January 18, 2018: Federal Report; Summer Jobs Program 2018.

January 18, 2018: Federal Report;
Summer Jobs Program 2018.

By Catherine McKenna, MP, Ottawa-Centre.

Calling Ottawa Centre Employers: Applications Open for Canada Summer Jobs Program.

Canada’s future prosperity depends on young Canadians getting the education and experience they will need to succeed in their careers. Our government understands that doing this requires access to meaningful work experience. That’s why we are committed to helping organizations hire young people through the Canada Summer Jobs program.

A summer job is a critical way for students to get the kind of valuable work experience that employers look for on a résumé, all while earning money for the upcoming school year.

Since its inception in 2007, the Canada Summer Jobs program has funded thousands of employers and created hundreds of thousands of student jobs. In 2017, over $1.3 million dollars was invested into Ottawa Centre to employ more than 300 young people.

Through the program, eligible small businesses, not-for-profits, and public-sector employers are able to subsidize the wages of full-time students. Small businesses with 50 or fewer employees and public-sector employers can receive up to 50 per cent of the minimum hourly wage, while not-for-profit organizations can receive up to 100 per cent of the minimum hourly wage.

I often say the youth are the leaders of today. Hiring a student brings energy and ideas into the workplace. They have important and influential voices within our communities and are a large part of what helps small businesses and not-for-profit organizations thrive.

As an employer in the Canada Summer Jobs program, you will play a vital role in generating employment, fostering entrepreneurship and preparing our youth for the future. When you hire young people, our local economy is boosted and young people gain access to experiences they need to prepare for the jobs of today and tomorrow.

For more information, including the eligibility criteria and application guide, please visit Canada.ca/Canada-Summer-Jobs, a Service Canada Centre, or call 1-800-935-5555 .
Applications will be accepted until February 2, 2018 .

Photo Caption: Catherine McKenna, MP Ottawa Centre Photo courtesy C. McKenna

January 18, 2018: Councillor’s Corner; City news.

January 18, 2018: Councillor’s Corner;
City news.

By Jeff Leiper, Councillor, Kitchissippi Ward.

Happy New Year, Kitchissippi! We hope that everyone had a restful holiday season. We’re back in the swing of things and excited to tackle all the challenges and opportunities 2018 has to offer.

Before the break, we were thrilled to pull off a successful tree-lighting ceremony in Roy Duncan Park. This year we got the whole tree lit; big thank you to Giant Tiger for the lights, Dovercourt for equipment, and Taggart Construction for the use of a cherry picker to string the tree.

One of the issues we’ll face in 2018 is the new inclusionary zoning regulations set forth for comment by Queen’s Park. Inclusionary zoning gives municipalities the power to force developers to include a portion of affordable housing in new housing developments.

This would be huge for Kitchissippi, as much of the growth happening inside the Greenbelt is happening here; not surprising when we consider how LRT will transform our neighbourhoods, placing five stations in our ward alone.

This growth increases property values. Without intervention, it’s likely there will be very little affordable housing in Kitchissippi in the coming decades. This creates barriers for many Ottawans to access transit in our ward, and will have a negative impact on our communities.

Unfortunately, I feel the inclusionary zoning regulations have some problems. Core issues include: the rules only apply to ownership; municipalities will be required to subsidize developers’ affordable units by 40%, cash-in-lieu of parkland and development charge waivers would be used as part of the subsidy; and, affordability would be defined at a neighbourhood, not city-wide level. You can read a detailed copy of the regulations on the blog, but ultimately I feel that these new inclusionary zoning regulations in their current state won’t be much help to Kitchissippi.

Essentially, cities will be required to set out locations in their Official Plans where inclusionary zoning rules would be applicable to buildings with 20 or more units. The affordable units would be limited to 5% of a development or 10% if the building is in a high demand area due to access to transit. Cities must then lay out a detailed housing plan and guarantee that units would be affordable for a minimum of 20 but a maximum of 30 years. Clearly, this is a complex issue that will require some careful thought. If you have ideas, please drop me a line.

As Kitchissippi continues to grow, we need to work together to ensure it’s the best it can be.

Don’t forget: our next Pop-Up Office will be held at Freshii in Westboro (342 Richmond Road) from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 27th. While January is giving us some winter weather, we may as well enjoy it. The SJAM Winter Trail is fully open, having reached its fundraising goal of $20,000. Thank you for keeping this pathway open and making our city just a little bit greater.

Photo Caption: Pictured here at the Hintonburg 5K Run, Kitchissippi community activist Jeff Leiper regularly bicycles to his job at City Hall. Photo by T. Hairbach.

January 18, 2018: Neilly’s Neighbourhood; Winter Readiness.

January 18, 2018: Neilly’s Neighbourhood;
Winter Readiness.

By Cst. Dawn Neilly.

Even if you normally drive and think you’re protected from the elements, equip your vehicle for the possibility of an accident or a breakdown that could leave you exposed to the cold.

Happy New Year! I hope 2018 has started off on the right foot for everyone and that it will be a healthy, happy time for all. Let’s talk about some tips to help that happen.

We all know that winter has to start sometime, but I think most of us were somewhat surprised by the unusual deep freeze in December. Temperatures in the minus 20’s can be real killers if we’re not prepared for them. And the likelihood of more for the rest of January and into February is a strong possibility.

If you’re a walker and/or a transit user, bundle up! Don’t assume that your destination can be reached without difficulty. The cold has lots of ways to make us miserable (think: waiting for a bus that’s late – it happens!), so always assume the potential for trouble is there. Even if you normally drive and think you’re protected from the elements, equip your vehicle for the possibility of an accident or a breakdown that could leave you exposed to the cold.

Speaking of driving, ‘tis the season to adapt your habits to cope with dangerous road conditions, which could be anything from heavy snowfall to freezing rain. Don’t drive so fast that you can’t stop easily and safely if the situation warrants.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be a Good Samaritan, winter is the season with the potential for opportunities to find out. Keep an eye out for anyone who might not be properly dressed or who is showing signs of frostbite. Your help could be anything from a word of warning to practical assistance to whatever extent is possible: an offer of a ride? A pair of mittens or a hat? If you see someone who needs assistance but you’re reluctant to approach, don’t hesitate to call the Ottawa Police at 613-236-1222 .

Bottom line: don’t take the weather for granted in a season when it can go to extremes. Stay warm and have a safe winter!

Photo Caption: Constable Dawn Neilly Photo by T. Hairbach.

January 18, 2018: Science Moment; Supermoon for January 31 viewing.

January 18, 2018: Science Moment;
Supermoon for January 31 viewing.

By T. Hairbach.

The coming super moon on January 31 will also feature a partial lunar eclipse. Moonrise occurs at 5:31 p.m. in Ottawa, and the eclipse will begin at 8:31 p.m. Although only a partial eclipse, this eclipse will be visible from Ottawa, clouds permitting. If you’re going out to see it, dress warmly and bring a camera. Newswest would love to share your photos. You can send them to editor@newswest.org .

[ED: a reader replies:
Dear Editor,
…
The so called “Supermoon” occured on January 1 which was the closest full Moon to the Earth of 2018 and will not be on January 31 as stated in the article.

The January 31 full Moon is known as a “Blue Moon”, as this is a rare occasion when a full Moon occurs twice in the same calendar month.

The January 31 full Moon will feature a total lunar eclipse for locations west of the Manitoba/Ontario border, however from Ottawa, a partial lunar eclipse is only visible due to the Moon setting at 7:25am.

The correct time for the beginning of the lunar eclipse is 6:47am and not 8:31pm as stated in the article.
…
Mark Narwa
AMeN Observatory, Westboro

---

And for more checkout the CBC coverage:
How to watch the ‘blue moon’ lunar eclipse]

January 18, 2018: Compelling Theatre, Close to Home; Bear and Company.

January 18, 2018: Compelling Theatre, Close to Home;
Bear and Company.

By Allyson Domanski.

“Compelling theatre, close to home.” That’s the mandate of Bear & Co., a professional indie theatre collective and a resident company at The Gladstone Theatre. Barely five and a half years old, Bear is about to open its 18th play for a limited run at The Gladstone from January 17-27.

Bear’s production of playwright George Brant’s Grounded is just the latest in a string of Ottawa premieres by the company. This award-winning one-woman show became an Off-Broadway hit starring A-lister Anne Hathaway as an elite air force fighter pilot, proficient at dropping bombs over Afghanistan and Iraq, who gets grounded once she becomes pregnant, only to be reassigned to Nevada’s ‘chair force’ to operate drones continents away from her targets.

A trio of equally formidable women is behind Bear & Co.’s production of Grounded.
Alexis M. Scott dons the flight suit to white-knuckle the audience through the emotional power trip of feminism going head to head with female biology. Director/actor/producer Eleanor Crowder is one-half of Bear & Co., while Hintonburg’s own Rachel Eugster is the other half of its genius. (Eugster is also Bear’s music director, actor, writer of an award-winning children’s book, community activist and formerly a long-time soloist at Parkdale United Church.)

After seeing Grounded in New York, Crowder was so taken by its powerful script that she had to produce it. Crowder, who directs Scott in a role whose hard edges turn anything but mushy, had this to say: “A solo show is a marathon, a triumphant display of talent and sweat. This text is exactly that. A sweep of action and insight that asks the performer to pour every ounce of strength into her work. Alexis is the actor for this role. She is utterly compelling.”

Scott, a 2015 Prix Rideau Award nominee for her work as an emerging artist and a graduate of the Ottawa Theatre School, currently works out of Toronto. She has acted in past Bear productions, including Shakespeare’s Macbeth, The Tempest, and The Comedy of Errors.
Bear performs indoors and out, with casts large and small, offering works from the Elizabethan era to the present day.

Eugster says they typically put on three shows per year, starting with “something really daring” (like Grounded), followed by summer Shakespeare in the Park (Romeo and Juliet, 2017; Macbeth, 2016), followed by a fall musical revue (No Way To Say Goodbye: Songs of Leonard Cohen in 2017; and Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris in 2016).

A small company that punches way more than its own weight, Bear chooses works that intrigue and please audiences while delivering peak power from its artists.
Catch Grounded before it takes off.

CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM:

• Director: Eleanor Crowder;
• The Pilot: Alexis M. Scott;
• Sound design: Daniel Claxton;
• Cello effects: Raphael Weinroth-Browne.

PERFORMANCE DETAILS:

• January 18-27 (preview January 17)
• Tuesday – Saturday at 7:30 p.m.;
• Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets: at The Gladstone thegladstone.ca/grounded/

Photo Caption: Bear and Co.’s Alexis Scott

January 18, 2018: From Mechanical Engineer to Spiritual Engineer; St. Stephen’s Welcomes New Minister.

January 18, 2018: From Mechanical Engineer to Spiritual Engineer;
St. Stephen’s Welcomes New Minister.

By Charles Singh.

“Church Street”, as Parkdale Avenue was once known, is celebrating the arrival of a new minister.

St Stephen’s Presbyterian welcomed Rev. Meg Patterson, graduate of the Knox College, University of Toronto with her Masters in Divinity. Meg has a life-long association with the Presbyterian Church but prior to her call to ministry she worked as a mechanical engineer. She and her husband Ian have three wonderful children ages nine and six (twins) and all are settling in to their new adventure in Ottawa and with the family of St. Stephen’s.

“It is a joy for me to plan and lead worship,” says Rev. Patterson, “ I gave my first sermon at the age of 14, and it has been something I have enjoyed since then. I like to experiment a bit with my preaching style, although it is always based on Scripture. Music has always been important to me, and I appreciate meaningful, theologically sound, sing-able praise songs that speak to the theme of the Scripture for the day. I love ministering within a community of people who are passionate for Christ and for God’s mission within their neighbourhood, as well as in the larger global context. I see the entire congregation as ministers of grace and love, where I am the pastor of ministers, equipping people to be Christ’s hands and feet in the community.”

St. Stephen’s has a proud history in the west-end, and was founded as a result of a burgeoning Church School after the second world-war. It was one of those Churches that sponsored Vietnamese Refugees back in the late 70’s.

Within the neighbourhood, St. Stephen’s is a proud partner and active supporter of the Parkdale Food Center, the Youth Services Bureau; A.A., the Ottawa West Community Support, the Forward Shelter and Campus Ministry at Algonquin College.

Rev. Patterson hopes that St. Stephen’s will continue to have a positive impact in our Community.

 

January 18, 2018: Huddling Through Winter; January Has Doldrums, Too.

January 18, 2018: Huddling Through Winter;
January Has Doldrums, Too.

By Anna Borris.

We piled on hats, coats, mitts, boots and scarves and went out into the day, now frigid with Arctic air. Gusts of wind blew snow down the deserted street. We pulled our scarves up to our eyes, but soon the scarves were soggy and cold. Then they froze into wet cardboard.

Karen, Judy and I were congregated at Judy’s house, sitting around the kitchen table, listening to the radio and the blustering wind outside. We couldn’t think of anything to do. Saturday afternoons were boring after the fun and frantic Christmas season, the weather outside was quite uninviting, and Judy’s house was quiet, warm and welcoming. Her little brother Marty wandered into the kitchen to make a peanut butter sandwich.

“What happened to your face?” I asked, noticing a cut on his cheek.

“We had a sword fight” he said, “with icicles.”

“Cut that out, you could have lost an eye,” Judy scolded.

Marty munched his sandwich and rolled his eyes, both still happily in their rightful places.

We had just started a half-hearted card game when Judy’s mom came bustling down the hall carrying the vacuum cleaner. “You girls move somewhere else for a while, I want to do the floor” she said.

“Let’s get out of here” Judy said with alarm. “Mom’s having a cleaning fit. Let’s walk down to the store.”

We piled on hats, coats, mitts, boots and scarves and went out into the day, now frigid with Arctic air. Gusts of wind blew snow down the deserted street. We pulled our scarves up to our eyes, but soon the scarves were soggy and cold. Then they froze into wet cardboard.

The corner store was toasty, and cheerful Sam the owner always had a joke for us. Sue Thompson was brokenhearted though, and was singing about “Sad Movies” on the radio. We took our time making our selections of Malted Milk and Sweet Marie chocolate bars, spearmint Life Savers, and peppermint Chiclets. Judy even remembered to buy a treat for her brother. The bell hanging above the shop door jangled merrily as we struck out into the deep freeze and trudged hurriedly back to Judy’s house.

We headed to the basement playroom where Marty was sorting through a pile of comics.
“We brought you a box of Smarties.” Judy tossed it over. He caught it with a surprised grin.

“Maybe there’s something good on television” Karen suggested, flipping through the TV Guide. No such luck though. “’The Hound of the Baskervilles’ is on tonight. I think it’s pretty creepy. We’ll probably like it.”

“Hey, why don’t you stay for dinner and we can watch it later? My mom won’t mind. We’re having chicken à la king,” Judy said. Sure enough her mom didn’t mind a bit.

After clearing the table and washing the dishes, we made a big bowl of buttered popcorn and settled in to watch “The Hound of the Baskervilles”. The plight of Sir Henry Baskerville and the eerie sound of the hound howling on the moors made our hair stand on end.

“I’m not walking home by myself. I’ll hear hounds howling all the way home.” I told Karen.

“Don’t worry, I’ll walk with you, but only if you watch me get to my door, so the hounds don’t get me either.”

We bundled up in all our winter gear and set off into the freezing night convinced that we could hear faint howling coming from neighbouring backyards. Thankfully the days were gradually getting longer, but spring was still far off on the horizon. With spring would come Easter holidays, a big melt, and the distant promise of summer. Until then, we would race through the cold days and only hope that Valentine’s Day would be interesting, romantic, and quick to catch up with us.

January 18, 2018: Community Calendar Plus.

January 18, 2018: Community Calendar Plus.

DRAFT UPDATED January 20th. See bottom for late additions.

++++ => extra/notices not in print issue.

January 20 – Dovercourt annual winter carnival.
Dovercourt Recreation Centres popular winter carnival is taking place Saturday January 20 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.! Drop by for sleigh rides (4 p.m. to 6 p.m.), face painting, skating/ hockey, bonfire, sliding & games, and hot chocolate. Warm up inside in the upstairs lobby and have a bite at the Adam’s Apple Cafe, which will feature hot dogs, grilled cheese, burgers and “Dovertails.”

January 20 – Family Dance with live music.
Come dance with your young family, grandkids or kids you know at a super fun community dance in the heart of Westboro! Fantastic live traditional music (think fiddles). No experience necessary as all dances are taught and very family-friendly. 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. with optional potluck after! For more details go to http://www.ottawacontra.ca/familydance . Can’t make it to the January dance? Mark these dates in your calendar:, March 17 2018, April 21, 2018 .

January 24 – Personal Care Options.
Most of us have heard about CCAC (Community Care Access Centre), mainly on the difficulty of accessing sufficient care hours. There are several streamlining and cost-saving initiatives underway at CCAC. Come and hear the latest, and of the many types of personal care options available. Learn and compare, before you need it. Churchill Seniors Centre (345 Richmond Rd.) on Wednesday January 24 from 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. Free. For more information, please call 613-798-8927 .

January 26 – Block Party.
Something great for creative kids age 6-12 is happening at the Carlingwood branch of the Ottawa Public Library! “Building Boom,” show off your architectural creativity with Lego! Fridays at 4 p.m. starting from January 26, 2018 – March 23, 2018. For information or to register go to https://biblioottawalibrary.ca .

January 26 –– Night of Worship and Ministry.
Join us as we gather at St Mary’s Church (100 Young St.) from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. for the Night of Worship and Ministry. The speaker will be Fr. Robert Arsenault of the Companions of the Cross. The theme will be “Our Redeemer Lives.” A reception will follow in the lower hall.

January 27 – Westboro Beach Winter Celebration.
The Westboro Beach Community Association welcomes you to our annual winter celebration on Saturday, January 27 from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. It will feature a bonfire and roasting of marshmallows, tobogganing and snow building and colouring. Hot chocolate and cookies will be available. Everything is free but donations are welcome. For more information, please contact westborobeach@gmail.com .

February 7 – Find Your ancestors in church records.
Church records of all denominations can be a treasure trove for genealogists. Gloria Tubman will discuss these valuable records and their place in family history research. Discover the information that is available from the record of a church rite, regardless of location, and learn some further clues to get the most from church records. Taking place at the Carlingwood branch of the Ottawa Public Library on Wednesday February 7, 2018 at 6:30p.m. Registration is required. For information or to register go to https://biblioottawalibrary.ca .

February 16 – PD Day program (games, Lego and crafts)!.
Children age 4-12 are welcome to join us at the Carlingwood branch of the Ottawa Public Library for board games, crafts, and Lego during your PD day! Drop-in. For more information go to https://biblioottawalibrary.ca .

February 23 & 24 – Elmdale Public School BookFest 2018.
BookFest, Elmdale’s iconic annual second-hand book sale, is an opportunity to find a great read while supporting a good cause. With more than 25,000 titles there’s something for everyone, all at very low prices (cash only) complete with raffles and a bake sale. BookFest will take place in Elmdale Public School’s gymnasium (49 Iona St.) on Fri., Feb. 23, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and on Sat., Feb. 24, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Have a box of books you’d like to donate? We’d be glad to come and get them. Email Traceylyn at elmdalebookfest@gmail.com . Like and share us on Facebook!

February 28 – Friends of Churchill Event Series: Take a trip to Bolivia.
Come experience Bolivia through lens and commentary with Erin Courtney, Community Relations Manager, Amica Westboro. Bolivia is home to over 40% if all Earth’s known wildlife.Taking place at the Churchill Seniors Centre (345 Richmond Rd.) from 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. No cost; refreshments will be served. For more information and to indicate attendance, please call 613-798-8927 .

April 10 – Friends of the Farm Master Gardener Lecture.
from 7 to 9p.m. “Gardening with Wildlife” with Rebecca Last. Learn plant and garden design to create a wildlife-friendly garden. FCEF members $12, non-members $15, Bldg 72 CEF Arboretum, east exit off Prince of Wales roundabout. 613-230-3276 http://friendsofthefarm.ca/master-gardener-lectures-2018/ .

April 18 – Friends of the Farm Annual General Meeting. ++++
From 7 to 9 p.m. Public welcome, membership not required. Free event. Guest speaker is Dr. Paul Villeneuve, presenting “Environmental Impacts of the Farm.” Meeting and presentation at K.W. Neatby Bldg with free parking. Registration is required, 613-230-3276 or http://friendsofthefarm.ca/event/annual-general-meeting-2018/ .

April 24 – Friends of the Farm Master Gardener Lecture. ++++
From 7 to 9p.m. “Flowers and Vegetables ” with Judith Cox. Add beauty to your vegetable garden and reap the rewards. FCEF members $12, non-members $15, Bldg 72 CEF Arboretum, east exit off Prince of Wales roundabout. 613-230-3276 or http://friendsofthefarm.ca/master-gardener-lectures-2018/ .

May 8 Friends of the Farm Master Gardener Lecture. ++++
From 7 to 9p.m. “Unusual Edibles” with Esther Bryan. Come and learn about all sorts of weird and wonderful edibles. FCEF members $12, non-members $15, Bldg 72 CEF Arboretum, east exit off Prince of Wales roundabout. 613-230-3276 or http://friendsofthefarm.ca/master-gardener-lectures-2018/ .

May 22 – Friends of the Farm Master Gardener Lecture. ++++
From 7 to 9p.m. “A Garden for the Bees” with Julianne Labreche. Learn how to attract bees and why they are necessary for pollination. FCEF members $12, non-members $15, Bldg 72 CEF Arboretum, east exit off Prince of Wales roundabout. 613-230-3276 or http://friendsofthefarm.ca/master-gardener-lectures-2018/ .

Westboro Legion’s Bingo and Leagues.
Bingo every Wednesday night at the Westboro Legion. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. for Café 480 and games begin at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Join us with your friends, or come and meet new friends. Funds raised are donated back to community organizations. We also have bid euchre, darts, pool and sandbag leagues on a weekly basis. For more information visit http://www.rcl480.com or call 613-725-2778 .

Westboro Legion’s Saturday Pool.
Free Pool from noon to closing upstairs at the Westboro Legion. Everyone is welcome. For more information visit http://www.rcl480.com or call 613-725-2778 .

Toastmasters.
Learn confidence and hone your leadership skills. Above and Beyond Toastmasters will help you get there. We meet every Monday at 7 p.m. except holidays at the Civic campus of The Ottawa Hospital in the Bickell Room on the main floor (across from Tim Hortons). Our next guest night is January 22. Everyone is welcome. For more information, please see abottawa.toastmastersclubs.org or contact toastmasters.iwona.bm@gmail.com .

Churchill Seniors Centre.
Drop- in bridge and mahjong at the Churchill Seniors Centre (345 Richmond Rd.) every Wednesday from noon to 3 p.m. Come and play. No partner required in either of these games Cost: $1.75. For more information, please call 613-798-8927 .

Drop-in Ukulele,
at the Churchill Seniors Centre on the last Wednesday of the month from
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Bring your own ukulele. This is a beginner drop-in but all players welcome! Cost: $1.75 .

The OWCS Grocery Bus. ++++
For Seniors in Hintonburg, Carlington and Westboro who need assistance with grocery shopping. For only $6 Ottawa West Community Support (OWCS) provides door to door transportation and help with bagging and carrying of purchases. Each Tuesday and Wednesday, the bus departs OWCS at 9am, picks up seniors from their homes and takes them shopping at local supermarkets. For more information about the Grocery Bus and other OWCS programs, please contact the office at 613-728-6016 ( and look for their September 1st article here in Newswest On-line ).

Ottawa Tool Library – Shop Night. ++++
Every first Wednesday of the month from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. come book our benches to grind away at your projects with tools from our library. Book on line at http://www.ottawatoollibrary.com and then come to your bench for the might in Makerspace North, 250 City Centre Avenue, Bay 216 (upper level). Just $5 for members and free for members 55 or older, with lots of parking.

Ottawa Tool Library – Community and Demo night. ++++
Connect and chat with other makers around Ottawa at our tool library. Learn and observe with live demonstrations starting at 6 p.m. on topics such as Bikes, Gardening, Carpentry, Painting, Canning, Wiring etc. We are a volunteer-run nonprofit providing endless opportunities to create, garden and cook. Located in Makerspace north, 250 City Centre Avenue in Bay 216 (upper level), we are open Mondays 6 to 9 p.m., Wednesdays 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Find us on Twitter and Facebook, @yowtoollibrary.

Bytown Swing. ++++
Come dance Lindy Hop and West Coast Swing with us on Saturday nights in Ottawa. Grab a pair of indoor shoes and get ready to hit the dance floor. Non-profit, holds a dance every Saturday at Studio X, 122-250 City Center Avenue ( 3 minute walk from the Bayview Transitway stop ). Parking available. Beginner lessons start at 8:15 p.m., DJ’d social dancing starts at 9:00 p.m. Cost is just $7 cash at the door and $5 for students and seniors.
Starting in 2017 there will be no more bi-weekly dances: we’re moving to one-off Lindy Hop events like bar nights, pop-up dances, and special live band events. The Westie Underground will be hosting bi-weekly WCS dances under a new name. Stay tuned for future announcements on dates and details! See http://bytownswing.com or https://www.facebook.com/bytownswing/ .

Friends of the Farm’s new book ‘Blooms’ ++++
Is about the Ornamental Gardens at Ottawa’s Central Experimental Farm A wonderful gift for anyone who loves gardens and flowers, as well as a treat for those interested in Canadian history. Friends of the Farm has several books now available for purchase highlighting Ottawa’s Farm, Ornamental Gardens, and Arboretum at the Central Experimental Farm. By local authors, they are for anyone who loves gardens and flowers, as well as a treat for those interested in Canadian horticultural history. Available at http://friendsofthefarm.ca/ and local bookstores.

Your Community Associations.
For up-to-date news on your neighbourhood, stay in touch with your community association. Information about events, traffic changes, development, neighbourhood clubs, volunteer opportunities and board meetings is available from the following Community Association websites.

Champlain Park Community Association
champlainpark.org

Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Association
Chnaottawa.ca

Friends of Churchill Seniors Centre
friendsofchurchill.com

Hintonburg Community Association
hintonburg.com

Hampton-Iona Community Group
hamptoniona.wordpress.com

Island Park Community Association
islandpark.wordpress.com

McKellar Park Community Association
mckellarparkcommunity.wordpress.com

Mechanicsville Community Association
facebook.com/MechanicsvilleCA

Wellington Village Community Association
wvca.ca

Westboro Beach Community Association
westborobeach.ca

Westboro Community Association
lovewestboro.wordpress.com

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Late Additions:

January 17-27 – One-woman show.
Can a woman pilot a fighter plane . . . and motherhood? Alexis Scott stars in the searing one-woman show GROUNDED, offered by Bear & Co. at The Gladstone Theatre. This is war made personal. http://www.thegladstone.ca, 910 Gladstone Ave., 613-233-4523 . Discount on 8 or more tickets booked together (See the January 18th issue article “Compelling Theatre, Close to Home;” for details )