Kitchissippi Times August 2026

KITCHISSIPPI TIMES

Your guide to this fall’s municipal election

BY CHARLIE SENACK

After 12 years, change is coming to Kitchissippi Ward.

This October, residents will elect a new city councillor for the first time since 2014 as Jeff Leiper seeks the mayor’s chair. Whoever voters choose will help shape decisions on everything from housing and development to parks, roads, transit and the many services that affect our daily lives.

While Kitchissippi will be welcoming a new representative, important races are also unfolding in neighbouring Bay and Somerset wards.

At the Kitchissippi Times, we’re committed to helping you make an informed choice. By the time this edition

reaches your mailbox and newsstands, we’ve already interviewed every registered candidate running in the three main wards that cover our news catchment. You’ll find many of those profiles in this issue, while others have already been published on kitchissippi. com as candidates entered the race.

Kitchissippi Ward has long demonstrated a strong commitment to civic engagement. In the 2022 municipal election, just over 53 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot—one of the highest turnout rates anywhere in Ottawa. Bay Ward saw a turnout of 47.8 per cent, while Somerset reached 48.4 per cent, with both exceeding the citywide average. While these numbers are impressive, there is

always room for improvement.

Municipal elections often receive less attention than their provincial and federal counterparts, yet no level of government has a more direct impact on our everyday lives. The condition of our streets and sidewalks, the buses we ride, the parks we enjoy, the recreation programs our families rely on, and how our neighbourhoods grow are all shaped by decisions made at city hall.

We’re proud to be your trusted source for local news, and over the coming months, we’ll continue working to ensure you have the information you need to make an informed choice on election day.

KITCHISSIPPI TIMES

KITCHISSIPPI TIMES

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The Kitchissippi Times is an award-winning newspaper that has serviced Westboro, Wellington West, and surrounding communities for the last 20 years. The word Kitchissippi, meaning “great river” in Algonquin, is the former Indigenous name for the Ottawa River.

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Summer’s not over yet! A look at what’s happening throughout Ottawa this August

BY CHARLIE SENACK

Summer isn’t slowing down just yet. August is packed with festivals, concerts, outdoor markets, family activities and cultural celebrations across Ottawa and the region.

Whether you’re looking to explore local history, catch live music, browse artisan markets or simply enjoy the warm weather, there’s something happening almost every day of the month.

PUBLIC ARCHAEOLOGICAL DIGS

AUG 4-8

AUG 11-12 + Leamy Lake Park and Philippe Lake, Gatineau, Québec

Celebrate Archaeology Month by taking part in a public archaeological dig. Help uncover artifacts while learning about the region’s pre-contact history and the people who lived here before European settlement. ncc-ccn.gc.ca/events/publicarchaeological-digs

NAVAN FAIR

AUG 6-9 1279 Colonial Rd., Navan

A summertime tradition since 1946, the Navan Fair features livestock shows, tractor displays, demolition derbies, live entertainment, midway rides, local food and plenty of classic country fair fun. navanfair.com/

SUMMER SOUNDS CONCERT SERIES

AUG 6-19

Andrew Haydon Park, 3127 Carling Ave.

Bring a lawn chair and enjoy a free evening of music with the Nepean Concert Band. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and offer a relaxed way to spend a summer evening by the water. nepeanconcertband.com/events/

KAM PATTERSON LIVE

AUG 7

Algonquin Commons Theatre, 1385 Woodroffe Ave.

Fast-rising comedian Kam Patterson brings his energetic stand-up act to Ottawa. Known for appearances on Saturday Night Live and Kill Tony, Patterson combines sharp storytelling, quick wit and crowd interaction. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $39. algonquinsa.com/event/kam-pattersonlive/

OTTAWA INTERNATIONAL BUSKERFEST

AUG 7-9 Sparks Street

Street performers from around the world take over Sparks Street with acrobatics, music, magic, comedy and more. This lively downtown festival offers free entertainment for all ages throughout the weekend. ottawabuskerfestival.com/

WATER LANTERN FESTIVAL

AUG 8 Andrew Haydon Park, 3127 Carling Ave.

Create and launch a personalized lantern during this peaceful community event celebrating hope, remembrance and

UNCOVERING BYTOWN

AUG 9 Departs from the National Gallery of Canada

Step back into Ottawa’s early days on this guided walking tour exploring the history of Bytown, the Rideau Canal and the communities that helped shape the capital. Tickets are $25. heritageottawa.org/en/2026-walkingtour-season

MUSIC IN THE PARK

AUG 12 Zibi’s Head Street Square, 310 Miwate Pvt.

Presented by Ottawa Jazz Festival, this free outdoor concert series showcases a variety of musical styles in a welcoming community setting. Performances begin at 7 p.m.

facebook.com/ events/2527494327665495/ 2527494330998828/?active_tab=about

OTTAWA GREEK FESTIVAL

AUG 13-16

togetherness. Families and friends gather as hundreds of glowing lanterns illuminate the water at sunset. waterlanternfestival.com/events/ottawagatineau

WAR MACHINES WEEKEND

AUG 8-9 Canadian War Museum, 1 Vimy Pl.

See historic military vehicles from the Second World War through to the modern era in action. Meet museum staff and volunteers while learning about the engineering, history and roles of these remarkable machines. warmuseum.ca/events/war-machinesweekend

AUG 20-23 + Hellenic Event Centre, 1315 Prince of Wales Dr. Experience Greek culture through authentic cuisine, live music, traditional dancing, language lessons and family-friendly activities at one of Ottawa’s favourite summer festivals. ottawagreekfest.ca/

PANDA FEST

AUG 14-16

Dominion Tavern, 33 York St.

This annual heavy music festival features an all-Canadian lineup of metal bands from Ottawa, Gatineau, Montreal, Quebec City, Cornwall and beyond. Expect three days of high-energy performances. facebook.com/events/846408517685212/

CAPITAL FAIR

AUG 14-23

4899 Albion Rd. S.

Enjoy midway rides, demolition derbies, a petting zoo, stunt dog shows, games, food vendors and entertainment for the whole family at one of Ottawa’s biggest summer fairs. capitalfair.ca/

OTTAWA FLOWER MARKET

AUG 15 Parkdale Public Market, 366 Parkdale Ave.

Browse beautiful blooms grown by Ottawa Valley flower farmers, build your own bouquet or choose from handcrafted arrangements prepared by local florists. ottawaflowermarket.ca/

QUEER MARKET AT NEXT DOOR

AUG 15-16

955A Gladstone Ave.

Support LGBTQIA+ artists, makers and small businesses while shopping for handmade goods, artwork, fashion, accessories and one-of-a-kind creations in an inclusive community atmosphere.

eventbrite.ca/e/queer-market-at-next-doorottawa-tickets-1992825309145

QUEER HISTORY OF OTTAWA TOUR

AUG 16 Dundonald Park, 516 Somerset St. W.

Join local drag king and public historian Morgan Mercury for a walking tour exploring Ottawa’s 2SLGBTQIA+ history, highlighting stories of activism, resilience and community.

eventbrite.ca/e/queer-history-of-ottawatour-visite-de-lhistoire-2elgbtqiadottawa-tickets-1990390693143

NOSTALGIA MUSIC FESTIVAL

AUG 19-23

LeBreton Flats

Relive the biggest hits of the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s during this outdoor music festival featuring tribute acts, food vendors, licensed areas and large video screens for every concert. nostalgiafestival.ca/

PRIDE NIGHT MARKET

AUG 22 Parkdale Public Market, 366 Parkdale Ave.

Celebrate Ottawa’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community while shopping from local queer and trans vendors, enjoying live entertainment and connecting with community organizations during this free outdoor evening event. parkdalepublicmarket.ca/events

WELCOME WEDNESDAYS

AUG 26 Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, 901 Prince of Wales Dr. Enjoy free admission and parking from 4 to 8 p.m. Explore the barns, exhibitions and Demonstration Kitchen while taking part in family-friendly activities and interactive demonstrations. ingenium.ca/agriculture/en/events/ welcome-wednesdays/

OTTAWA AFRICAN FESTIVAL

AUG 28 Britannia Beach, 2805 Carling Ave.

Celebrate African and AfricanCanadian culture through live music, dance, art and cultural performances. The festival showcases diverse talent while encouraging cultural exchange and community connection.

eventbrite.ca/e/ottawa-african-festival17th-edition-tickets-1990954576734

CAPITAL PRIDE PARADE

AUG 30 Downtown Ottawa

Celebrate the 2SLGBTQIA+ community as colourful floats, performers and thousands of marchers make their way through downtown Ottawa. The annual parade is one of the city’s largest and most vibrant celebrations. capitalpride.ca/2026-pride-parade/

AUGUST UPDATES

SUMMER CAMPS CONTINUE

Registration is ongoing. There are spaces still available for Singing, Paddle Sports, Junior Lifeguard, Theme Camps, and Media Makers.

EVENTS

• Civic Holiday weekend Aug 1-3: see the schedule on our website

• Try it week in September for some fitness classes: registration begins Tue. Aug. 25.

SUMMER & FALL SWIM LESSONS

There are still spaces in all weeks of our Summer Monday to Friday swim lessons. Private lessons are added every week. Fall swim registration is open: grab your top picks of days & times.

FALL SPECIALTY & AQUA FITNESS

Fall Specialty Fitness and Aquafit classes begin registration on Tuesday, August 11th at 8:00AM. Programs start in September. And it’s not too late to join Summer Specialty classes.

SESSIONAL RECREATION PROGRAMS

Register now for Fall recreation, including dance, sports, pottery, art, music, culinary and more. Register now for Try-It week classes

FREE WITH FIT PASS

Fit Pass holders enjoy access to the Fitness Centre and 45+ Fit Pass classes per week, including group fitness, spin, aquafitness, online classes, and drop-in swims.

AFTER SCHOOL

2026-27 After School & Breakfast Club begins in September.

COME SWIM WITH US

Our indoor pool is the perfect place for recreational swims. Our three wading pools offer a cool break from summer heat. See the schedules online.

Spencer Radford seeks Bay Ward council seat

BY CHARLIE SENACK

Spencer Radford says his decision to run for Bay Ward city council is rooted in a lifelong desire to help others.The 24-year-old says public service has always been the direction he wanted his life to take, even if the path changed along the way.

“The earliest memory that my parents like to share is I saw one of those commercials for helping kids in Africa,” Radford recalled. “I left the room, put my allowance into an envelope and wrote

‘Africa’ on it, and they were like, ‘No, that’s not how it works.’”

Radford graduated from Algonquin College with diplomas in Police Foundations and Social Service Worker. Most recently, he served as president of the Kiwanis Club of Kanata-Stittsville.

During his time with the organization, he helped establish a youth centre for students in Grades 7 through 12, providing a safe place for young people after school. He also supported initiatives to provide computers to youth, organized free movie nights in the park and

coordinated other community events.

If elected, Radford says his focus will be on improving communication between residents and city hall, rather than making promises he says are beyond the authority of an individual councillor.

“My platform basically is all about what a councillor can do,” he said. “It’s easy to say I’m going to get 20 new bus routes or I’m going to build three big buildings of low-income housing. But what a councillor can do — you’re four per cent of the vote, one of the 25.”

Instead, he believes councillors should prioritize listening to residents and making themselves more accessible.

One of his priorities would be establishing a dedicated ward office in Bay Ward, something he says the community currently lacks.

Radford also hopes to ensure residents can access services in multiple languages. While he currently speaks only English, he says he is learning both French and Arabic and would like a ward office capable of serving residents in all three languages.

Another proposal is what he calls “community voice stations.”

Why Theresa Kavanagh wants another term representing Bay Ward

BY BRIAN DRYDEN

When Theresa Kavanagh first ran for Bay Ward councillor in 2018, she did so with the goal of serving her community. Now, after two terms at City Hall, she says that commitment remains as strong as ever.

Before joining council, Kavanagh spent nearly 30 years working with Members of Parliament on Parliament Hill. She later served as an Ottawa-Carleton District School Board trustee for Bay Ward, where she advocated for students and families, experiences she says reinforced her commitment to public service.

"There are a lot of issues that I want to see through to conclusion," Kavanagh said, pointing to improving Ottawa's transit system and preparing city infrastructure for the impacts of climate change as two of her top priorities if re-elected.

One issue that has become increasingly urgent, she says, is ensuring Ottawa's infrastructure can withstand more frequent severe weather events. The flooding that followed the Canada Day storm this year underscored that challenge.

"What we saw after the Canada Day storm was the impact of climate change on our infrastructure, which led to all the flooding," she said. "It's an important issue for our ward and across the city."

Kavanagh believes Ottawa must plan for more intense storms in the future.

"We need to improve the infrastructure in the city so that we are able to better handle large storms like the one we had on Canada Day, and are probably going to be having more because of climate change," she said.

"As a city, we have to take into account how climate change is going to affect Ottawa in the years to come."

“People just going to get their coffee can have an input and a say on what’s current and what’s going on in city council,” he said. “That also helps the councillor actually bring facts and evidence to council instead of saying, ‘My people want five new bus routes.’ You’d say something like 72 per cent of people are interested in taking this bus route and they’re willing to give away this bus route or make it shorter.”

Transit is another issue she hopes to continue working on during another term. With Stage 2 of the LRT continuing to roll out and a new general manager overseeing OC Transpo, Kavanagh says she is optimistic the system can regain public confidence.

She also sees public transit as an important part of Ottawa's response to climate change.

"If we are going to do what we can as a city in fighting climate change, we have to improve our transit system to get as many cars off the road as we can and do our part."

Looking back on her time on council, Kavanagh says she is most proud of the work heroffice has done helping Bay Ward residents navigate city services and resolve local issues.

"It is very satisfying to know that you are able to make life easier for the residents of the ward by making sure

the services they need are operating properly," she said.

Kavanagh also serves as chair of the Ottawa Community Housing Board, a role she hopes to continue if re-elected. She says expanding affordable housing remains one of the city's most important responsibilities.

"I am passionate about providing sustainable, affordable housing that meets the needs of all residents," she said. "The issue of affordable housing is vital to the vitality of the city as a whole. Community housing has been working hard to help foster more affordable housing in the city."

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Meet the candidates running in Somerset Ward

Ariel

Troster seeks second term

BY BRIAN DRYDEN

When Ariel Troster first ran for Somerset Ward councillor, she wanted to be a strong advocate for Ottawa's urban core. After her first term on council, she says that goal remains at the centre of her work.

For Troster, one of the biggest challenges facing Somerset Ward is planning for its continued growth. Little Italy and Chinatown alone could see between 7,000 and 10,000 new residents move into the communities over the next decade, she said.

Her priorities for the next term include community safety, housing and homelessness, safer streets, vibrant

communities and transparency at City Hall. She also points to work completed during her first term, including a bylaw aimed at addressing renovictions, as an accomplishment she is proud of.

Community-building has also been an important part of Troster's work. She is particularly enthusiastic about the continuation of the Safe Seats program, which brings programming and activities into public spaces in the downtown core.

"It was a fantastic way to enliven the communities downtown," Troster said. "It brought people out to the areas off of Bank Street."

The program has hosted activities ranging from dance classes and DJ nights

to craft circles and chess meetups.

Troster says creating safer communities is one of her top priorities."What is better for creating a safe community than people out on the street enjoying themselves in our communities?" Troster said. "More activity puts more eyes on the street, and that also means more community safety."

The program is also expanding into Chinatown, a neighbourhood Troster says is facing significant challenges but remains one of Ottawa's most vibrant cultural areas.

Michael Tay brings frontline social service experience to race

BY CHARLIE SENACK

Michael Tay says nearly two decades working on the front lines of housing, homelessness and mental health have prepared him to tackle some of Somerset Ward’s most pressing challenges.

Tay, who has lived in Ottawa for nearly three decades and in Somerset Ward for the past five years, is seeking the Ward 14 council seat with a platform rooted in collaboration and practical problem-solving.

Tay currently serves as program

manager for transitional housing at the Catholic Centre for Immigrants, where he oversees a housing program for newcomers and refugees experiencing homelessness. The program provides settlement, employment and housing support to help clients transition into permanent housing.

His background also includes community health work, providing mental health support to youth at the Roberts/Smart Centre, and teaching future social service workers as a parttime professor at Algonquin College,

Rob Decker

Hope to bring safe injection sites back to Somerset

BY CHARLIE SENACK

After nearly 25 years living in Ottawa’s Golden Triangle, Rob Decker says he has watched Somerset Ward decline and believes it’s time for a change at city hall.

where he has taught for the past eight years.

Tay believes that experience would bring a different perspective to City Hall.

“I’ve spent my entire career bringing people together, bringing people to the table saying that we have an opportunity to make the changes that we want to see,” he said. “I believe that listening takes you so much further than believing that you have all the answers.”

He identifies housing, homelessness and public safety as the biggest issues facing Somerset Ward, saying residents regularly raise concerns about open drug use, crime and feeling unsafe in public spaces.

“I believe in compassion, but I also believe in accountability and I don’t think that those two things are at odds,” he said. “I believe that we can bring them all together.”

The longtime community volunteer is seeking the Somerset Ward council seat after spending about seven years with the Centretown Community Association, including as president.

As he campaigns door-to-door, Decker said the issue raised most often by residents is public safety, particularly concerns surrounding homelessness, addiction and open drug use.

He argues the city needs a coordinated approach rather than shifting the problem from one neighbourhood to another.

“I don’t want to do what other communities have done by fixing this problem and bringing it to another neighbourhood,” he said. “What’s needed is a citywide solution and working with the province on creating that solution.”

Decker supports expanding the province’s Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hubs, including adding supervised consumption spaces back in the Somerset West Community Health Centre.

Accessibility at the forefront of Dillon Anderson’s campaign

BY CHARLIE SENACK

Dillon Anderson says improving accessibility is at the heart of why he is running for Somerset Ward city councillor, arguing that creating a more inclusive city will also help address broader issues such as transit, public safety and the local economy.

Accessibility forms the foundation of Anderson’s platform. He believes improvements benefit everyone, not just residents living with disabilities.

Anderson, who moved to Ottawa this spring, said his decision to enter the race came shortly after attending his first city council meeting in April.

“On my way out of city council, I actually fell down a little step coming out of the building in my wheelchair,” he said. “Going around my neighbourhood, there were some issues with sidewalks and just talking to my neighbours, it seemed to be a bigger issue than just the councillor not responding. It felt like people weren’t getting their voices heard at the city council table.”

The chartered professional accountant (CPA) candidate has a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in accounting and is currently pursuing his CPA designation. Politics is also familiar territory. Anderson previously sought office in his hometown in Northern Ontario in 2022.

The exception, he added, is the Centretown Community Health Centre, where he said additional supervised consumption services would not be appropriate because of the daycare located on-site.

The province required supervised consumption sites located within 200 metres of schools or licensed child-care centres to close by March 31, 2025, replacing them with HART Hubs that focus on addiction treatment, primary care and supportive services but do not permit supervised drug consumption. The Somerset West Community Health Centre’s supervised consumption site

“I think accessibility connects everything,” he said. “If we have an accessible and inclusive community, it means we have safe streets that we can walk on, we have downtown businesses that we can support. We have infrastructure where people are comfortable biking and cycling around just being able to move freely in your neighbourhood.”

He said the city still faces significant accessibility barriers, pointing to unreliable LRT elevators, sidewalk conditions and ongoing issues with Para Transpo.

A regular transit rider who uses the O-Train every second day, Anderson said Ottawa needs both the planned rail expansion and immediate improvements to existing service. Among his proposals are expanding Para Transpo booking options beyond current daytime hours, introducing better technology such as a mobile app, and involving councillors directly in Para Transpo discussions to improve accountability.

closed under those rules.

On policing, Decker rejects calls to defund police services and instead wants a stronger visible presence in Centretown.

“We love the fact that there are police officers on horseback. There are police officers on foot. There are police officers on bikes,” he said. “Yeah, we need to make sure we have a stronger presence of the police force.”

Patti Brown • Broker

Susan Chell • Broker

Martha Howard • REALTOR ®

MUNICIPAL ELECTION 2026

Hintonburg community association president Brian Innes seeks Kitchissippi council seat

BY CHARLIE SENACK

With Kitchissippi Ward set to elect a new city councillor for the first time in more than a decade, community volunteer Brian Innes says he wants to ensure the neighbourhood’s growth is matched with the services residents rely on.

Innes, who has lived in Hintonburg with his family for nearly 15 years, is seeking the open council seat on a platform centred around what he calls “practical solutions” to development, transportation and recreation.

His decision to run grew out of years of community involvement and a belief that Kitchissippi needs a stronger voice at city hall as thousands of new residents move into the area.

“I’ve seen the challenges that development is putting on the services and infrastructure that residents care about,” Innes said. “We need a voice at city hall to bring our concerns forward.”

Innes is well known in the community through his volunteer work. He currently serves as president of the Hintonburg Community Association and has

helped organize neighbourhood events, including the Hintonburg 5K Road Race. His volunteer experience also includes coaching skiing, working with vulnerable residents and serving on various city committees, including as a citizen member of Ottawa’s Transit Commission.

Those experiences, he said, have given him a close look at both the strengths of Kitchissippi and the challenges that accompany rapid growth.

Development is expected to be one of the defining issues in the ward over the coming council term. Large projects continue to reshape Richmond Road, while major communities such as LeBreton Flats and Tunney’s Pasture are expected to add thousands of new residents over the coming years.

Innes says he supports growth but believes it needs to be better planned.

His platform calls for opposing what he describes as “mega towers” along main streets and beside established residential neighbourhoods, while encouraging development that aligns with the city’s planning policies and transit-oriented growth objectives.

He is also advocating for long-term transportation planning to accommodate future growth, along with improvements to transit reliability. A regular transit rider himself, Innes said one of his priorities would be holding OC Transpo accountable for unreliable local bus service.

Recreation infrastructure is another major focus of his campaign. Pointing to the closure of several arenas across urban Ottawa over the past decade, Innes argues the city has failed to keep pace with population growth. He is calling for a new

recreation centre and wants to prevent the loss of additional arenas serving central neighbourhoods.

As he has knocked on doors throughout the campaign, Innes said development remains the issue residents raise most often, but another common theme has emerged: accountability.

He said residents want city hall to be more responsive, whether the issue involves development applications, traffic congestion, transit service or basic infrastructure maintenance such as potholes.

If elected, Innes said his leadership style would focus on collaboration and bringing residents into the decisionmaking process.

“My approach has always been about bringing people together, hearing them, working together and finding solutions,” he said. “That’s what I want to bring as a councillor.”

— Three other names have also registered to run for city councillor in Kitchissippi ward. Profiles on Joanne Chianello, Michelle Groulx, and Subhir Uppal can be found on Kitchissippi.com.

Brian Innes said growth in the Kitchissippi area needs to be better planned. PROVIDED PHOTO.

BY CHARLIE SENACK

Plans to bring more than 120 mixedmarket affordable rental homes to Ottawa’s Little Italy have cleared a major hurdle, with the city’s Planning and Housing Committee approving the official plan and zoning changes needed for the development.

The proposal, led by the non-profit Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation (CCOC), would see a 12-storey apartment building rise at the northeast corner of Loretta Avenue South and Hickory Street. The project would replace a collection of aging residential properties with a new

mixed-market rental building containing 124 units, helping address Ottawa’s ongoing affordable housing shortage.

The project calls for a four-storey podium topped by an eight-storey point tower, a design city planners say provides an appropriate transition between the nearby high-rise buildings along the Trillium Line corridor and the lower-rise homes to the west. Committee approval also doubles the property’s permitted height from six to 12 storeys, or 40 metres.

According to city planning staff, the building has been designed with transitoriented development in mind. Located less than 200 metres from the Dow’s Lake

Planning committee approves 12-storey affordable housing project for Little Italy Construction begins on Richmond Rd highrise

BY CHARLIE SENACK

Anew landmark is beginning to rise along Richmond Road. Construction is now underway on West Orchard Urban Rentals, a 37-storey purpose-built rental tower at 1047 Richmond Rd. that will become one of Ottawa’s tallest residential buildings once completed.

The tower will feature 425 rental homes, including 15 designated affordable units, ranging from studio apartments to three-bedroom suites and townhomes. Ground-floor retail space and approximately 1,000 square metres

of new public parkland are also planned as part of the development, which is targeting LEED certification.

Residents will have access to an extensive list of amenities, including a fitness centre, yoga studio, co-working and social lounge, sports theatre, kid zone, private dining rooms and a penthouse sky lounge overlooking the city.

According to the City of Ottawa’s site plan approval, the project occupies the northeast corner of Richmond Road and New Orchard Avenue and is intended to support the city’s goal of directing more housing to areas served by rapid transit.

O-Train station, it will include just 13 vehicle parking spaces while prioritizing cycling infrastructure with roughly 60 bicycle parking stalls. Residents will also have access to approximately 370 square metres of indoor and outdoor amenity space, including a rooftop terrace on the fourth floor.

The unit mix will include three studio apartments, 95 one-bedroom units, 15 two-bedroom units and 11 three-bedroom homes. Roughly nine per cent of the apartments will be larger family-sized units, exceeding the city’s policy requiring at least five per cent of units in major transit station areas to accommodate larger households.

CCOC says the project is intended to

Drawings showing what the new affordable housing development in Little Italy will look like. PROVIDED PHOTO.

provide long-term mixed-affordability housing in one of Ottawa’s best-served transit neighbourhoods.

“The development will create mixed affordability rental housing owned and operated by CCOC, and would replace the existing townhomes and single-family homes on the site,” the project’s planning rationale states.

“The proposed increase in building height will allow for more residential units in one of the areas of the city best served by transit, employment access and 15-minute neighbourhood features.”

The proposal would consolidate several properties into a single 2,015-square-metre site. Today, the land contains two low-rise residential buildings, a small multi-unit building and three detached homes.

The site sits immediately adjacent to New Orchard Station on the Confederation Line, making it one of the city’s most significant transit-oriented developments currently under construction.

The development is being built through a partnership between Fengate Asset Management, The Hi-Rise Group and the LIUNA Pension Fund of Central and Eastern Canada. It is the partnership’s third residential project in Ottawa, following developments at 175 Main St. and 1140 Wellington St. W.

While West Orchard Urban Rentals will rank among Ottawa’s tallest buildings, it won’t claim the city’s height record.

Once built, the new Richmond Rd. high-rise will be among the tallest in Ottawa. PROVIDED PHOTO.

That title remains with the 45-storey Claridge Icon in Little Italy. However, its reign is expected to be short-lived, with construction anticipated to begin on a 50-storey residential tower at 829 Carling Ave., which will become Ottawa’s tallest building once completed.

Construction on West Orchard Urban Rentals is expected to be completed in late 2028. A second tower is also planned in the future.

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Luxury Retirement Living in the Heart of Hintonburg

As you enter your sunset years, planning for retirement doesn’t have to be a compromise. Consider the luxury that’s available to you now.

Wellington West Retirement Community offers a sophisticated, amenity-rich lifestyle closer to luxury condo living than traditional retirement. It’s designed to inspire connection and joy, combining the independence and privacy of a home with the convenience and peace of mind of personalized support.

Residents can enjoy an active social life, explore the neighborhood, or retreat to the privacy of their own personalized suite. The suites are designed for independent living while still allowing for additional assistance, including healthcare services, medication administration, companion services, and daily living assistance.

Extra levels of support are provided through Assisted Living suites, designed to foster a true sense of peace and well-being. An experienced team of nursing professionals is on-staff 24 hours a day, and residents are furnished with a personalized wellness plan tailored to their unique needs.

Outside the suite, residents can enjoy a chef-prepared meal in the elegant dining room, take a dip in the saltwater pool, relax on the rooftop terrace, attend a fitness class, catch a movie in the theatre, or meet friends for coffee in the lounge. The indoor plant nursery and potting room offers year-round opportunities for gardening, while the library provides a quiet place to read, relax, or spend time with friends.

Outside the front doors you’re in the heart of Hintonburg, steps away from cafés, restaurants, theaters, shops, community spaces, historic churches, and the beloved Parkdale Market. Everything is nearby, and for outings further afield, the included chauffeur service is always available to get you where you need to go.

“What really sets Wellington West apart is that it doesn’t feel like a typical retirement home. It has more of a luxury condo feel, with a warm, welcoming atmosphere and a real sense of community,” said Mark Hodess, Sales and Marketing Manager at Wellington West. “We get to know every resident personally, offer exceptional dining and activities, and provide the support people need while helping them stay as independent as possible. It’s a place where people feel at home.”

What really sets Wellington West apart is that it doesn’t feel like a typical retirement home. It has more of a luxury condo feel, with a warm, welcoming atmosphere and a real sense of community - Mark Hodess

Experience the difference for yourself.

Book your chauffeured tour and lunch today by calling 613-716-6885.

Wellington West offers an opportunity to experience the lifestyle firsthand. Prospective residents can book a private lunch tour with a chauffeured Lincoln available for pickup and return.

The Wellington West Retirement Community is located at 1166 Wellington St. West, Ottawa. To learn more about amenities, services, suite availability, or to book a private tour with Mark Hodess, call 613-716-6885, email marketing@wellingtonwestretirement.com, or visit https://wellingtonwestretirement.com/

Caldwell | Senior Portfolio Manager

1. An aerial view of Carlingwood shortly after it opened.

2. A July birthday celebration for the mall included cake. PHOTO BY ELLEN BOND.

3. Easter was celebrated at Carlingwood in its early days.

4. Many politicians were on hand to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the west-end mall.

BY ELLEN BOND.

5. Vintage cars from the 1950s were on display in the halls of Carlingwood. PHOTO BY ELLEN BOND.

Carlingwood Shopping Centre celebrates 70 years in Ottawa

BY CHARLIE SENACK

The easiest way to understand Carlingwood Shopping Centre is to sit on one of its benches for a few minutes and watch the world pass by. Seniors gather outside Second Cup and Tim Hortons to catch up with friends they’ve known for decades. Walkers are parked nearby as conversations drift from grandchildren’s hockey games and upcoming weddings to the latest doctor’s appointments. Para Transpo buses are never far away.

In the food court, high school students crowd around tables during their lunch break, burgers and fries in hand. Next door, shoppers weave through the aisles of Loblaws picking up groceries for the week. At the front of

the mall, the unmistakable scent of fresh popcorn drifts from Kernels.

While many shopping centres have been renovated beyond recognition, Carlingwood has held onto much of the character that made it a fixture of Ottawa’s west end. Rows of indoor plants still separate cushioned benches. Warm wood tones and earthy colours remain beneath the skylights. Even the hallways are still carpeted — making it the last shopping mall in Ottawa where shoppers aren’t walking entirely on tile.

At a time when many malls are being demolished or redeveloped, with only memories left behind, Carlingwood celebrated its 70th anniversary in July. There was roller skating down the halls, vintage cars on display, and cake for all the mall goers.

THE HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

When talk of a shopping centre on Carling Avenue began to swirl, the land that was once part of the McKellar estate was still surrounded by farmland. But shoppers’ retail habits were changing, and Billings Bridge and Westgate shopping centres were already booming.

Carlingwood’s story began when Simpsons — which later became Sears — opened a two-storey, 160,400-squarefoot retail store on the property. Around the same time, Loblaws opened a 30,000-square-foot grocery store, which, according to The Ottawa Journal, “incorporates such features as major carpet exits, visual meat wrapping room, snack bar and Tea Wagon Bakery.” Outside, there was room for 3,000 cars.

“The new supermarket has 22 check-off

counters equipped with speedy, smoothoperating converter belts,” reported The Ottawa Journal on Dec. 7, 1955. “Ottawa housewives will enjoy shopping in the meat department which is managed by the well-known butcher, Normal Lamke.”

Over the next year, a L-shaped, 40-store shopping centre was constructed between the two anchor tenants.

Advertisements from the era reveal just how ambitious the project was. Early tenants included Reitmans, Woolworth’s, Fairweather, Kiddytown, Zellers and dozens of local businesses. By Christmas 1957, Carlingwood was advertising a three-day shopping celebration featuring 32 stores and more than 3,500 parking spaces.

A 1956 newspaper feature promoting the new Carlingwood Restaurant

PHOTO

described it as Ottawa’s “most modern restaurant.” Banquet rooms, dining facilities and social events turned the shopping centre into a gathering place long before food courts became common.

As the west end grew, so did Carlingwood. In 1971, it underwent its next major transformation.

At a press conference on Feb. 16, 1971, it was announced that the SimpsonsSears store would see the addition of a third floor and that the mall itself would be enclosed to protect shoppers from the elements.

Unlike today, when large-scale projects can take years to complete, mall owners set Sept. 1 of that year as the target opening date. The “climatecontrolled” expansion included seven new boutiques.

Over three days in October, a celebration was held. Special guests included the Miss Rough Riders, Ken “The General” Grant — a well-known radio personality at the time — Diamond Lil, the Barber Shop Quartet, clowns, musicians and free balloons.

The last major renovation to the mall occurred in the mid-2000s. In a 2006 interview with the Ottawa Business Journal, then-Carlingwood manager Denis Pelletier credited it, along with the arrival of a new bargain retailer, for a successful Christmas shopping season.

“We were impacted a few years ago by all of the new retail opening up in Barrhaven, but the newness has faded and I think we’re on a competitive level now,” said Pelletier. “We have a very loyal customer base.”

In January 2018, the mall was dealt a major blow when it was announced that its longest-serving store, Sears, would be closing following the company’s bankruptcy. The large retail space sat vacant for several years before Canadian Tire tore it down and built what was then its largest store in Canada.

Today, enclosed malls like Carlingwood are becoming increasingly rare. In 2019, Lincoln Fields, which was also located on Carling Avenue, was torn down to make way for a major residential development. But with the rental market slowing, property developer RioCan is now reconsidering its plans, according to Bay Ward Coun. Theresa Kavanagh.

On the other side of Carling Avenue, Ottawa’s oldest mall, Westgate, closed last fall, with demolition crews bulldozing the

structure earlier this year. Original plans called for multiple rental towers, but after several revisions, the site is now expected to include a new grocery store, with residential development to come later.

It’s unlikely Carlingwood will face a similar fate anytime soon. Despite the front parking lot being rezoned to allow for residential development, Kavanagh said the mall’s owners are not considering any drastic changes.

Long-term leases with Canadian Tire and Loblaws prohibit large-scale developments from blocking their entrances. Meanwhile, the mall’s northside parking structure was recently demolished after it became too costly to repair and is being replaced with a surface parking lot expected to open later this year. 4

Close to Conflict-Canada and the American Civil War explores this country’s complex relationship with what’s usually considered an American story.

ALL PHOTOS BY ELLEN BOND.

How two Kitchissippi residents helped build the War Museum’s newest exhibition

BY REILLY ARMSTRONG

The first thing visitors notice inside Close to Conflict – Canada and the American Civil War isn’t an artifact. It’s the sound.

Slow horns, strings and soft piano notes drift through the Canadian War Museum gallery, layered with waves lapping against a shoreline, trains rumbling over tracks, birdsong, distant gunfire and the steady rhythm of marching boots.

Dark walls, dim lighting and muted carpeting complete the atmosphere, creating a lingering sense of unease. Even before reading a single display panel, visitors are transported to the 1860s, when the American Civil War unfolded just beyond the border of the British North American colonies that would eventually become Canada.

Behind that carefully crafted experience are two Kitchissippi residents.

Creative developer Claire Champ and lead exhibition designer Kerry McMaster Wassenaar helped bring to life one of the Canadian War Museum’s newest major

exhibitions, exploring Canada’s complex relationship with a conflict often viewed as an exclusively American story.

“That’s the type of feeling that we wanted to have…that idea of movement and energy,” Champ told KT. “Potential menace far on the horizon without being so uncomfortable that you drive visitors out of the space.”

For Champ, who has worked in Canadian museums for more than 20 years and has called Wellington West home since 1999, creating memorable visitor experiences has always been central to her work.

“I feel really fortunate that I’ve always been able to work in museums,” she said. “I’m just really fascinated by what visitors experience in exhibitions.”

That fascination helped shape Close to Conflict, which invites visitors to explore how profoundly the American Civil War influenced the people, politics and communities north of the border.

Working alongside the museum’s exhibition team and hundreds of contributors and collaborators, Champ and McMaster Wassenaar set out to tell a familiar

story from a distinctly Canadian perspective.

“As an exhibition designer, you’re always thinking about how people move through a space and what they’re feeling as they do,” said McMaster Wassenaar.

McMaster Wassenaar has also spent more than two decades working in museums. She grew up in Kitchissippi, where she once delivered newspapers for Newswest. Today, as lead exhibition designer, she transforms historical research and ideas into physical spaces visitors can experience.

“I’m responsible for sort of… figuring out what’s the physical manifestation of all the ideas, and how are they going to look? How is it going to feel?” she said.

Their goal was to create an exhibition that felt rooted in the era without feeling distant or inaccessible.

The carefully layered soundscape played a key role. McMaster Wassenaar said she drew inspiration from the opening theme of House of Cards, aiming for something she described as “political, threatening, but not too threatening.”

Collaboration was equally important to the project.

Champ said the museum relied heavily on historians, knowledge keepers and community members whose lived experiences helped

“It’s really best practice in museums now to co-create and to share authority,” she said.

“For many visitors, it’s a much more authentic experience to bring those firstperson voices of community members, community representatives, external experts.”

The exhibition is organized around a timeline tracing the Civil War along the gallery’s perimeter, with five central thematic zones. The first and final sections were fully co-created with outside partners, including Black historians Shannon and Bryan Prince, who helped develop the section exploring the Buxton community and the experiences of Black Canadians connected to the Underground Railroad.

Champ said their guidance added greater depth to the story, highlighting the community's resilience while acknowledging the racism and barriers its members faced.

“They really brought that nuance,” said Champ. “As Canadians, we have to acknowledge that that’s also part of our history. We weren’t just the idyllic end of the Underground Railroad.”

Their contributions influenced everything from interpretation and object selection to the way difficult histories were presented.

The museum also worked closely with Dr. Linda Manyguns, a Blackfoot elder and knowledge keeper, whose guidance shaped the exhibition’s final section, exploring the Civil War’s lasting legacy and its connections to Indigenous histories.

“She really wanted to talk to visitors directly and kind of bring them into the integrity and vitality and richness of Blackfoot culture before colonialism,” Champ said.

Among Dr. Manyguns’ contributions are a buffalo hide for visitors to touch, traditional Blackfoot children’s powwow regalia, and other cultural objects.

“To be able to work with them and then

have them see it and for them to think… this is my story and for them to resonate with it, that’s, you know, absolutely a big part of the reward,” said McMaster Wassenaar on the exhibition’s co-collaborators.

Running through the exhibition is a common thread: legacy.

Visitors can sit at an interactive table and hear descendants of Buxton settlers read their ancestors’ words aloud. Elsewhere, displays emphasize the enduring strength of Blackfoot culture, reminding visitors that history is not confined to the past but continues through living communities.

“There is a very human significance to all these stories,” said Champ. “I know (in) that exhibition… We cover a lot. We ask a lot of visitors. But I think they’re trying to show that these historical events are not just isolated in the past – they have a contemporary significance.”

The exhibition has also opened at a moment when Canada’s relationship with the United States is once again under the microscope. Amid ongoing political uncertainty, trade tensions and tariffs, Close to Conflict offers visitors historical context for conversations that still feel remarkably current.

“This is something that the museum’s been thinking about presenting for a while,” said McMaster Wassenaar.

“This idea of threat coming from south of the border – it resonates a little bit more, but I don’t think that we planned it to coincide with that,” said McMaster Wassenaar. “I think that was a little bit coincidental.”

Close to Conflict – Canada and the American Civil War is on display at the Canadian War Museum until Feb. 28, 2027.

“What I love about museums is I think they often show us the best parts of humanity,” said Champ. “I think it’s the idea of the fundamental connectedness of humanity.”

The pain and paintings of Sharon Kelly

An Ottawa abstract artist’s final years

BY ZENITH WOLFE

There are so many people at Sharon Kelly’s final art exhibition on July 9, 2026, that it’s hard to take a step without bumping the wine glasses or napkins of food out of people’s hands.

The collective body heat of more than 100 people permeates the single cramped room at Wall Space Gallery, which hosted the abstract painter’s fourth-ever solo exhibition in 2014, when it was still called Westboro its home.

Kelly’s husband and daughter, Steve and Bella Brougham, are both dressed in pink. They smile, laugh, cry as Kelly’s friends tell stories of their times together between bites of cheese and cold cuts on fig jam-slathered bread, flanked by more than a dozen of Kelly’s metres-long canvases. Some are serene landscapes with carefully blended greys and blues. Others are abstract bursts of vibrant pinks and yellows. Many have streaks of once-wet paint that drip to the bottoms of the canvases.

Kelly made most of these paintings during a six-year battle with Stage 4 lung cancer. She worked out of Stables Art Studio on Wellington St. W. for many years, her prolific career bringing her art to exhibitions across Canada and several American states.

Her painting, The Pause Button was purchased for Governor General Mary Simon and hung up in Rideau Hall, and from

2021 to 2023, she was an artist-in-residence at Florida’s Atlantic Center for the Arts.

The cancer claimed her life in April 2025, so she is not there to feel the warmth of the exhibition attendees’ love.

“I miss knowing that she exists in the world,” says Dale Smith, who helped curate the space with Wall Space curator Haruka Toyoda, in a speech on the exhibition’s opening night. “But I look around us, and here she is. She’s around all of us, and depending upon what you think and feel about things that you will have a conversation about tonight, Sharon’s art will continue the conversation for years and years to come.”

A VISIT TO SHARON KELLY’S HOME STUDIO

As I watch Sharon Kelly paint from the corner of her basement home studio in January 2025, it shouldn’t surprise me that the cancer patient has kept her diagnosis secret from the world to protect her creative outlet. Painting, one of Kelly’s last sources of control, helps her power through the pain of both her disease and the medication that’s supposed to help her endure it.

“What I understand is it goes through the stomach and into my liver only once,” she says, clicking a button on the cassette of hydromorphone around her waist. The machine in the blue pouch whirrs and clicks, whirrs and clicks, whirrs and clicks to

inject her with morphine’s stronger cousin, the morphine having lost its potency after five years of treatment.

She presses her knuckles into the table beside a slip of No Name parchment paper dotted with globs of acrylic paint. Light blue next to dark, and a smear of white by golden-brown waits beside a rubber scraper wrapped in frayed pink tape.

She trades glances with the two canvases beyond the table. To everyone but Kelly, they appear finished, but she feels the need to continue painting. She crosses the room and stretches her arm to smear the scraper’s light blue across the top of the right-hand canvas.

Then, from the arms of the easel, she accepts a spray bottle. Kelly, 61, views water as her muse, believing it nurtures wellbeing and creativity.

“I try to create something where I’m giving some history to it,” she says. “When I add the water, I make some of it a screen,

and some of it opaque.”

The canvas bobs with each stroke of the scraper as warm colours blend into newer, colder ones.

After several trips between palette and easel, the painting now proudly blue, Kelly is taking deeper breaths, until a step makes her stumble past the canvas. She catches herself on its edge and apologizes quietly.

“It’s possible that I’m, um, I might have to go sit down for a little bit. I’m getting nauseous, which is one of the parts of hydromorphone,” she says.

It’s become routine for Kelly to plan her life around her illness and medication. After years of being told her back pain and reliance on Advil were signs of menopause, she pushed until she was referred to an orthopedist. On a Saturday afternoon in April 2019, the doctor called to say her X-rays required her to visit emergency care immediately.

1. Some of the unfinished paintings in Sharon Kelly’s basement studio.

PHOTO BY ZENITH WOLFE.

2. Kelly found much of her inspiration from Joan Mitchell.

PHOTO BY ZENITH WOLFE.

3. Kelly was a longtime painter in the Wellington West community. PROVIDED PHOTO.

4. Over the years, Kelly worked with Wall Space Gallery, which once called Westboro home. PROVIDED PHOTO.

5. Photos 5, 7 and 8: A Life in Colour paid tribute to Kelly’s years of painting on July 9.

PHOTOS BY SIMON MCKEOWN.

6. Kelly said she always liked to give “history” to her paintings.

PHOTO BY ZENITH WOLFE.

Adenocarcinoma, a non-small cell lung cancer, had spread through her lungs, with spots in her sternum and spine. By 2023, it had reached the lining of her brain.

Doctors gave her a life expectancy of three to five years, which she’s already outlasted.

Kelly had learned perseverance long before her diagnosis. After Queen’s University professors suggested she might not be cut out for the visual arts program, she spent decades teaching herself to paint. Eventually, her work was exhibited in Ottawa, Toronto, Waterloo, Montreal, Fort Langley, Yonkers, and Annapolis.

Back in the studio, Kelly ambles past the left-hand canvas and towards what she calls the Grid: photos of past paintings, clipped or taped to a white garden trellis. Five Barrel of Monkeys figures, also painted white, hang from the Grid, which she returns to whenever she feels stuck.

She points to a painting with a streak of yellow.

“It almost looks like a letter C, or a lemon. It comes across the whole thing,” she says. “I’ll see if I can do a little bit of something right now.”

I ask if she’s switching to landscape painting.

“Yeah, yeah.” The scraper is already back in her hands. “If you’re asking if that’s normal, it’s normal for me. I’m not totally getting that other one just yet. Normally, I also have one or two dogs under my table.”

Painting quiets what Kelly calls the “noise” — the constant mental chatter that she says Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler gets when he’s not writing song lyrics.

Kelly doesn’t usually worry if her images are coherent, but she’s studying a small patch of green floating above her second canvas’s hillside. It wouldn’t make sense for her to flip the painting upside down. That’s how she can tell if a painting is finished. She observes the painting from another angle before reaching for a tube of peachcoloured paint.

“There’s one colour in particular I do really like, but in this particular case, it’s not

3

working, and I’ll show you why,” she says. She hands me the tube, saying it has too much white for the deeper warm colour she’s trying to achieve.

Kelly is still unsatisfied with her painting. She scrapes and sprays, scrapes and sprays, scrapes and sprays until the yellow clinging to her scraper finds its way back onto the first canvas, breaking through swirls of blue.

When I first found Kelly’s painting, The Scent of Wood Burning Stoves, at Wall Space Gallery in August 2024, I was struck by its limited use of blue and neon pink to frame softly dominant yellows. I interpreted them as flames and smoke — colours that represent the power to choose how one influences their surroundings, from natural forces like fire to life itself.

I ask Kelly if she ever thinks about those meanings while she paints.

Continues on p.22

The pain and paintings of Sharon Kelly

Continues from p.21

“No. If I’m doing eight to ten layers, it’s not until I get to layer eight that I think about the title,” she says, scraping away again. “I don’t usually go at them in advance.”

Her instinctive process is similar to the Automatistes, Quebec’s influential abstract expressionists who rejected traditional techniques in favour of spontaneous creation. Kelly agrees with the comparison. Still, she names her paintings so viewers have somewhere to begin, even if titles make it harder to let her art go.

A washcloth appears in her hand, and she announces that she’s starting to feel nauseous again.

“I’m stopping,” she says as she continues, using the cloth to help the yellow hungrily absorb the blue below it. “I just don’t want to come down and see all this blue. I don’t like it.”

The first canvas now bears little resemblance to the one I first encountered. It’s been reborn, a kind of baptism facilitated by her spray bottle, except there’s a dark smudge in the bottom left of the canvas that Kelly’s intentionally left untouched. It belongs to a three-year-old girl who was once invited into the studio.

“I told her she could add anything she wanted to any of my art, and then she took a scoop of green and put it on my canvas,” Kelly says. “But I’m not a green person. I will leave a bit of it so I can show it to her.”

It doesn’t look green anymore. It’s a deep brown caught between folds of swirling pinks and blues—a warped, fragmented, cancerous stain. It’s a collection of stones fighting the speed of a crashing wave. It’s an infinite overlap of thick, colourful brushstrokes that reflect the dwindling promise of change and the layers of strength and optimism she imbues her art with.

It’s out of Kelly’s control.

LIFE AFTER SHARON

When I meet Sharon Kelly’s husband Steve Brougham for coffee half a year after our studio visit, he doesn’t seem stricken with grief.

It’s July 2025, and we’re in a Starbucks in Little Italy, close to where the late Sharon Kelly used to paint at Stables Art Studio. Neither of us orders anything.

He talks gently about his wife, his care with words making the conversation unexpectedly pleasant, and though he doesn’t smile much, there’s a positive lilt to his speech, an echo of their 31 years of marriage.

Brougham and Kelly met in an Irish pub her father owned, appropriately named Kelly’s, back when the young Brougham was headed for university. He held his going-away party in the pub before travelling to Australia for a year and had his homecoming at Kelly’s, keeping in touch with his soon-to-be wife in the time between.

They had an undeniable chemistry that Brougham struggles to put into words, but that makes perfect sense when he fondly recalls their spontaneous road trips through the United States and their differing views on art as they visited every gallery they could find.

“We sort of had a running joke that we always seemed to find the galleries that were closed. For me, I’d like looking at the art, but she liked to get behind it and appreciate it,” Brougham says.

Kelly kept painting until right after our January visit, when it became too painful to stand. In fact, her diagnosis propelled her to work harder than ever. Across six years, the quality of her artistic output skyrocketed, and she made what Brougham calls 20 years' worth of paintings, a change he attributes to her unbelievable strength. She eventually moved her studio up to the dining room to no avail.

Brougham was as ready as he could have been when Kelly died April 24, 2025, but he didn’t know how to process his

grief. He struggled with knowing when to donate Kelly’s belongings. The typical advice he heard — “Everyone handles it differently” and “You’ll know when you know” — was no help. It was Sheila Walsh’s book on grief, It’s Okay Not To Be Okay, that taught him his first helpful strategy.

“There were some clothes that I would say, ‘Alright, I’m going to donate these clothes,’ and it made me feel a little ill, so I knew I wasn’t ready. I used that technique for a lot of things around the house,” he says. “I still have all her art pieces. I’m not ready yet.”

In that series of remaining canvases frozen forever in various states of completion, the widower sees sunrises and the happiness of Kelly’s life. They’re his evidence that she always enjoyed the present.

“Now, every morning I’m up crack of dawn to walk the dogs and see the sunrise, and that’s my way of starting the day, saying, ‘Morning, Sharon,’” Brougham says. “What I’ve learned in the last little while is that the past I will carry with me forever. Planning for the future is sort of a mug’s game. I’m learning to spend more time on the present. That’s what Sharon would want.”

“A LIFE IN COLOUR” AT WALL SPACE GALLERY

Vickie Marsango arrives at Wall Space Gallery an hour ahead of opening night on July 9 to appreciate Sharon Kelly’s work in relative solitude. It’s the first time Marsango has seen her colleague’s finished paintings in person. It’s also her first time in Ottawa. The abstract expressionist painter flew in from Florida specifically to attend the exhibition “A Life in Colour,” where some of her own canvases are also featured.

A subtle Southern American twang emerges whenever Marsango gets invested in telling stories about Kelly. They met through an online course Marsango taught over Zoom and formed an immediate spiritual connection around their shared love of abstract painter Joan Mitchell. It wasn’t long before they met in Florida for five-day artist retreats Marsango runs annually at the Atlantic Centre for the Arts.

They stayed in a rustic studio surrounded by wildlife for several of those events, pinning canvases to the walls and painting with around 10 other artists

throughout the day, then eating meals together in the evenings. Those were Marsango’s best opportunities to witness the deep admiration Kelly had for nature, including a lizard she insisted on keeping in her room after it snuck into the studio.

“I would have been trying to kill the darn thing or get it out of my room, but no, not Sharon. She was feeding it. She was talking to it,” Marsango says. “That’s just how nice, generous, and kind she was.”

Kelly was quiet in larger groups, but she always went out of her way to help artists seeking advice. If someone asked about her materials, she explained their purpose and gave them a sample to use.

It would be a mistake to say inspiration ran only one way between the two artists. Marsango learned to be more confident around “competitive” artists thanks to Kelly’s fearless and gentle approach to life. When they talked over Zoom, no matter the health issues Kelly faced, she always made Marsango feel better. Marsango admired Kelly’s restraint and mastery over lighting in her painting.

We leave the exhibition's back room about 30 minutes before opening night begins so Marsango can share her thoughts on Kelly’s art.

“When you see her work in photographs, it doesn’t pick up on all the detail,” Marsango says. “You can’t see all the little lines and their history.”

Birchenough, who was the best man at Brougham’s wedding, travelled from New York to Ottawa to visit the exhibition with his wife and buy her the painting Eastern Sky. The abstract scenery reminds him of the beach.

“I know they spent a lot of time down in North Carolina, and they really loved the beach, and I just picture them looking out at the waves and the skies,” Birchenough says.

Marjie Snow is an assistant hair stylist and collector of vintage floral paintings, attending the show with a friend. Snow doesn’t know the painter personally, but she feels she’s leaving the exhibition with a better understanding of Kelly. Through the paintings, especially First Love with its strong purples, she sees Kelly as a free spirit with a love of life so strong that she appreciated the beauty in everyday settings despite her illness.

In his opening-night speech, Brougham explains that all proceeds from the sale of Kelly’s paintings will go to May Court Hospice, since they took such amazing care of the painter in her final moments. He describes the many notes Kelly kept around the house, especially in her studio; her belief in angels; her love of inviting young people into her home to paint; and a poem by Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award winner Mary Oliver that Kelly hung in her studio.

“You can see the inspiration to keep living in her artwork,” Snow says. “To create beauty out of such hardship is an amazing thing to do. And to have that courage and that passion still there during those times, that’s something that she needs to be commended for.”

From the pink backside of the promotional flyers given out to exhibition attendees, Brougham reads Oliver’s poem The World I Live In, and suddenly Kelly’s presence fills the room.

“I have refused to live locked in the orderly house of reasons and proofs. The world I live in and believe in is wider than that. And anyway, what’s wrong with Maybe? You wouldn’t believe what I've once or twice seen. I’ll just tell you this: only if there are angels in your head will you ever, possibly, see one.”

In The Scent of Wood Burning Stoves, Marsango points out the delicate use of a pink oil paint stick. It uses a technique called sgraffito, or a scratch through the painting that reveals lower layers of colour, to communicate what Marsango interprets as frustration — a feeling Marsango hasn’t often seen in Kelly’s otherwise delicate personality and artwork. The light-yellow bulb in the bottom left also symbolizes cancer to Marsango.

Whether those feelings are directed at Kelly’s health, Marsango can’t say, as she never pried into Kelly’s personal life. Her death was a shock but not a surprise, given that Kelly had to cancel her 2025 appearance at the artist retreat.

“Her presence feels like she’s here because of her work being here like this. I just hope one day that people feel that way about me when I’m gone. I miss her terribly,” she says.

Don Birchenough and Brougham have been good friends since their “lifeguarding days” in high school.

The hidden stories on Ottawa’s walls

Hintonburg’s Joseph Malovic is asking the public to help uncover the stories behind Ottawa’s murals

BY CHARLIE SENACK

Every day, thousands of people walk or drive past the murals splashed across Ottawa’s buildings.

Rows of colourful pigeons stretch across a black wall in Wellington West. A vibrant peacock welcomes visitors outside the Wellington Mortgage Group building. Black-and-white illustrations cover the side of Urban Art Collective, each one inviting a closer look.

Most passersby barely give them a second glance. Fewer still know who painted them, when they appeared or the stories they were meant to tell. For Hintonburg resident Joseph Malovic, those unanswered questions became impossible to ignore.

While cycling through neighbourhoods across Ottawa, the computer scientist began stopping whenever he spotted a mural, photographing it and jotting down whatever clues he could find — an artist’s

Odd Job Man

signature, a date tucked into the corner, or a title if one was available.

What started as a personal collection soon snowballed. After documenting roughly 50 murals, Malovic realized his growing catalogue needed a home. That became Ottawalls, an online, interactive registry dedicated to documenting Ottawa’s street art.

The database has since expanded to include more than 300 murals from neighbourhoods including Hintonburg,

Chinatown, the ByWard Market and the Glebe. But despite the project’s rapid growth, many entries remain incomplete.

“Hundreds still have significant gaps,” said Malovic. “Maybe there’s no artist’s name, maybe there’s no year, maybe there’s no story behind the piece.”

He believes the people who can fill in those blanks are already living in the communities where the murals exist.

“I think there’s someone out there who might read the Kitchissippi Times and think, ‘Oh yeah, I remember when that wall went up in 2012, and I actually know the artist who painted that.’”

To make that possible, Ottawalls functions much like Wikipedia. Anyone can submit corrections or add information to a mural’s page, creating what Malovic hopes will become a community-built archive of Ottawa’s public art.

The idea took shape after he returned from a sabbatical spent travelling through Europe and the Middle East.

Left: Joseph Malovic began wondering about the stories behind Ottawa’s murals while out cycling through the neighbourhood. Right: The Pigeon People mural was created by Stephany Victoria in 2025. Above: The Bird with Helmet was painted by local artist Daniel Martelock. ALL PHOTOS BY ELLEN BOND.

You don’t need to go into a gallery. It’s there for everyone, every day. And I think that makes it worth preserving. — JOSEPH MALOVIC

In cities such as Lyon, Paris and Amsterdam, he saw street art treated as an important part of local history and culture. Amsterdam even has a museum dedicated entirely to graffiti and street art.

Coming home, he was surprised by how difficult it was to learn even the basics about many of Ottawa’s murals.

“I just couldn’t find basic information about the murals that I was biking past,” he said. “It felt like maybe the city wasn’t celebrating street art very much.”

As someone who works in computer science and artificial intelligence, Malovic says preserving human-made art has taken on even greater significance.

“I think we’re living through a moment where AI is generating infinite generic images,” he said. “The murals on Ottawa’s walls are the direct opposite of that. They’re by real artists, they’re specific to the city, the streets and our community.”

“Documenting them is an act of

resistance. It’s insisting that people who make art still matter. They deserve to be named, and their art should be celebrated.”

Beyond preserving history, Malovic hopes the project will help build stronger connections between artists, residents and local business improvement areas, while encouraging more investment in public art.

Several BIAs already embed the Ottawalls map on their websites, and Ottawa Tourism has also incorporated it into its online resources.

Ultimately, he hopes people begin seeing the city’s walls differently.

“Street art is probably the most democratic form of art we have,” he said. “You don’t need to buy a ticket to a museum. You don’t need to go into a gallery. It’s there for everyone, every day. And I think that makes it worth preserving.”

Anita Vandenbeld

Chinatown hosts debut of Ottawa’s bicentennial anthem

BY AMANDA MCLEOD

Under the shadow of Ottawa’s Chinatown gates, the Somerset and Cambridge Street Seats location was filled on July 8 with music lovers, community members and civic leaders in anticipation of the unveiling of the official anthem for Ottawa’s Bicentennial year.

Sung in four languages – English, French, Anishinaabemowin and Inuktitut – Heart of This Place (Adàwe c’est ma ville) reflects the many voices, cultures and stories that have shaped Ottawa since before 1826.

The idea of creating a song for the 200th anniversary of Ottawa originated with the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition (OMIC) as a way to celebrate the milestone while reflecting the city’s diversity. OMIC reached out to the artists in Feb. 2026.

“We brought together artists from different backgrounds, lived experiences and musical traditions, and they created a song that reflects the diversity, resilience and creativity of our city,” OMIC executive director Mélanie Brulée said in a press release.

Jessica Pearson, an Ottawa singersongwriter and leader of the folk-Americana trio Jessica Pearson and the East Wind, told Kitchissippi Times that her experience working with the group and its production team was nothing short of magic.

“Putting us all together, you never know who you’re going to get. And it was honestly like flow and magic,” said Pearson. “When we were going in to write the song, our whole goal was to make it a song that every single person from Ottawa or anyone who’s moved to Ottawa feels like it’s their song.”

In a panel conversation before the first live performance of Heart of This Place (Adàwe c’est ma ville), Pearson, along with Inuk throat singer Qattuu, francophone rapper and slam poet Yao and producer and owner of Studio Oblique Philippe Charbonneau – all artists based in the capital region – discussed the creative process behind the project.

Also involved with the project but absent from the panel were Ottawa songwriter Amanda Rheaume and producer Olivier Fairfield.

Yao said the group quickly got into the flow of the project despite having never

worked together before.

“It happened really fast – we got the call and within the span of two weeks, we were in the studio. And then you get there, and we have 48 hours, and you’re going to be with artists that you’ve never met or worked with before,” he said.

was an elder opening, because elders give such a presence and a welcoming hug…to let you know that this space is for you, and this is where we’ve come from,” said Qattuu.

“Now it was like, you have four different musical genres, four different horizons, four different personalities,” he continued. “But we came up with the chorus in the second half of the first day, and we all looked at each other and were like ‘Yeah, this is it –this is the people of Ottawa.’”

Opened by a territorial blessing by Algonquin Elder Annie St. George – who also led the artistic collaborators in a grounding ceremony before the recording sessions – the song focuses on honouring the land, the waterways and the many cultures that shape Ottawa.

Qattuu said St. George’s presence brought the group together and created a comforting environment.

“I was very happy to see that there

First known as Bytown – named after Lt.-Col. John By, who oversaw construction of the Rideau Canal on Algonquin territory beginning in 1826 – the settlement was later renamed Ottawa in 1855 and became Canada’s capital two years later.

The City of Ottawa is hosting several events throughout the summer and into the fall to celebrate the 200 year anniversary, with the official release of Heart of This Place (Adàwe c’est ma ville) to take place on Sept. 26 with a free live performance at Marion Dewar Plaza.

The song will also be performed live at the Capital Music Awards which will take place on Oct. 9 at the NAC.

The music video for Heart of This Place (Adàwe c’est ma ville) is currently available on YouTube.

Ottawa’s 200th birthday was celebrated with a new song that made its official debut in Chinatown on July 8. ALL PHOTOS BY AMANDA MCLEOD.

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Elections Ottawa

We’re hiring election workers!

Orleans Star

Half 4.8x11

The City of Ottawa’s Elections Of ce is hiring to ll over 5,000 paid election worker positions in the 2026 Municipal Elections.

Positions are available for the following dates:

• Advance Voting Day: Friday, October 16

• Voting Day: Monday, October 26

Your guide to Ottawa’s biggest fall events

By Charlie Senack

As summer gives way to crisp autumn days, Ottawa’s calendar fills with festivals, concerts, cultural celebrations and family-friendly events before winter arrives. From hot air balloons soaring over Gatineau to neighbourhood festivals, immersive art experiences and Remembrance Day tributes, here are some of the highlights happening across the capital in the months ahead.

GATINEAU HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL

SEP 2-6

La Baie Park, 988 Saint-Louis St.

TASTE

OF WELLINGTON

SEP 19 Wellington West neighbourhood

More than 50 businesses throughout Hintonburg and Wellington Village will offer free food samples, special promotions, entertainment and exclusive deals, making it the perfect opportunity to explore one of Ottawa’s favourite main streets. wellingtonwest.ca/

Admission is free, making it a fun outing for the whole family. ottawachinatown.ca/nightmarket/

OTTAWA 200 BLOCK PARTY

SEP 26

Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Ave. W.

Celebrate Ottawa’s 200th birthday with a day of familyfriendly entertainment at Marion Dewar Plaza. The free event features live performances, activities and community celebrations marking the city’s bicentennial. ottawa200blockparty.ca/

NUIT BLANCHE OTTAWA

SEP 26 55 ByWard Market Square

One of the region’s signature festivals returns with colourful hot air balloons, live concerts, family activities and entertainment for all ages. The event features popular and emerging artists from Québec, across Canada and beyond, creating a festive atmosphere both on the ground and in the sky. montgolfieresgatineau.com/en/

LATIN SPARKS FESTIVAL

SEP 5 LeBreton Flats

Experience the sights, sounds and flavours of Latin America during this high-energy celebration. Take part in dance workshops, enjoy authentic Latin cuisine and drinks, then stay for live music, salsa dancers, drummers and vibrant performances that transform LeBreton Flats into a lively street festival.

latinsparks.ca/

RETRO SILENT DISCO

SEP 12

National Gallery of Canada, 380 Sussex Dr.

Dance the night away beneath the gallery’s stunning

licensed bar make for a memorable night out. eventbrite.com/e/retro-silentdisco-the-national-galleryof-canada-ottawa-tickets1987676967316?aff=erelexpmlt

HARVEST – A FEAST OF FALL

SEP 16

Ottawa Art Gallery, 10 Daly Ave.

Celebrate the flavours of the season with tasting stations created by local chefs and beverage artisans. The evening brings the community together while raising funds for Youturn Youth Support Services through an unforgettable culinary experience. harvestottawa.ca

DIVINING SPIRITS: PART OF THE 2026 GLEANINGS SERIES “HEROES & VILLAINS”

SEP 17

Gladstone Theatre, 910 Gladstone Ave.

This dramatic staged reading imagines a fictional encounter in the afterlife between Canadian historical figures Duncan Campbell Scott and Dr. Peter Henderson Bryce. Tickets are $23 and the performance begins at 7 p.m. thegladstone.ca/shows/diviningspirits/

NEW

LIFE: A MUSICAL

SEP 23-26

Gladstone Theatre, 910 Gladstone Ave.

This original jazz-rock musical follows a woman rebuilding her life after the death of her abusive husband. Set in 2010, the story explores family, healing and acceptance while tackling issues including homophobia, transphobia, substance abuse and intimate partner violence. Regular tickets are $35.

thegladstone.ca/company/lostbaggage-musical-theatre/

OTTAWA CHINATOWN NIGHT MARKET

SEP 25-27

Somerset Street West, between Bronson Avenue and Bell Street North Experience one of Ottawa’s most vibrant cultural celebrations with authentic cuisine, fusion flavours, live entertainment, lion dances, martial arts demonstrations and local artisans.

Public spaces across the ByWard Market will come alive with illuminated art installations, performances and interactive exhibits during this free overnight festival. The annual event celebrates contemporary art, technology and creativity from dusk until dawn. nuitblanche-ottawa.ca/

DANIEL

LANOIS – DEUX VOIX, UNE CAPITALE

SEP 27

The Bronson, 211 Bronson Ave.

Acclaimed Canadian musician and producer Daniel Lanois takes the stage as part of the Deux Voix, Une Capitale series. Known for his atmospheric sound and groundbreaking career, Lanois will perform an intimate evening of

music. Tickets start at $50. bronsoncentremusictheatre.com/ events/event/daniel-lanois-deuxvoix-une-capitale/

ROGERS V. ROGERS

to OCT 20 NOV 1

Great Canadian Theatre Company, 1233 Wellington St. W.

Step inside one of the most dramatic corporate battles in Canadian history. Inspired by the real-life fight for control of the Rogers communications empire and its takeover of Shaw Communications, this new play explores family, power and ambition. gctc.ca/2627-season

LEONARD COHEN: TEN YEARS GONE to OCT 28 NOV 7

Gladstone Theatre, 910 Gladstone Ave.

Celebrate the music and poetry of Leonard Cohen as Bear & Co. performs songs spanning his remarkable career. Featuring rich vocal harmonies and a variety of instruments, the production offers an intimate evening honouring one of Canada’s greatest songwriters. Regular tickets are $43. thegladstone.ca/shows/leonardcohen-ten-years-gone/

DAY OF THE DEAD FESTIVAL to OCT 30 NOV 2

55 ByWard Market Square

Celebrate Mexican culture through art, music, dance and traditional cuisine during this colourful annual festival. Inspired by Día de los Muertos, the event honours loved ones through vibrant performances, exhibitions and community gatherings. dayofthedeadfestival.ca/

SOUND OF REMEMBRANCE

NOV 7 Canadian War Museum, 1 Vimy Pl.

This annual musical tribute honours Canada’s veterans, first responders and their families through performances by acclaimed artists, military choirs and guest

speakers. The evening offers a powerful message of remembrance, healing and gratitude. soundofremembrance.com/

SKIN FLICK

NOV 20-28

Gladstone Theatre, 910 Gladstone Ave.

When three unemployed friends stumble across an X-rated movie, they hatch an outrageous plan to make their own for some quick cash. This fast-paced comedy delivers plenty of laughs while poking fun at human nature and unlikely circumstances. Regular tickets are $31. thegladstone.ca/shows/skin-flick/

UNDERTALE: THE DETERMINATION SYMPHONY

NOV 21 National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin St.

Fans of the award-winning indie game can experience its beloved soundtrack performed live by 25 musicians from the FILMharmonique Orchestra while gameplay is projected on screen. The symphonic performance brings UNDERTALE’s memorable music and emotional story to life. gfnproductions.ca/productions/ undertale-the-determinationsymphony/

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New youth theatre company opening in Hintonburg this fall

By Brian Dryden

A new youth theatre company is preparing to raise the curtain in Hintonburg this fall, offering local children the chance to develop confidence, creativity and teamwork both on and off the stage.

Cue to Cue Theatre Co., a new non-profit organization founded by lifelong Kitchissippi resident and teacher Kody Ferreira, will begin its first season Sept. 8, operating out of Rosemount Hall at 41 Rosemount Ave. The program is designed for students in Grades 3 to 8 and will offer twice-weekly rehearsals on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. While the company's primary focus is musical theatre, Ferreira said the goal extends well beyond preparing students for a performance.

"It's something fun for the kids to do after school," Ferreira said. "It is all about the kids."

The idea for Cue to Cue grew out of Ferreira's experience directing musicals at Devonshire Community Public School over the past two years. Seeing students gain confidence through theatre inspired him to create a community-based program where young people from across the neighbourhood could continue exploring the performing arts.

"When I did Annie Jr., a former Devonshire student told me how much the whole cast and Crüe felt like a family, and that has stuck with me ever since," Ferreira said. "That's exactly what I want them to take away: a sense of belonging and a community where they feel at home."

Unlike many youth theatre programs, Cue to Cue places equal emphasis on both performing and the technical side of theatre production. Students can choose to join "The Cast," performing on stage, or "The Crüe," where they'll learn the

How to stop overthinking school lunches

It’s almost back-to-school season, and that means a return to routine and the daily challenge of packing lunches, planning dinners and getting everyone out the door on time. Feeling overwhelmed by the amount of time in the kitchen? Here are a few simple ways to stay ahead of mealtime and keep busy schoolday schedules running smoothly. Start with a simple routine. Prioritize four key components when building lunches: protein, fruits and vegetables, whole grains and a snack. Having a framework helps take the guesswork out of meal planning, making it easier to provide

balanced options.

Building lunches around protein will help support your family’s energy throughout the school day. By using convenient protein options like Maple Leaf Natural Selections deli meats, you can make quick sandwiches, wraps and lunchbox combinations.

A balanced lunch doesn't have to be complicated. Consider packing:

• turkey and cheese wrap

• sliced cucumbers

• apple slices

• whole-grain crackers Create a rotation of favourites. Don't reinvent lunches every day.

behind-the-scenes work that brings a production to life, including set construction, props, costumes and production media.

According to the company's website, theatre is "a team sport," and every role plays an important part in creating a successful production. By offering dedicated tracks for both performers and backstage crew, the company hopes every child can find a place where they can contribute.

The inaugural season will feature fully licensed musicals, giving participants the opportunity to work with professional scripts and musical scores. Planned productions include Matilda Jr., High School Musical Jr. and Mary Poppins Jr., with the first performances scheduled for Dec. 8 and 9. Admission will be by donation. Ferreira said accessibility is also a priority. Each three-month session costs $300, with families also able to

Instead, build around a few reliable meals your kids enjoy and that can be packed on repeat. Rotating between a handful of family favourites can also help streamline grocery shopping and reduce decision-making.

Prep once and use often. Set aside time on the weekends to wash produce, portion out snacks and prepare lunch ingredients. A bit of prep can save valuable time on busy mornings.

For kids who prefer variety, a simple charcuterie-style lunchbox can also be an easy alternative. Precut vegetables, portion meats and crackers ahead of time so they're ready to pack throughout the week. Think beyond the lunchbox. The same ingredients used for lunches can also help simplify dinners. The

pay in monthly instalments of $100.

"We want to make sure everyone who wants to can participate," Ferreira said.

Interest has already been strong, with about 30 families expressing interest ahead of the September launch. Ferreira hopes to welcome about 50 students during the inaugural season and, if demand continues to grow, would like to expand by offering a summer drama club in the future.

"Kitchissippi just has so many kids looking for something fun to do," Ferreira said. "It needs a creative outlet like this where they can connect, express themselves, and build something together right in their own community."

For Ferreira, Cue to Cue is about more than producing musicals. It's about creating a place where young people can build confidence, discover new talents and, perhaps most importantly, find a community they can call their own.

For more information, Cue to Cue can be contacted at cuttocuetheatre. com or through contacting Kody@cuetocuetheatre.com

formula of protein, produce and whole grains can be repurposed into quick weeknight staples, which helps streamline every stage of your meal planning.

By focusing on simple, balanced meals built around quality ingredients, parents can spend less time worrying about what's in the lunchbox and more time on what matters most. You can find lunch inspiration and easy meal-planning recipes for busy school days at mapleleaf.ca.

Getting Ready for Fall

The Dovercourt team is buzzing with excitement as they gear up for an incredible fall session!

September ushers in a brand-new year packed with vibrant programs and activities for everyone, no matter their age.

Kicking off the season is the much-loved “Try It Week,” happening from September 8 to 14. This exciting week gives you the chance to try out a variety of recreation and fitness classes without any commitment—perfect for discovering new passions. Registration for a selection of fitness

classes opens on August 21, so mark your calendars and secure your spot early. Registration for Try-it recreation classes, including dance and sports, is already open!

Swimmers, get ready! Fall swim lessons start on September 12, with registration already underway.

Dovercourt proudly offers the renowned “Swim for Life” program by the Lifesaving Society—an evidence-based, proven way to help kids learn to swim safely and confidently. Led by expert trainers and passionate staff, your kids will be in great hands.

Looking for some splash-tacular fun? Recreational drop-in swims will be back when the pool reopens on September 12, offering flexible options for fun and fitness in our welcoming, warm-water pool.

Fitness fans, rejoice! The year-round Fit Pass grants access to over 50 classes weekly. Starting September 8, enjoy a diverse range of specialty and aqua fitness classes, including yoga, strength training, spinning, Pilates, and Zumba. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just starting out, there’s a perfect class waiting for you.

Dovercourt’s fall recreation session begins on September 14 with a lively lineup of arts, sports, music, theatre, and more. Want to try something new without a long-term commitment? Our monthly onesession workshops make it easy to explore different interests and find your new passion.

And don’t miss out on our « Movie in the Park » event on September 18! Join us under the stars for an evening of community fun, perfect for families and friends alike.

With so many exciting programs and events, Dovercourt’s fall season promises an unforgettable experience of learning, fitness, and community connection. Act now—register early and dive into a season full of possibilities!

Summer in the heart of Westboro Village

Submitted by Westboro BIA

We’re halfway through the summer season, and there is still lots to do in Westboro Village. From patios and frozen treats to a sidewalk sale and free movies, Westboro Village is the place to be this summer. Get ready to stretch your legs, support local businesses and score some deals. On Sat., Aug. 15, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Westboro Village is hosting an outdoor Sidewalk Sale. The neighbourhood will transform into a vibrant outdoor market along Richmond Road and McRae Ave. Whether you are looking to update your wardrobe, grab a caffeine fix or discover a new local service provider, there will be something for everyone.

• 20+ businesses and counting: The lineup is growing by the day. Expect a fantastic mix of your favourite retail shops, coffee spots and local wellness businesses offering exclusive one-day-only deals and activities.

• The MEC Market Hub: Want to see even more local favourites? Westboro Village is teaming up with Mountain Equipment Company (MEC), which will open a portion of its parking lot to host even more local businesses.

• All Saints Anglican Church Hub:

The church will animate its courtyard with festivities including henna, waffles, lemonade, live music and more. Make sure to stop by and drop off a donation to support the Westboro Region Food Bank.

The Dog Days of Summer movie series continues with Capital Pop-Up Cinema, featuring free movies each month. Come early for family-friendly lawn games before the movie begins at dusk.complimentary fresh-popped buttery popcorn will be served during the show.

• Fri., Aug. 21 — Turner & Hooch

• Fri., Sept. 11 — Legally Blonde

Make it the perfect summer night by grabbing takeout from your favourite business along Richmond Rd, including some of the neighbourhood’s newest additions: HO Guam, Dough Bits and Little Bones.

It is also a great time to mark your calendar. Wickedly Westboro returns for its 15th year on Sat., Oct. 24. Expect a day filled with family-friendly Halloween activities, local trick-ortreating and spooky community fun for all ages.

Stay tuned to westborovillage.com to learn more.

Have you seen Wellington

West’s new street art?

Submitted by Wellington West BIA

Wellington West continues to cement its status as one of Ottawa’s leading creative, fashion and culinary destinations.

There is truly nowhere else like it in the city: a one-of-a-kind neighbourhood where Hintonburg’s raw, grassroots arts scene blends seamlessly with the chic, Canadianmade boutique fashion of Wellington Village. Running through the middle is a legendary culinary strip serving everything from late-night eats to high-end dining.

The main street also recently received a major glow-up, with brilliant new string lighting installed on light poles throughout the district, adding nighttime safety and street vibrancy.

More street art is taking over the neighbourhood as well. A new gateway mural at PranaShanti is being led by the Urban Art Collective, while a vibrant Paint It Up project is underway at Parma Ravioli. A highly anticipated, whimsical goat art installation by local artist Daniel Martelock is also coming soon.

As you stroll through Hintonburg, you’ll see new artwork by local artist Martin Freundorfer at Earthen Vessels, as well as a selfie wall on the shipping container at Somerset Square. The

square is also the home base of the Thursty Pedaler, a pedal-powered bike tour company.

The district continues to attract new independent businesses, including Hobbiesville in Wellington Village and Pony, Hintonburg’s new pasta bar.

Then there is the highly anticipated return of the neighbourhood’s signature event, Taste of Wellington — the world’s longest street festival — on Saturday, Sept. 19.

This year’s festival is set to be a showstopper, introducing After Taste, a nightlife series packed with interactive experiences, patio parties, live DJs and illuminated street entertainment.

Taste of Wellington will feature more interactive and engaging elements than ever before. Stay tuned for a map of all the activities, launching soon.

Submitted by Chinatown BIA

Experience Chinatown this August and into early fall Bytown Oktoberfest returns to Westboro for second year

This August, Ottawa’s Chinatown invites residents and visitors to experience the neighbourhood in a different way through Chinatown Street Seats, a seasonal outdoor gathering place in the heart of Somerset Street West.

a changing schedule of community programming. Activities may include live performances, cultural workshops, games, arts programming and other events presented by local artists and community organizations.

The site will remain open until midOctober, giving visitors plenty of time to experience the space and enjoy Chinatown during the late summer and early fall. For the latest event calendar and programming updates, visit https:// streetseats.ca/.

Chinatown Street Seats transforms part of the streetscape into a welcoming public space for arts, culture, recreation and community connection. The site features an outdoor performance stage, shaded seating, colourful public art and flexible spaces for workshops, demonstrations, performances and informal gatherings.

The design reflects Chinatown’s cultural character. Visitors can see artwork inspired by traditional Chinese opera, including vibrant opera face murals and a large mural depicting the legendary Chinese heroine Mu Guiying.

Together, these elements create an engaging setting where visitors can relax, meet friends, enjoy a performance or begin exploring the surrounding neighbourhood.

Throughout August and into early fall, Chinatown Street Seats will host

Another August highlight is Don’s Walking Tour of Chinatown, taking place on Sat., Aug. 15, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

Led by Ottawabased multidisciplinary artist and thirdgeneration Chinese Canadian Don Kwan, the in-person tour introduces participants to one of Ottawa’s most diverse and vibrant neighbourhoods.

Along the way, guests will learn about Chinatown’s history, cultures, architecture, public murals, sidewalk art, local shops and the iconic Chinatown Arch.

Don brings a distinctive personal perspective to each tour. Drawing on his experiences as a gay East Asian artist, he connects Chinatown’s physical landmarks with broader conversations about identity, representation, immigration and intergenerational memory.

He has led walking tours of Ottawa’s Chinatown since 2009, weaving historical information together with personal stories and reflections. Advance registration is required. To learn more and RSVP, visit https:// ottawachinatown.ca/walkingtour/.

By Brian Dryden

Westboro will once again be raising a stein this fall as the Bytown Oktoberfest returns to the neighbourhood for its second year.

Hosted by the Bytown Masonic Hall at 430 Churchill Ave. N., the event will take place from noon to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17. Admission is $10, and each attendee will receive a free pretzel.

Last year, about 800 people attended the event. Organizers are hoping to welcome more than 1,000 people this year.

“The more the merrier,” said local Oktoberfest organizer Brodie Fraser. “It’s a good time, a lot of fun.”

The event will feature live music from a local band, craft beer served in traditional steins and a Bavarian-inspired menu. Braumeister Brewing Co., a local Bavarian-inspired craft brewery, will supply the beer.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to take guided tours of the Bytown Masonic Lodge throughout the day. The lodge, which was established in 1969, operates out of a more than 100-year-old heritage building.

The event will also include a silent auction featuring local gift cards, experiences and specialty items. Attendees will receive a Prost Pass offering shopping

perks at participating Westboro businesses.

For Fraser, the event is about more than celebrating Oktoberfest.

“We are definitely planning to hold Oktoberfest every year in the future,” he said. “It is a way for us to offer something in the community and support our fellow businesses here in Westboro.”

Last year’s event raised $3,000 for Harvest House. The charity receiving proceeds from this year’s Oktoberfest had not yet been announced at the time of the publication.

The Bytown Lodge is associated with Ottawa District 2 Masonic Lodges, which selects the charities to support through major fundraising events. Fraser said the organization chooses local charities that serve Ottawa residents.The lodge currently has 42 registered members, though more than 300 people have been members over the years.

“We have been a proud member of the Westboro community since we formed,” Fraser said. “We are also proud to offer guided tours of our building during the Oktoberfest activities.”

The event is intended to attract both Westboro residents and visitors from across Ottawa.

“It’s a great community event for Westboro and for people from all over,” Fraser said.

“It’s a good time, a lot of fun.”

—Brodie Fraser.

Shakespeare under the stars

Company of Fools brings theatrical performances to neighbourhood parks

By Charlie Senack

As the evening sun begins to settle over neighbourhood parks across Ottawa, picnic blankets are spread across the grass, lawn chairs unfold, and children race toward the stage.

Nearby, actors warm up, props are unpacked, and a simple patch of green space is transformed into an outdoor theatre. Soon, bicycles roll into the action, bubble guns fill the air, and ABBA songs mingle with the words of William Shakespeare.

For 36 summers, Company of Fools has turned parks across Ottawa into stages, bringing professional Shakespeare performances directly into neighbourhoods.

Instead of asking audiences to travel downtown or purchase expensive tickets, the company brings theatre to them through a pay-what-you-can model that has introduced generations of Ottawans to Shakespeare.

This year’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream continues through Aug. 15, with several performances still to come close to home. Audiences can catch the show at Fisher Park in Wellington West on Aug. 1, Princess Margriet Park in the Civic Hospital neighbourhood on Aug. 8 and Raven Park in Carlington on Aug. 13 before the tour concludes Aug. 15 at Windsor Park.

“We have people who are in their first show. We have like a three-month-old, all the way up to people in their 90s and everyone in between,” said Kate Smith, artistic director of Company of Fools and director of this year’s production.

“We operate on a pay what you can model but encourage those who can to pay $20.”

For Smith, the company’s mission is personal. A Hintonburg resident, she has been part of Company of Fools for nearly 20 years. After studying acting at Dalhousie University, she returned to Ottawa and joined the troupe as an actor in 2007. During the pandemic, she completed a master’s degree in directing before eventually becoming the company’s artistic director, overseeing everything from selecting productions to directing them.

A SHAKESPEARE COMEDY WITH A MODERN TWIST

Rather than staging A Midsummer Night’s Dream as a traditional Shakespeare production, Smith looked for a concept that would immediately feel familiar to audiences.

“I thought you know what Midsummer Night’s Dream has

in common with Mamma Mia!— a smash hit musical that everybody digs? They both take place in Greece, which is a beautiful setting,” she said.

Like Mamma Mia!, the play centres on romance, misunderstandings and weddings. Both even include a donkey. To bring the concept to life, Smith trimmed Shakespeare’s original script to about 90 minutes and replaced portions of dialogue with familiar ABBA songs, making the story easier for first-time audiences to follow.

The idea builds on last summer’s successful production of The Comedy of Errors, which reimagined Shakespeare through the world of Super Mario Bros.

Smith describes A Midsummer Night’s Dream as Shakespeare’s version of a romantic comedy.

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream is Shakespeare’s biggest blockbuster.

It’s like a big kind of a rom-com. There are these four young lovers and different love triangles end up happening in the woods in Greece,” said Smith. “Fairies are involved and they play tricks on people and put love potion in people’s eyes and kind of mix up the couples.”

For the first time in Company of Fools’ history, performances now include live captioning on a television screen beside the stage. The captions are especially helpful because six actors portray roughly 20 different characters throughout the production.

“It’s been really helpful for deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons, but even more so for patrons seeing the text, like understanding the story better and then understanding which characters are speaking when,” she said.

The company has come a long way since it was founded in 1990 by a group of friends performing Shakespeare scenes in Ottawa’s ByWard Market with little more than a hat on the ground for donations.

Earlier this year, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe proclaimed April 1 Company of Fools Day in Ottawa, while a ceremonial “Fool’s Way” street sign was installed near Strathcona Park in recognition of the company’s contribution to the city’s arts scene.

As someone who calls Hintonburg home, Smith said the biggest reward comes each evening as audiences gather together beneath the open sky in neighbourhood parks across the city.

“My favourite way to see the show is just to show up about 45 minutes early, watch the actors finish their fight call, have a picnic blanket, bring a picnic and a bottle of wine, if the park permits, and just like really make a night of it with friends,” she said.

From left to right: Daniella Bell, Bénédicte Bélizaire, Max Borowski, Kyle Cameraoh and Ananya Antony. CREDIT: MELODY MALONEY PHOTO.

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