CAPITAL PARENT JUNE 2013

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Fave Ottawa Eats page 8

The Tyranny of Car Seats page 5

Bible Boot Camp at The Armor of God Come and join the army.

For more information call 613-248-3461 ext.: 111 knesrallah@steliaschildcare.com

Jump for June! ... and rediscover your city page 6

PHOTO : KATE SETTLE

JUNE 2013 | FREE | www.capitalparent.ca

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HEALTHY FAMILIES

Health for EveryBODY

BY JAMIE HURST, RD, OTTAWA PUBLIC HEALTH

T

he last thing any parent wants to hear from their child is “I’m too fat.” Yet, we live in a society where these words seem to be spoken all too often.

More than two thirds (65%) of Ottawa students report trying to control their body weight, while only one in five (22%) report meeting minimum physical activity guidelines. Clearly, students worry more about weight than leading healthy lives.

Growing up, it seemed as though there was always emphasis placed on weight. Thin women and bulky men have long been viewed as the ideal.

However, we now know that a healthy-behaviour approach – instead of a weight-centred approach – empowers people to make healthier choices.

“We know that people who feel good about themselves and their bodies are more likely to have healthy self-esteem and adopt healthy attitudes such as eating well and being active,” explains Pascale Messier, Registered Dietitian with Ottawa Public Health.

Eating well, being active and feeling good are the pillars of Ottawa Public Health’s new messaging.

Eat together as a family Getting everyone involved in meal planning, shopping and cooking helps foster key life skills for everyone. Messier also encourages families to eat together as often as possible. “While

many families today have hectic schedules, eating together is a great way to connect and catch up on the day’s events.” Also, when parents and children eat together, they are more likely to eat healthy meals and improve their intake of fibre, vitamins and minerals.

Encourage children to be active every day and enjoy being active together as a family Children and teens need at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity every day. Screen time should be limited to no more than two hours a day. Enjoying active family time ensures that everybody benefits from moving more and sitting less. “Walking the dog or going for a bike ride together are great ways of helping children to have fun while keeping moving,” suggests Messier.

Help your children feel good about themselves; focus on strengths and abilities Reminding our children how special and unique they are and celebrating their achievements are simple ways to help them feel good about themselves.

“Focusing on a person’s unique strengths and abilities and praising these qualities rather than their physical appearance is very important,” counsels Messier.

Are you a SavvyMom?

Attributes that may help children feel good about themselves include intellect, a sense of humour, physical abilities, kindness, and talent.

Personal characteristics such as these should be valued rather than body shape.

Be a healthy role model. Children watch and learn Often we are so focused on our children that we forget that feeling good about ourselves matters.

The way we think, feel and talk about ourselves and others will affect how our children think, feel and talk about themselves and others. Research has shown that the right language can foster the adoption of healthy behaviours, rather than reinforcing obsessive focus on pounds and inches.

“For example, the term ‘diet’ implies restriction. Using the term ‘healthy eating’ is a more positive approach. Similarly, the term ‘physical activity’ is preferable to ‘exercise,’” says Messier.

Role modeling is clearly an effective tool and parents are encouraged to promote health by modeling healthy behaviours such as eating well, being active, and feeling good about themselves.

Picking strawberries is a great activity to do as a family! Ainsley Burnside ( 8) and her grandfather Peter Healey pick strawberries at the Richmond Nursery, located at the corner of Richmond and Fallowfield Roads. PHOTO: CHARLENE BURNSIDE PHOTOGRAPHY

For more health information, check out the Ottawa Public Health blog at ottawahealth.tumblr.com, follow them on Twitter @ottawahealth, or call the Ottawa Public Health Information Line at 613-580-6744.

O O Z K R A P K C A N A PAP OO KEEPER CAMP JUNIOR ZCATIONAL ADVENTURE” “AN EDU

A very unique opportunity to experience the life of a zoo keeper as you go behind the scenes at Papanack Park Zoo.

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• Exciting visits with the special animals at “Lemur Junction” • One of a kind photo opportunities • Lifetime membership to the zoo • …and most of all lots of fun!

• Complimentary daily bussing from Orleans • 20 Campers per camp • Ages 8 and up $295 plus HST

Deals, tips, the latest and greatest places to take your family and much, much more

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For more information call:

(613) 673-PARK (7275) or visit www.papanack.com

Papanack Park Zoo – Wendover, Ontario

“Preservation and conservation through education” Ottawa’s Local Zoo since 1995

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A tasting tour of two of Ottawa’s most vibrant neighbourhoods

BY PAULA ROY

O

ne of the most accessible ways to explore another culture is through food. What better way to get your kids engaged with learning about their hometown than taking them on a walking tour of two of Ottawa’s most vibrant – and delicious – neighbourhoods?

This month is an ideal time to explore the sights, sounds and tastes of Little Italy and Chinatown.

LITTLE ITALY

You can start your northward stroll down Preston Street – also known as Corso Italia – at Carling Avenue, under the modern archway that proclaims the entrance to Little Italy.

Ottawa’s finest handcrafted sandwiches. Next door is their Home of Fresh Pasta featuring ready made meals, myriad types of pasta and 40 varieties of delicious house made sauces (their rosé is exceptional).

To make a visit to Little Italy even more culturally enlightening, pick up a free Italian-language newspaper (available at many shops) and see how much of it you can decipher.

In mid-June, Preston Street will be even more lively thanks to the annual ten-day Italian Week festival (June 6 – 16) which features music, food, art and more. Highlights include an outdoor ‘opera at the piazza’, a bicycle race and an Italian Car parade with Ferrari demonstrations.

CHINATOWN

At Casa Nicastro, marvel at the extensive array of Italian foods including scores of olive oils and balsamic vinegars. Pick up some of their famous house-made, gluten-free sausages along with a selection of fine cheeses.

On Saturdays, check out the Preston Farmer’s Market at the corner of Preston & Louisa, featuring loads of local food and other goodies. There’s usually live music too! It opens on Saturday June 15, so mark your calendars.

For a late-afternoon treat for slightly adventuresome eaters, pop into restaurant two six {ate} after 4 p.m. for mini calzones or a fried peanut butter and jam sandwich. Bring a handful of coins so the kids can try out the vintage Ms. Pac-Man video game, and enjoy the Star Wars artefacts that decorate the place.

The ornate imperial-style Ottawa Chinatown Gateway – on Somerset just west of Bronson – makes a wonderful starting point to explore this diverse, interesting neighbourhood. Completed in 2010, the arch is a symbol of prosperity, health and good fortune featuring nine golden roofs covered with glazed tiles. Guarded by carved stone lions, it’s lovely to look at and fun to photograph too.

There is so much to see as you head west on Somerset Street, given the abundance of shops and restaurants. A favourite stop for a family to fuel up before a walking tour is the venerable Yangtze Dining Lounge which has provided excellent dim sum along with a huge variety of Cantonese and Szechuan dishes for over 30 years.

Planning a family stroll down Somerset Street? Park near the archway and begin your walking tour from there. PHOTO : ANDREA TOMKINS

tanks teem with live fish and seafood. The bakery is not to be missed – among the many sweet and savoury options are almond cookies, custard buns, barbeque beef pastries and pork buns.

Manphong Supermarket is a great place for foodstuffs both familiar and foreign. Ramen packets and canned vegetables share the shelves with enormous bags of rice and dried mushrooms, as well as stacks of cute, inexpensive dishware that would be perfect for a themed birthday party.

Visit the friendly Amici Caffe for an espresso while the kids tackle the foosball table. Their paninis are also exceptional; you’ll be tempted to linger a little on their lovely patio.

Kids will love a visit to Global Homeware & Giftware. The shop is crammed with toys, trinkets, clothing and more. Grab some great Hello Kitty branded items and a package of origami paper to extend your Asian appreciation at home.

Sandwich lovers would enjoy a stop at My Hang, which sells delicious Banh Mi – Vietnamese style submarines. There are also several spots to get Pho – Vietnamese soup; a favourite is Pho Bo Ga La.

Just north of Somerset, Luciano’s offers all kinds of Italian groceries including packages of rainbow-coloured pasta, cookies and frozen tiramisu. Their deli counter prepares some of

The largest food shop in Chinatown is the big, bustling Kowloon Market. Stroll through the aisles and marvel at all fresh and packaged goods.

Be sure to venture to the back of the store, where

Lim Bangkok Grocery offers a wide selection of exotic fruits and vegetables which always makes for fun taste-testing; pick up some durian, mangosteen and fresh lychees here along with

fortune cookies and bubble tea powder.

It’s worth a stop at Phuoc Lo Grocery just for the coconut milk popsicles. You might enjoy sampling a few of their unusual canned drinks, in flavours such as tamarind, passion fruit and grass jelly.

Don’t forget to pack your bathing suits! Whether visiting Little Italy or Chinatown, a visit to the Plant Bath pool or Plouffe Park’s playground and splash pad – both at the corner of Somerset and Preston – would please any child and make a fine finish to your culinary adventure.

TURN TO PAGE 6 FOR MORE GREAT PLACES TO EXPLORE AROUND OTTAWA

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1335 Carling Ave., Suite 313 (beside Westgate at the Qwy.) Tel.: 613.722.0233 • Fax: 613.722.0719 JUNE 2013 3

From The Editor

PHOTO : JASON CODE

T

Andrea Tomkins andrea@capitalparent.ca

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Recent posts include: •Family friendly arts & crafts• •A great contest• •Kid-friendly activities• •Your favourite Ottawa playgrounds•

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he sunny weather has finally arrived, and I’m thrilled. It’s the perfect time to get out and explore our beautiful city and learn more about where we live. Our family is ready to return to some of our old favourites and discover some new ones as well at Doors Open Ottawa.

(See page 10 for details!) There is so much to discover, which is why this month’s issue is themed around the idea of a staycation and being tourists in our own town. I have spoken to so many families who have never been to the top of the Peace Tower, or seen all of the interesting statues around Parliament Hill – so much of it is free.

In this issue, contributor Katharine Fletcher offers up a few different ways you can pretend to be a tourist and see the sights. I bet there are a few ideas your haven’t considered before! Paula Roy took a different angle by exploring two delicious culinary neighborhoods here in Ottawa: Little Italy and Chinatown. Both make really fun destinations for families, and if you haven’t been there in awhile, take Paula’s suggestions with you and go! And of course, when we are driving to these places we need to make sure our families are safe and secure in the car. Our columnist Lynn Jatania shares her struggles with her kids and their car seats. I’m sure her piece will make you smile.

Speaking of summer activities, I wanted to

remind you about our first annual Capital Parent Summer Survey. We want to hear about your favourite Ottawa-area destinations: your favourite beaches, wading pools, and playgrounds. We’ll be tallying your votes and publishing the top picks in our summer issue, which will no doubt result in a really handy guide to summer in Ottawa. (We will be encouraging you to grab an extra copy to leave in your car!) The survey only takes a couple of minutes to fill out, and all completed surveys will be entered in a draw to win one of five family day passes to the Canadian Museum of Nature. You can find it at our website at capitalparent.ca.

Before I sign off I wanted to give a quick thank you to all the friendly families I had the good fortune to meet at this year’s Kidsfest – Capital Parents & Kids Show back in April. It was really nice to meet you all and I enjoyed our conversations about Dora, giant bunnies, and Stormtroopers! When I wasn’t busy chatting with parents I wandered around to catch a piece of the action and spoke with many of the vendors. I saw so many smiling faces and happy kids, it really was a pleasure. I’m already looking forward to being a part of it again next year.

Both boys love the Peace Tower - spotting places they know from the top and seeing all the “ant people” below, and the Locks, especially when the boats are running, provide hours (well, a bunch of minutes, anyway) of entertainment.

When the boys help me work (they often model for me) there is always a lot of give and take – something for me (a pose, a smile), something for them – and they are quite good at coming up with their own ideas for the perfect shot. This shoot was fast and fun – Parliament Hill is a great place for children as there is so much space to run, so they didn’t need much persuading. The ultimate prize this time was a visit to Menchies in the Byward Market for some frozen yogurt with all the trimmings.”

Sweet Tweets Finally got to @opl_bpo to pick up the May issue of @capitalparent paper. Can’t wait to read about Ottawa’s fav parks!

- @Jemrah1

A shout out to my friends @capitalparent for doing such a great job organizing #kidsfestOTT! Count us in again next year!

Thanks @capitalparent for a great weekend at #kidsfestOTT - @Dovercourt411

- @tinyhoppers

Send us a tweet @capitalparent

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CONTRIBUTORS Karlis Bouse • Katharine Fletcher Jamie Hurst • Lynn Jatania Paula Roy • Kate Settle Ottawa Public Library

COPY EDITOR Judith van Berkom DESIGN & PRODUCTION Sarah Ellis sarah@greatriver.ca

CAPITALPARENT is published by

Ottawa photographer Kate Settle captured the great image on our cover as well as the photo on page 6 for this month’s story about being a tourist in our own town. We asked her to share some thoughts about her day with her sons Jamie (8) and Noah (5): “We love being downtown – there is always lots to do and see. We often find a free attraction to take in so it makes spontaneous trips fun and manageable. We take the bus, so even the journey is fun. A wander down Sparks Street, or by the Hill to people watch leads to some great conversations. The canal had just been filled on our visit and there was a fair amount of garbage floating around. My five-year old was outraged, so we had a lot of opportunity for learning moments too.

- @AnatheaT

EDITOR Andrea Tomkins 613-238-1818 ext. 279 andrea@capitalparent.ca

ADVERTISING Mike Beard 613-238-1818 ext. 270 mbeard@obj.ca

The Inside Scoop

What a great pic of @DenVan’s family in the May edition of @capitalparent

PUBLISHER Mark Sutcliffe mark@greatriver.ca

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CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Mark Sutcliffe PRESIDENT Michael Curran CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Donna Neil V.P. SALES Terry Tyo 613-238-1818 ext. 268 terry@greatriver.ca

OFFICE LOCATION: 250 CITY CENTRE DRIVE SUITE 500, OTTAWA MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. BOX 3814, STATION C OTTAWA, ONTARIO K1Y 4J8

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FAMILY MATTERS

The Tyranny of the Car Seat THIRD TIME’S THE CHARM

BY LYNN JATANIA

I

like to think I’m a simple woman, with simple wants and needs.

I’m not that ambitious.

A major dream, for example, is the ability to go to the bathroom without first stubbing my toe on the preschooler’s step stool, picking up three wet towels from the floor, and changing the forever-empty roll of toilet paper.

And then, as a stretch goal, maybe I’ll even be able to wash my hands without having to wipe a halftube of toothpaste drippings out of the sink.

I have a long-term objective to one day prepare a lovely dinner, put it on the table, and have the entire family exclaim, “looks delicious, Mom!” before tucking in. And no one even picks out the tomatoes.

And one day, Lord help me, I’d love to be able to cross the playroom floor without having to do the slow, zombie-like shuffle that is my only protection from the dreaded Lego/Polly Pocket Critical Foot Injury. See? Not exactly curing cancer over here.

And what I want most in this world, number one on the wish list, my ultimate fantasy, is to achieve freedom from the tyranny that is The Car Seat.

Due to the wonder of genetics, our kids are small. Really small. There was a time, not so long ago, when we had three five-point harnesses creat-

ing a small Maximum Security Prison across the middle seat of our van. Leaving the house was a lengthy, complicated ritual, beginning with an argument over who was entitled to get in first, followed by boastful crowing by those who were able to climb into their seat themselves, and concluded with the walk down the Gauntlet of Clicks. I’d struggle to wriggle past dangling feet as I yanked, pulled, clicked, swore, yanked, pulled, clicked, and roared. Too tight? Can’t breathe? Too bad, kid – we’re already a half hour late.

several attempts at teaching her and her older siblings the secrets to escape. Push here, pull here, click here, no here – oh, forget it. Houdini has nothing to worry about from us.

And the crumbs – oh, the crumbs. Our first car seat came with a rubber mat to be placed under the car seat, and like the young, naïve parents we were, we couldn’t fathom what it was for, so we chucked in into the Basement Pile Where Mysterious Stuff Goes That May Be Important One Day. After a year or so, we had to take the seat out to move it, and

When I get out of the van, the first stop is the sliding door, so I can free my youngest from the shackles of her back seat stocks.

While the rest of us leap up and jump out, she remains dejectedly abandoned, despite several attempts at teaching her and her older siblings the secrets to escape. Push here, pull here, click here, no here – oh, forget it. Houdini has nothing to worry about from us.

The “Getting In” process was bad enough.

The “Getting Out” process was just as challenging. Somehow we have ended up with three children to whom the complex workings of the Big Red Button remain a mystery. When I get out of the van, the first stop is the sliding door, so I can free my youngest from the shackles of her back seat stocks. While the rest of us leap up and jump out, she remains dejectedly abandoned, despite

OH HEAVENS TO MURGATROYD. Our car had been transformed into a mad science experiment gone wrong, a horrifying sediment of crumbs tracing back through a year’s worth of activities like carbon dating. I don’t know what was worse – the ones we could identify as being several months old, or the ones that had passed beyond all recognition.

This is why hazmat suits were invented.

When I had three seat belts pinching my

freezing fingers every day, multiple times a day, I just switched into survival mode and Made.

It. Happen. In fact, there were even plusses – it was kind of nice, on those days when the house was too small, too crowded, and too tiring, to have a place to go where once everyone was strapped in (with the tugging, and the pinching, and cursing), it won me a half-hour of Adult-Contemporary-fueled, fight-free bliss as we cruised around the city in Full Lockdown.

But now that our youngest is coming up on her sixth birthday, I am SO DONE with the five point harness. I hate having to bend over into the car every time we go somewhere, my butt getting rained on, my ice cold hands struggling to straighten and untangle belts that reduce me to a blubbering, incompetent mess (no doubt while car seat manufacturers laugh their evil laughs all the way to the bank). Now that the end is in sight like a beautiful glowing rainbow unicorn, I am impatient, and yet, she continues to defy us by holding steady at a mere 35 pounds.

I’d try to bulk her up with some chips and cookies, but I’m afraid of the crumbs. But someday, folks, someday, we’ll all jump in the van, buckle ourselves in without fuss, and cruise away to the dulcet tones of Adult Contemporary. Now that’s the stuff that dreams are made of.

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JUNE 2013 5

YOUR ACTIVE FAMILY

Be a Capital Tourist STAYCATIONS ARE IN! HAVE YOU EVER BEEN A TOURIST IN YOUR OWN TOWN?

BY KATHARINE FLETCHER / PHOTOS BY KATE SETTLE

W

e live in one of the world’s most beautiful cities, one that also just happens to be our nation’s capital.

Staycations – staying at home for the holidays – are wildly popular for families seeking solutions for inexpensive and stress-free vacations.

Tourists flock here to see the sights: so, why shouldn’t we chill this summer, and explore our own backyard?

Where to begin? Here’s a list to get you started.

TOUR THE CITY… BY BOAT!

Have you ever cruised the Ottawa River and looked up 24 Sussex Drive, where our prime minister lives? Paul’s Boat Lines offers tours of the Ottawa River. Some of the highlights of the narrated tour include sights of the Parliament buildings, Supreme Court, Museum of Civilization,

For something a little more active, consider renting a pedal boat, canoe, or kayak from Dow’s Lake Pavilion. The pedal boats can accommodate up to 5 people, 2 adults and 2 to 3 children. It’s a pretty inexpensive way to see the sights - $15.00 for the first hour, $8.00 for every additional hour – which includes taxes and life jackets. If the weather co-operates you can combine it with a picnic lunch and a stroll around the Arboretum too. For information check out the website at www.dowslake.com/summer_rentals.php.

CHECK OUT PARLIAMENT HILL

Discover the Hill either on your own by using a tour map or by downloading the free NCC “Capital Tours” app. It’s available for iPhone, Blackberry, and Android devices and includes many tours of the city, including one of Parliament Hill just for families. The selfguided tour describes statues, views and structures you’ll discover on the way. Tip: Find the Summer Pavilion for welcome shady rest on a hot sunny day and lovely views of the Ottawa River.

If you want to make the most out of your visit to the Hill, consider signing up for a guided tour of Centre Block. It’s free and very kid-friendly, and everyone will love the spectacular view from the Peace Tower. Visit the Parliament of Canada website (www.parl.gc.ca/Visitors/planning-e. asp) for details and hours. Tours commence at the Visitor Welcome Centre located at the bottom of the Peace Tower.

WATCH THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD

Take in the pageantry of the Changing of the Guard! This ceremony occurs daily at Parliament Hill between June 18 and August 24 from 10:00-10:30 a.m., weather permitting.

SEE THE CITY FROM ANOTHER ANGLE

TAKING THE BUS IS HALF THE FUN

National Art Gallery, and the Rideau Falls. The tour is 1.5 hours long if you’re departing from the Ottawa dock. The evening tours sound interesting too. Check their website (www.paulsboatcruises. com) for prices and departure times. Boats leave daily, and children under five are free.

You can also explore the river on Capital Cruises’ Empress of Ottawa, leaving from Jacques Cartier Park Wharf in Gatineau and at the base of the Rideau Canal locks below Parliament Hill, in Ottawa. See www.capitalcruises.ca/index.php/en/ cruises/historic-sightseeing for more information.

There’s nothing like touring Ottawa on the open top of a double-decker bus. Gray Line Ottawa tours offers a one-day “Discover the Capital” tour of the city. It’s a “hop-on-hop-off” style tour, which gives families plenty of time to explore at their own pace. You can board the red bus at Sparks and Elgin Streets, and visit 75 landmarks! Visit the website for more information and to book tickets ahead of time at www.grayline.com/ottawa.

ENJOY HORSES AND HISTORY AT THE RCMP MUSICAL RIDE

Got a horse lover in your midst? Prepare to be wowed at the RCMP stables in Rockcliffe.

Watching Canada’s magnificent black horses and scarlet-clad Mounties strut their stuff is a sight to behold. And it’s free! Don’t forget to pay a visit to the stables and the tack room too. Check the website for show times and more information: www. rcmp-grc.gc.ca/mr-ce/centre-eng.htm.

LET THE KIDS LEAD THE WAY WITH A MAP FOR A GREAT ORIENTATION LESSON

Katharine Fletcher is author of Historical Walks: The Gatineau Park Story, Capital Rambles: Exploring the National Capital Region, and Capital Walks: Walking Tours of Ottawa.

Discover walks, canoe day-trips and more – right here at home!

PLANNING OUT THE ROUTE

PAY A VIST TO DAYS GONE BY AT THE BYTOWN MUSEUM

You will find the Bytown Museum (www. bytownmuseum.com) immediately below Parliament Hill by the Rideau Canal. Here, see videos demonstrating how the canal was constructed and wander the exhibits. Plan to visit on Colonel By Day on Monday August 5, an annual event commemorating the work of the chief engineer responsible for the construction of the canal. Rideau Canal is Ontario’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site – so come, watch boats navigating the locks. Why not bring a picnic and make a lazy summer’s afternoon of your visit? Tip: this stone heritage museum offers a cool refuge on a hot day!

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NOAH (5) AND JAMIE (8) ENJOY WATCHING THE BOATS COME AND GO DOWN BY THE LOCKS

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Parenting Blogs We Love: Pub Patio Playdate

Enjoy a summer of art exploration & freedom early registration discount available until June 1.

editor ’s

pick

BY LYNN JATANIA

H

ere’s the thing about Karie: she’s at the centre of it all. Mom to a twoyear-old daughter, she refuses to believe that the suburbs are the only place to raise kids; instead, she’s keeping her family right smack in downtown Ottawa, and telling us all about it at Pub Patio Playdate (pubpatioplaydate.com). Living urban means unique challenges, like trying to squeeze toys and toddler gear into a small space with few closets; but also amazing positives, like the ability to walk to parks, shopping, and the best (surprisingly kid-friendly) restaurants in town.

Karie certainly makes a great case for raising your children in a place with immediate access to museums, great architecture, and um…the occasional bar. But we love the way she’s hugely supportive of other choices and other family circumstances. She invites anyone who loves their neighbourhood to submit a profile of what makes their own little neck of the woods so awesome – and she’s slowly collecting evidence, post-by-post, that all of Ottawa is a pretty great place for families.

Her voice is clear and sensible and kind –

Karie’s not just central, but centred. She’s full of practical advice and help for all parents, whether it’s her invaluable list of 30 great outdoor events in Ottawa this summer (which we will be keeping at our elbow for the next few months), her ideas for cheap indoor entertainment, or her thoughtful posts on explaining homelessness to her young daughter. She’s generous to other bloggers, too – we love her posts that guide you to other great blogs in town (warning: hours of housework may go unfinished).

Pub Patio Playdate is the epitome of community. Karie brings a calm heart and a caring voice to the very middle of the blogosphere.

Noteable Quotes “We haven’t decided yet if and when we’ll teach our daughter to fix dad a gin and tonic, but she has fetched him and our friends a beer and I assume we’ll eventually allow her to consume a small bit of wine or beer with dinner or on special occasions before she is of

age. We’ll most definitely be really open about the good and bad of alcohol.

Is some of it a selfish desire to keep parts of our child-free life? Sure. But we also want our daughter’s first exposures to alcohol to be somewhat responsible.

I want her to learn that like all good things (ice cream, candy, Boursin cheese, poutine), alcohol can be enjoyed in moderation. I want her to be able to appreciate and share good beer, good wine and good food with friends. I don’t want her first experiences with alcohol to be all about binge drinking, body shots and beer pong.

I want her to feel comfortable talking to us about all of this.”

We want to hear from you!

Summer Creative Art Program An exciting exploration of Westboro’s community art scene with children!

Morning indulgence of creative art media Afternoon visits to local art galleries and museums ★ Weekly community artisan workshops ★ Days full of art in the park Children 4-12 years old $275 week Contact us:

613-761-3883 thearttableinc@hotmail.com http://www.thearttable.net

Check out the growing list of Ottawa-area parenting blogs at www.capitalparent.ca. Do you have one to suggest? Send an email to: editor@capitalparent.ca

In our unique and inspiring learning environment, Elmwood girls continually outperform academically, especially in math and science. Each student receives a well-rounded education that prepares her for success at university and in her future career, all the while developing strong character, confidence and a lifelong love of learning. Surrounded by excellent teachers and supportive peers, each girl is encouraged to challenge herself, find her passion and achieve her goals.

Elmwood School is Ottawa’s premier school for girls from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12.

Learn more about how we can inspire your daughter to reach her full potential—call 613-744-7783 to book your private tour.

Like us on facebook!

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Weekly Summer Camps from June 17 – August 23 With weekly themes like Science Extravaganza, Bon Appetit and Super Heroines, girls 4 to 14 will experience new challenges and develop friendships at Elmwood’s safe, active and fun Summer Camps!

Camps run weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $285 per week and includes lunch, excursion and a cool camp t-shirt.

Call (613) 749-6761 or visit elmwood.ca/camp to register.

JUNE 2013 7

PARENT TO PARENT

Gems of Little Italy & Chinatown

W

Check party dates, details & availability online!

e love the idea of exploring different neighborhoods in Ottawa, and this is the best time of year to do it. We wondered about your favourite destinations in two of Ottawa’s most “edible” neighborhoods and so we posed the question on Facebook.

Here’s what some of you had to say:

Dovercourt Recreation Centre

613.798.8950

www.dovercourt.org

Becky Stanisic: “La Dolce Vita Gourmet Pizza!!

NOM. It was our go-to place pre- kids, now we do take out although less frequent, but the patio is nice (and we’re at the age where that can happen again)!

It’s the place we went the night we got engaged. We celebrated New Years Eve there, Valentine Days, promotions etc. We order the 5 Cheese and the Hazelnut pesto is so good. The crust is almost sweet.

We also get a Caesar salad on the side. The house wine is an inexpensive Italian red and yet there’s something special about it. :)” Loukia M.Z.: “Giovanni’s has always been my favorite Italian restaurant on Preston and we go often.

Great food, great service! Recently renovated, too, so even nicer than before. Bonus: valet parking!”

Lynn Andrews Jatania: “I love The Daily Grind - it’s a cafe on Somerset, but it’s easterly, near Bronson.

It’s fabulous for the food - almost everything there

is gluten-free, and they even have a wide selection of gluten-free vegan items, perfect for my kid-whois-allergic-to-everything. Plus, it’s fabulous for the activities - it’s an art cafe, and kids are invited to create, either free form with the supplied paper and markers, or via a cost-effective art kit that makes a finished product. If you’re in the mood for art, you can even shop there–plenty of local artisans display their stuff on the walls and upstairs. foodiePrints: “Hung Sum on Somerset for Dim Sum. Tastes like everything is made to order. They do their rice wrapper and noodles from scratch.

Family run. One of best tastes for 2012. I’m taking my mother-in-law there for Mother’s Day. Luciano’s on Preston is a must visit. Fun groceteria.

Knowledgeable and approachable staff. Luciano’s son runs the pasta place next door.

My fav noodle house is at the corner of Preston and Somerset: Hu Tieu Mi Gia. Tastes like homemade.

Not a trace of bouillon or MSG.” Vicky Weiss: “Dim Sum at Yangtze has been a tradition in our family for decades!!”

Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary Grades Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary Grades Before & after school supervisionElementary Grades To register or arrange a school Preschool, Kindergarten, Before French & after school supervision Extended program tour, please call or email Before & after school supervision To register or arrange a school Independent, co-ed school Extended non-profit French program Extended French program tour, please call or email Extracurricular programs including: skating, gymnastics, Independent, non-profit co-ed school dance, science, jiunon-profit jitsu & violin co-ed school Independent, principal@fernhillottawa.com Extracurricular programs including: skating, gymnastics, Low student-to-teacher ratio Extracurricular programs including: skating, gymnastics, dance, science, jiu jitsu & violin www.fernhillottawa.com Advanced preschool literacy program dance, science, jiu jitsu & violin Diverse international student community Low student-to-teacher ratio principal@fernhillottawa.com Low student-to-teacher 50 Vaughan Street, Flexible full & half day programsratio Advanced preschool literacy program www.fernhillottawa.com Ottawa, ON K1M 1X1 Enriched curriculum: Music,literacy Art, IT, French, Spanish Advanced preschool program

613.746.0255

613.746.0255

Diverse international student community Diverse international student community Flexible full & half day programs Flexible full & half day programs Enrichedcurriculum: curriculum:Music, Music, Art, French, Spanish Enriched Art, IT,IT, French, Spanish

Now accepting registrations for Preschool to Grade 6 for the 2013-2014 arten, Elementary Grades school year.

50 Vaughan Street, Ottawa, ON K1M 1X1

To register or arrange a school tour, please call or email

613.746.0255

principal@fernhillottawa.com www.fernhillottawa.com

ol supervision To register or arrange 50 Vaughan Street, Ottawa, ON K1M 1X1a school rogram tour, please call or email w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / C a p i t a l P a r e n t | 8 JUNE 2013 | w w w . c a p i t a l p a r e n t . c a | profit co-ed school grams including: skating, gymnastics, itsu & violin

613.746.0255

@capitalparent |

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Summers’ best

The Ultimate Game – Ottawa Youth Ultimate Frisbee League

BY KARLIS BOUSE, ULTIMATE FRISBEE LEAGUE COACH

O

n a typical summer evening, children in Ottawa can be found in city green spaces chasing baseballs, kicking soccer balls and throwing footballs. For a growing group of young people, however, their sport of choice is slightly away from the mainstream.

It is quickly gaining in popularity, and the odds are better than ever that you’ve either heard of it, or know someone that plays.

Welcome to the Ottawa Carleton Ultimate Association (OCUA) Youth Ultimate League, comprised of young Ultimate Frisbee players 9 to 13 years of age.

Ultimate Frisbee is a fast-moving field sport combining elements of soccer, football and basketball, creating a fun and fluid game

Jakob Bouse (9) is on team “Typhoon” in the OCUA Youth Ultimate League in Ottawa and this is his second year playing Ultimate Frisbee. PHOTO : LIZ ST JEAN PHOTOGRAPHY

suitable for all ages and genders. The game is self-officiating, with players making their own calls, and play is governed by a philosophy of ‘spirit of the game’ where sportsmanship and mutual respect are valued above all. From humble beginnings in the 1970’s, the sport is now played by hundreds of thousands of people in dozens of countries around the world.

Ottawa has one of the largest city leagues, with over 4500 players and 300 teams playing yearround, with outdoor play in the summer and fall, and indoor play though the winter and spring. The Nation’s Capital also boasts one of the only dedicated Ultimate Frisbee sites in the

world, and the 19-field location in the south end of town has hosted the Canadian Ultimate Championships on multiple occasions.

The OCUA Youth Ultimate League runs in four locations in Ottawa; in the west in Kanata, in the east in Orleans, centrally at Lynda Lane (near the Ottawa Hospital Campus) and fields at Ben Franklin Park, near Hunt Club Road and Greenbank Avenue. The league has been running successfully for 8 years, and the total number of youth players in Ottawa has been growing steadily. The coaches are volunteers, generally ultimate-playing parents of the young players. There are also volunteers from various competitive teams that help out, bringing their expertise and knowledge to tomorrow’s superstars.

A typical evening of Youth Ultimate Frisbee would begin with a team stretch and with the coach going over the elements introduced the previous week. While Ultimate Frisbee is simple in principle - you run, you catch and you throw - there are various throws, catching styles, offensive plays and defensive approaches, as well as positioning, strategy, awareness and teamwork in order to play the game.

Children that have any field sport background generally pick up the game a little quicker, but one of the particularly unique selling features of Ultimate Frisbee is that anyone can play it, at any point in their lives, and with any amount of experience. All you need is a disc, a friend and some green space, and you’re on your way!

Some of the other benefits of playing team sports, such as Ultimate Frisbee, are the lessons young players learn about sportsmanship, teamwork, commitment, winning with grace and losing with dignity. All of these elements are gently and consistently reinforced by coaches, volunteers and players throughout the game. The children listen, learn and apply both on the field and in their lives.

At the conclusion of a game, the two competing teams line up in the middle of the field for a handshake, with the customary exchange of ‘good game’ and ‘nice playing’. While it may seem a formality of children’s sports, the spirit and sportsmanship of an Ultimate Frisbee game brings out the best in its players. With the range of ages, sizes and abilities in the Youth League, you can always count on the older, more experienced players on the field to act as mentors, supporters and champions for the younger players – ensuring they are given opportunities to throw, catch and run equally with their teammates.

While Ultimate Frisbee generally enjoys more of a ‘fringe’ status among mainstream sports, it continues to grow in popularity and profile. Once aware of the sport, you’ll begin to notice news articles on tournament results, local television stations broadcasting championship games, and various apparel, footwear and discs from companies with Ultimate-specific merchandise. Players have always acted as informal ambassadors for the game, spreading the word amongst friends, colleagues and, now with the Youth League,

our children.

Having personally played ultimate for nearly 25 years, it has been one of the most enjoyable and rewarding experiences of my life. And now, with the OCUA Youth Ultimate Frisbee League, I am finally able to share it with my son (and, in a few more years, my daughter).

If you’re interested in learning more about the game, please visit www.ocua.ca/summer-youth Registration for the Ottawa Youth Ultimate Frisbee League is still open, so don’t miss out • on the opportunity!

•

Share your favourite summer destinations and you could win one of five family day passes to the Canadian Museum of Nature!

We’ll be compiling YOUR favourites for our big summer issue, and it’s going to be a keeper! Enter at capitalparent.ca today. Voting closes May 27.

St. Martin‛s Nursery School Established 1964

2120 Prince Charles Road

1 Block North of Carlingwood Shopping Centre

•

 ECE or Equivalent teachers  Stimulating spacious educational environment  Enriched variety of learning centres

•

 2, 3 & 5 morning programs & 3 afternoon

•

 Kindergarten Program for 4 year olds

REGISTER NOW for 2013/2014 School Year

Open House May 25th

9:30am to 10:30am

integrating Music, Art & Gym

programs for children 2 1/2 to 5

For information call (613) 722-7500

stmartinsns@rogers.com • www.ncf.ca/stmartinsns

JUNE 2013 9

FAMILY FUN Parents Joseph and Grace with Gabrielle (3 1/2) and Victoria (1 1/2) live in Orleans

and love to picnic at different parks and beaches in Ottawa. Their favorite spot is Britannia Beach.

They especially enjoy the play structures and the picnic areas, and the fact that there’s lots of grass and space to run and play!

We’d like to see your best family photos! Submit your favourites and you might see one or two in a future issue. For more details go to capitalparent.ca

family snaps

“

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.

”

- Winston Churchill

Our Family Calendar Ottawa International Children’s Festival May 28 to June 2 The 2013 edition of OICF promises to be a five-day extravaganza of original award-winning theatre, dance and music performances from around the world. It’s art that is meant to entertain, inspire, enlighten, and expand our experiences, and it all takes place at LeBreton Flats Park next to the Canadian War Museum.

Go to www.ottawachildrensfestival.ca for advance tickets, show schedule, and video sneak peeks. Tip: make sure you check recommended ages before buying your tickets as some shows are not suitable for very young children.

Doors Open Ottawa June 1 and 2 Speaking of being a tourist in our own city (did you catch the article on page 6?) this free event is one of the very best ways to get to know Ottawa.

Doors Open is your opportunity to explore the city’s most interesting buildings, many of which we walk by every day and never really know anything about. By allowing the public access to culturally and historically significant buildings, Doors Open is ultimately about celebrating and 10 JUNE 2013 | w w w . c a p i t a l p a r e n t . c a |

O G K N I G N C K

W P O I L A O R R

I B A K L I L A C

L L I I C I E B K

L R P R I I L A R

O H H E C U R P S

W G I N R H L P G

P I A C W S I

N H L M A P L

L E G W

MAPLE

GINKGO

BIRCH

CRABAPPLE

OAK

LILAC

SPRUCE

WILLOW

editor ’s

faves

appreciating our community’s built heritage.

There are over 100 buildings to choose from and there are new ones being added to this year’s list.

For more information and a list of participating buildings, go to ottawa.ca/doorsopen. You can also get the latest scoop by following along on Twitter @doorsopenottawa.

MEC Bikefest Ottawa June 16 This free, all-ages event is a great opportunity to have fun and connect with the local cycling community. Try out some gear, test ride a new bike, browse exhibitors’ booths, score deals at the MEC Bikeswap, or learn skills at a bike clinic.

There’ll also be performers, entertainment, food vendors, and kids’ activities. Bikefest Ottawa will be at LeBreton Flats Park off of Sir John A Macdonald Parkway in front of the Canadian War Museum. Parking is available but it’s recommended that in the spirit of the day you make use of bike parking instead. Do note that Alcatel-Lucent Sunday Bikedays will be in full swing too. For more information about Bikefest go to: events.mec.ca/event/4359/mec-bikefestottawa-2013-jun16

w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / C a p i t a l P a r e n t |

Father’s Day June 16 Mark your calendars! June 16 is the day we pay tribute to dear old dads everywhere. Will you be celebrating with a cold beer and a steak on the BBQ? Or maybe you (and the kids, of course) will be sending dad to the driving range?

Whatever you decide to do, showing how much you care doesn’t have to cost a lot. We’ve posted some ideas at capitalparent.ca in case you need a bit of inspiration.

WESTFEST June 6 to 9 Westfest bills itself as a festival that celebrates music, art, and life, but we like to think of it as one of Ottawa’s biggest and most fun street parties, smack dab in the middle of Westboro. Music is the heart of Westfest (and the concert lineup is always excellent) but there is a lot more to it. You can take your time browsing the vendors, checking out the street performers, and of course there will be food. There are plenty of things for the kids to see and do as well. And here’s the best thing of all, it’s totally free! Make use of public transportation or get there on bike. We recommend leaving your car at home (or at the very least be prepared to

@capitalparent |

park very far away) because the main strip along Richmond Road closes down to cars, creating one giant hive of people. Check out the full schedule at www.westfest.ca.

STAR WARS™ Identities May 10 to September 2 This special travelling exhibition just opened at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum and it promises to appeal to fans of all ages. Two hundred original costumes, props, models, and pieces of artwork are all yours to discover, along with some special surprises. The collection spans all six Star Wars movies as well as the television series Star Wars: The Clone Wars™. We recommend purchasing your tickets in advance because admissions are staggered. Note: leave your lightsabres at home, otherwise you won’t be allowed in! For more information go to aviation.technomuses.ca/visit_ us/exhibits/star_wars_identities.

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We want to hear from you!

Do you know of an event that Capital Parents would like to hear about? Submit your information to: editor@capitalparent.ca

top 5 books

best

H

urray! One month until summer vacation starts! The TD Summer Reading Club / Club de lecture d’été TD theme this year is Go/Bon Voyage. These books, chosen by Andrea Gowing from the Centennial Branch of the Ottawa Public Library, are sure to get you started on your summer reading journey!

1 2

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane,

by Kate DiCamillo (Ages 8-12) Edward Tulane’s many adventures take him all over the world meeting and learning to love many kinds of people. Enjoy this wonderfully illustrated and a joy to read out loud book, curled up in a hammock or swing.

3 4

Rattletrap Car, by Phyllis Root (Ages 4-8) It’s a hot, hot, hot day, and time to go to the lake to get cool, cool, cool. Will the old rattletrap car get the family to the lake?

Great word play makes this book a fun, fun, fun read!

Let’s Go! : The Story of Getting From There To Here, by Lizann Flatt (Ages 5-8) Bicycles, cars, and planes, oh my! From the Stone Age to present day, take an amazing journey across our continent following a little dog in this brightly illustrated non-fiction picture book.

The World in your Lunch Box: the Wacky History and Weird Science of Everyday Foods, by Claire Eamer (Ages 8-12) What’s the story behind your favourite food?

It may seem like an ordinary sandwich, but it had an amazing journey to your plate. A week’s worth of lunches is explored along with historical events linked to them. Bright, quirky illustrations make this a delicious read!

5

My Side of the Car,

by Kate Feiffer (Ages 5 - 8) Today, Sadie will get to visit the zoo! Then Dad observes, “Sadie, it’s raining.” On Sadie’s side of the car, the sun is shining, and Sadie is wonderfully optimistic, even as the ground turns to mud! The lively, colourful illustrations add humour to this optimistic read.

JUNE 2013 11

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