Kitchissippi Times February 2024

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TREASURE Russell Yuristy, an 88-year-old Island Park artist, was recognized by the Ottawa Art Gallery in November.

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NEWS

Orange Art Gallery has been forced to move out of its City Centre Location. Co-owner Ingrid Hollander said they will continue to run their operations online.

February 2024 • 2

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ALL PHOTOS BY CHARLIE SENACK

Orange Art Gallery closes physical space, but building one step closer to heritage designation

BY CHARLIE SENACK

T

he walls of Hintonburg’s Orange Art Gallery are now bare after the building's landlord decided not to renew their tenant’s lease.

The gallery, which was founded in 2010 and has run out of the former CN rail building since 2014, will continue to operate online — at least for now. Ingrid Hollander, co-owner of the gallery, fought for at least a year’s extension, but was told that would not be possible. They held one final show just before Christmas.

“I wish we had more time, but it’s inevitable,” said Hollander. “It’s unfortunate.

The community is losing a spot where you can have weddings, birthday parties and

corporate events. There are not many spaces that are unique like this. The community is losing a great place for art classes. The whole vibe of the place was fun. The artists are losing a place to showcase their art.”

Hollander said she asked District Realty what the plans were for the building and was told it would sit empty. That has led Hollander and many in the community to speculate that it would be demolished to make way for future development.

Antique store A Fine Thing Furniture, located nearby at 989 Somerset St. W., is slated for demolition in the new year. A new high-rise residential development is planned to be built on that site.

After news broke that the gallery would not continue to operate at City Centre, a

petition was started to try and sway District Realty into extending its lease. It garnered more than 900 signatures.

HERITAGE DESIGNATION SUPPORTED An application was also filed for the gallery’s building to be granted heritage designation.

During a Built Heritage Committee meeting on Jan 16, city staff made their case, saying the former CN Rail building, constructed in 1925, was once owned by Canadian lumber tycoon and railroad baron John Rudolphus (J.R.) Booth. His lumber complex at one time was the biggest in the world and the timberlands under his control occupied an area larger than France.

The committee heard how the building

still has some of its original features, including a J&J fireproof safe built into the rear interior of the building's first storey. It is one of the only remaining structures in the Wellington West area associated with the industrial rail era, staff noted.

Lawyer Michael Polowin, who was representing the building’s owners, argued the decision should be delayed a month due to reports from environmental, constructional and heritage consultants, which wouldn't be completed for a few more days.

Because it’s on the heritage registry, any potential application to demolish the building would require at least 60 days’ notice.

“This is a very complex property. There is contamination below this building and adjacent to the building that arises out of a dry cleaning outlet that was in place for many years,” Polowin said.

Somerset ward Coun. Ariel Troster argued that the contamination — which has been known to the owners for years — would not impact its heritage significantly.

Troster also noted the community support for the building to be saved.

“There was certainly a lot of community uproar when news came out that the gallery would not be allowed to stay in the space,” she said. “I think there was some hope in the community that a heritage designation could prove to be a disincentive to remove this beloved gallery from this beloved space.”

Continues on page 4

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Continues from page 2 Councillor Rawlson King, who is chair of the Built Heritage sub-committee, echoed Troster’s statements, and added the process was extended already. The file was supposed to go before the committee in November, but was postponed to December because the building’s landlords were out of the country. That meeting was then also cancelled and moved to this year.

In his previous statements, Polowin said the owner of the building had to travel to Israel in the fall to look after her elderly mother, and then got stuck there, leading to the delays.

In the end, the committee was unanimously in favour of having the matter go before council for heritage designation approval.

NO CHANGES PLANNED FOR CITY CENTRE In an interview with KT, District Realty, which represents the owner of the land, said there are currently no plans to make any site changes to the City Centre complex.

“The existing ownership has not pursued increased density or looked at all into future development of the site. There are no formal plans to change it in the near term,” said District Realty CEO Jason Shinder. “We are very happy with the tenant mix. We are very happy with the performance of the property.

We are investing in the infrastructure of the site to improve it for the tenants of the building.”

Shinder said that includes upgrades to the building’s electrical system to fit the changing needs of tenants.

While improvements are being made to the site, that won’t help Hollander from Orange Art Gallery who is now left without a home for her 25 local Ottawa artists. She’s open to moving the gallery elsewhere, but hasn’t found a building that meets the needs of the business. In the interim, the gallery’s website will continue to operate with pop-up shows possible in the spring.

“I’m not shutting any doors. Step one is to move out of here and I’m keeping my eyes open. Maybe I’ll come up with something quite different,” she said. “If I do something, I want to make sure that it’s a step forward and not a step back. In the end, a building is just a building. It’s the people and artists who really give life to a space. If we’ve done it here, we can do it again.”

Westboro’s Masonic Temple to receive heritage designation

BY CHARLIE SENACK

W

estboros’s century-old Masonic Hall was one of five buildings the city’s Built Heritage Committee gave the stamp of approval to save on Jan. 16.

The two-storey red brick building located at 430 Churchill Ave, N, will almost certainly get full heritage designation when it goes before council.

Built in 1924, city staff argued it’s a “representative example of a purposebuilt Masonic Temple, featuring integrated Masonic symbols,” and is “associated with growth of Freemasonry in Ottawa.”

The building, with its symmetrical front façade, central bay, parapet roof, and stone inserts, was designed by Hugh Archibald Richards and William James Abra, of local architectural firm Richard and Abra.

Its official name, "Ionic Acacia," is

carved on a stone plaque. Ionic was an order of ancient Greek architecture, and acacia is a flowering tree which, with corn, is used in masonic emblems.

Westboro resident David Jeanes, who has lived in the community for 45 years, was a delegate in support of the heritage designation. He said it has strong historical ties in Westboro Village.

“This is definitely a landmark… it really stands out,” said Jeanes, noting his great, great grandfather was a stonemason. “The architects were both residents of Island Park. It has been a presence in the neighborhood, initially built by two Masonic lodges… By 2005, it was actually home to five different Masonic lodges.”

Inside, the lodge is decked out with old masonic carpets, charters, posters of King Solomon and other worthies, alongside other paraphernalia from between the wars.

The City of Ottawa is currently in a

mad dash to save its historical buildings through designation before the end of the year. About 4,600 buildings currently make up the Heritage Registery list, which means the city must be notified at least 60 days before any potential demolition takes place. Out of those, 700 have been labeled “most critical.”

Whichever buildings don't make the cut to be designated under the Ontario Heritage Act by the end of December will be removed from the list for at least five years. That is due to the More Homes Built Faster Act, which the Doug Ford-led provincial government enacted in 2022.

The new changes could open up the historic properties to the possibility of demolition in favour of development.

Staff from Ottawa's heritage department said they are looking to save properties from both suburban, urban, and rural areas of the city. They are focusing on diverse styles, stories, and neighborhoods.

PO Box 91585 Ottawa ON K1W 1K0 Kitchissippi, meaning “the Grand River,” is the former Algonquin name for the Ottawa River. The name now identifies the urban community to the west of downtown Ottawa.

EDITOR Charlie Senack editor@kitchissippi.com twitter.com/kitchissippi twitter.com/charlie_senack CONTRIBUTORS Hannah Wanamaker, Millie Farley, Simon Hopkins, Dave Allston, Bradley Turcotte, Daria Maystruck and Gabrielle Huston.

PROOFREADER Susan Rothery ADVERTISING SALES Eric Dupuis 613-696-9485 eric@kitchissippi.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Tanya Connolly-Holmes creative@greatriver.ca GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Celine Paquette celine@greatriver.ca Deborah Ekuma deborah@obj.ca FINANCE Cheryl Schunk, 613-696-9490 cheryl@greatriver.ca All other enquiries 613-696-9494 info@kitchissippi.com Distribution A minimum of 15,000 copies are distributed from the Ottawa River to Carling Avenue between the O-Train tracks and Sherbourne Road. Most residents in this area will receive the Kitchissippi Times directly to their door. If you did not receive your copy, or would like additional copies, please contact us. Bulk copies are delivered to multi-unit dwellings and retail locations.

Copies are available at Dovercourt Recreation Centre and Hintonburg Community Centre. info@kitchissippi.com The Kitchissippi Times is published by

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EDITOR’S LETTER

Building a healthy, active and engaged community through recreation

New Year, new look

BY CHARLIE SENACK

Happy February, Kitchissippi!

FEBRUARY UPDATES WINTER PROGRAMS Programs include swim lessons, fitness, arts, sports and more! Register now for March Break Camps Mar. 11 - 15.

REC SWIMS Our pool is a great place to be when the weather gets cold.

Book your space online ahead of time up to 7 days in advance at www.dovercourt.org.

FIT PASS Enjoy exclusive access to 40+ weekly group fit, spin and aquafit classes, the Fitness Centre, and access to drop-in swims with your monthly Fit Pass. Now including Pickleball!

REC PROGRAMS FOR EVERYONE New programs for all: Arts, music, drama, sports, playgroups and more.

SAVE THE DATES Spring 1 swim lessons - registration begins Jan. 30, 2024.

2024 Summer Camp and summer swim lesson registration begins Tue. Feb. 6, 2024.

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EMPLOYMENT • Aquatics: We are always on the lookout for staff 15 yrs and up with lifeguard & swim instructor qualifications. Please send your resume to Christine, cpelletier@dovercourt.org • March Break Camp staff: Please send your resume to Laura at laurabond@dovercourt.org

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5 • February 2024

I hope you are enjoying this fantastic winter weather. For the most part, temperatures haven’t been too cold, the canal was able to open, and outdoor rinks have been full of skaters. After a late start, the Kichi Sibi Winter Trail is welcoming snow lovers again.

A new year is a time for change and reflection, and as you flip through the pages of KT, you will notice a new look and feel to the paper. We have a new logo, more colour, and a few new editorial sections, including a return to Humans of Kitchissippi. A big thank you to graphic designers Tanya ConnollyHolmes and Celine Paquette for working hard on this behind the scenes for months.

What has not changed is our dedication to serving the community.

KT will continue to be a place where you can read about your neighbours, find out what’s happening in your neighborhood, and learn fascinating history about the streets where you walk. As we transition through the year, expect to see more exciting changes coming.

In the February 2024 issue of KT, we have the latest on Health and Wellness.

Millie Farley caught up with the Kichi Sibi Winter Trail groomers to learn more about their delayed start to the season.

She also spoke with the organizer of the Ski for Schools program.

In business news, I spoke with the executive director of the Wellington West BIA about the changing retail landscape in the area. Multiple well-known businesses have closed, but new ones are opening up. I also sat down with former workers at Stella Luna who were laid off

after the gelato shop closed their location on Wellington St. W. Daria Maystruk attended a time capsule opening at Nepean High School, which is celebrating their 100th anniversary. In Early Days, Dave Allston discusses the century-old history of the school.

Gabrielle Huston caught up with Farmers Radio International, a not-for-profit organization based out of Kitchissippi, which is helping farming communities in South Africa.

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, Simon Hopkins has compiled a list of places you can take your lover this Feb. 14.

For our cover story, Bradley Turcotte had the chance to meet up with Russell Yuristy, an 88-year-old Island Park artist who was recognized by the Ottawa Art Gallery late last year.

Residents in the Little Italy neighborhood are happy after Plouffe Park was saved from development.

Hannah Wanamaker sat down with local residents to share more about what the updated plans for the site are.

Our Human of Kitchissippi this month is Dick Cooper, who made his claim to fame with the Cooper Brothers. The band is celebrating their 50th anniversary this April.

You will notice at the back of our newspaper that the community calendar has been replaced with a community bulletin. Going forward, the space will be used for the nine community associations to share information about their events and causes.

As always, stay up to date with the latest local news on our website Kitchissippi.com. If you haven’t already, scan the QR code seen throughout the paper to sign up to our newsletter. And if you have any local story ideas, send an email to editor@kitchissippi.com.

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FIVE THINGS

I love working with people, problem solving, and collaborating.

These are things that really drove me.” — JP CLOUTIER collaborating. These are things that really drove me.”

When he’s not within the four walls of Notre Dame, Cloutier is busy with his family. The dad of two, Solomon, 15, and Sarah, 13, said he spends weekends at hockey rinks and fits in a good book when time allows.

While Cloutier said he’s an open book, here are five things you may not know about the Notre Dame Principal and his involvement in the school community.

1

February 2024 • 6

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Cloutier brought an alternative to suspension program to the OCSB

FIVE THINGS you should know about JP Cloutier, Notre Dame High School’s principal STORY AND PHOTOS

BY CHARLIE SENACK

W

hen John Paul (JP) Cloutier walks into a room at Notre Dame High School, students know they have a trusted mentor in their circle.

Cloutier has been principal at the school for about four years, acting as a vice principal at St. Pius X High School and St. Joseph High School before that.

In 2002, Cloutier started his educational career at Holy Trinity High School in Kanata, teaching photography and art.

The principal said being a role model and

positive influence has always been part of his identity.

“I got an interest in leadership,” he told KT. “For my whole life in any job I’ve had, from working at a grocery store to summer camps, I’ve always worked my way into a management position at some point. I love working with people, problem solving, and

When a parent used to get a call stating their child had been suspended from school, options were limited for discipline.

One day Cloutier stumbled upon an article talking about an alternative to suspension program run by the YMCA. It operates within Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia, and is designed for students who are suspended for three to five days.

Cloutier thought it would be a good program to bring to the board.

“The outcomes we are seeing are excellent,” he said. “The goal of the program is to reduce reasons for referral behaviors, to keep students in school, to keep students attending and connected to school.”

When students attend the program, they will work on school work in the morning and will work with a councillor in the afternoon to talk about the behaviours which led them to be suspended in the first place.

In some cases, parents will also ask that their child attends the program before they get suspended.

“There was a grade 7 student we had seen in the office fairly frequently. We offered the program, he went, and we haven’t seen him in the office since,” Cloutier said. “The program really works.”

2

Notre Dame is a leading school for challengebased learning.

Like many schools in the OCSB, Notre

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Cloutier’s primary goal is equity work.

One of the tasks teachers at Notre Dame right now are focusing on is culturally responsive teaching.

Cloutier said it’s important we all address and acknowledge our bias, so put falls can be avoided.

“We have to understand our students [and] how they learn best through what their needs and interests are to avoid and minimize any negative response that prevents us from developing a strong relationship with the students,” he said.

“Once we have those things in place, then the learning will really be rich and students will be engaged.”

5

Notre Dame is internationally recognized.

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One of the outcomes Cloutier is most proud of is the fact that Notre Dame and the work they are doing is being recognized across the globe.

Last year, teachers from Australia, the Netherlands, Peru and the United States visited the Carlingwood area school to learn about their initiatives.

“It’s kind of humbling for a small school to recieve so much attention,” said Cloutier. “It’s a deep learning school in a deep learning board so that’s part of the interest. They want to see it in action.”

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Cloutier is a professionally trained artist, attending Western University in London, Ont. to study the craft.

“I thought I was going to be a professional artist and I think I was lying to myself,” he joked. “It wasn’t until the second or third year of university where I admitted to myself that I was lying. I knew I was meant to be a teacher. I went to teachers college and love the fact that I have.”

While Cloutier has had a successful career in education, he also has a long list of accomplishments in his “former life” as a photographer.

“I shot weddings, worked on movie sets, met some celebrities for magazines,” Cloutier said. “I got to take pictures of

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The Notre Dame Principal is an artist.

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Dame is a champion when it comes to challenge-based learning, a framework which allows students to address sustainable development goals.

“They have worked with all kinds of organizations and non-governmental organizations through these class lessons.

Sienna Technology and Digital Promise are our two partners,” said Cloutier. “They provide funds and resources in terms of working directly with engineers, project managers, all sorts of people.”

Recently, students started their own social enterprise by crafting handmade soap with little animals and seaweed-like plants inside. The goal was promoting saving the oceans on our planet and to support True North Aid’s water project.

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COMMUNITY

Top: Nepean High School students celebrated the school’s 100th anniversary with a time capsule opening on Nov. 29, 2023.

PHOTOS BY ELLEN BOND.

Bottom: Nepean students form in the shape of number 100.

February 2024 • 10

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PHOTO BY PHIL GIANSANTE.

Opposite page: Karen Hamer organized the celebrations .

PHOTO BY ELLEN BOND.

Nepean High School celebrates centennial Anniversary with time capsule opening

BY DARIA MAYSTRUK

K

raft Dinner, a signed water polo ball and other items straight from the ‘90s were met with roaring applause and chatter as they were picked out of a time capsule by Nepean High School students and alumni on Nov. 29, 2023.

The time capsule, sealed in 1998, was the first of its kind for Nepean and captured the ‘90s in a handcrafted wooden box that had remained planted in the

school’s main office for the last 25 years.

The assembly in a packed auditorium also marked the closing of a new time capsule, to be opened in 25 years.

As the high school’s 100th anniversary of its building approached, English teacher Karen Hamer took on the task of marking the occasion. She said her own experience at Lisgar Collegiate Institute instilled an appreciation for historical celebrations and reunions that inspired her to take on the challenge.

“For me, it was important to honour the work that had gone into it 25 years ago,” Hamer said. “It's important for people to have a chance to pause and reflect on these major milestones … and reflect on how things change and how they stay the same.”

From there, she said she scoured social media to find alumni who could attend the unveiling and worked with Nepean’s principal, Tracy Shapiro, to organize a school photo in the shape of a ‘100’, in

addition to the time capsule idea.

Joanna Bostwick was one of these past alumni who attended the opening ceremony. She was in the 10th grade and part of the student council when the 1998 capsule was sealed.

She said she had forgotten what they put in the time capsule, so each item was a nice surprise — especially the list of students’ names she had handwritten 25 years ago.

“It made me reflect on what's important in your life and even just to take that one hour, it really filled me up and brought me so much joy to take that time,” she said. “I couldn't believe how nice my handwriting was. I'm a doctor now and it is true that doctors’ handwriting is pretty bad.”

Isaac Cervantes Garcia, a student who was asked to speak at the assembly and who helped gather some of the new items, said the old revealed items were predictable but still piqued the student body’s curiosity.

“They were like little memories that we had been entrusted to keep. None of the items were all that surprising … Instead, the value of opening the time capsule was in being able to get a sense for time,” Cervantes Garcia wrote in an email to Kitchissippi Times. “It's one thing to understand what the world was like before you were born, but it's an entirely different thing to be able to see it for yourself.”

Ideas for the new time capsule came pouring in from every corner of the school community. Hamer said some of the ideas came from a Google Form sent to clubs and faculties within the school, and others were her own ideas, aiming to represent as much of the school and era as possible.

In the end, students packed away items such as a Presto card, a “Nepean purple” paint stick, a frisbee, a projector and laptop, posters for the GSA club, Key

Here are some quick history facts of what was happening in 1923 when Nepean High School moved into their new home.

Club and other clubs, the school yearbook and several other items into the newly emptied capsule.

The students also included a letter describing each item they were placing in the capsule, and how they related to what it means to “live gold” — part of a school motto coined by René Bibaud, who was the school’s principal from 2007 to 2012.

“I hope that people in the future will also find some nostalgia looking back at these items,” said Bostwick . “I hope they'll appreciate how complete and diverse the collection is, and that they'll do something special in 25 years so that it's appreciated in the same way that we appreciated the one from 25 years ago.”

• The Ottawa Senators got new owners and a new arena. The team was the defending Stanley Cup Champions for the 10th time. They played at the new Ottawa Auditorium on O'Connor Street, where the current Argyle YMCA/YWCA building now sits.

• William Lyon Mackenzie King was Prime Minister and Frank H. Plant was mayor.

• The year 1923 brought a rare green Christmas to Ottawa.

Residents spent the day on local tennis courts and golf courses.

• The made-in-Canada Hoover vacuum cleaner was a popular Christmas present that year, according to Charles Ogilvy’s department store, alongside pianos, cigarettes, candles, and pocket watches.

• The use of marijuana was criminalized in Canada, one of the first countries to do so.

• Frozen food was invented by Clarence Birdseye.

• The first Time Magazine was published.

• Warner Bros. was officially incorporated. Disney Brothers Studio was also founded.

• The number one song on the billboard 100 was "Yes! We Have No Bananas" by Billy Jones.

• The life expectancy for a man was 56.1 years and 58.5 years for women. Today it’s 74.5 for men and 80.2 for women.

• The department of National Defence in Canada was created in January.

• The Chinese Immigration Act of 1923 came into effect, banning all Chinese from entering Canada except for businessmen, diplomats, foreign students, and "special circumstances".

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ARTS

Russell Yuristy, 88, was recognized by the Ottawa Art Gallery on Nov. 30. ALL PHOTOS BY ELLEN BOND.

Island Park artist celebrated

by Ottawa Art Gallery

February 2024 • 12

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BY BRADLEY TURCOTTE

T

he Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG) has honoured Island Park resident and multi-medium artist Russell Yuristy.

The 88-year-old Kitchissippi-based artist was among a handful of others who were recognized at the first inaugural Artists Investiture Ceremony, held on Nov. 30. The new annual event was started to celebrate the careers of the city’s accomplished artists.

“He’s a real Canadian treasure,” said Don Monet, artist and curator of Cube Gallery. “He paints with such joy, such pleasure. You can feel it on every canvas or in every drawing he makes.”

Born to a Ukrainian family on a farm in Goodeve, Saskatchewan, population 40, Yuristy improvised his first creative materials with charcoal, as well as grain paper sourced from his father’s agriculture work. Charcoal etchings on the side of his family barn were Yuristy’s earliest compositions.

From sooty barn graffiti to a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Saskatchewan in 1959, it was in Regina where Yuristy said there were “people who were impressed that I had talent.”

After earning a MSc in Art from the University of Madison-Wisconsin, Yuristy returned to the U of Saskatchewan to teach, in addition to coordinating for the Emma Lake Artists’ Workshops, which

began in 1955. The versatile artist also taught woodcut printing at The Ottawa School of Art. The National Gallery of Canada, The Canadian Museum of Civilization, and the OAG claim Yuristy pieces in their collections.

Introduced to sculpture by his good friend, renowned artist Joe Fafard, Yuristy created many sculptures in the ‘70s known as his “Funk works.” Crafted between 1969 and 1970, the collection titled “The Inside of Elephants and All Kinds of Things”, which ran at the OAG from 2020-2021, cemented Yuristy as an anti-establishment artist who addresses capitalism and consumerism in his work.

Motivated by his creations depicting animals and people in imaginary crafts,

Yuristy brought these creatures to life with interactive wooden pieces. The Creative Playground Workshop built several artistic structures in the ‘70s and ‘80s, including a fish at former Ottawa City Hall in New Edinburgh, a beaver, and an elephant with a slide for a trunk, in addition to a commission for Expo ’74 in Spokane, Washington.

Yuristy fondly remembers children from the communities assisting with the builds.

Farm life influenced Yuristy’s view of the natural world and he proudly identifies as an environmentalist artist.

While his contemporaries created large abstracts, Yuristy chose to channel the beauty of our environment.

“I love plants, trees, and animals,” he said. “I learned that from my mother and father growing up on a farm. I thought that's what I should do.”

Yuristy’s menagerie of paintings include birds, owls, coyotes, and a large, textured piece depicting determined salmon returning home to spawn and die.

“My favourite is his leaping bunny,” Monet confessed. “There’s a rabbit that

is so beautiful. It captures the moment of flight. It's magical.”

When he settled on Gwynne Avenue in the ‘80s, Yuristy noticed the contrast of plant life in Ontario.

“When I was out in Saskatchewan, the trees are quite small there, then I came here and thought, wow, these trees are just amazing,” he told KT in a previous 2015 interview.

The Kitchissippi urban forest near Northwestern Ave and the Parkway, as well as Mud Lake at Britannia Beach are Yuristy’s favourite local sources of artistic inspiration.

“I like to go down and walk by the river for an hour or two, that’s where I find a lot of my subjects,” Yuristy said previously. “Sometimes I’ll bring a large paper with me and do a live sketch, or other times I work from a photograph.”

The top level of the house Yuristy shares with his wife Mayo Graham is bright and showroom-like, while the basement is Yuristy’s eclectic workshop, looking and feeling like a whimsical artistic playground.

An image of an unraveling face by Norman Takeuchi, an artist honoured along with Yuristy in 2023 by the OAG,

hangs upstairs.

Supporting fellow artists is important to Yuristy and the couple have collected works by Leslie Reid, Ruth Dick, Eric Walker, and John Barkley.

Graham, an accomplished art historian, has worked with many arts organizations, and laughed that “anything that's hanging in my house are my favourite works of Russ’.”

One grandiose piece on white canvas sectioned off like a calendar tells the story of a family trip to Europe.

“We did that piece on vacation with the kids,” Graham explained, “We went to France and Holland. Every day is a story.

You see us going in the airplane on the top and then finally we're in Amsterdam with the seven bridges on the way back. Each one of the kids signed. They participated.”

At 88, Yuristy openly criticizes the government, discusses sex, and recounts institutionalized violence he experienced growing up.

When asked what truly inspires him, hitting on the dynamics of capitalism and social inequality, he remembers a neighbouring wealthy British family while growing up in rural Saskatchewan.“They inspired me that you can live simply,” said Yuristy.

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13 • February 2024

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NEWS

Local advocates save Plouffe Park from development

BY HANNAH WANAMAKER

F

or over a century, Little Italy’s Plouffe Park has been a communal outdoor gathering space hosting everything from soccer games to holiday parties and the circus.

So when draft plans were released that would see part of the park developed, residents in the area were not pleased.

In May 2023, the city presented a proposed plan to develop 1010 Somerset St., a large chunk of land in the Corso

Italia neighbourhood around where Plouffe Park sits. The draft included new and updated recreation facilities, affordable housing towers, a new park space and a new facility for the LouiseArbour Elementary School on top of the current Plouffe Park grounds.

“We were surprised to see the school on Plouffe Park,” said Cheryl Parrott, a member of local advocacy coalition P4X. The coalition consists of the Plant Pool Recreation Association, Dalhousie Community Association, Hintonburg

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Plouffe Park has been saved from development. A proposed French elementary school will be built elsewhere on the site.

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conflict created around what is actually going to be a really exciting development for the community. It seemed really unnecessary to pit a school against a park.

We need both.”

She added that building a school in a highly urbanized area means the school would likely “be taller with more stories.”

“I think the original site plan set up a conflict that didn’t need to be there,” she said. “I think now we can get on the same page, working together to say: we want adequate green space for the entire community but we also want to have safety and a really great school building for kids.”

Though the updated plan had not been released at the time of publication, the city has guaranteed that a large strip of green space will run from the new Corso Italia LRT station and mixed-use pathway down to Preston St., said Troster.

The new French school is now planned to be built on Somerset. P4X and parent council members have since banded together to educate the community about the development plans.

McLeish said that P4X members explained the importance of increasing green space in their rapidly growing neighbourhood.

“It’s really important for us that the green space be designed in a way that maximizes its use,” said McLeish, adding it must allow the students to “grow and learn” while supporting the greater community.

Parrott added that it must also be a “functional and multiuse green space,” with sports fields and areas to roam.

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Community Association and the Recreation Association of Hintonburg.

“When we became aware that the city had purchased the land at 1010 Somerset St., we came together to see if we could influence whatever happened there to make sure there was adequate green space and adequate recreation,” she said.

While green space was allocated to another part of the project, parkland in the neighborhood would have been lost for up to a decade while construction work on the site happened.

With 7,000 new housing units expected to be built in Corso Italia over the next four years, Parrott said the development “really had to focus on the local needs,” including additional green space and recreation facilities.

The Louise-Arbour Elementary School community also successfully pleaded to the city that its new facility desperately needed a place on the development.

For two years, Sheena McLeish, a mom of two, has advocated on the Parent Council for the French educational experience their children deserve.

“This isn’t just a building being proposed in this park space. It’s an urgently needed school that hundreds of children in our community are currently stuck in,” she said.

According to McLeish, the school currently rents the annex of a dated school owned by the Ottawa Catholic School Board. The facility is over capacity by 130 per cent and has added five portables to mitigate the growing population of over 300 students.

Fridges and photocopiers are stored in hallways, and there is no dedicated gym, playground, library, or adequate space for teachers to meet students one-on-one, she added.

Over the past seven years, the school board has searched for a new school location for French youth in the community. Building a new school on the Gladstone Village site in 2016 seemed promising until the provincial government denied the funding, said McLeish.

“Currently, there is no other option that will see that the school is built within the next three-to-four-year time frame.”

In June 2023, Councillor Ariel Troster arranged a meeting between the land’s stakeholders to discuss how to better address the community’s needs following the release of the draft plan.

“We didn’t want to see unnecessary

NEWS

Farmers Radio International looks to break down barriers

BY GABRIELLE HUSTON

February 2024 • 16

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J

ournalists in sub-Saharan Africa face two major barriers in serving their communities. The first is people’s access to news. The second is how to assess the locals’ needs and provide information that will help them.

A hop, a skip, and a 16-hour plane ride away, Canadians are helping them tear those hurdles down.

Farm Radio International is an international non-profit organization based out of Ottawa, with headquarters in Hintonburg. Its goal is to “help African farming communities help themselves” through radio broadcasts.

The choice of radio may seem strange to Canadians; Statistics Canada reported that radio broadcasters operating revenue in our country has fallen steadily since the industry’s record high of $2 billion in 2011. The critical difference between sub-Saharan Africa and Canada is access to electricity.

Data from the World Bank shows that, as of 2021, 100 per cent of Canadians had access to electricity. Meanwhile, only 50.6 per cent of sub-Saharan Africa has access.

Even where access is better, like South Africa (89.3 per cent), their relationship with electric energy isn’t as simple as in Canada. Since 2007, South Africa has experienced rolling blackouts, known as

load shedding, intended to prevent the power grid from overloading. In July 2023, Arwen Kozak wrote: “The typical American experiences less than 10 hours of power outages a year – whereas in South Africa, more than 10 hours of power outages were scheduled for just this past weekend.”

“They’re not maybe using mobile phones in the way that we use mobile phones,” said FRI’s Director of Programs, Ian Pringle. “They’re not watching movies, they’re not watching television, because they don’t have access to electricity.

So if they don’t have access to electricity, you know that their access to information and communications opportunities is also tiny compared to what people are used to here.”

Radio offers a unique solution to this challenge. It stands out among other news media because of its low barrier to entry; so long as you have a radio, you can engage, and they can be charged through wind-up power or small solar panels.

“The one thing that always strikes me about radio is how accessible it is for people,” said Marina von Stackelberg, a senior reporter for the CBC. She visited Ghana and West Africa on a Farm Radio International internship through her journalism program at Carleton University.

“The one thing that I remember [are] the radios that we would give to communities.

The radio was solar powered. It had plugins

Top: Members of a women's Community Listening Group in Ethiopia's Amhara Region. PHOTO CREDIT: NEBIYU YETSEDAW Bottom: A broadcaster at Voice of Lango radio station in Lira City, Uganda.

PHOTO CREDIT: SIMON SCOTT Top insert: Kevin Perkins. PROVIDED PHOTO Bottom insert: Ian Pringle. PROVIDED PHOTO.

for people's cell phones, and the cell phone batteries would be able to be charged off of it. The radio literally became like a light source, a power source, a community hub for people.”

The CRTC’s 2021 data shows that the vast majority of Canadians listen to radio through their car (80 per cent). In Africa, on the other hand, people listen on physical radios or, for those who can charge their phones regularly, through its built-in radio.

“Even the most basic of mobile phones allows the listeners to engage with the radio station, call in or participate,”

Pringle said. Even in rural areas, a lot of people have simple phones, and most of the phones have a radio in them, not a streaming digital radio [but] an actual transistor for a radio. You’ll see people walking through town with a little thing in their ear and a phone in their pocket and they’re listening to a radio show on FM.” But once you have the people listening, what do you tell them? FRI was created because its founder, veteran CBC journalist George Atkins, identified a disconnect between what the radio stations were broadcasting and what most of its audience needed to hear.

“The farm programs on the air were geared towards the big farms with the technology and the tractors and the combines,” said Kevin Perkins, FRI’s Executive Director. “[The small farmers] still probably wanted to listen to them, even though they didn’t have the wherewithal to implement what they were hearing about.”

FRI helps broadcasters find solutions through two major avenues. First is its network of almost 1,400 radio stations, large and small, which it supports with materials to “improve the quality of their programing.”

Connecting with the local radio stations also allows the content to be translated into the local language. FRI’s “main channels for distribution” are Canada’s official languages: English and French. However, it also produces content in approximately 30 native African languages, like Swahili, Amharic, Bambara and Hausa.

“These would be the big African language groupings, and we make the

resources available in those languages and distribute them to the appropriate stations in those languages,” Pringle said. “But the basic idea is that even if scripts are distributed in English and French, the colonial languages, we are working with radio stations that have some basic capacity in those colonial languages and then take those scripts and translate them into the local languages that they use.”

The second way FRI works is by organizing projects. One project running in Ghana and Nigeria focused on improving farm yields through advice about

fertilizers and seeds.

It reached 5.3 million listeners. A concluding survey found that its audience was 24 percent more aware about the recommended soybean varieties than non-listeners.

Perkins emphasized how, being from the community, journalists’ personal knowledge and connection helps them give more targeted, necessary information.

For example, in the coastal community of Ada in Ghana, tomato growers and livestock raisers were at odds.

“The tomato growers were upset with the livestock owners because the livestock were eating

the tomatoes,” Perkins said. “They got so frustrated they started putting animal poison amongst their tomatoes. It was a very serious conflict.”

That radio station wanted to help its community’s food security by talking about improved tomato varieties, but the farmers told them “the goats will just eat them.” In response, the radio station proposed a show about how to build enclosures to keep their animals contained, rather than free ranging.

“They did a whole program on that as a way to support the tomato growers,” Perkins said, “and the animals got healthier because they weren’t roaming, they weren’t run over by cars or stolen, and they were healthier. … I went to visit that community and every single home had a new enclosure that they built for their animals.”

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Sledding through the Swedish Arctic in support of Youth Services Bureau

BY CHARLIE SENACK

T

wo local realtors are leaving Westboro’s hot housing market for the frigid temperatures of the

February 2024 • 18

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Arctic.

Jen Stewart and Ami Jarvis, who are both on the Diane & Jen team at Engel and Volkers, are getting set to head on a 200

kilometer dog sledding trip through the Swedish Lapland to raise money for the Youth Services Bureau (YSB).

The pair will first fly to Kiruna, the northernmost city in Sweden, where they will then travel 145 kilometers into the Arctic Circle. Without any running water, electricity or amenities, the two adventurous women will live off the land and care for their own team of sled dogs.

“It’s pretty extreme,” said Hintonburg resident Jarvis. “There are a few trees, but it’s quite open. “We will be sleeping in Sami tipis on reindeer skin. We will each ride our

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own sled, and will need to care, love, and feed the dogs.”

While the Charity Challenge trip will be a new experience for Jarvis, Stewart is no stranger to taking on opportunities.

The local broker, then with Royal Lepage, trekked 100 kilometers through Iceland for charity in 2017, and made her way through the deserts of Morocco two years later.

During that trip in 2019, Stewart was able to raise $8,500 for charity. Lanark County Emergency Shelter and the Interval House of Ottawa’s pet sanctuary project received 80 per cent of the funds, while the other 20 per cent went to the Royal Lepage’s Shelter Foundation for its educational programs around domestic violence.

Stewart said while both previous challenges created obstacles and were sometimes scary, the opportunities were life changing. But with this trek taking place in the winter, she said the conditions will be different. While temperatures can go as low as -40 C in the peak of winter,

the average temperature for March in the Swedish north is -8 C. “Sleeping outside in the winter is going to be different than sleeping in the desert in Morocco. That was quite comfortable weather-wise, and when I went to Iceland it was July,” said Stewart. “The winter camping aspect might be a little more challenging and I don't know what to expect. Also caring for the dogs. We have to get up in the morning and feed them before we feed ourselves and then attach them all to the sled and drive it. That’s called ‘mushing’.”

For Jarvis, she said her current feelings are more excitement than nervousness.

The sales representative is no stranger to being in the wilderness. In her younger years, she did extreme hiking with the boys and girls club near Banff, Alberta for about five years.

“We even used to do horse trips up the mountain as well. But it’s been 20 years since I’ve done anything that extreme,” said Jarvis. “We can see this as something that hopefully grows and our company does more of. Other Engel and Volkers realtors from other parts of Canada have heard about what we are doing and have reached out to show interest. We are the guinea pigs.”

SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY The Diane & Jen team said a big part of their company's mission is to give back to the community. They have set a goal of raising $10,000 for the Youth Services Bureau in Ottawa, and are about 25 per cent of the way there.

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A portion of their regular transactions already go towards supporting an LGBTQ2S+ long-term housing building the YSB runs. They also donate money to Interval House and the Ottawa Distress Centre, among other charities.

“Times are tough right now. Mental health issues are on the rise. It’s alarming to see how many kids are struggling. We want to be part of the solution in any way we can,” said Stewart. “My family has had some personal experience with YSB and they are a wonderful organization.”

Suzanne Fraser, who is the director of communications at YSB, said the money Stewart and Jarvis raise is expected go towards updating a kitchen in a female shelter and will also be used for the community development team who work with youth to help them live independently.

“As someone whose background is in communications and with words, sometimes it’s hard to find the words to express how grateful we are,” said Fraser.

“People in this community care so much about the youth in Ottawa. They recognize there is a lot of struggle and hardship. Our clients work so hard, they have so much

hope, they believe in themselves. We recognize and see their support and how far it goes.”

YSB has been running in Ottawa for over 60 years and employs 350 staff members who, on average, help between 3,000 and 3,500 struggling youth every month. The organization focuses on four key areas: employment, mental health, housing, and youth justice.

Ottawa is in the midst of a homelessness crisis with at least 1,340 people experiencing homelessness in the city, according to 2021 statistics. YSB is operating at over 100 per cent capacity, noted Fraser, who said even their overflow spaces are full. When that happens, they work with key partners such as the City of Ottawa to find accommodations.

“Ottawa is not a good place to be homeless. It can be particularly tough in the wintertime. We want to make sure that everyone is warm, safe, fed, and that everyone has someone looking out for them,” she said.

The dog sledding trip is self-funded with all money raised going to YSB. The full trip will last 10 days, with six days in the Swedish Lapland.

Top: Jen Stewart and Ami Jarvis, who are both on the Diane & Jen team at Engel and Volkers, are heading to the Swedish Arctic in March to raise money for the Youth Services Bureau.

PHOTO BY CHARLIE SENACK.

Right: Jen Stewart hiking through Peru in 2017. PROVIDED PHOTO. kitchissippi.com

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HUMANS

Meet Dick Cooper

February 2024 • 20

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STORY AND PHOTOS

BY CHARLIE SENACK

When people describe Dick Cooper, they paint the picture of a man whose main goal in life is to share his talent and music with the world.

Before becoming an international sensation with the Cooper Brothers, the Wellington West resident’s life started on Bell Street in what is now part of Chinatown.

“It was a pretty poor neighbourhood at the time. Early on we looked at music as getting us off the street,” Cooper told KT. “I think a lot of the reason we pursued music is it could maybe get us out of Ottawa.”

And that it did. But success was not immediate.

The band released their first single in 1973 and it went nowhere. The next year, local rock legend Les Emmerson from The Five Man Electrical Band helped the country rock group release two singles, but they only saw local recognition.

In the late 1970s, Cooper and his band members got their moment to

shine after signing with Capricorn Records, which helped the Allman Brothers rise to fame. Two of the Cooper Brothers’ albums sold well with “The Dream Never Dies", "Show Some Emotion" and "I'll Know Her When I See Her", charting on the Billboard Hot 100.

Reflecting back on that time in his life, Cooper said the national and international success was a whirlwind experience.

“You get to meet your heroes and sometimes that is a good thing and sometimes that's a bad thing. We played some big places, we had a festival in Tampa where there were 60,000 people,” Cooper recounted. “We played with all the southern rock acts like The Outlaws which was pretty cool. We toured with The Birds and we opened for the Doobie

Brothers [and] Charlie Daniels.”

Capricorn Records folded in 1980, which forced the Cooper Brothers to pivot.

After the band broke up, Cooper turned his attention to another passion: script writing. He landed a job at CJOH TV (now known as CTV) and began working on the hit Nickelodeon show You Can’t Do That on Television.

Soon after, he began creating and directing other shows like High School Confidential and Denim Blues.

“That was tough because there was no infrastructure [for television

production] back then. It’s not like now where you can phone the city and get a permit,” Cooper said. “We were making it up as we were going along. Sandra Oh was in it along with Tyley Ross.”

In addition to his television writing, Cooper became a creative director at Ottawa-based video game developer Artech Studios in 1997. There he ranked up the credits on over 50 video games, including Family Feud, Jeopardy!, Wheel of Fortune, Monopoly and Star Wars.

The Cooper Brothers formed again in 2006 and have been performing music ever since. They are getting set to perform a 50th anniversary show at Centerpointe’s Meridian Theatre in April.

For the past 10 years, Cooper has also been teaching at Algonquin College in music, media, and film foundations.

“It’s writing for the media which is what I’ve done all my life,” he said. “I wrote the course. It’s based on my life.”

Mike Wood, a friend of Cooper’s who teaches with him at Algonquin, said he’s always inspiring students to take their craft to the next level.

We played with all the southern rock acts like The Outlaws which was pretty cool.”

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“What I loved working with Dick out of the gate was he brought to life a bunch of songs for me in the sense he was able to package the lyrics and ideas I had in a better way. He’s an incredible songwriter,” Jones told KT. Jones has already had an impressive career. The Blues artist hit the Billboard top 10, was nominated for a Juno, and in 2020, won the International Blues Challenge in Memphis.

Cooper helped write nine of the 11 songs on his latest record.

“He made some pretty important career decisions come true for me. He brought some things to light I don't think I could have done without him,” said Jones. “Dick helped me unlock a few topics from my childhood [and] growing up under very different circumstances. There is a lot of trust in this stuff because people have very different ideas when it comes to lyrics and words and how it’s being portrayed.”

While Cooper is grateful for the career he’s had, the guitar player and singer said it isn’t all about the talent.

Luck, he says, is what helps many make it.

‘The fact I’m still doing what I love after all these years I think is an accomplishment. Most people would go and get a real job,” he said. “I think at a different time we might have had a little more success. It’s not an easy business. I know some amazing musicians who have never had any success at all. Part of it is just the right place at the right time with the right song and look.”

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“The students have always known that he is great at what he does, and he’s there to mentor them and help guide them as they take their own direction into careers,” said Wood. “He truly is the nicest human being on the face of the earth. The students feel like we have a bit of a rivalry but that’s just to keep the class entertaining.”

In 2023, Cooper helped release three albums. They include: A Million Pieces by Sherri Harding, Everything Now by JW-Jones and Dream Job by Jeff Rogers.

Harding, a Carlington resident, met Cooper in 2017 when an Ottawa rock band was looking for a backup singer. The two became instant friends and started to work on an album together.

“He basically took it [my career] to another level for me. Dick is very generous with his talents and he’s sought after,” said Harding. “It was cool to be in the studio with people I admired and have them believe in what I could bring to the table.”

Cooper wrote the 10 songs on Harding’s album — the first time in his career writing from a female perspective. The duo then traveled to Muscle Shoals, Alabama for a five-day recording session.

Since Harding’s album was released, she’s performed sold-out shows, including at the Gladstone Theatre near Little Italy last March.

JW-Jones met Cooper around 2015, and said the Wellington West resident was able to help better some of the songs he was writing.

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EARLY DAYS

1

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2

1. Nepean High School students at its official opening in 1923.

2. Work underway on an addition to the school in Aug. 1948.

February 2024 • 22

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3. An Ottawa Citizen clipping from Jan. 9, 1922 stating the site for Nepean High School was chosen.

4. The 1925 Nepean High School rugby team.

3

The 100 year history of Nepean High School

BY DAVE ALLSTON

A

symbol of the emergence of Westboro into a popular, growing village in the 1920s, Nepean High School was built despite many years of politics and skepticism.

Now 100 years later, it is a west end institution that is recognized as one of the province’s top educational institutions.

Over the past century, Nepean High has seen the world change around it. Once

nestled between a golf course, a swamp and a rural housing development, the public high school is now the heart of one of Ottawa’s most popular, character-filled, and historic communities.

The story of Nepean High School, the institution, actually predates the building by about seven years. In September of 1916, the first “continuation class” for Nepean Township opened at old Churchill School (then known as Westboro Public School), after the

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4 large part of Nepean to Ottawa on Jan.1, 1950 meant that the Nepean board would be handing over to the Ottawa Collegiate Board a newly updated, modern school.

With annexation, it was rumored that Nepean High School’s name would also change to Broadview Avenue High School, but of course that never occurred.

Editor’s note: Dave Allston is a graduate of Nepean High School.

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clothing rips, or provided a comforting shoulder to those who struggled. The couple also served hot chocolate on cold mornings, and provided lunches to those who had forgotten theirs, while also making refreshments for all school activities.

There were no water and sewers in Westboro in those early days, so the school obtained water through a well on the property and a cistern that collected rain water off the roof. Two large septic tanks at the rear of the school held the waste. Some gym classes during the winter months of that era consisted of snow shoveling.

In April 1947, Nepean held a ceremony at the school to honor the 46 former students who lost their lives in WWII. An illuminated honor roll was unveiled in the auditorium containing the names of the 642 former students who enlisted, and the 46 who had made the ultimate sacrifice. This honor roll continues to be displayed in the hall at Nepean.

Twenty five years after its opening, the school was bursting at the seams. It became clear that a major addition was required. In Aug. 1947, a call for tenders was put out for the construction of a new wing on either side of the school (creating an H-shape).

Once again, Abra was the primary architect involved (with his new firm Abra, Balharrie and Shore), designing a new 802-seat auditorium, gymnasium, cafeteria and additional classrooms.

Construction began in the summer of 1948. The new south wing opened on time for the first day of classes in Sept. 1949, but the north wing was delayed until its official opening on Dec. 15. The annexation of a

This would not be the last of the additions to occur to Nepean High, as the school just kept on growing. In 1958, another major addition occurred when two labs, 10 classrooms, metal workshop, guidance room and a health centre were added, bringing the institution to 42 classrooms and 55 teachers. A new gymnasium was added in a separate project in 1966.

Meanwhile, in the late 1970s, portions of the school became tired and did not meet code. A four-phase renovation was implemented between 1978 and 1986, which included improvements to meet fire regulations and upgrading the library, guidance office and main office. The final phase in 1986 was a $3.2M renovation upgrading the science rooms, building a greenhouse, renovating the northwest wing, and a major upgrade of heating, electrical and mechanical equipment.

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Township had spent 20 years wavering on whether to establish a secondary school, what the focus of the school would be, and where it would be located.

The continuation class grew steadily in registrations, moving over to old Broadview School in 1917, and eventually taking over the whole upper floor there.

The biggest catalyst for the construction of a dedicated high school came in 1921 when the Adolescent School Attendance Act came into effect in Ontario, increasing the age of compulsory schooling from 14 to 16. This assured the need for a school in Nepean Township.

In April 1922, the location for the school was chosen by the new Nepean High School Board, a five acre location on the former Highland Park dairy farm operated by the Cole family. John E. Cole sold the land to the Board for $13,000 (about $219,000 in present-day money).

The architectural firm of Richards and Abra was contracted to design the plans and specifications for the new school. Their initial plans called for a modest ten room school at a cost of $50,000, but the Board took an optimistic view that the surrounding neighbourhoods would continue to grow quickly, and expanded the plans to a 15 room building that cost $225,000.

The cornerstone was laid by the Minister of Education, Hon. R. H. Grant, in a grand ceremony on Sept. 11. As late as that fall, it was hoped that the school would be ready for Jan. 1, 1923, but the opening was eventually pushed to the fall of 1923.

The 1923-1924 school year saw a total of 195 students registered.

Nepean at its opening featured a chemistry room, physics room and a typewriting room. The physics room had no running water, but did have a row of electrical outlets. The chemistry room had running water, but no electrical outlets.

There were a total of just six classes. The original auditorium, with non-installed seating and built to hold 400 students, opened later that year in December.

A married couple, Alphonso “Pop” Kent and his wife Lilian, oversaw the school as the caretakers for the building and students.

They resided in the basement year round, and did everything around the school, from its opening in 1923 until they retired in 1956. “Pop” Kent did all the maintenance and gardening around the school, ran the hand-fired furnaces, and kept the school clean. Mrs. Kent was the school “mom” who helped nurse illnesses and injuries, mended

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Ski for Schools creates new opportunities on the Kichi Sibi Winter Trail

HEALTH & WELLNESS • February 2024 • 24

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KitchissippiTimes

By Millie Farley Skis for Schools is a not-forprofit that supplies crosscountry ski equipment and programming for kids.

For six years, the organization has been helping school classes ski on the Kichi Sibi Winter Trail.

With winter weather in full swing, KT sat down with program coordinator Michelle Richardson to find out more about the work they do and how youth can get involved. Answers have been edited for length and clarity.

KT: What is the goal of the Skis

For Schools Program?

MR: Our goal is to create opportunities for children to be actively engaged outside through the enjoyment of crosscountry skiing. Last year, of our 1019 participants, we were pleased to introduce over 285 students, many of whom were new Canadians, to the sport of skiing. We welcome any school that is able to get to our “Nordic Village” location at Remic Rapids.

KT: What equipment does the

program have?

MR: At the moment we have an inventory of over 130 sets of skis, over 200 pairs of boots, and thanks to the support of Fresh Air Experience, 40 new sets of

telescopic poles. Our inventory of ski equipment is suitable for students aged 8 to 18 or older.

We recently received a private donation from an individual with a deep personal history of skiing who heard about our program, believes deeply in the value of introducing kids to the sport of skiing, and who wanted to offer support. This unexpected gift allowed us to purchase 10 new pairs of waxless skis to add to our collection!

KT: How can teachers register?

MR: Our booking calendar

opens on Oct. 1. Teachers are asked to look at the booking calendar on our website, select a date, and then send us an email. Our season opens in January as soon as the trail is established. We run until the school March Break or [until] the snow runs out.

Residents enjoy the Champlain Park winter carnival on Jan. 20, 2023.

PHOTOS BY ELLEN BOND

Warm weather delays Kichi Sibi Winter Trail season

By Millie Farley To the disappointment of many Kitchissippi residents, this season of the Kichi Sibi Winter Trail had a late start due to an El Niño which kept temperatures warm through December.

Trail head Dave Adams usually begins grooming in the middle of December. However, this season’s January start is the latest start he has experienced in his whole grooming career.

The winters are getting warmer, but fortunately for the path, it does not need consistent cold weather, like ice skating does, to get started.

To start grooming for skiing, the pathway only needs a minimum of 15 centimeters of snow.

“I like to think that urban winter pathways are quite resilient to climate change and I’m really quite proud of that,” said Adams.

Now that climate change is affecting the Rideau Canal’s opening (it didn’t open at all last year for the first time in history), Adams believes more people are starting to look at alternatives for winter recreation.

“We're seeing these warmer

winters sometimes bring large dumps of snow. Also the warmer winters make it more inviting for people to come out and use the trail, which is really what we're here for, getting people outside and active,” he said. “Warmer winters are not such a bad thing and if they just give us a little bit of snow, they actually are quite pleasant,” Adams and the volunteers begin setting up the path in September, before the snow arrives. They prepare the land, set up snow fences, clear away branches, arrange signage and deal with administration. While one tends to assume snow grooming is the main part of the job, it is actually the shortest part of the process.

The Kichi Sibi Winter Trail is a path stretching along the Kichi Zibi Mikan parkway for 16 kilometers. During the summer, it is used for walking and biking. For the past eight years, it has been snow groomed, making it a popular destination for cross country skiers, snowshoers, and winter hikers.

You can donate at wintertrail.ca/donate.

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Fun, flexible fitness!

Do all the things with the Dovercourt Fit pass!

computer, tablet or phone. Clients can see everything they’ve booked from their account and even print out a schedule to pin on the fridge. Booking a class feels like a commitment —and increases the likelihood of attending!

With unlimited visits, the Fit Pass is a great value. It can be purchased online, in person or by phone, and is priced at $46/month for ongoing and $56 for onemonth paid-in-full. Everyone is welcome to join the Dovercourt family. It’s a great place to get fit and meet new friends! www.dovercourt.org

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for decades. Dylan, Gigi, Jill, Pam, Trish, Stacey, Lorayne, Geoff, Karla, Teri, JM…the list goes on of enthusiastic instructors who bring their all to every class!

Seniors on the Go is Dovercourt’s new health and wellness program for older adults. Physical activity and social experiences are so important in the aging process. The S.o.t.G classes are HeartWise certified, with lighter intensity levels and a focus on functional movement to improve cardiovascular output and muscle strength and flexibility. Look for the magenta heart on our Fit Pass schedule to identify the Seniors on the Go classes. We’ve added new social options like Coffee on the Couch, Euchre, and cribbage. The Cafe and upstairs lobby are also available for coffee, snacks and socializing.

Online classes are an excellent option for people who prefer the convenience of working out at home, are on holiday, or have unpredictable schedules.

Dovercourt’s easy-to-use online system allows people to book classes seven days in advance on a

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Dovercourt has long been a community hub for innovative, high-quality programs, and its fitness offerings are no exception. The core of their fitness department is the Dovercourt Fit Pass, which delivers excellent value and flexibility. For the fitness enthusiast looking for classes, there is an extensive menu of over 40 classes each week that include favourites —like Step, Cardio and Strength Mix, HIIT, Zumba and Barbell Challenge— as well as cutting-edge classes like TRX, Barre Fit, Spinning and Aquafitness. It also includes access to the fitness centre/ weight room and recreational swims. There’s no need to wait until the beginning of a season: the Fit Pass can be purchased at any time and paused for vacations. In addition, unlike some fitness clubs, there are no hidden extras like contracts, initiation fees or variable pricing. New this winter: Fit Pass members can book pickleball slots for free.

Dovercourt has a team of experienced, creative instructors, many of whom have taught at the Centre

KitchissippiTimes

25 • February 2024 • HEALTH & WELLNESS

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

Winter activities in Kitchissippi and surrounding areas this year

HEALTH & WELLNESS • February 2024 • 26

kitchissippi.com

By Charlie Senack Are you feeling the winter blues and looking to make the most out of an Ottawa winter? Here is a list of activities Westboro and Wellington West residents can take part in throughout the city over the next couple of months.

THE KICHI SIBI WINTER TRAIL

The Kichi Sibi Winter Trail (formally known as the SJAM winter trail) is a popular destination for hikers, cross country skiers, and snowshoers.

The 16-kilometer trail runs along the Ottawa River and is groomed from Dominion Station in Westboro to the Canadian War Museum near Mill St. Brew Pub. While you’re there, take a look for Maggie Glossop’s snow bears that line the trail after a good snowfall!

THE RIDEAU CANAL SKATEWAY While not in Kitchissippi, the Rideau Canal Skateway is always a popular winter hotspot for residents and tourists alike.

The National Capital Commission, who operates the 7.8 kilometre UNESCO World Heritage site, is hopeful for a longer season after the canal did not open last year for the first time in history.

Winterlude is scheduled to take place from Feb. 2. to Feb. 19 weather permitting. Activities will primarily take place on the canal, at Lansdowne, on Sparks Street, at Parliament Hill, and JacquesCartier Park in Gatineau. For a full list of activities visit Canada.ca.

OUTDOOR RINKS IN OTTAWA

The Rideau Canal is not the only rink where you can lace up your skates. Kitchissippi is home to many outdoor skating rinks that can be found in local parks.

Locally, ODRs can be found at Dovercourt in Westboro, at Fisher Park off Holland Ave, Laroche Park in Mechanicsville, Champlain Park near Tunney’s Pasture, Iona near Hampton Park, and McKellar Park off Wavell Avenue.

Carlingwood area residents enjoy the snow on Jan. 18, 2024. ALL PHOTOS BY CHARLIE SENACK.

On the outskirts of KT territory, outdoor ice surfaces can also be found at Plouffe Park in Little Italy, at Woodroffe Park off Lockhart Ave, Regina School in Lincoln Heights, and in Britannia Beach. A full list can be found on ottawarinks.ca.

TAKE A STROLL THROUGH WESTBORO AND WELLINGTON WEST

On warmer winter days, go for a walk down Richmond Road or Wellington St. W. The two main streets are home to many small, locally-owned, family-run businesses.

For Ottawa-made goods, visit Wellington West’s Maker House or Flamingo Boutique located across the street. In Westboro, Copper Alley gifts, Pure Kitchen, and Flowers Talk Tivoli are some great choices.

If you have a sweet tooth and are looking to grab some desserts, check out Sharplfe Waffle in Mechanicville, Les Moulins La Fayetteville in Wellington West, or Westboro’s Cupcake Lounge.

And if you’re looking to cap off the day with a nice dinner out, Zak’s Diner in Westboro is always a favorite among families, or Gezellig

for a fancy date night. Stofa in Wellington West and Anthony’s Pizza also promise not to disappoint.

SWIM AT DOVERCOURT RECREATION CENTRE

If you’re missing some of the activities of summer, the Dovercourt Recreation Centre can act as an indoor oasis for swimming and other leisurely sports.

Winter programming has started at the community complex, and includes indoor swimming lessons, different kinds of fitness, sports, arts, pottery, and more. For more information visit Dovercourt.org.

COZY UP WITH A BOOK

Want to get lost in another world?

The Carlingwood branch of the Ottawa Public Library is a must stop for any avid reader. With three floors, the West Ottawa Location has books for all skill sets and interests.

You can also check out one of the many free Little Libraries which have been popping up through the Westboro, Wellington West, McKellar Park and Civic Hospital neighborhoods. Boxes can be found at St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church, 295 Bayswater Ave, 50 Ladouceur St, and 272 Atlantis Ave among other locations.

If you want to purchase books, visit Spaniel’s Tale in Wellington West or the newly-opened Westboro Books on Richmond Rd.

Finding YOUR Centre on the mat and online A strong Yoga practice and connection to community is more important than ever.

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65+ Online and In-Person Classes per week PranaShanti Yoga Centre 950 Gladstone Ave. Ottawa, ON 613.761.YOGA

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pranashanti.com 1140 Wellington Street West

PranaShanti Yoga Centre 950 Gladstone Ave., Ottawa, ON, K1Y 3Y4 613.761.YOGA • pranashanti.com

wildcrafted spa treatments, such as foot soaks, clay face masks, and aromatherapy body salts, are made-to-order with locally sourced and organic botanicals and ingredients.

Uppliva Sauna & Steam introduces Women’s Wellness Wednesdays, an exclusive women-only spa experience occurring on the last Wednesday of each month from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Additionally, Social Sauna hours are available every Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

This winter, take the opportunity to experience the many health benefits offered by a Nordic Hot-Cold-Rest cycle at Uppliva Sauna & Steam.

1140 Wellington Street West 613-421-3880 www.uppliva.ca

Don't leave it to chance!

Get your updated COVID-19 and flu vaccines today.

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27 • February 2024 • HEALTH & WELLNESS

Contact Info:

estled in the heart of Hintonburg, Uppliva Sauna & Steam invites individuals to indulge in an authentic Nordic Hot-ColdRest Circuit within an intimate spa setting.

The spa features a cedar sauna, eucalyptus steam room, cold plunge pool, refreshing rain showers, and a modern relaxation space.

Guests are invited to partake in the holistic health and wellness benefits offered by the Sauna & Steam Circuit, available in both 2.5-hour and 1-hour sessions. Regular sauna use and contrast therapy present a myriad of proven benefits, including soothing and repairing of tired muscles, stress reduction, mood enhancement, immune system and metabolism boost, and the promotion of restful sleep.

Customize your spa experience by adding a treatment from the Wellness Bar. Uppliva’s

KitchissippiTimes

n the chaos of modern life, attaining peace of mind is a precious commodity, and a regular yoga practice emerges as a powerful tool in this pursuit. Beyond the physical postures, yoga and meditation serve as gateways to tranquility, offering a myriad of benefits that extend far beyond the mat.

Embrace improved mental well-being as meditation cultivates mindfulness,

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@Kitchissippi

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Discover Nordic Rejuvenation at Uppliva Sauna & Steam

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Harmony Unveiled: The Transformative Power of Yoga and Meditation for Peace of Mind

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reducing stress and anxiety, and improving quality of sleep. Experience enhanced focus and clarity, allowing for better decision-making and increased productivity. Delve into the restorative power of deep breathing, fostering a sense of calm that carries throughout daily life.

On a physical level, yoga promotes flexibility, strength, and balance, contributing to overall health. Its holistic approach addresses both the body and mind, fostering harmony between the two. As we navigate the demands of our fast-paced world, a consistent yoga practice becomes a sanctuary, nurturing not only the body, but also the mind, which is crucial for optimal well-being.

Embark on a transformative journey to wellness with our exclusive 30-Day Unlimited Intro Package, priced at just $70 (tax included). Immerse yourself in the myriad benefits of a regular yoga and meditation practice, unlocking a path to physical and mental rejuvenation.

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

Sunrise Neuro-Acupuncture Integrative Clinic

What we treat: • ADHD • Autism • PTSD • Chronic pain • Migraines • Dementia (early stage) • Poor balance • Multiple sclerosis

• Dizziness/Vertigo • Multiple Sclerosis • Head Injuries • Stroke • Parkinson’s Disease • Slipped disc/sciatica • Peripheral neuropathy • Cerebral palsy

Herbal Medicine Acne • Psoriasis • Eczema • Food Allergies • Lichen planus Rosacea • Ulcerative Colitis • Crohn’s disease

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Neuroacupuncture is a new form of acupuncture that targets mental and neurological conditions.

421 Richmond Rd, suite 202 • 613-8539099 www.neuroacupuncture.ca

Simple steps to get back on track with your wellness goals

smoking and you bought a pack of cigarettes – toss it out now. Get rid of lighters and ashtrays too. Don’t make things harder by testing yourself. If you had a cigarette or you’re craving one, change the feeling in your mouth. You could chew gum, drink water or brush your teeth to delay the next one.

(NC) Did you make a New Year’s resolution to, say, eat better, stay off social media or quit smoking cigarettes? Setting a goal for your wellness can be motivating or fill you with optimism. However, sooner or later, many of us feel that sense of hopeful possibility begin to droop. If your goal isn’t quite where you want it or you feel like you might slip up, here are some tips to get back on target.

STEP BACK

RETAKE CONTROL

If you notice you’ve dropped the ball on your goal, take action on what you can control in the moment.

For example, if you’re trying to quit

Be kind to yourself when you face a setback in your goal. Know that slip-ups are normal. In fact, to quit smoking, Health Canada says most people try several times. Encourage yourself not to give up by thinking about how far you’ve come, not how far you have to go. That progress – even if it’s just setting the goal – still counts for something. And remember, how quickly or easily you reach a goal doesn’t make you a better or worse person.

Read the full story at www.newscanada.com

HEALTH & WELLNESS • February 2024 • 28

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SPONSORED CONTENT

Nurse-led clinic offers collaborative approach

N

atural Sole Wellness Centre is your “Onestop shop” for all your health, wellness, and beauty needs. Located at 1677 Carling Avenue in Ottawa, this nurse-led clinic offers a wide range of services such as medical pedicures, massage therapy, acupuncture, reflexology, manicures, facials, and medical aesthetic services.

Founder & Registered Nurse, Sarab Dormani was always passionate about promoting health and wellness to her patients. Unable to work for a few months in the ER after a leg injury, Dormani reflected on her career and realized she could advance her practice as a nurse in the community. She and her partner Frederic Parent explored the opportunity of opening a wellness clinic, and Dormani worked hard to expand her certifications in preparation.

Although the clinic was set to open in March 2020 as the global pandemic hit, Natural Sole Wellness opened its doors in June 2020.

“We faced many challenges as new small business when we first opened, and the effects lasted some time. But as more people started reaching out requesting our services and treatments, we knew there was sense of trust that people had placed in us. Before opening, we had already ensured private treatment rooms, and a sterilization room for all of our manicure/pedicure instruments. Our patients really appreciated this.” Dormani said.

When the clinic first opened, Dormani was

offering medical pedicures as a registered nurse. Within a few months, their team grew by integrating other health and wellness professionals using a collaborative and holistic approach. They started offering non-invasive chronic pain management therapies, footwear products, manual lymphatic drainage, and expanded their medical aesthetic services to different facials, body treatments, and laser services using state-of-the-art technologies.

“Our clinic today is very different from our original plans, but we grew with the support and demand of our community. It’s amazing!

There is definitely a sense of accomplishment as we continue to grow year after year!”

Dormani adds.

“Our philosophy? Selfcare is not a trend, it’s a lifestyle!” their website says.

To start your wellness journey, visit www. naturalsolewellness.ca or call 613-761-6060.

Natural Sole Wellness is open from Monday to Saturday. Parking is free, and the clinic is located on ground level with easy access and is wheelchair accessible.

COUNCILLOR’S CORNER

Celebrating 20 years in Kitchissippi!

February is Heart month SUBMITTED BY JEFF LEIPER, KITCHISSIPPI WARD COUNCILLOR

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Let’s Talk.

home@dianeandjen.com 613-795-9793

dianeandjen.com Diane Allingham and Jennifer Stewart, Brokers.

Engel & Völkers Ottawa Central, Brokerage. Independently owned and operated

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The Mann Lawyers Family Law team keeps you, your family and your pets on the right side of family law in Ontario.

Mann Lawyers | Full Service Law Firm 613-722-1500 mannlawyers.com

• Full range of General Dental Services • Invisalign • Dental Implants • Root canal Treatment • Oral Surgery • Cosmetic Dentistry • Teeth Whitening

“ Your Smile Care Centre”

29 • February 2024

IT’S ILLEGAL TO BRING A LLAMA TO A NATIONAL PARK.

Team

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On Feb. 24, you can support Cornerstone Housing for Women by participating in the Coldest Night of the Year walkathon. Cornerstone provides emergency shelter and supportive, permanent housing for women and gender-diverse people in Ottawa. You can participate in the walkathon as an individual or part of a team and raise funds to enable Cornerstone’s ongoing efforts. For more information and to register your participation, visit the Westboro page of the Coldest Night of the Year website.

Finally, remember that February is Heart Month. This is an annual opportunity for individuals, groups, and businesses to raise funds that support the critical operations of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. In 2023, over 1.2 million dollars were raised by community members and partners to support the operations of this incredible institution. Learn how you can get involved this year or make a donation at the Heart Month website.

kitchissippi.com

appy New Year, Kitchissippi!

Winter has settled in across the ward, finally bringing us snow.

Don’t forget that the amazing Kichi Sibi Winter Trail is right here in our backyard and offers opportunities to get outdoors and enjoy the season. If you’re interested in supporting the trail maintenance and operations, or want to get a current picture of the trail conditions, check out the Kichi Sibi Winter Trail website.

This month also brings with it opportunities to support various organizations around Kitchissippi. Churchill Alternative Public School is currently running a fundraiser where residents can buy native pollinator plants from a reputable nursery.

All purchases will be used to make improvements to this unique school’s yard, and you can improve the habitat of our local birds, butterflies, and other pollinators with your new plants. Don’t wait - orders close on Feb. 8! Visit the Native Species Seedling Sale website to get your plants today.

Selling or Buying in 2024?

BUSINESS

February 2024 • 30

kitchissippi.com

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KitchissippiTimes

who she said are devastated over the tough decision.

“The staff is heartbroken to let the community go and we are all blindsided but wish them the best,” said Tierney, who had been manager for the past two years.

“This isn’t easy for anyone. The family is heartbroken and hope they can bring people back to the business as soon as possible.”

Stella Luna staff told KT they began to worry this summer when many longtime customers did not return. During previous years, a lineup would be around the block.

The business was taken over earlier this year by Tammy’s son Zachary and his now-husband Christopher Berneck. While Tammy is no longer involved in operating the company, she continues to offer gelato catering at weddings.

In March, Zachary Giuliani told KT that he and Berneck were looking to brand the gelato shop as “an inclusive, welcoming space.”

Top and bottom: Stella Luna has laid off all its staff and closed its Wellington West location.

PHOTOS BY CHARLIE SENACK. Top right: Zachary Giuliani and his husband Christopher Berneck took over the family-run gelato shop in spring 2023. FILE PHOTO BY ZENITH WOLFE.

Stella Luna lays off staff and closes Wellington Street West location

BY CHARLIE SENACK

L

ocal gelato shop Stella Luna has laid off all its staff and closed its Wellington St. West location amid public backlash.

Employees were told they would be losing their jobs by email on Dec. 12. Staff who had been at the company for less than a year were given one week’s notice; longer-serving employees were given two weeks.

Stella Luna’s owners did not respond to KT’s requests for comment. In a statement posted to Facebook, they said economic

conditions have affected their ability to run the business.

“In an effort to survive the economic downturn this winter, and after four years of nationwide financial uncertainty, we have had to lay off almost all of our staff,” the statement read. “Our family members will continue to operate the business throughout the winter in the hopes that spring will present new opportunities and a stronger economy, allowing us to welcome our team back.”

Stella Luna’s location in Carleton Place closed permanently a few weeks ago, with

no reason given for the closure.

Just before the Christmas break, the gelato shop abruptly announced their Wellington St. W. location would permanently close on Dec. 23. They now have two remaining locations: one in Merrickville and the other on Bank Street near Sunnyside in Old Ottawa South.

Around 50 people worked for the familyrun business as of earlier this year.

Kasey Tierney, who was an employee at the Wellington location for more than six years, said while she’s upset to be losing her job, her thoughts are with the owners

CONTROVERSY In early 2022, Stella Luna became embroiled in controversy after Tammy Giuliani gave an anonymous donation of $250 to the “Freedom Convoy.” A data leak later revealed her donation through GiveSendGo. Tammy, who said she regretted the donation, had to temporarily close her stores after she and her staff were threatened with violence.

Zachary told KT in the spring that he understood not everyone would be forgiving and return as customers, but he hoped the community would notice his dedication to rebuilding the space.

Weeks later, the Italian dessert cafe found itself in hot water again when it enforced an exclusivity clause that resulted in the relocation of neighbouring Wellington West business Sharpfle Waffle.

“Stella Luna was never consulted or provided notice by our landlord that another ‘restaurant or cafe-like business’ had been allowed to rent a unit in the plaza,” Zachary wrote in a statement at the time.

“It was, and remains, our position that allowing Sharpfle Waffle to operate out of the same premises was a breach of our lease agreement by the landlord.”

Sharpfle Waffle left the Wellington location and in August opened a location in Hintonburg.

BUSINESS

Wellington West businesses close during tough economic conditions

BY CHARLIE SENACK

A

kitchissippi.com

The Yard, located near the City Centre complex, is expected to close this spring. PHOTOS BY CHARLIE SENACK

Thomas Tang said slower foot traffic and difficulty recruiting staff were to blame.

The popular Chinese eatery first opened on Richmond Road in the 1970s and serves breakfast in the morning and Chinese food in the evening. When that building burned down a few years later, the restaurant moved to its Wellington location.

Continues on page 32

31 • February 2024

deemed non-essential.

“Between COVID closures, inflation and high interest rates, it has been a very difficult five years to be running a new business, leaving The Yard in the vulnerable position it is in,” he said. “Based on recent sales levels, we cannot afford our current costs, let alone an increase in rent for the next five years. To be viable, the business needs both healthy park attendance and shop sales.”

Bereznai said that while park business has remained stable, shop sales have dropped as people spend less on leisure activities.

The Yard currently pays about $40,000 a month in rent, taxes and interest payments.

The indoor park is expected to close in March 2024.

Also in Wellington West, Won Ton House, located at the corner of Wellington Street W. and Warren Avenue, announced they were permanently closing. Owner

KitchissippiTimes

only indoor skate and bike park located near City Centre, announced they would be forced to close this spring.

In an emailed message to customers, owner Anthony Bereznai said the tough decision was made due to rising costs and financial pressures.

“Our current lease ends at the end of March and I have been trying to negotiate a new lease with our landlord. Unfortunately, we have not been able to agree on terms that the business can afford,” Bereznai wrote. “We have also been searching for other potential locations for the past year, but no suitable options have been found.”

The Yard opened in an old warehouse at 265 City Centre Ave. about five years ago.

Bereznai said financial pressures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic did not make it easy to survive. The business was forced to temporarily close during various rounds of lockdowns when sporting activities were

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s inflation continues to send prices skyrocketing, Wellington West businesses are feeling the pinch of tough economic times.

Devon Armstrong, interim executive director of the Wellington West BIA, said the community saw a high turnover in leases through 2023.

“There are businesses that are closing but there are also new ones opening every week. The turnover is high which keeps vacancy low,” he told KT. “A lot of businesses saw pain over the last couple of years and with loans coming due, there are some tough decisions that some people are having to make.”

In January, Canada Emergency Business Account [CEBA] loans had to be paid back, almost four years after they were introduced to help offset losses small businesses felt during the first waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly 900,000 Canadian businesses applied, totalling $49-billion in emergency relief.

While eligible businesses could keep up to $20,000 of the max $60,000 loan, the government will charge five per cent interest to any businesses who didn’t comply by the mid January deadline. They would then have three years to pay.

As of March 2023, only 10 percent of businesses paid back their loans.

“The lockdowns and government employees not being in their offices buying stuff has been difficult. It’s hard for a lot of smaller businesses to transition to having a digital store. If you are brick and mortar, you need foot traffic,” Armstrong said. “I know some businesses, even if they were doing ok, they are making less money now and might decide to make a life change. I know we had a few businesses who just wanted to do something different after a couple of tough years treading water.”

In late December, The Yard, Ottawa’s

BUSINESS

BIZ ROUNDUP

BY MILLIE FARLEY

kitchissippi.com

@Kitchissippi

KitchissippiTimes

W

elcome to 2024’s first Biz Roundup! These past few months have seen many new businesses open up shop in the Kitchissippi community.

A new Sleep Country has opened in Westboro at 421 Richmond Rd. It’s a first-of-its-kind in Canada, anchored by a 1,425-square-foot Silk & Snow shop — dedicated to one of its newest direct-to-consumer brands.

“With our immersive new location, we're finally able to showcase our offering in a physical environment, creating opportunities for customers to interact with the product and find the perfect piece to elevate their sleep and, ultimately, their home," said Albert Chow, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Silk & Snow in a statement. "At our core, we are a tactile brand; the touch and feel of our designs are as vital to our customers as the aesthetics."

Ottawa is known as the shawarma capital of Canada, and in the last few months, two new restaurants specializing in the Middle Eastern cuisine have opened. They include: Shawarma Al Mouna located at 1266

Wellington St. W, and Fire Shawarma located at 1230 Wellington St. W. Looking for a nice, filling lunch?

BahnMiYes has opened at 1129 Wellington St. W. Banh mi is a type of Vietnamese baguette sandwich filled with cold meats, pâté, and vegetables, according to the Oxford learning dictionary.

At 93 Holland Ave, Dosa King has opened. According to Wikipedia, “A dosa is a thin savory crepe in South Indian cuisine made from a fermented batter of ground black gram and rice. Dosas are served hot, often with chutney and sambar.”

If you’re craving fast food chicken, we have multiple new options for you. Mary Brown’s Chicken has opened at 386 Richmond Rd and Maniac Chicken has opened at 1100 Wellington St. W. Caesar's U-Rock Cafe offers drinks, pastries, snacks and a place to hang out in Hintonburg at 986 Wellington St. W. Capital Cold Press, a health food restaurant offering smoothies, juice, protein snacks and more, is located at 1000 Wellington St. W Unit 104.

Hintonburg now has a bubble tea place, Hi-T, located at 1076 Wellington St. W.

Wellington West’s Won Ton House closed in December after half a century in business. PHOTO BY CHARLIE SENACK.

Business closures

Continues from page 31 “Over the intervening half-century, it has been a pleasure and honor to offer fine Chinese dining to our long-time and more recent patrons,” a sign on the door read. “We hope you have enjoyed your experiences at the Won Ton House as much as we have gratefully enjoyed serving you. But to everything there is a season, and it is with very mixed feelings that we inform you that our last day of operation will be December 16, 2023.”

While the Wellington Street West business landscape is changing, Armstrong from the local BIA said new tenants are continuing to bring a freshened flavor to

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“We are seeing a little bit more in terms of those lifestyle, spa, beauty treatment, hair salon type businesses opening up. But our trend hasn’t totally changed here like it has in Westboro,” said Armstrong. “You still do see a lot of that restaurant and retail main strip. One way we work together well with Westboro is that a lot of people like to explore a larger area and will go to a gym in Westboro and then a restaurant in Wellington West.”

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IF I NEED MORE CARE, WILL YOU ASK ME TO LEAVE?

You should. It’s a big decision.

Book your tour today Call LA or Luisa at 613-233-6363

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Come in and ask us anything.

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Whether you’re asking about the care, the food, or how you spend every day, we know you’ve got questions about moving to senior living.

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33 MONK STREET

We Love Supporting Our Neighbours!

WESTBORO VILLAGE • February 2024 • 34 WESTBORO VILLAGE • FEBRUARY 2024 • 34

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We are also excited to participate in Coldest Night of Year by sponsoring the event and actively walking to support Cornerstone Housing for Women on February 24th.

The Coldest Night of Year is a family-friendly fundraising walk that raises funds for local charities that serve those experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness.

As Westboro Village enters 2024, we are thrilled to announce our commitment to supporting the community through two returning sponsorships that hold a special place in our hearts. Our ongoing support for the Kìchi Sìbi Winter Trail reflects our commitment to fostering a strong sense of togetherness and appreciation for the incredible outdoor resources built by our community and tirelessly maintained by dedicated volunteers.

Cornerstone Housing for Women is a beacon of hope for Ottawa women facing the crisis of homelessness. The net proceeds from the Westboro walk will directly contribute to Cornerstone's mission of helping women recover from homelessness and empowering them to embark on the next chapter of their lives. We encourage everyone in Westboro to consider registering for the event or supporting those walking on behalf of this noble cause at CNOY.org.

What We Love About Working in the Village

It is so easy to get around on foot in this neighbourhood. I am a ten-minute walk to work and I love that it often takes me 20 minutes if I bump into neighbours and customers along the way. This community is important to me and it is clear that others feel the same!

- Molly van der Schee, Owner of The Village Quire

KitchissippiTimes 35 • February 2024 * WESTBORO VILLAGE KitchissippiTimes 35 • FEBRUARY 2024 • WESTBORO VILLAGE

I love the nice mixture of shops and services!

- Liz Stewart, Owner of Westboro Closet Candy

@Kitchissippi @Kitchissippi

Working in Westboro Village and living close by, I live just south of Carling in Carlington, it provides me the freedom to ride my bike to work for close to 8 months of the year. Being so close, I also jump on my bike and ride down to Westboro Village to go to the gym, the grocery store and whenever I need a treat or a gift. Westboro Village has become my 15-minute neighbourhood, and I love it!

- Tara Beechey, Operations Administrator, Westboro Village BIA

I love that I can walk to any place in Westboro Village to get the best of everything I want. It's also convenient for me to run my business, Love Your Body Fitness, in my neighbourhood.

- Kate Laird, Owner of Love Your Body Fitness and Board Chair of Westboro Village BIA

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I love walking to the Ottawa Farmers Market at Byron Linear Park on Saturday mornings to grab some delicious shrimp spring rolls from my favourite vendor.

- Mushama Pierre, Communications & Operations Coordinator, Westboro Village BIA

I love the coffee culture of Westboro Village. There are so many options to head out and get my mid-afternoon caffeine fix, and every day, I can choose a different location. Walking from the office to one of the many options also means I always run into a friend or business neighbour. Whether it is a cortado, latte or traditional drip coffee, I love changing it up each day.

- Judy Lincoln, Executive Director, Westboro Village BIA

COMMUNITY

Date night spots for Valentine’s Day STORY AND PHOTOS

BY SIMON HOPKINS

February 2024 • 36

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S

ome of Ottawa’s best date night spots are located in Hintonburg and Westboro.

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and there’s a date night option for everyone in Ottawa. Here is a list of how you can treat your significant other during the season of love.

DINNER & DRINKS There are dinner spots for all kinds of diners in Ottawa’s west side.

The Momo Spot is a hidden gem on Holland Avenue serving up Nepalese dumplings called momos. Hungry couples can treat themselves to steamed or fried momos with chicken, pork, or tofu.

Server Chanda Thapa told The Kitchissippi Times that their restaurant makes for a great date night.

“It's the best place to go on a date,” she said. “The food here is so cozy, it brings you warmth,” Thapa said. She said she sees couples of all ages and generations sit in their homey dining room for a date night.

Those looking for a classic date night spot might choose Fratelli, an Italian restaurant in Westboro. The restaurant has been operating in Ottawa since the ‘90s and has hosted countless couples.

General manager Morgan Gould told the KT that their romantic dining room is often a first choice for people celebrating anniversaries. She said date nights were what they’re best known for. They are almost full for Valentine’s Day but are also open every other night that week. On Mondays, they serve half-priced bottles of wine.

At the northern tip of Little Italy is

Pubwells, a cozy pub on Preston. Their busy little space feels like a happy bar mixed with the comfort of your living room. They have pub grub like fish and chips and a wide selection of craft beers. This year, Valentine’s Day is a Wednesday, so it falls on Pubwells’ half-priced wing night.

ACTIVITIES & ADVENTURE Hintonburg Pottery, located near Wellington W and Holland Ave, is a great place to learn and get messy, according to the folks inside. The shop and studio sell beautiful pottery and offer classes and workshops year-round. On Valentine’s day, the shop will be offering two workshops.

“Spin the Wheel” will be an introductory lesson on using a pottery wheel. Couples can alternatively handmake mugs in the other lesson.

“You and your date will each make and decorate a cute Valentine’s Day mug,” said Lexi Anawati-Gingras, who works in the pottery shop. “[Hintonburg Pottery] is a great place to break the ice and have a fun experience with your date.”

Joanna Richardson is a potter in the studio and will teach some classes.

She said that participants can expect to get messy! “Trying something new and being able to laugh makes for a good date,” she said.

They will run three classes of mug making and three of an introduction to the wheel between 10 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. Those interested can sign up on their website.

Lovers looking for a timeless date can check out West Park Bowling in Wellington Village. The alley, tucked behind a diner and a pub, features over a

dozen five-pin lanes for affordable bowling.

The bowling alley offers food and drink from both the pub and diner right to your lane.

Those with an adventurous touch might investigate LumberJaxe axe throwing located at the City Centre complex near the Bayview O-Train station.

“Our venue is a popular date night attraction,” said Ben Szaplonczay. The recently expanded space has 16 lanes for axe throwing.

Founder Kerry Moher told KT that because of the expanded venue, they can accommodate more couples or group parties of up to 125 people. Their date night special could be a popular choice for couples. The package includes axe throwing with coaching, two drinks and an appetizer for the couple.

The Orange Monkey is a classic stop in Ottawa for any couple. Their pool hall and billiards tables are located in the same plaza as LumberJaxe, just a few doors down.

Owner Brian Beauchamp said it makes for a great first date because it's an activity where you can talk and laugh instead of sitting with awkward forced conversation.

“A lot of couples come in and tell us they’re celebrating an anniversary because they had a first date at The Orange Monkey,” Beauchamp said.

Real Food, Real Opportunities

Open a New Store M&M Food Market Franchise in Ottawa-Westboro

A

s Fall rolls in and we adjust back to our routine this is a great time to re-evaluate our work-life balance making now the perfect time to consider owning your own business.

The kids are now settled back in school, and we resume our lives but with a shift in our attitude towards work. The professional landscape has changed with many Canadians ditching their traditional 9-5 jobs in favour of entrepreneurship.

Whether they want the flexibility and balance of self-employment or the rewards and growth that come from ownership, many are looking for new opportunities to build their own business.

Come join Canada’s largest frozen food retailer. M&M Food Market is seeking passionate Franchise Partners to expand the national footprint and introduce the brand into new markets and local communities across the country.

As an added incentive and for a limited time only, eligible Franchise Partners will receive up to 50 percent of the cost of construction for their new store, reducing the upfront investment and capital required to get started.

If you’ve been looking for an exciting, community-centric franchise opportunity, now is the time to consider the benefits of bringing a new M&M Food Market to Ottawa-Westboro.

A Turnkey New Store Franchise Opportunity M&M Food Market provides the tools, training, and support needed to achieve success with the brand.

All Franchise Partners go through comprehensive classroom and in-store training prior to operating their own location. Cloud-based daily training programs, operational manuals and guidelines, ongoing development opportunities, and regular calls with local Area Managers ensure Franchise Partners always have a place to turn to for help.

Regional and national advertising campaigns build brand awareness, and the personalized customer-centric Rewards loyalty program brings customers to your doors.

Robust technologies and software platforms simplify the operations and management of the business., while limited perishable inventory, a simple and predictable business model, and a history of success make M&M Food Market a turnkey and easy-to-operate franchise opportunity.

Proud to Serve Local Communities M&M Food Market is proud to play an active role in communities, small towns, and local neighbourhoods across Canada.

Franchise Partners get to know their customers.

They share in their milestones, learn their preferences, and become trusted sources of product

recommendations and meal advice. And they support local community organizations and charities that make a difference in the lives of their friends and family.

In communities across Canada, M&M Food Market franchises have become local hubs that provide great-tasting, easy-to-prepare frozen meals made with absolutely no artificial colours, flavours, or sweeteners.

A Modern Store Designed for the Future of Retail Food brings people together. As Canadians navigate our ever-changing economic landscape, M&M Food Market offers an attractive alternative to restaurants and other entertainment brands when celebrating special occasions or sitting down to dinner after a busy day at work.

M&M Food Market products offer not only

great taste, convenience, and variety, but also an experience that can be shared around the table with friends and families.

A revamped, modern store design brings food out from behind the counter and makes it easier for customers to browse, discover new products, and try new seasonal flavours.

M&M Food Market has also implemented industry-leading online shopping capabilities, rolling out a new and improved eCommerce website, instore or curbside pickup, and delivery across most stores.

Finally, an enhanced one-to-one customer loyalty program allows Franchise Partners to offer personalized recommendations, tailored promotions, and other discounts to customers based on their unique tastes and purchase history.

Bring an M&M Food Market Franchise to Your Community Today M&M Food Market is ready to build on past success and grow into new, previously untapped markets.

If you’re ready to make a change in your life, now’s the time to consider an M&M Food Market franchise. For more information about the opportunity available in Ottawa-Westboro, please contact Liz Riley Director, Franchising at lizr@mmfoodmarket.com or 905-814-2420. kitchissippi.com

Sometimes a smile isn’t a smile.

Sometimes it’s a shield that hides the struggle.

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For some who have served in the Canadian Armed Forces or RCMP, mental health challenges can take on many faces. If you’re struggling, there is support for you and your family.

37 • February 2024

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BE PART OF TRADITION AT THE PARKDALE PUBLIC MARKET

PARTICIPEZ À LA TRADITION AU MARCHÉ PUBLIC PARKDALE As the second oldest market in Ottawa, the Parkdale Public Market offers a mix of the best Canadian, provincial, and regional products around!

En tant que deuxième marché le plus ancien d’Ottawa, le Marché Public de Parkdale offre une très grande variété des meilleurs produits canadiens, provinciaux et régionaux.

Vend daily, weekly, or monthly and join a community of small businesses at our Public Market. From farmers, artisans, food makers, and retailers, there is a space for everyone at the Parkdale Public Market ! Be a part of exciting events like the Parkdale Centennial celebrations, the Parkdale Night Market, the Pride Night Market and so many more coming in 2024!

Vendez tous les jours, toutes les semaines ou tous les mois et joignezvous à une communauté de petites entreprises à notre marché public. Qu’il s’agisse d’agriculteurs, d’artisans, de fabricants de produits alimentaires ou de Commerçants, il y a une place pour tout le monde au marché public de Parkdale !

Participez à des événements passionnants comme les célébrations du centenaire de Parkdale, le marché de nuit de Parkdale, le marché de nuit de la fierté et bien d’autres encore. et bien d’autres encore en 2024 !

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Meet your local Kitchissippi community associations

BY EMILY ADDISON, CHAIR OF THE K9 WORKING GROUP

W

elcome to this brand new feature in the Kitchissippi Times!

Kitchissippi Ward community associations (CAs) are excited to announce that we are partnering with KT to share what’s happening in our neighbourhoods. In this monthly column, information on upcoming community events, local projects, as well as larger issues affecting the ward, will be included. This new monthly section is part of the efforts of K9, a working group of all nine CAs in our ward.

We will use this inaugural issue to introduce our community groups.

WHAT ARE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS?

It varies a little between each CA but here is just a little bit of what we do:

The goal of K9 is to facilitate the exchange of information and coordinate joint action, when appropriate, on issues of common interest among CAs in Kitchissippi Ward. K9 was founded in 2018, inspired by Councillor Leiper’s ward forums, as we realized that

our respective CAs were facing common issues and that there would be many benefits to working together. We meet at least four times a year to discuss a range of topics.

A few of our recent items of conversation have been Stage 2 LRT tree replacement, the need for quick action on heritage building designation given new provincial policy, planning the 2024 Kitchissippi Garage Sale set for June 1, and discussing what is needed to mitigate the pressure of many many

thousands of future residents coming to our part of town through large developments such as Tunney’s Pasture, Bayview Yards, Gladstone Village, City Centre and, further afield, LeBreton Flats and Zibi.

We look forward to sharing individual CA updates in future issues, and we encourage you to reach out to your local CA if you want to get involved!

Not sure which CA you are a part of?

Check out the map linked to this article on Kitchissippi.com.

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KitchissippiTimes

• Organize and host community events.

• Partner with the City to provide services like neighbourhood skating rinks, ski trails and community gardens.

ABOUT THE KITCHISSIPPI 9 (K9) WORKING GROUP

SIGN UP TODAY

@Kitchissippi

WHAT DOES YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION DO?

KT’s newsletter keeps readers up-to-date and informed

kitchissippi.com

Community associations work to enrich the quality of life in our neighbourhoods, and our work is mostly done through volunteer efforts. Did you know that there are well over 100 CAs in Ottawa? You can learn more about them through the Federation of Citizens’ Associations of Ottawa website at www.fca-fac.ca.

• Engage directly with the mayor, city councillors, city staff, the NCC, and other levels of government on a wide variety of topics, from input on master plans (e.g., traffic, waste) to zoning by-law updates, use of public lands and more.

• Actively participate in the development process (e.g., Tunney’s Pasture, new Civic Hospital Campus, local infills).

We recognize that our neighbourhoods are changing as the city grows, and we work hard to ensure that city policies on development are followed, that the level of intensification proposed is appropriate, and that negative impacts to residents are minimized.

• Partner with nonprofits, schools, universities, and other organizations on a wide range of issues.

• Work to preserve and enhance our greenspace and parks while engaging on environmental issues such as mitigating climate change at the local level.

• Work on community safety concerns.

• Advocate for transportation solutions for pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, and others.

• Work to preserve local heritage buildings and promote local history.

COMMUNITY BULLETIN

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39 • February 2024

AND HAPPY FUTURE FOR OUR CHILDREN AND YOUTH.

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Be part of CHEO’s life-saving work today, tomorrow and forever.

Megan Doyle Ray:

Share the Love in Wellington West Love Yourself Indulge in self-care with local options that cater to your well-being.

February 2024 • 40

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Love Others Discover heartfelt gifts and locally sourced treasures for your loved ones.

Love Your Neighbourhood Support the heartbeat of your community with every purchase.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day! Enter our Share the Love Giveaway for a chance to win 1 of 3 $100 Gift Cards

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