bumps. American toads are usually five to nine centimetres long and live five to 10 years.
The American toad is active from April through October. It thrives in terrestrial habitats like gardens, grasslands and forests, but there must a shallow body of fresh water nearby. In Canada, it ranges from from eastern
in length, in a backyard in the Glebe on July 9
PHOTO: BEN CAMPBELL-ROSSER
Manitoba through all but the northwestern corner of Ontario, into southern Quebec, Labrador and the Maritimes. It is abundant in the eastern U.S. The American toad is one of just two species of toad in Ontario. The other, Fowler’s toad (Anaxyrus fowleri), is widespread in the eastern U.S., but its only presence in Canada is on the shores of Lake Erie.
Toads do not cause warts. The wartlike bumps on the backs of toads are poison glands that reduce the toad’s vulnerability. For example, a dog mouthing a toad will immediately drop it and perhaps foam at the mouth but won’t be injured. Toads do have a large surface gland (parotoid) located just behind each eye. These glands secrete a substance that can do serious harm
if ingested.
Amphibian life cycles include both an aquatic larval (tadpole) form with gills and a terrestrial form with lungs. American toad tadpoles are initially black with long tails and consume algae and water plants. Tadpoles require two to three months to grow to two to three centimetres as they transform into juvenile toads and leave the water. Juveniles mature at two to four years, females later than males. Adult females are larger than males and can lay up to 20,000 eggs. These align in the water into long doublelayered strands that can be metres in length.
American toads are terrestrial carnivores. They will eat any creature that fits into their mouth. This includes worms, snails, spiders, centipedes, crickets,
ants, caterpillars, moths, slugs, mosquitos and beetles. It is estimated that a toad can devour about 10,000 insects annually. They are good news for gardeners. In turn, toads are food for other animals, including garter snakes, raccoons and predatory birds. Some predators are not affected by ingesting the poisons in the skin. Others simply flip the toad onto its back and eat all but the skin of the back.
American toads are solitary nocturnal creatures that shelter under logs, rocks or other cover during the day. If you spot them during daytime, they have been disturbed or are trying to find shade. Juveniles, though, are likely to poke about in the day. Adults congregate in the water when they compete for mates and breed. In winter, they hibernate beneath the frostline, burying themselves in loose dirt, sandy soil, an existing crevice or an abandoned burrow.
While there is little concern yet about the species’ numbers and survival, American toad tadpoles are susceptible to pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. Most other amphibians have restrictive habitats and limited distributions that put them at risk. Globally, 41 per cent of amphibian species are threatened with extinction. Habitat loss is the main factor.
The American toad is common in the yards of the Glebe. They are hardy, prolific, adaptive survivors, equally at home in boreal forest or urban park. We humans coexist with so many species. Understanding them helps us understand ourselves.
Ben Campbell-Rosser is a resident of the Glebe, Glebe Report carrier and retired academic.
Krakowsky McDon a l d
17 Rupert Street, Glebe
Tucked away on a quiet cul-de-sac, just east of Bank Street in the Glebe, this charming and extra spacious 3-storey semi-detached Victorian home offers the perfect blend of historic character and modern updates - ideal for the urban family seeking space, community and convenience. No need to own a car in this walkers paradise. Walk to top-rated schools, the Glebe Community Centre, the Canal, Lansdowne, and all the shops and restaurants on Bank Street. Move in and embrace everything we love about living in the Glebe!
An American toad, 7 8 centimetres
FULL CIRCLE WITH THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY
By Kate Reekie
The Glebe is full of caring and progressive global citizens striving to make the world a better place. When my husband and I moved here after a Canadian Embassy posting in Vietnam, we immediately felt right at home.
After close to 25 years working in international development, I was ready for a career change. In Hanoi, I was seized by the plastic pollution crisis and spearheaded what became a wide-ranging advocacy campaign against single-use plastics, engaging the diplomatic community, the Vietnamese government, the business community and the public. Upon our return to Canada, I felt the urge to move away from managing international development programs and dedicate my “next chapter” to advancing environmental sustainability.
As I pondered how to do this, I was approached by the ever-persuasive Angela Keller-Herzog, a Glebe resident who now runs the non-profit
Community Action for Environmental Sustainability (CAFES). “Why don’t you get involved in the Glebe Community Association’s Environment Committee?” she suggested.
Before long, my global career had been refocused locally. I became active on zero-waste initiatives within the Glebe, then later became the circular economy lead for CAFES, channelling community input into the city’s now-approved Solid Waste Master Plan. These volunteer roles connected me to an inspiring network of committed environmental champions in the Glebe and throughout the city, then led me to graduate studies and eventually paid work focused on the transition to a circular economy.
The circular economy is a powerful vision of a world where waste and pollution have been designed out of
existence. Demand for virgin natural resources is greatly diminished since products and materials are recirculated and repurposed rather than thrown away. And organic waste is channelled back to the biosphere to regenerate nature. Along with the energy transition, the circular economy is a key strategy for mitigating climate change.
Last November, I was excited to take on a consulting assignment in Colombia that allowed me to apply both my international development experience and my expertise in the circular economy. In the ensuing months, I worked with the Colombian government’s innovation and entrepreneurship agency, iNNpulsa, to integrate a sustainability and circular economy focus into its programs supporting micro-, small- and medium-sized businesses. An interesting component of this work was developing metrics to measure sustainability impact, which allowed me to draw on my decades of managing for results in the federal government.
My work with Colombia was one of 73 assignments undertaken over the past four years through the Technical Assistance Partnership (tap-pat.ca) – Expert Deployment Mechanism. This mechanism is run by Alinea International with funding from Global Affairs Canada. It matches requests from developing country governments to fill technical needs with Canadian experts in a variety of specializations.
During my initial work trip to Colombia last December, I was amazed to see how seriously the government was approaching the circular transition. In 2019, Colombia became the first country in Latin America to adopt a National Circular Economy Strategy and has since been active in global and regional
fora on the issue. Last year, Colombia legislated against the sale and distribution of several common single-use plastic items, much like what the Canadian government has also done.
iNNpulsa Colombia has been supporting small businesses innovate and do things differently, like develop reusable packaging solutions, find new uses for food waste and extend the life of durable goods through repair, refurbishing and repurposing. It’s also been empowering informal recyclers to organize and make profitable cooperatives out of what has traditionally been precarious work. The training I developed offered them a window into global best practices in key value chains – construction, fashion, packaging, electronics and food. I found it meaningful to be able to share with them several local examples, such as Buy Nothing in the Glebe, NU Grocery, the Ottawa Tool Library, Re4rm Design, Box of Life and the Circular Innovation Council’s Reuse Ottawa pilot.
Pulling together disparate kinds of knowledge and experience is something that all mid-career professionals can do to great effect. Just as the circular economy aims to recirculate and repurpose materials and products after we use them, we too can repurpose our various work and volunteer experiences, large and small, global and local, into new opportunities for impactful cross-fertilization and exchange. I hope that my own repurposing will serve the Glebe, Canada and the world for many years to come.
Kate Reekie is a consultant and lifelong learner who is committed to advancing the circular economy, both at home and abroad.
Are you looking for an opportunity to get involved in your local community?
The Friends of the Central Experimental Farm is looking to fill two key volunteer roles in our organization. If you love the Farm, Arboretum and Ornamental Gardens, this might be the perfect fit!
1) Events Director. This member of the Board oversees volunteer coordinators for our events such as the AGM, plant sale, and more. We’re looking for someone with event planning expertise to bring creative ideas and sound advice to this important and busy role.
2) Volunteer Coordinator. This crucial leader among our volunteers is responsible for assigning volunteers to the garden teams, events, and the office, matching the job to be done with volunteer preferences. Strong organizational and communication skills are required.
If you are interested in either of these opportunities, please submit your résumé or questions to: volunteerdirector@friendsofthefarm.ca www.friendsofthefarm.ca
Training provided by the author in Colombia drew on local examples of the circular economy in action, such as Buy Nothing the Glebe and the Ottawa Tool Library
Appreciation and new leadership at Abbotsford
By Pat Goyeche
We’re pleased to welcome Dave O’Neill as the new leader guiding Abbotsford’s Community Support Services and Seniors Active Living Centre. With more than 12 years of experience working with older adults, including the past four years at Perley Health, Dave brings a deep understanding of seniors’ services, community engagement and program development. His passion for building inclusive, vibrant spaces for older adults makes him a great fit for Abbotsford’s mission.
O’Neill joins us at a special moment in Abbotsford’s history, as we celebrate our 50th anniversary of serving the community. His first event in this new role was the inspiring performance by the Women’s Song Collective. O’Neill would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Chartwell for their continued support as our Sustainable Donor and to JUHL Realty Group and David Burns & Associates for their generous sponsorship. He also thanks Amica the Glebe for their wonderful support and delicious food. O’Neill looks forward to working alongside the Abbotsford team, members, volunteers and partners to honour our legacy and shape an exciting future together.
As we reflect on our 50 years as a community hub for seniors, we are
appreciative of all the businesses who have consistently supported our major events, such as the Annual Bazaar, Holiday Craft Fair, Great Glebe Garage Sale and Abbotsford Garden Tour. It is the community of members, staff, volunteers and businesses who have made these special events thrive, whether through financial donations, supportive programming or showing up to do the hard work needed to make them succeed.
Thank you: Amica the Glebe, The Lonsdale Financial Group, Chartwell Lord Lansdowne, Whole Health Compounding Pharmacy Glebe, Venvi Colonel By Retirement Living, JUHL Realty Group and David Burns & Associates for your generous financial support. Thank you to all of the local Ottawa businesses that have given us items for silent auctions, baskets for volunteer appreciation and delicious food to fortify our volunteers; without you we couldn’t do what we do!
Save the date: Look for a day of celebration on Friday, September 5, both inside and outside Abbotsford. You’ll see the centre in action with fitness, art, hospitality, speakers and dance demonstrations as well as information booths. Celebrating Abbotsford members and volunteers is a joy we must share; we will lean into the joy of togetherness and share that with the
larger community of Ottawa.
We’ll keep moving into the future while also celebrating our past and present. Drop in, drop by or drop over on Friday, September 5. This is an open invitation! All activities are free for seniors. Bring a friend.
In the meantime, check out our fall programming and services. We are here for our community. You will be amazed at all we have on offer.
Abbotsford Seniors Centre of The Glebe Centre Inc. is a charitable, notfor-profit organization, which includes
a 254-bed long term care home. Find out more about our services and programming by dropping by 950 Bank Street (the old stone house) Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., telephoning 613-230-5730 or checking out all The Glebe Centre facilities and seniors services on our website www. glebecentre.ca.
Pat Goyeche is coordinator of community programs at Abbotsford Seniors Centre.
Dave O’Neill, manager of Abbotsford Seniors Centre, Norman Reid, executive director of Venvi Colonel By Retirement Residence and Pat Goyeche, coordinator of community programs at Abbotsford PHOTO: MATTHEW BERGEVIN
The glories of Glebe patios
By David Longbottom
Patio season is well and truly here, and we are spoiled for choice in and around this fine urban neighbourhood.
Whether you are looking for a place to hide or a place to see and be seen, Glebe establishments have something for everyone – and Ottawans absolutely love patios. From the first blush of spring, when the sun is out but delivering scant warmth, through the dog days of summer and right through to cool fall nights, customers clamor for a seat outside. (Given the choice, I prefer to sit around the bar inside, but given the ferocity of the winters we endure here in the 613, I do understand the appeal of quaffing a pint, sipping a latte or enjoying a delicious lunch al fresco.)
As a brewery operator, I can attest to the fact that city officials have embraced the patio trend. Alas, it wasn’t always thus.
When they write the book on COVID, it could well be that the proliferation of patios is perhaps the only true dividend of that bleak time. Red tape was eliminated, fees were waived and patios sprung up all around the city.
While patio fees are now unequivocally back, the approval process remains streamlined, and local entrepreneurs are taking advantage. Providing an enjoyable outdoor experience goes well beyond the permit process and demands creativity and ingenuity from operators. Let’s take a look at some of our neighbourhood’s best . . .
If a cold pint in a delightfully hidden sun trap appeals, look no further than
Irene’s Backyard, one of my absolute faves. It’s an outdoor oasis of privacy mere steps from busy streets and sidewalks.
If a public party atmosphere is more your thing, check out the vast expanse of the Bandito’s patio, complete with a cool VW bus bar and a night market vibe.
For people-watching in the heart of the neighbourhood, the sheltered niche out front of Glebe Central Pub is a delight. Or grab a latte and catch some rays on the great outdoor terrace beside the Drip House. Or enjoy a delicious brunch, lunch or dinner on the tasteful street side space at Von’s Bistro.
Some places succeed at seeming to bring the outside inside. For an outdoor experience while still enjoying a chic restaurant interior, grab a table by the big open front wall-sized window at the superb Rowan.
No room for a street-side patio is no problem for the creative folks at Thr33’s Co who set up a cool space in the back parking lot off Pretoria. Nearby you can enjoy delicious food and cocktails tucked away on a peaceful side street patio at Erling’s Variety.
And on and on. This is not a complete list, such are the riches of our great neighbourhood when it comes to great patio options. If your fave is not here, come by Flora Hall for a tasty pint on our cool street-side space, and tell me all about it. Meanwhile, enjoy this wonderful patio season while it lasts.
David Longbottom is owner of Flora Hall Brewing. florahallbrewing.ca
UNDERSTANDING ADHD
A 6-week learning experience formerly at Carleton Lifelong Learning
Barry H. Schneider, Ph. D., C. Psych. Hintonburg Community Centre Thursdays 1:30 - 4:30 pm Starts September 4 www.understanding-adhd.ca
60 minutes FREE PARKING with minimum $20 PURCHASE
For validation, please show photo of parking slip to cashier
STATIONNEMENT GRATUIT de 60 min. avec un ACHAT minimum de 20$
Pour fin de validation, veuillez présenter la photo du reçu de stationnement au caissier/à la caissière
Valid only at Metro Glebe, 754 Bank Street Valable uniquement à Metro Glebe, 754 rue Bank
Unexpected toppings for corn on the cob
(Thank you, virtual assistant!)
By Marisa Romano
August is peak month for sweet corn. Ready for harvest in Ontario in late July through September, locally grown cobs are now available in grocery stores (check for the green Foodland Ontario logo), farmers’ markets and roadside vegetable stands. Let’s enjoy them fresh, while kernels are sweet, tender and juicy.
Although there is a plethora of interesting recipes for sweet corn (check the Foodland Ontario website), the all-time favourite is corn on the cob. Boiled, grilled with or without husks, oven roasted or microwaved, corn on the cob is reliable, easy and fast to prepare, and corn roast parties are a stressfree way of socializing with friends and neighbours.
When planning the annual classic cob-roast, I asked friends for their favourite toppings in the hope of discovering something new to try. Disappointing! Most of us butter and salt the cobs, sometimes the pepper shaker appears on the table, a few add cheddar cheese, the odd one prefers hot spices, but that’s all. Determined to savour something flavourful and unfamiliar and inspired by the latest technological trend, I decided to ask for help from a virtual assistant.
Fascinating and somewhat worrisome, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is quickly infiltrating and reshaping our daily life, way beyond compiling favourite play lists or identifying fastest routes on GPS. From healthcare to art, from finance to entertainment, no sector is immune to the new technology. The food industry, from the supply chain to the culinary sector, is no exception.
In the field, AI-driven equipment provides weather forecast and information on soil quality and monitors for diseases and insect pests. In the greenhouse, AI automation allows for year-round production with minimum human intervention. In restaurants, robots replace line cooks. Smart appliances are making their way into our kitchens: ovens that automatically adjust cooking time and temperature according to the dish to bake or roast, and refrigerators that monitor the freshness of produce inside and suggest when and how to cook them. And
of course, AI provides new recipes with combinations of unusual ingredients with compatible flavours, all created with the help of extensive archives of online cookbooks, existing knowledge and scientific research.
Thanks to AI we are moving towards better crop yields, year-round availability of greenhouse produce, perfect roasted chickens, no-waste kitchens and improved sustainability. And of course, tantalizing new flavours on our plates.
But what about food grown with passion and cooked with love? What about families creating memories in the kitchen, the joy of cooking grandma’s recipes and classic cooking skills? The future is a mix of new and old, the experts predict, and technology and culinary traditions will be in the kitchen side by side. I hope!
In my search for new toppings for roasted corn cobs, the response from my virtual assistant is overwhelming. The ideas spewed by a popular chatbot ranged from cheesy to spicy, even sweet, all combinations inspired by culinary traditions, fusion cuisine or formulated by the artificial brain. Now is the time to venture out.
Mexican-style elote: spread mayo (or sour cream), sprinkle chili powder, cotuja cheese (or feta) and lime juice.
Pesto and parmesan: spread basil pesto, sprinkle parmesan and pine nuts for extra crunch.
Blue cheese and BBQ: brush BBQ sauce and top with blue cheese crumbles (plus bacon if you are feeling bold).
Sriracha lime mayo: mix Sriracha (or chili crisp) with mayo and a squeeze of lime.
Truffle butter: drizzle luxurious truffle butter over hot corn for an indulgent treat.
Gochujang-cotija: (Korean-Mex hybrid): brush with gochujang-mayo sauce, sesame seeds. Hot honey: drizzle hot pepper-infused honey over buttered corn for sweet heat.
Maple bacon: brush with maple-syrup butter and top with crispy bacon and smoked paprika.
Honey cinnamon: blend honey and
Searches and fact checking for this article were done using Google.
Inspired by AI, these and other unusual toppings for corn on the cob are flavourful and surprising: mayo, chili powder, cotuja or feta cheese, and lime juice, or pesto with parm and pine nuts
PHOTO: MARISA ROMANO
POETRY QUARTER
In the gloaming
In the gloaming just before night falls is a magical moment, after the sun sets and the light fragments. In the stillness of a summer evening, when the fireflies flash, and before the final fall of night, comes the enchantment of the twilight hour and poetry slips into the half-light. This month’s Glebe Report Poetry Quarter presents those poems.
The Glebe Report’s Poetry Quarter is curated by Deborah-Anne Tunney
ARRIVALS. . .
Standing by. . . I promised to be here. Will they arrive today?
Oh dear gods of far-off places . . . What time zone are they in now? Is it twilight?
Maureen Korp
Pink clouds sweep gently across the horizon their colour deepens, the sun dips and disappears and the energy in the air begins to shift as if a door, dividing one space from another, has opened accepting the realities of the fading day releasing the unknowns of the falling darkness.
Spirits slip through landing softly in the night air their presence felt despite their stealthy entrance past lives pushing through idle thoughts suddenly I am surrounded by memories rising quickly to the present whirling round, weaving warmth, sadness, and joy together an invisible blanket wrapping itself around me.
Sounds of a rustle in the nearby bush eyes peer out, a nose sniffs and a fox emerges crossing the lawn quickly he slips back into trees on the other side a lost spirit in disguise I wonder the sky turns dark, the air becomes still and I am alone again wrapped only in the silence of the night.
Jennifer Tiller
Stem Sonnets for Neva
I II III
over nothing headlights there changes out on in there the the next-of-kin kitchen dark, bringing counter, where flowers cut can into the flowers she kitchen. . . unattended, be . . . twilight bending wait echoing heads a her heavy light songs in behind again grief dark
Maureen Korp
The
Gloaming
When all the statues are rabbits and the trees gush sorrow lit by bioluminescent fairies floating from bush to creek
when my children hurl their small bodies like paragliders toward the creek, heron shadows over black glass –
its surface silent and shimmering with shadows of children from long ago. Soon mine will sleep and I try not to think about time passing
or their growing old. But it is hard to forget when the trees whisper indecipherable truths in quivering light
Kathleen Connor
End of Day
A large golden yellow sun resisting a downward pull sets gracefully in a slow death behind the branches of spring’s first breath.
Together
Buzzing cicadas silence our footsteps
White pine silhouettes
Our steps softened by the russet needle path
We look up
One or two sugar maple leaves already kissed by autumn
Our quiet walk before bed with our busy dogs
A little earlier each week Late-summer dusk a golden time Together
Paige Raymond
Lightning Bugs
His parents had come to visit mine that humid summer evening. We were pre-teens and I liked him.
in the dusk, dots of light darted like dozens of Tinker Bells.
“Let’s catch some in a jar,” I said.
The sky darkens with a faint line of orange horizon. The trees in the background take on a skeletal look not yet full bouquets as April showers tempt them to burst forth verdant and full.
The day grows older; on the morrow the earth will be born again.
John Law
Twilight Time
Once a time of secret assignationsthe young clinging to one another thinking about the still-to-come; whispering promises, sighing sighs. Now a time of contemplation; moments of remembering all that was, all that will never be again.
Ronnie R. Brown
With hammer and nail we punched holes in the lid, then ran around in the twilight yard pursuing them.
He was adept at catching them and they glowed like embers, like my face and heart..
When we came in, breathless, red-faced, laughing, our parents asked, “What have you been doing?”
I would have liked him to kiss me but was too young to imagine what more we might have been doing.
Ruth Latta
Poetry Quarter for November 2025
The Poetry of sleep
Call
for submissions
Ah! The panacea of sleep! Of closing off the day and being alone at our core, succumbing to the miracle of sleep with its promise of rejuvenation. Few things are as gratifying, and few are as disturbing as missing it. Shakespeare called it the “balm of hurt minds” and the “chief nourisher in life’s feast.” Here at the Glebe Report’s Poetry Quarter, we want to read your poems about this most primal of human activities – be it the renewal of sleep, sleep disturbance or, as Freud called it, the mimic of death.
As usual, poems should be:
• Original and unpublished in any medium (no poems submitted elsewhere, please);
• No more than 30 lines each;
• On any aspect of the theme within the bounds of public discourse; and
• Submitted on or before Monday, Oct. 27, 2025.
Poets in the National Capital Region of all ages welcome (school-age poets, please indicate your grade and school). Please send your entries (up to 5 poems that meet the criteria) to editor@glebereport.ca. Remember to send us your contact information and your grade and school if you are in school.
Deadline: Monday, Oct. 27, 2025
As Darkness Drifts In
Sylvie’s thriller& mystery review
Canadian authors
By Sylvie Chartrand
Here is a summary of some of the books I have read so far this year with a Canadian connection, in order of when I read them, not by favourites. I mostly like mystery novels, but hopefully you can find something that appeals to you in the book reviews below.
Huge by Brent Butt
Brent Butt is a Canadian comedian, actor and screenwriter. You may have seen him in Corner Gas. Born and raised in Tisdale, Saskatchewan, he now resides in Vancouver. Huge is his first novel.
It takes place in 1994. Three comedians are sent on the road to do a comedy tour. Dale, in his 40s, who is thinking about retiring; Rynn, a young and rising star from Dublin with high hopes; and Hobie, who doesn’t seem to know anything about being a stand-up comic. Eventually, Dale becomes suspicious of Hobie, when weird things start happening, but before he can drop out of the tour, it’s too late. Rynn and Dale find themselves in the fight for their lives.
I didn’t know what to expect from this book, but I really enjoyed it.
Everyone Here is Lying by Shari Lapena
Shari Lapena is one of my favourite authors these days. Lapena is the internationally successful author of the thrillers The Couple Next Door, A Stranger in the House, An Unwanted Guest, Someone We Know, The End of Her and Not a Happy Family, which have all made the bestseller lists in the New York Times and the Sunday Times. Her books have been sold in 40 countries. She lives on a farm outside of Toronto. Everyone Here is Lying is her seventh thriller. William Wooler has a family but had a long-term affair until the woman he was seeing broke it off. William was upset and went home early thinking he would have the house to himself, then found that his daughter Avery was home by herself. Avery, a difficult child, was supposed to wait for her brother to walk her home from school. William loses control and hits Avery. Then Avery disappears. The police start campaigning for her safe return and go door to door, trying to collect information. Erin, Avery’s mother, is starting to lose hope that they will find her alive. There seems to be no real leads. What happens next will give you goosebumps.
The Maid’s Diary by Loreth Anne White
Loreth Anne White is an Amazon Charts, Washington Post and Bild bestselling author of thrillers, mysteries and suspense. She resides in the Pacific Northwest, dividing her time among Victoria on Vancouver Island, a ski resort in the Coast Mountains and a lakeside cabin in the Cariboo.
Kit Darling cleans houses for a living,
and she likes to snoop and uncover people’s deep, dark secrets. Her new clients, Daisy and Jon, who are expecting their first child, are targets too. Kit starts poking into their lives and finds incriminating evidence.
Mal, a homicide detective, is called to the scene of a house where she sees evidence of a violent attack. The homeowners are gone, and their maid is missing. The only witness is the elderly woman next door, who woke to screams in the night. Mal must reconstruct what happened that night and discovers that nothing is as it seems.
The Opportunist by Elyse Friedman
Elyse Friedman lives in Toronto. She is a critically acclaimed, award-winning writer. Her work has been shortlisted for the Toronto Book Award, the Trillium Book Award and the Relit Award. Her story, “The Soother,” won the Gold National Magazine Award for fiction.
Alana, who is estranged from her 76-year-old father Ed, is getting messages from her half-brothers, who want her to help protect their father from the gold-digging Kelly, a 28-year-old nurse who is engaged to Ed. Alana, who lives in Toronto, gets on a plane and flies to their father’s 900-acre West Coast island retreat to do the one little task her brother asked her to do, but Kelly isn’t going to make it easy for them. How far are they all willing to go to get what they want? This book is a good read.
These books and so many more are available at the Ottawa Public Library!
Sylvie Chartrand is a public service assistant at the Sunnyside Branch of the Ottawa Public Library.
Make Your Move Easier and More Rewarding!
Canadian director’s second film doesn’t quite add up
Materialists
(US/Finland,2025)
Directed by Celine Song
Review by Iva Apostolova
Materialists is the second movie written and directed by Canadian-Korean director Celine Song, starring three of the hottest names in the industry right now – Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal. To be honest, I was a little surprised that Song, whose only other directorial credit is the 2023 Past Lives, a slow pensive movie about the changing of human connections through time and space, was able to land three of the most sought-after Hollywood actors. But I was rooting not just for a Canadian director but a female one at that. In short, I really wanted to like this movie.
The plot is classic in its simplicity.
play-like feel, and I have to say, very few directors (Lars von Trier being one of them!) can pull off a theatrical reel without sacrificing the medium or the content, or in some cases, both. Not to speak of the fact that the methodology doesn’t serve the subject matter – it’s almost like delivering one of e.e. cummings’ love poems as one would read the train schedule.
While Song does mix seriousness with légèreté, addressing the potential horrors of dating, especially for women, many of the “serious scenes” are oddly placed in the overall plot development.
n Complimentary Moving Services
Say goodbye to hassle and hello to comfort and convenience — all in one of Ottawa’s most walkable neighbourhoods. Independent living with just the right support, plus chefprepared meals and engaging daily activities.
Dakota Johnson is Lucy, a professional matchmaker in New York whose job is as difficult as it is comical. The viewer will be treated to some heartwarmingly funny interviews with Lucy’s clients, as petty minded, delusional and generally flawed human beings as human beings can be. Before long, a love triangle forms around her, and she is sandwiched between her perfect match and her charming Bohemian ex. Song does a decently good job in keeping the tone of the movie light without it becoming trope-y or overly mainstream.
Materialists definitely has many of the key signature features of Song’s first movie, Past Lives. It is slow and somewhat subdued, both visually and in terms of character interactions. Unfortunately, that is what makes it rather monotonous and disaffectionate, both of which appear to be the latest trendy feature of contemporary acting. In that sense, the movie has a
I think a movie like this would have worked best with less-known actors and a more improvised, banter-type of dialogue where emotions can float freely. Having three of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood, each with their own signature image (Captain America, Fifty Shades of Grey’s Anastasia and, well, Pedro Pascal is literally in everything right now) hurts more than helps. And a part of me is wondering whether Song was not perhaps star struck with her famous cast, leaving them to do their magic without much direction, resulting in somewhat stiff, lack-of-chemistry character interactions. To use one of the clever tropes in the movie that dating is about doing the math, something in Materialists did not quite add up for me.
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.
Running time: 1h 56m
Rated: R
In select theatres and on PrimeVideo
Spirit of Rasputin’s moves to Fourth Avenue
By John Bond
Remember that long-time Glebe landmark, Rasputin’s Folk Café, on Bronson near Powell? For almost 30 years, Rasputin’s provided Ottawa an important venue for established musicians and those just getting started. Many of Ottawa’s brightest lights got their start at Rasputin’s. The club was unfortunately lost to a fire in 2008.
A group of Rasputin’s stalwarts then created Ottawa’s folk music society, Spirit of Rasputin’s (SoR), to keep the music and the sharing alive. SoR hosts several first-rate concerts a year as well as a weekly folk open stage that’s become a focus for many local songwriters and players.
Our Monday Open Stage has had a number of temporary homes over the years, and we’ve been searching for a new, more permanent one. We’re excited to announce that SoR has found a wonderful new home at 91a Fourth Avenue, also home of the Ottawa Quakers. It’s a charming room that holds up to 80 people. The sound is great, the chairs are comfy, the sightlines are unobstructed, and the music is always top notch. We love to have people come out to listen or sign up to play. We lean towards acoustic music and have a great sound system you can plug into.
We strive to provide a listening environment. Conversations during
performances are discouraged, and there’s no food or beverages in the room (except water). Respect for the performers is paramount, and we tend to be a very supportive gang. This is a great place to come and play. If you’ve ever been hesitant, there’s no better group to spread your wings for. We’ll listen attentively and support you as we can. We especially appreciate original material and have some superb songwriters in our group.
If you ever have a couple of hours on a Monday evening and want to hear some great music, please come out to SoR’s Open Stage at 91a Fourth Avenue. Music starts at 7 p.m. If you want to play, arrive between 6 and 6:30 to draw your spot from the Crown Royal bag. We’re so happy to have found this new home in the same neighbourhood that the original Rasputin’s graced for so many years.
If you’d like to find out more about Spirit of Rasputin’s, check our website at rasputins.org. Hope to see you some Monday evening before too long.
John Bond has lived in the Glebe and Ottawa South for decades. He’s hovered around the edges of the local music scene for as long and is a member of Spirit of Rasputin’s communications team, helps organize Gil’s Hootenanny and is a long time Blue Skies Music Festival organizer.
Sneezy at 80
By Ruby Ewen
Peter B. Hodgson, known to his fans as the great Sneezy Waters, is a son of Ottawa and long-time Glebe resident. He has sung and entertained people all his life with a heartfelt rendering of songs that span the years from medieval to contemporary: songs of protest, humour and love. He toured with his bands for decades in Canada, the U.S., Asia and Europe.
In the 1980s, Sneezy played the starring role in Hank Williams: The Show He Never Gave, a play written by Ottawa’s Maynard Collings. The play toured extensively in Canada and the U.S.; in 1983, it was also performed in Berlin as part of the O Kanada Cultural Exhibition. A movie version can be found on YouTube.
Sneezy also acted in TV series like The Twilight Zone and Backstretch as well as in local plays.
In 2022, his memoir, Sneezy Waters; A Very Fine Biography, was published by Chelsea Books.
Now 80 years old, Sneezy is handling life’s changes in his inimitable style with jokes and puns. His great sense of humour coupled with an equanimity and love for others carry him as he faces progressive memory loss. His charm and humour are balanced by the thoughtfulness he uses to make the best of situations. Covering up inabilities is not for him – he realizes it just makes situations worse. Sneezy makes the best of what he has been given, taking each day as it comes. He lives in the moment and for the joy to be found in interactions with his community.
Playing music continues to be Sneezy’s driving force. He recently became a devotee of The Sunnyside Firehall Jammers who meet every Tuesday at the Firehall in Old Ottawa South. Sneezy loves playing with others, and The Jammers are a constant delight with many voices, a variety of instruments and respect for all.
Anytime an occasion presents itself, he backs up fiddlers with his rhythm guitar, jams with others and always looks forward to playing the odd gig with his band.
Ruby Ewen is Peter Hodgson’s partner, a painter and sculptor.
A very fine buying opportunity
Sneezy Waters; a Very Fine Biography $20
All Sneezy Waters CDs $20, or $15 with the purchase of a book
Email sneezywaters@yahoo.com with your choices and name, address, phone number, and we will contact you to arrange pick up or delivery.
Sneezy’s CDs:
Sneezy Waters and His Very Fine Band
Sneezy Waters Sings Hank Williams, 1981 - out of print, only a few left
Sneezy Waters, 2011 – out of print, only a few left
Marilyn Stratton-Zimmer accompanied by Alan Sandeman and Jack Pyl at 91a Fourth Avenue
PHOTO: BOB GERNON
Sneezy Waters PHOTO: JANET NISBET
Ottawa Blues for Youth turns up the volume
New bigger venue, same amazing mission
By Andrea Tomkins
Ottawa’s favourite night of blues and community spirit is back as Ottawa Blues for Youth hits a new high note.
This grassroots fundraiser, now in its fifth year, supports youth suicide prevention programming at The Royal, one of Canada’s foremost mental health care and research centres.
This year, organizers are turning up the volume with fantastic local musicians and lots of great ways to give back, all at a new venue.
The main event happens Saturday, September 20 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Gladstone Theatre, 910 Gladstone Avenue.
“This is a huge year for us,” says event organizer and Glebe resident Anita Manley. “The theatre doubles our seating, and the sound is incredible. There’s even space for dancing. It’s going to be a night to remember.”
Since its humble beginnings at Irene’s Pub, Ottawa Blues for Youth has raised tens of thousands of dollars and sparked important conversations about youth mental health. Organizers say it’s the perfect blend of advocacy and artistry, and proof that music and community can drive real change.
The move to the Gladstone marks a major evolution for the annual fundraiser, which has grown steadily since it launched in 2020. The event pairs incredible music with a powerful
More live music coming to the Glebe this September
By Caitlin McKinlay
The Glebe has long been known for its high-street charm, delightful and diverse independent stores, dedicated residents, blooming gardens and spirited event spaces. But the team at the Glebe Business Improvement Area (BIA) noticed something missing from the daily neighbourhood experience –live outdoor music.
To bring more energy, joy and art back into the Glebe, the BIA’s events
purpose: raising funds to support young people in crisis. Every dollar raised goes toward The Royal’s suicide prevention services and programs, helping to ensure that more youth can access the help they need when they need it most.
“It’s a night where you can truly feel the love in the room,” says Manley. “The music is always great, but it’s extra special being part of something meaningful.”
Tickets are $55, and seating is assigned.
The lineup features Glebe resident Alanna J. Brown and JW Jones Band, who both played at Bluesfest this year. Katherine Dines of MOVE 100 will be returning as event emcee for the fifth year.
Between sets, guests will have the chance to bid on a curated collection of items and experiences in a silent auction. Door prizes and fun giveaways throughout the night, including prizes for the most spirited dancers, promise to keep the energy high.
Dr. Zachary Kaminsky, DIFD-MachGaensslen Chair in Suicide Prevention Research, will also take part in a fireside chat with Manley.
Silent auction items include a vintage 1996 “Student Spirit” Barbie with Hudson Bay coat, a one-night stay at the Wakefield Mill and Inn, a Coconut Lagoon Chef’s Table dinner for four and an original painting by Glebe artist Andrew Milne.
Many of the auction items were generously donated by local businesses
Jessie Simmons, an award-winning AfroCaribbean Ottawa artist, performed in City Sounds Live in June More live music is coming our way this September
and artists who believe in the cause.
“It’s heartwarming to see how this community comes together,” says Manley. “People are excited to help however they can, whether that’s performing, sponsoring, donating or just showing up.”
Organizers expect a sellout crowd and are encouraging people to buy their tickets early to avoid disappointment.
An after party is taking place at Irene’s Pub on Sunday, September 21, from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Featuring Al Wood & The Woodsmen and CASTBACK, it’s a chance to wind down the weekend with great tunes and good company.
The Gladstone is fully accessible, and guests should bring their dancing shoes. Although the mission is serious, the atmosphere is anything but solemn. “It’s an uplifting night,” says Manley. “We talk about mental health, we raise awareness and money, but we also laugh, dance and connect. If you can’t attend in person, donations are gratefully accepted via the event
and placemaking manager, Julia Rocchi, has partnered with the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition (OMIC) to infuse music into the neighbourhood.
Following on the heels of a successful pilot series in June, the BIA is excited to announce the return of the OMIC series, City Sounds Live, to the Glebe every Saturday in September from noon to 2 p.m. Residents and visitors can experience a unique live
website.”
Whether you come for the music, the mission or both, Ottawa Blues for Youth 2025 promises to be a powerful, joyfilled night that hits all the right notes. For tickets, event details or to donate, visit ottawabluesforyouth.com.
Andrea Tomkins is a writer and part of the corporate communications team at The Royal.
performance in the outdoor courtyard at Fourth Avenue Baptist Church at Bank and Fourth.
“Live music transforms everyday spaces into lively, memorable destinations,” said Darrell Cox, executive director of the Glebe BIA. “It encourages people to linger, explore and engage with the street, making it feel more welcoming and dynamic.”
The BIA says it’s focused on re-engaging with the neighbourhood and offering a more complete shopping and dining experience in the city.
“City Sounds Live brings free, familyfriendly, outdoor music to the heart of the Glebe,” Cox said. “It enhances our vibrant neighbourhood’s atmosphere, enriching the community experience, all the while supporting our local economy and helping small businesses thrive.”
Caitlin McKinlay is marketing and communications manager at the Glebe BIA. Pauline’s School of Step Dancing beginning in September at the Ottawa Bronson Centre. Classes available for all ages!
The Glebe BIA hopes to see music lovers out in September, enjoying live music in the neighbourhood.
For more details about the artist line-up and the BIA partnership with OMIC, visit intheglebe.ca/ city-sounds-live/
A painting by Glebe artists Andrew Milne will be featured in the Blues for Youth silent auction
PHOTO: CAITLIN MCKINLAY
PHOTOGRAPHY TRANSFORMS LITTLE ITALY: THE SPAO PHOTO WALK
By Joseph Gibson-King
Tucked away in Ottawa’s Little Italy, the Photo Walk has quietly emerged as one of the city’s hidden cultural gems. Presented by the School of Photographic Arts: Ottawa (SPAO) in partnership with the Preston Street Business Improvement Association (BIA), this outdoor exhibition brings large-scale photographic artworks out of the gallery and into the streets. Many discover it by chance, and those who do are treated to a compelling and diverse selection of contemporary Canadian photographic art.
With the completion of Phase 2 last fall, the SPAO Photo Walk now features 30 large-scale photographs displayed in public spaces in Little Italy. Each work was chosen by a jury of leading Canadian cultural figures, including the former chief curator of the National Gallery of Canada. The selected images span genres from experimental and abstract to documentary and conceptual, offering a rich snapshot of Canadian lens-based art today.
“The Photo Walk is more than an art exhibition,” says SPAO creative director Jonathan Hobin. “It’s designed as a photographic treasure hunt, where participants don’t know where they’re going or what they’ll find until they get there.” Visitors use GPS-enabled smartphones as their guide, either by accessing the digital map at SPAO.ca or by scanning QR codes beside any artwork they come across. Each scan reveals
Glebe art recalls history
By Douglas Rutherford
A colourful outdoor mural on the First Avenue wall of Irene Mei’s Fairy Dreams Bridal at 724 Bank Street recalls some local history from the Second World War years. Artist Tia Wong, a decade-long resident of the Glebe, was chosen to paint her first outdoor mural as part of the Glebe BIA’s ongoing program “to support local artists, celebrate diversity and inclusion, deter graffiti, add vibrancy to our streetscape and pay homage to the Glebe.”
Wong decided to portray “Chinese Aces Skate the Canal” after research into some local history turned up a connection between hockey on the Canal and Wong Brothers’ Grocery at 797 Bank Street that served the Glebe community from 1937 to 1997. Crediting the website Workers History Museum and Denise Chong’s book Lives of the Family, Wong said the research
details about the artwork and provides access to the full exhibition map, inviting guests to continue the journey.
With thousands of QR code scans to date, the SPAO Photo Walk has proven to be an impactful link between the general public, Canadian photographic artwork and the neighbourhood itself. It’s more than an exhibition, it’s a community effort that local businesses have proudly embraced. Twenty-six shops and restaurants have welcomed artwork into their storefronts and façades, weaving photography directly into the commercial and cultural fabric of Little Italy. The result is a neighbourhood transformed, where shopfronts double as gallery walls and stopping for a coffee or cannoli becomes an opportunity to encounter thought-provoking photographic artworks.
“This project is about making photographic art visible in everyday spaces,” says Katie Lydiatt, gallery manager at SPAO. “We’re thrilled to see how warmly the community has embraced the Photo Walk, not just as an arts initiative, but as a way to rediscover Little Italy. You don’t need a ticket and there are no doors, it’s a gallery built into the very bones of our community.”
The SPAO Photo Walk is free, selfguided and accessible year-round. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, it’s a fresh way to experience Little Italy, one captivating photograph at a time.
Joseph Gibson-King of the School of the Photographic Arts: Ottawa (SPAO)
intrigued her even though her family had no connection with the Wong Grocery family. She chose her theme shortly after the winter of 2023-24 when warmer temperatures prevented the Canal from being opened for skating at all, making hockey on Canal ice of potentially even greater historical interest.
In 1941, a number of Chinese Canadian teenagers, including Leslie, son of Shing Wong, the founder of the Wong Brothers’ Grocery, formed the Chinese Aces, Ottawa’s first all Chinese Canadian hockey team. Its aim was to raise money for war relief in China. The team practised initially on ice cleared on the Canal near the Bank Street bridge. The Aces were described as scrappy and determined, packing arenas and
holds a degree in anthropology and political science and has a keen interest in the intersections of art, culture, and community.
competing well against local teams in Ottawa and around the district.
The team disbanded in 1946 with the war over, but only after one final and hugely satisfying match against the almost invincible Aylmer Saints, a team they had never beaten in previous matchups. Final score: Aces 5, Saints 4.
Wong painted this mural in June and July, working mainly in the mornings and early afternoons before it got too hot and while the building still provided shade. The Glebe BIA and Fairy Dreams Bridal have plans for a community unveiling with the artist in the early fall.
Douglas Rutherford has been a Glebe resident for 44 years.
11:30AM-8:30PM
Wall mural “Chinese Aces Skate the Canal”
Artist Tia Wong works on her mural PHOTOS: DOUGLAS RUTHERFORD
GLEBE FINE ART SHOW IS COMING, WITH A NEW LOOK
By Eileen Durand
The Glebe Fine Art Show (GFAS), one of the most awaited art shows of the year, will be held this year on the weekend of September 13 and 14. A total of 34 juried artists will be exhibiting at the Glebe Community Centre, 175 Third Avenue.
Four new artists will be part of the exhibition. Their art forms run the gamut from abstract and figurative paintings to landscapes, animals and batik artworks. You are in for a treat! The visiting public will also appreciate the most recent artworks made by artists exhibiting regularly at this event. The art pieces are made using a variety of media such as oils, acrylics and watercolours, but there is also mixed media, pastel, embroidery, batik and fine art photography prints. See the full list of artists at: www.glebefineartshow.ca.
As the GFAS has been in existence for more than 16 years, the show organizers wanted to upgrade its image and branding. As a sign of renewal, a new logo was created and is now used extensively on social media. In addition, the familiar yellow lawn signs promoting the show will be popping up at many corners throughout the Glebe and Old Ottawa South. Join us in supporting the arts and local artists by attending this event. For your enjoyment, Mato’s Café will be offering delicacies, light lunches and beverages throughout the show hours. Again this year, admission is free.
Art lovers and collectors, mark your calendar and come to the Glebe Fine Art Show on September 13 and 14. You will be amazed by the beautiful art!
Eileen Durand lives in the Glebe and has been involved in the art scene for many years. She is the co-coordinator of the Glebe Fine Art Show.
The Glebe according to Zeus
Saturday, September 13 & Sunday, September 14 10 am – 4 pm
Glebe Community Centre 175 Third Avenue, Ottawa Free admission www glebefineartshow ca
Zeus’ new Airgng venture gets rave reviews – and some criticism!
Investors cannot stop talking about Zeus’ latest business success with his new Airgng country concept. “The guinea pig and grass idea just came to me,” said Zeus from his own deluxe villa in a new Chelsea, QC complex. “I often just wake up from a nap with an idea, and it’s always good I’ve noticed.”
Even rodentologists are recommending the Airgng experience to deal with the stress of modern-day leisure
in the city. “Many people think that because most guinea pigs don’t work, they don’t need a vacation. But that’s just not the case. Leisure in the city can be very stressful, especially when guinea pigs have to listen to public servants who are concerned about job cuts,” explained Matthew Rippeyoung, renowned rodentologist. “Guinea pigs need a place they can maximize their leisure pleasure, unwind and, most of all, eat luscious organic grass.” Indeed, recent customers agree. Flankie and Jamaal, whom many may know from Clemow Avenue, say they plan to book every summer at the high-end Airgng. “It’s stressful getting around to restaurants in the summer!!” exclaimed Flankie. “True, true!” chimed in Jamaal, who said he had to
get four pedicures since arriving due to hot pavement damage from the city.
There may be some downsides, however. “From time to time a guinea pig goes missing,” said Constable Butchie, head of the Guinea Pig Predation (GPP) Bureau. In response, Zeus claimed his gated community is impervious to predators. When asked about the bear and fox sightings in the nearby Gatineau Hills, Zeus guffawed. “The only guinea pig disappearances we have had are from those who refuse to pay their bill!” Of note, Constable Butchie said it’s hard to pay the bill when one has been predated.
In the meantime, business is booming, with the Airgng getting fuller by the day. To book your stay, go to Airgng.com.
Yasir Naqvi MP, Ottawa Centre
N 613-946-8682
E yasir.naqvi@parl.gc.ca
Delivering for Canadians: trade, affordability, and a more secure future
After wrapping up our first sitting of the 45th Parliament, I wanted to reflect on the work we have done and the progress we are making. It has been a focused and productive session, centred on what matters most: making life more affordable, opening new doors for Canadian workers and businesses and strengthening Canada’s place in an increasingly complex world.
Here is a quick look at what we have achieved – and how it is making a real difference in people’s lives.
Making Life More Affordable
We know families are feeling the pressure. That is why we delivered a middle-class tax cut, effective Canada Day, reducing the federal rate on the first $57,375 of income from 15 per cent to 14 per cent. That is up to $420 in annual savings for individuals or $840 for couples – money that can go toward everyday essentials and monthly bills.
We are also taking steps to help more young people get into the housing market. In May, the government introduced legislation for a new GST rebate for first-time homebuyers. When in place, this rebate would eliminate GST on newly built homes up to $1 million and provide partial relief up to $1.5 million, saving buyers up to $50,000. It is a significant move to reduce upfront costs and support the next generation of homeowners.
And we have expanded the Canadian Dental Care Plan, which is now open to eligible Canadian residents of all ages. More than four million people have already been approved, and over two million have received care. From cleanings to dentures, the plan is helping Canadians get the care they need, without having to choose between their health and their bills.
Expanding Trade, Strengthening Partnerships
In my new role as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade and Secretary of State for International Development, I have had the opportunity to engage directly with Canada’s global strategy. One thing is clear: growing our economy means building strong, diversified trade partnerships, so we are not overly reliant on any single market and can stay competitive in an unpredictable global landscape.
In Southeast Asia, we are working to finalize a comprehensive agreement with the ASEAN bloc by the end of 2025. With support from our Indo-Pacific Strategy, we are deepening economic ties across the region – especially in high-growth sectors like agri-food, digital services and ocean technology.
In Africa, Canada has launched a bold new Africa Strategy focused on sustainable development, trade and inclusive growth. We are investing in renewable infrastructure, supporting education and creating an Africa Trade Hub to help Canadian companies expand their
presence on the continent.
In Europe, the new EU–Canada Security and Defence Partnership marks a major step in strengthening our transatlantic cooperation on cybersecurity, defence innovation and crisis response. It gives Canadian industries greater access to joint procurement, training and research opportunities – supporting skilled jobs, advancing technology and reinforcing our role in global peace and stability.
Meeting Our Security Commitments
Canada is stepping up to meet its defence and security responsibilities, confirming that it will meet the twoper-cent defence-spending target this year – a commitment welcomed by our allies.
We are also committed to NATO’s updated investment goal of five per cent of GDP by 2035, including 3.5 per cent in direct military spending and 1.5 per cent for infrastructure and industrial capacity.
That means investments in Arctic surveillance, ports, telecommunications and emergency preparedness –projects that protect our sovereignty, create good jobs and help ensure Canada remains secure, resilient and ready for the future.
Cutting Red Tape and Growing Our Economy
Here at home, we are focused on building a more efficient and connected economy. The One Canadian Economy Act is a major step toward that goal – streamlining project approvals, improving labour mobility and reducing duplication across provinces. It makes it easier for skilled workers like nurses and tradespeople to move between provinces without having to requalify, and it helps businesses grow by cutting through outdated interprovincial barriers. By harmonizing regulations and digitizing compliance, we are making it simpler and faster to get things built and get people to work.
Building a Stronger Canada, Together
From meaningful tax relief and housing support to bold trade expansion and national defence investments, this session has been about delivering results. There is still more work ahead, but we are building momentum.
I am proud to keep working alongside our community to build a Canada that is more affordable, more resilient and more secure for everyone.
Catherine McKenney MPP, Ottawa Centre
N 613-722-6414
E CMcKenney-CO@ndp.on.ca
In record-breaking summer heat, Ontario needs a maximum temperature law
Summer is here, and it has been a hot one.
We’ve seen record-breaking heat waves sweep across Ontario, with temperatures often in the mid 30s and a humidex that has reached over 45 degrees. This level of intense heat is not just uncomfortable, it’s dangerous.
In Ontario, while landlords must maintain heating at 20 degrees during the winter months to protect tenants from harsh temperatures, there are no requirements for landlords to provide renters with air conditioning in extreme summer heat. This is alarming on its own but paired with recent reports showing that many tenants are not being permitted to install air conditioning units in their own apartments, lives are being put at risk.
The government knows about these dangers, but for three summers now Doug Ford’s Conservatives have refused to give people the right to install air conditioners in rental units, even after passing a bill that would give them the
power to do so. Instead, they are choosing to leave tenants defenseless in dangerously hot homes.
The government’s failure to proclaim the air conditioning provision in Bill 97, the Helping Homebuyers, Protecting Tenants Act, is more than just neglect. Action must be taken urgently to protect renters from the dangers of extreme heat, especially low-income tenants, seniors and people with disabilities.
When the Legislature resumes in October, I will be moving a motion calling on the government to enact a maximum temperature law and permit tenants to safely install air-conditioning units in their homes. Safe housing means livable temperatures, and the government’s refusal to allow AC units and establish maximum heat regulations for the province shows a deep disregard for tenant health and dignity.
If you agree that action needs to be taken to protect renters during hot summer months, please sign the digital petition on my website. It can be found by going to: CatherineMcKenney.com/ cool homes
If you would like to share your experiences with extreme summer heat, please send me a note at CMcKenney-co@ndp.on.ca.
Stay tuned for more updates as we pressure the government to take action, so that summer can be a time of family fun, unforgettable adventures and lifelong memories, not unbearable heat and dangerous living conditions.
To stay in touch with the MPP office team, please reach out to us by email at CMcKenney@ndp.on.ca or visit www. CatherineMcKenney.com. We’re always ready and willing to help!
Finding your calm in the Glebe
Simple ways to support your nervous system
By Kristin Greenacre
Life in the Glebe is full of connection and activity –morning coffees on Bank Street, busy sidewalks, evenings with family and friends. But even in the friendliest neighbourhoods, our nervous systems sometimes need extra care.
We’ve heard the terms fight or flight, rest and digest, and nervous system regulation – but what do they mean? And how do you know when your nervous system needs support?
Your nervous system is your body’s master communication network. It constantly scans your environment for cues of safety or threat, and it speaks to you through sensation.
Take a moment: Is your jaw relaxed or clenched? Are your shoulders lowered or lifted toward your ears? Is your breath slow and steady or quick and shallow? That simple act of noticing is the first step to regulation.
When you’re regulated, you feel grounded, clearheaded and present. Your breath slows, your shoulders release and you can respond to challenges instead of reacting automatically.
When you’re dysregulated, small things can feel overwhelming. The world might seem too loud. You may feel anxious, scattered, numb or tired. This isn’t
BACKPACK OVERLOAD
By Sue Reive
weakness – it’s your body’s way of saying it needs support.
Four Ways to Support Your Nervous System
Breathe with Intention: Slow, nose-only breathing with a slightly longer exhale tells your body it’s safe. Even a few minutes can shift you from “on alert” to “at ease.” You can practise at your desk, while waiting in line at the bank or before bed.
Spend Time in Nature: Our nervous systems respond to the natural world. Here in the Glebe, that might mean a quiet walk in the Arboretum, a slow
stroll along the Canal or simply sitting on a bench and noticing the movement of water and trees. Watch the sunrise or sunset. Feel the change in the air as seasons shift. Listen for bird calls or the rustle of leaves. These simple, sensory moments help anchor you in the present and quiet an overactive mind.
Honour Light and Dark: Your nervous system follows the rhythm of light and dark. Morning sunlight in your eyes and on your skin (without sunglasses) signals your body to wake up and start the day’s energy cycle. In the evening, dimming lights and avoiding bright screens can help your system prepare for deep, restorative rest.
Seek Skilled Support: Sometimes the best thing you can do is let someone else help your body remember how to relax. Acupuncture works directly with the body’s regulation system, calming stress responses, improving sleep and restoring balance. Many people leave a session feeling deeply relaxed yet quietly energized.
As someone who both lives and works in the Glebe, I love helping people in my community find that balance. My treatment room is steps away from the Canal, and I encourage clients to take the long way home through one of our green spaces to let the effects of their session settle in.
The bottom line: Nervous system regulation isn’t about forcing calm, it’s about building awareness and giving your body the right cues to return to safety and connection. Whether through time in nature, mindful breathing or professional care, small, consistent shifts make a big difference.
Kristin Greenacre is a registered acupuncturist in the Glebe with a clinical focus on women’s health, fertility, and nervous system regulation. She offers treatments at Refine Wellness & Rehab, 99 Fourth Avenue, Unit 102 (www.refineottawa.com).
With back to school just around the corner, it’s time to revisit the problem of backpacks which are often too heavy for the children carrying them. An excessive burden can injure the neck and back muscles and possibly have lasting effects.
The spine is comprised of 33 vertebrae, 24 of which allow movement. The vertebrae are separated by discs and held together by soft tissues and the overlying muscles. The muscles and discs help absorb and transmit the compression forces of activities of daily lifting.
Lifting a heavy backpack can overload and strain the muscles of the spine. Carrying the backpack on one side is an absolute “no-no” since loading only one side of the spine could lead to strain or imbalance in the muscles. Wear the backpack on both shoulders so that weight is distributed evenly. A waist belt will also encourage better weight transference. Ensure the straps are padded and wide enough so that they don’t dig into your shoulders and possibly pinch the nerves. Place the heaviest items in the backpack closest to your back.
Most importantly, don’t overload the backpack. Limit its weight to 10 to 15 per cent of body weight. That means most elementary school children should not be carrying more than eight to 10 pounds. Two textbooks and two binders weigh approximately 12 pounds, and this does not include the weight of the backpack or a lunch box.
When lifting the pack, bend your knees and keep the pack close to your body. Moreover, strengthening the abdominal and back muscles will help prevent injury.
Susan Reive is a physiotherapist at Ottawa Physiotherapy and Sport Clinics Glebe.
Come and join us for this year’s Company of Adventurers performance as A Midsummer Night’s Dream meets All Hallow’s Eve!
There are strange things afoot on the night of the new moon. A haunted wood, warring spirits, befuddled young lovers, a mischievous goblin, potions and spells, a dream within a dream within a dream. Be careful what you dream about, it might come true!
Be prepared for some spooky fun. Wear a Hallowe’en costume!
Approximately 2 hours with one 15-minute intermission. Suitable for all ages. Shows are free. Actors pass a hat after each performance to raise money for a local charity.
September shows are at 57 Glen Avenue.
Fri. Sept. 5 and 12, 6 p.m.
Sat. Sept. 13, 6 p.m.
Sun, Sept. 7 and 14, 2 p.m.
Rain dates (check our Facebook page or email csugars@uottawa.ca to confirm)
Free tickets for the Gladstone can be reserved at: thegladstone.ca/shows/a-midsummernights-dream/ or show up at the door. Actors will pass hats after the shows as a fundraiser for The Gladstone.
For more information, email csugars@uottawa.ca or visit The Company of Adventurers on Facebook.
The author, a registered acupuncturist, treats a client PHOTO: CORY CONTY
Advice from a physiotherapist: Don’t
Protecting our democracy
By Gail Marlene Schwartz
My mother was active in the National Council of Jewish Women during my childhood, and she taught me to show up in the face of injustice. With Mom in mind, I joined millions of people around the world on Saturday, June 14 for No Tyrants Day. We the people showed up for democracy. For the first time since November 6, I felt proud of the American half of my dual citizenship. For the first time since November 6, I felt in solidarity with millions of people around the world who are horrified, indignant and willing to say “no.” For the first time since November 6, I felt inspired by my fellow humans.
I’m incredibly grateful to have joined with Indivisible Ottawa for the protest near the U.S. Embassy. Among other things, the group is dedicated to “advocating for democracy and creating a bridge between those fighting for democracy within the U.S. and Canada.”
I discovered the organization a couple of months ago and being part of a local pro-democracy group has been transformative. It’s made me feel much less alone and so much more empowered during this terrifying historical moment. It’s my hope that more people in Ottawa will get involved.
As a child, my mother made sure my sister and I knew that fascism can happen anywhere and when it does, you get out. As a parent of a son with autism, I knew that Alexi’s ability to receive services and even his basic safety were at stake under the new regime. And as an out queer author who’s been involved in progressive politics most of my adult life, I knew it was only a matter of time before I was placed on the list (if I’m not on it already).
My partner Erin and I decided to move to Ottawa from our home in Vermont last summer after the Supreme Court ruled that U.S. presidents have immunity from criminal behaviour. We knew at that point that the U.S. system was structurally broken and on a fast track to fascism, courtesy of Project 2025. It was a deeply painful choice as my partner’s work and our closest adult
friendships are rooted in Vermont.
My dual citizenship makes us extremely privileged. As heart-wrenching as it was to leave, we are also grateful that we now live in Canada, a democracy where, at least for now, our basic rights are protected. We do not, however, for a minute take that for granted.
Going through the recent federal elections here reinforced my mom’s teachings that it can and does happen anywhere. It’s not only the U.S. threats toward Canada that make the pro-democracy movement critical. Fascism and authoritarianism are sweeping the globe, and those forces are here. Getting involved in pro-democracy groups like Indivisible Ottawa is an important and impactful way of standing for justice, equality and liberty. It’s also a wonderful way to make new friends.
My mom is now in a nursing home in New York and since the inauguration, I’m stressed every time I cross the border to visit her. If I had dark skin or a non-anglo-sounding name, I would not feel safe enough to go. It’s likely
to advocate for democracy in Canada and the U S
that there will come a time in the near future that being white won’t matter, that I could be a target because of my books, my activism, my religion, my queerness, and I’ll make the decision to stop visiting. I’m grateful that my Jewish mother taught me well, and I’m also heartbroken that her teachings will ultimately make it impossible to stay closely connected. What I do know is that if she didn’t have dementia, she would be proud of me. She would see echoes of her own activism in the work I do with Indivisible Ottawa, and her face would light up. I think she’d be proud.
Gail Marlene Schwartz is a writer, a dual citizen and the pickleball champion of her household.
Gail Marlene Schwartz works with Indivisible Ottawa
TWO BROTHERS: BARRY AND DAN
By John Meissner
My weekly brunch mates are brothers from a large Irish-Catholic family that grew up in Hintonburg with six other siblings. Barry has been an outspoken advocate for people with severe disabilities, running successful programs to this end. Dan is a math-science person who successfully worked in high tech until a progressively developing MS forced him into an early retirement. Barry is outspoken and passionate about political ideas (better productivity, eschewing virtue signalling). Dan is more liberal, easy-going and tolerant. Barry writes for esoteric journals and publishes books with real hardcover publishing companies. Dan has been a self-sufficient person who gets around in an adapted van that carries his electric wheelchair. Years earlier, he was on Canada’s Olympic cycling team and won major races.
A continuing disagreement during our brunch discussions has focused on atheism versus faith in a higher order in the universe (god). Daniel sees no evidence for such a belief and is a committed atheist. Barry is up to date on all the research produced by Nobel-winning physicists who believe that quantum physics indeed supports a theistic view of life in the universe.
I am the oddball in all of this. I am a mystic and a Buddhist; I am less charged about this issue. Of course, I see a transcendent universe of beauty
even as the world evolves into an increasingly nasty place. I have had experiences that solidify my beliefs in a world where all beings are interconnected in life and in the concept of reincarnation. I am temperamentally closer to Dan – tolerant and liberal. And on the issue of a transcendent universe, I am much closer to Barry.
Daniel was in and out of the hospital recently, until it was decided his serious health issues were untreatable. They sent him home to be with his family.
Last week, I visited Dan at his house, which is well equipped for wheelchair use (it even has an elevator). On a sunny morning, we sat on the back porch and watched cardinals feast at two bird feeders. I mentioned our discussions about life after death. While I had a different position than him, I did not expect him to change any of his views (he is too principled for that), but I wanted to make one prediction and one request. In his good-natured way, he agreed to entertain this.
My first prediction was that after he shed a body that had been a prison in recent years, he would be surprised by the world that he found himself in, and that he would not be alone but with people who have been vital to him in this and earlier lives. I believe the world between lives is supportive, generous and kind. Although not really aware of it, Dan has been helped throughout his life by guides who have whispered
Daniel is travelin’ tonight on a plane I can see the red taillights headin’ for Spain
and I can see Daniel wavin’ goodbye
inspirational and helpful ideas into his ear when needed. His mother was one such person, even after her passing. Professional hypnotists who do systematic past-life regression work (e.g., Michael Newton) have been more interested in the life between lives than in previous lives and have uncovered a consistent picture of this experience.
So, I asked Dan to consider being happily surprised when he discovers this after passing and realizes that he is not (and never has been) alone. Dan said that if this surprise were to happen, it would indeed be pleasant, even if it were highly improbable I asked him to please remember all this, even if he had to store my idea in a part of his brain labelled “John’s fictional self-comfort fantasies.” In a
friendly manner, I pointed out that we all think “life is all about me,” and I am no different.
So, after discovering that his life hadn’t ended and is unexpectedly good, I first wanted him to think John was right! And secondly, if he found a way of communicating that I was right (in dreams or synchronistic events and accidents), this would fulfill my request to him.
Dan agreed to do this, and we continued our coffee on the porch while the cardinals feasted.
John Meissner is a retired psychologist living in the Glebe who has worked with local school boards, Algonquin College and Carleton University.
By Ellyn Duke Watson & Cooper
One of two parkways bordering the canal (9)
School gymnasium class, abbr. (2)
Quebec cheese (3)
Lacking substance or interest (5)
Hard Italian cheese often grated onto pasta, shortened (4)
Magical symbol used in rituals (5)
Inuit watercraft often seen paddling up the canal (5)
Gun pellet (2)
Spanish affirmative (2)
Stack of objects (4)
A perfect serve in volleyball or tennis (3)
A long time __... in a galaxy far away... (3) 30 Vessel for a summer treat (12) 26 House of Targ has many of these machines (7) 32 Brief daytime sleeps (4)
Wide-angle view (8)
Slice with scissors (3) 28 Toxic, like certain snakes (8)
Ghost’s frightening sound (3)
Risqué reading material (4)
Final sums (6) 31 Something that keeps your house cool in the summer (2) 40 Soft French cheese (9)
Verse section in poetry (6)
You, in Montreal (3) 35 Famous movie with Christian Bale, ‘American ____’ (6) 42 French word for lake (3) 36 Wager on an outcome (3) 43 Term for pizza cheese, shortened (5) 37 First word in a Star Wars jedi name (3) 44 Small suburb in eastern Ottawa or Shakespearean prince (6) 38 Common computer font (5)
44 Expression of sudden amusement (2)
Volunteering at Glebe Collegiate
By Kylie Taggart
I started going to school council meetings when my youngest didn’t need me as much at bedtime, about 15 years ago. A nice person invited me, and I was curious, so I went.
The more I went, the more the benefits piled up. Now, with my youngest graduated, I think of my time in school council as selfish volunteering, because I gained so much. This was especially true when my children were in high school.
Here are five reasons to volunteer as a parent or caregiver of a high-school student.
One: Knowledge
High schools are complicated. Glebe Collegiate Institute is home to more than 1,250 students and more than 60 staff. From timetables to extra-curriculars, to details of funding and curriculum development, there’s a lot to understand.
School council meetings start with a report by the principal, vice-principals, a teacher and often representatives from student council or another student club. You learn what is going on and why.
“Volunteering with Glebe School Council helped me learn more about the supports and opportunities available to students and get a better sense of what my kids’ typical day was like while at a school,” said Tamara Miller, co-chair from 2019 to 2024. “You learn more about the facilities, the extra-curricular opportunities and are often able to get info on any issues that may be affecting the student experience.”
Two: Action
Doing something concrete about an issue that’s affecting your child and their peers is immensely satisfying. Being part of a school council provides a chance to ask questions, raise concerns and provide guidance.
“It brings in ideas from all sorts of areas providing new approaches to actioning innovative solutions or helping tackle the problem spots,” explained Nancy Roberge, who was a member of Glebe School Council from 2011 to 2021. “Volunteers are very instrumental to help to take some things off the shoulders of staff so that they can focus on the programming for students.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, school council acted as a point of contact for questions and concerns, especially for parents who’d never even set foot in the building. “I’d like to think that council helped steer the school through a very difficult period for students and staff,” Miller said.
Action also means providing funds. School council was able to fund library books and new technology including a heat press, 3D printer and sound equipment. It supported student clubs in various ways, like buying buzzers for the trivia team and helping the environmental club TWIGS apply for grants for the outdoor classroom.
Three: Social ties
When Eugene Lang encourages people to join school council, he tells people that “you will meet and interact with some great people in our community who care not just about their own kids but all kids in the community.
News from Glebe Collegiate Institute
And you get to interact with some wonderful teachers and leaders at the schools.” Lang was a member for six years and co-chair in 2022-23.
You don’t only meet people at meetings. I’ve met other parents from all around the world while washing dishes after a staff appreciation lunch, and I’ve made new friends while distributing orders from fundraising drives.
Four: Learning
When the world changes quickly, the best way to learn is often from the young. The best explanation of pronouns, the best description of microaggressions and the best example of the need to retain cultural knowledge I ever heard were from students at school council meetings.
There are other chances to learn. School council’s events committee organized nights for parents and caregivers to explore ideas for helping our youth with their mental health, learn the details of organizing retirement living for aging parents and find out Glebe alumni’s views of life after high school, among other subjects.
I’ve gained basic skills that helped in other areas of my life, from how to host a Google Meets meeting to ensuring accessibility when planning a large event. The skillset of other parents, staff and students is remarkable.
Five: Stronger community
Being involved shows your child that you care about their life, their peers and their community. It helps teachers and staff do their job well and ultimately it benefits not only your family but the wider school community.
“An engaged parent community signals a community that cares,” noted Roberge.
Volunteering is simple. The first step is to engage. Keep abreast of activities by reading school notices and the announcements on the school website and by following Glebe School Council on social media (@glebeschoolcouncil). All are welcome at school council meetings.
To interact with students, you’ll have
to follow the school board’s protocols for screening, which involves a police records check. It’s best to do it well in advance of any event where you hope to help.
Don’t have kids in high school? Please support fundraisers put on by students and the school council. This can be everything from Glebe music nights, the CHEO drive in May, buying vegetables in the fall or chocolate in the spring. A stronger school community is a stronger community at large.
Kylie Taggart is a Glebe Collegiate parent and long-time school council volunteer.
TRU REALTY BROKERAGE
From open houses to open water – this realtor’s fifth Ironman
By Zosia Vanderveen
Most mornings over the past year, the rhythmic whir of a treadmill has echoed through our family home. It’s the soundtrack of a familiar ritual – my mom, a real estate broker by day and triathlete-in-training by very early morning, is already deep into her scheduled workout.
While most of us are still asleep, she’s logging hours on the basement treadmill. Her hours down there were always spent watching movies, listening to music, parenting me and my brother through whatever we were fussing with that day; most impressive, she’d talk on the phone with clients, negotiating offers, arranging showings. My mom has always impressed me with her strong spirit and energy and dedication to what she does. I love to talk about her adventures, and one of my favourites is that she once successfully completed the sale of a house and competed in a marathon at the same time. That’s my mom: determined, driven, always multitasking.
Sunday, August 3 was my mom’s fifth full-distance Ironman. Her journey started months earlier, deep in the cold of winter. She spent endless hours on her stationary trainer, pedalling to nowhere while watching the snowy
street outside our basement window. This was all in preparation for one of the triathlon world’s most renowned and punishing physical challenges: a 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike ride and a full 42.2 km marathon.
Going from Norseman touring the beautiful Norwegian mountains with the family following behind her as support crew to Canadaman touring the Quebec mountains to racing through her own city, my mom didn’t just appreciate the flatter route. Seeing the city
from this perspective, from well-known sights and landmarks to stretches of nature and the many Ottawa residents who came out to support the racers, my mom gained a new appreciation of the city that first welcomed her to Canada, where she’s since raised her family and established her career.
Before we knew it, it was the big day. My mom rushed to get all her gear in order, my dad helping out, and they were out of the house by 4:30 a.m. to begin a long, much anticipated day.
The Ottawa course started at Britannia Beach with a sunrise swim, followed by cycling the Kichi Zībī Mīkan that hugs the Ottawa River. From west to east and back again, riders passed familiar landmarks from unfamiliar angles, heads down, legs burning, wind relentless.
And then came the run, my mom’s least favourite part, an admittedly scenic punishment, she would say.
Queen Elizabeth Drive shimmered in golden-hour light. Glebe residents clanged cowbells on their front lawns. Parliament Hill stood in stoic silence as runners looped around it.
The finish line awaited at Major’s Hill Park behind the Château Laurier, glowing with floodlights and echoing with cheers. For so many masochists – I mean, athletes – it marked the culmination of years of training and sacrifice.
Ironman Ottawa isn’t just a race, it’s
also a love letter to the city, tracing a path from Westboro to Orléans and through the heart of the Glebe. It brought together people from around the world – athletes, volunteers and supporters, united by their shared pursuit of a faraway finish line and athletic achievement.
For my dad and I, our day was spent tracking my mom as she reached checkpoints throughout the race and biking to various points on the route to cheer as she came by, striking poses for us and to our amazement flashing a bright smile.
To the neighbours who came out with signs or speakers, to those who clapped in the middle of dog walk or from their front steps, to every volunteer and stranger who helped out and shouted encouragement – thank you. Your energy and that of hundreds of others carried her through. This race became a display of the spirit our city has to offer – Ottawa did not disappoint!
And if you missed it this year, don’t worry. Ironman Ottawa is here to stay. Come cheer next year. Or better yet, sign up or volunteer. My mom is already talking about the next one.
Zosia Vanderveen is a secondyear health sciences student at the University of Ottawa and life-long Glebe resident who enjoys reading and writing, gardening and painting. She is very proud of her mother.
An impending storm loomed in the Glebe on July 24
PHOTO: DEBRA PIPE
Photo: Glebe resident and local realtor Basia Vanderveen completed her fifth Ironman, the first in Ottawa, on August 3
LANSDOWNE 2.0 – A PERSONAL REFLECTION
By Denis Caro
Sitting on a park bench at the Great Lawn at Lansdowne, I contemplate the beauty, grace and greenery before me. Beauty and Grace soon to disappear forever. The delights and joyful screams of children and parents together and of kites and the freedom of playing dogs.
There breathed the “Moving Surfaces” by renowned artist Jill Anholt with Charlotte Falk. A remarkable sculpture with its magical lights played a silent music, adding unspeakable dignity and grace to the entire park. Yet I am very sad. Since March 2024, this city has allowed the sculpture fall into disrepair with no protests and no commentary.
Lights forever shut – a prelude to what Lansdowne 2.0 promises to become. Cold and moribund. “Moving Surfaces” no more! Replaced with the cold hard steel of what passes for fleeting entertainment. A place of cracking bones and clashing helmets!
There is no need to repeat the desiccated arguments and calculations of OSEG and City Hall. How investing in new stadium facilities and exorbitant housing projects will finally allow the current businesses to grow flourish and finally turn a profit. We have heard these speeches for decades. And who truly believes this anymore? In these times of economic upheaval and punitive tariffs, we all also know that the construction costs will at least triple and take far longer to build than we are
led to believe.
The one promise to be fulfilled: mountains of growing debts and deficits of our City, higher than any skyscraper we can conceive of.
We also know that impassible traffic will morph into a nightmare of Van Gogh proportions. We will be reminded of people fleeing desperate war-torn cities where cars remain in permanent gridlock. And where no sensible public transit system dare go.
No, there is something much deeper that is being lost with Lansdowne 2.0
as currently conceived. It promises to be a loss for the people of Ottawa and a squandering of the future for our nation’s capital.
Here the worship of quick money promises the mindless bulldozing of current structures and whirls of dust and dirt. And to whose profit? We all know whose, and we can be silent on identifying them. We all also know that at the end of the day the piles of money to be gained are only but a desert mirage.
And what of our nation’s capital
vision of becoming an inspiring and dignified national capital worthy of all Canadians and envied by the entire world? Where is that vision at Lansdowne 2.0? Why has the National Capital Commission not come forward to take possession of this land and dream it into something worthy of, and a real tribute to, our nation?
Why do the First Nations peoples have no voice in what is going to be built or what it is to become? This, although every public speech in Ottawa starts with the acknowledgment that “the city is built on the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Anishinaabeg Algonquin Nation”. But where are the Anishinabek Algonquin voices now at Lansdowne 2.0? What is their vision? Why are they silenced?
Why should Lansdowne not be a creative interaction space for all indigenous peoples and Canadians to flourish and grow together?
Why should it not be a space that is a vibrant nexus for creative arts, advanced science and technology? Why should it not be a space to inspire peoples and the youth of tomorrow to reach higher summits?
Why does Lansdowne have to be a dirge of the past and not a rhapsody of the future? Who is playing that dirge, and is Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” to be silenced forever?
Dr. Denis Caro is Professor Emeritus at the University of Ottawa.
“Moving Surfaces,” the sculpture at Lansdowne by Jill Anholt, is expected to be moved under Lansdowne 2 0 PHOTO: LIZ MCKEEN
Volunteer gardeners keep the Glebe blooming!
By Della Wilkinson, Linda Bruce and Jim Louter
Glebe residents may have the impression that the flowers and plants growing on City of Ottawa rights of way, such as the garden bed at the intersection of Imperial and Renfrew Avenues or the concrete planters throughout the neighbourhood, are created and maintained by the City, but this is not the case.
The garden beds and planters are cared for by a variety of groups, and the Glebe Community Association’s (GCA) Environment Committee wants to share a new map with local residents and visitors to help them enjoy these spaces and appreciate who has planted and maintained them.
The map was created in partnership with Carleton University students taking the Foundations in Community Engagement course last fall that was organized through Community Action for Environmental Sustainability (CAFES). To learn more about the collaboration, see the November 2024 Glebe Report (“Carleton students and community unite to champion pollinator gardens”). The map can be accessed through the QR code shown on the recently installed Garden Angel signs located throughout the neighbourhood and on the GCA Environment Committee webpage (glebeca.ca/ environment-committee/).
The Garden Angels are a group of volunteer gardeners, supported by the GCA Environment Committee. They can often be seen tending garden beds and planters whose locations are identified by green flower icons on the map. The Glebe BIA maintains the hanging baskets and flower beds along Bank Street – these locations are identified by the yellow flower icons. Neighbourhood schools are another source of gardens as are community gardens that focus on growing food; in the case of the Lansdowne Civic Garden, food is donated to Centretown Emergency Food Centre. There are several church gardens including the indigenous gardens at Glebe St. James.
The Garden Angels are always keen to welcome new volunteer gardeners and have some locations looking for a resident with a green thumb and some time to volunteer. One example is the Pantry Garden located on Second Avenue between the Glebe Community Centre steps and the tennis courts, which has recently been revived in honour of the 50th anniversary of the Glebe Neighbourhood Activities Group.
Plants within the Bank Street and Garden Angels’ planters and beds have been donated by either the City of Ottawa, the Glebe BIA, volunteers or their neighbours. So, if you have perennial pollinator plants that need dividing, a donation would be greatly appreciated. Please contact Linda Bruce or Jim Louter at GardenAngels@glebeca.ca.
Linda Bruce is head Garden Angel. Jim Louter is a Garden Angel who helps maintain the flower bed at Renfrew and Imperial Avenues. Della Wilkinson is chair of the GCA Environment Committee and an enthusiastic beginner gardener!
Jim Louter in the garden bed he started at the intersection of Renfrew and Imperial avenues
Linda Bruce in the garden bed she maintains on Fifth Avenue at Bank Street
A short Tour de France
By Patricia Lightfoot
We planned to do three weeks of cycling in France, including two rest days, just like the Tour de France, except in May, not July. We would also be covering a much shorter distance (1,300 km), at much lower speeds (average 16 km/h), carrying all our stuff and camping most nights. The night before we left, I lay in bed asking myself David Byrne-style, “What have I done?”
Happily, the experience proved to be wonderful. The French countryside was beautiful, the weather was mostly dry, people were friendly, and there is a particular joy in rolling out on a bike each morning to a new destination. We planned our own adventure, which was a loop, starting from the south-west corner of Paris, where we rented our bikes. We headed south through Chartres to Tours in the Loire Valley largely along the “Saint-Jacques à Vélo” route. There we joined the “Loire à Vélo” and “Eurovélo 6” routes and rolled along one or other of those west to Nantes. From there we rode north to Mont St Michel through Brittany along the very charming “La Régalante” route. After that, we followed the “Véloscénie” east to IlliersCombray, birthplace of Marcel Proust, and then retraced our pedal strokes north to Paris.
These named routes all featured a combination of quiet roads and dedicated paths and are listed on francevelotourisme.com. Using the cycle.
In the Glebe
By Josh Rachlis | SparkTheGenius com
travel app, husband Phil planned our route for each day, sometimes deviating from the named route to take in a place of interest or just allow for a more agreeable journey. He also did the daily bicycle maintenance that was necessary given the kilometres we were covering and the loads we were carrying.
As we rode through the countryside, there was a near-constant sound of birdsong, featuring cuckoos, wood pigeons, blackbirds and chiffchaffs. The many flowering trees also made their presence felt. Cycling down paths lined with lilacs, wisteria or black locust, we sometimes seemed to ingest lungfuls of pollen.
Some villages closer to Paris were reminiscent of those in southern England, with thatched roofs and flints embedded in church walls. We also saw a remarkable array of medieval buildings across northern France that are still occupied, as well as storybook castles in Vitré, Fougères and the magnificently named Nogent-le-Rotrou.
In Nantes, we visited the home of La Machine, which provided Ottawa with a magical weekend in 2017 when the dragon-horse Long Ma and the spider Kumo fought a great battle across our city. We saw demonstrations of a number of La Machine’s other creations and got to ride on a mechanical elephant that was pacing around the Isle de la Machine. That experience alone was worth cycling from Paris for!
We ate well as we travelled. While on the road, grocery stores provided
the makings of a fine picnic as did various bakeries. One challenge was that the latter tend to close at lunchtime on Sunday and often all day Monday, and many villages had no obvious commerce. It required some careful planning to ensure we always got to a store in time, but we did manage to avoid having to lunch or dine on energy bars.
We booked all our accommodation ahead of time; we then found there were only a few other campers in some places, while other campgrounds were really busy. Our first order of business at each campsite was setting up our tent, inflating our excellent sleeping mats and pillows and rolling out our down sleeping bags. We knew we would sleep well!
The only bad night in the tent was at the municipal campsite in the hamlet of La Selle-Guerchaise in Brittany,
where a wedding was robustly celebrated nearby until about 4 a.m., when I finally drifted off to sleep to the sounds of my youth, including “Ça plane pour moi” by Plastic Bertrand. On the upside, the campsite was located near a pagoda that a French missionary had brought back from China and converted into a Christian chapel dedicated to Saint Anne. It was both surprising and charming. Another upside was the kindness of a camper in an RV who made us each a cup of coffee to have with our brioche. I’m still grateful! The decision not to carry cooking supplies was generally a good one, but any time we had coffee with our breakfast, it tasted so good.
Patricia Lightfoot is a Glebe resident and former Glebe Report board member.
Map of the author’s bike route through France, from the cycle travel app
Ready to picnic PHOTO: PATRICIA LIGHTFOOT
One of the bicycles parked outside the Château d’Ussé PHOTO: PHILLIP LIGHTFOOT
Tim Mackey and Karen Bramhill, one of the families affected by the fire on July 5, hosted a barbecue on August 4 for all the neighbours who went through the fire experience with them Said Mackey, “One of the things that became so clear to us all as we all fled our houses that night and collectively made sure we were all safely out of our houses was how much you rely on your community in moments of crisis
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
GLEBE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION AGM The GCA will be hosting our Annual General Meeting on Wed , Sept 10 Join us at the Glebe Community Centre at 7 p m for our “year in review” reports, to hear from our area’s municipal, provincial and federal representatives and to elect a new board of directors
EU BOOK CLUB: On June 4, Greece presented “A Foreign Country” by Professor George Prevelakis The event sparked a great discussion on identity, belonging, and European perspectives
ABBOTSFORD SENIORS FAIR Abbotsford will be hosting a seniors’ fair on Fri , Sept 5 between 9:30 a m and 2 p m Abbotsford Seniors Centre is celebrating 50 years as a community centre for seniors in the old stone house (950 Bank St ) The dignitary speeches and fitness and dance demonstrations will be held outside in front of Abbotsford in our parking lot starting at 9:30 a m Everyone is welcome to attend We ask that you register your interest with us by calling 613-230-5730 and dialing ‘0’ for reception
ABBOTSFORD’S LEARN & EXPLORE “SPEAKER’S SERIES PRESENTS Wed , Sept 10, 1p m Rebecca Clouâtre, a mixed media visual artist based in Nepean, will present Collage Art and Environmentalism: Recycling and Reimagining. This presentation will begin with a brief history of collage art, exploring its roots and its significance as an accessible and eco-friendly visual medium Rebecca will then present an artist talk, sharing insight into her creative practice and influences, including nature and motherhood She will also discuss her past and current projects Everyone is welcome Please call 613-230-5730 and dial ‘0’ to speak with reception and register for this talk
GARDEN CLUB OF OLD OTTAWA SOUTH Preserving the Harvest, Tues, Sept 9 at 7 PM, Old Firehall Community Centre Are you struggling to use up your garden’s zucchini or tomato surplus? Join Master Gardener Rebecca Last to learn more about preserving your harvest to enjoy homegrown flavours all winter long at the Garden Club of Old Ottawa South meeting to be held on Tuesday, September 9 at 7 PM The Garden Club will
be celebrating 30 years since it was started with cake and refreshments at the September 9 meeting at the Old Firehall Community Centre located at 260 Sunnyside Ave in Old Ottawa South Don’t miss these practical tips to make the most of your garden’s bounty!
GLEBE FINE ART SHOW Sat Sept 13 & Sun Sept 14, 10 a m -4 p m , Glebe Community Centre Free admission Join us in support the arts and local artists For your enjoyment, Mato’s Café will be offering delicacies, light lunches and beverages www glebefineartshow ca
GRANDMOTHERS’ BRIDGE CROSSING Sun, Sept 7, 10 a m -2 p m (Rain date: Sun, Sept 14) The Ottawa One World Grannies with the Aylmer GoGos invite you to join us for a Grandmothers Bridge Crossing, an awareness raising event on National Grandparents Day, Sunday, September 7, 10 a m to 2 p m , on the Adawe Crossing pedestrian bridge in Strathcona Park
MUSICA VIVA SINGERS Do you like to sing? Do you enjoy being in a community of others who like to sing? Join Musica Viva Singers! Our membership ranges in age from student to golden years, and our ability to read music ranges from beginner to trained musician But all of us love singing and helping others to enjoy making music We need all voices, high and low, soprano, alto, tenor and bass We meet at Centretown United Church on Bank St every Monday from 7 to 9:30 p m and practice with our director Scott Richardson and talented accompanist Tom Sear Rehearsals start Sept 8, and we will present a concert on Dec 15 The first rehearsal is open, so anyone can come and try us out For further information, visit www musica-viva ca
“SOMETHING ROTTEN” GNAG theatre AUDITIONS
Sept 2 or 3, Glebe Community Centre “Something Rotten” offers actors, singers and dancers the fun of a musical set in Shakespeare’s time which blends classical theatre with lots of Broadway GNAG theatre brings actors of all levels together for an educational and fun rehearsal process and the thrill of an intensive production Audition on September 2 or 3 to join an exhilarating musical theatre experience In Shakespeare’s time, only men got on stages There was lots of gender
crossing in roles In our time, we cross gender in both directions The show offers lots of scope for women, men, teens and children over 10 Professional artists lead this process open to all community members
FOR SALE
FURNITURE 2 wood night tables from Bombay ($50 00 each), 3 unwired Moroccan glass shades ($100 each), 1 ladies mountain bike ($150, needs tune up, reflected in price), 1 Needak Soft Bounce Rebounder (many health benefits), paid $495, asking $150 For more info on any of these items, please email lylche53@outlook com
HERMAN MILLER AERON CHAIR tip-top condition; $275 VINTAGE OAK FILING CABINET, 4 generous drawers; manufactured in Toronto, $200 VINTAGE OAK DESK, just the right size for a small study area, $150 Phone: 613-230-5552
OAK WHISKY BARREL PLANTERS new authentic steel rings $65 each Can be delivered in the Glebe area Call 613-261-4504
NORCO MULTI-SPEED BICYCLE like new Model LRT RILEX RY, original cost $1600 Comes with a bike manual Sell for $650 Call 613-261-4504
DINING-ROOM TABLE antique mahogany Duncan Phyfe, double pedestals Measures 62” long x 42” wide x 29” high Comes with one leaf to extend to 72” $800 Call 613-261-4504
AVAILABLE
GARDENING HELP Hi, my name is Janna I have been helping neighbours in the Glebe for 7+ years with all kinds of yard maintenance like raking, weeding, pruning, etc Specializing in transplanting, I also have lots of experience with vegetable gardens and seedlings Please contact me at 613-293-6883 if you are interested in my services
LOST AND FOUND
FOUND Set of five keys on First Ave between Lyon and Percy If this belongs to you, call or text: 613-889-0771
