Kitchissippi Times November 2025

KITCHISSIPPI TIMES

Parkdale Collective: Hintonburg’s New Curated Rental Living by Richcraft

In the ever-evolving pulse of central Ottawa, something bold, fresh and creative is emerging. Parkdale Collective is more than a place to live, it’s a lifestyle destination for those who crave connection, style and substance. Nestled at 159 Parkdale Avenue in the heart of Hintonburg, one of the city’s most eclectic, walkable neighbourhoods, this new rental community truly elevates modern urban living.

Forget cookie-cutter spaces. At Parkdale

Collective, every detail has been curated to speak to the city-dweller with a creative soul. From the sculptural lobby to the rooftop pool deck, architecture meets artistry, and residents get more than just four walls and a key.

Inside, the suites span from thoughtfully planned one-bedroom layouts (with or without a den) to generous two-bedroomplus-den residences. Open-concept designs ensure a seamless flow between

Forget cookie-cutter spaces. At Parkdale Collective, every detail has been curated to speak to the city-dweller with a creative soul.

side hustle or stealing a quiet moment under the evening sky, you’ll find the perfect spot to do it all, right at home.

From top to bottom, art and culture flow through the shared spaces. Creative installations by Ottawa’s emerging artists bring bursts of colour and storytelling into your routine, while building-wide gatherings showcase Hintonburg’s finest: flowerarranging workshops, small-batch coffee tastings, immersive pop-ups and more. If it’s local, vibrant and full of good energy, it belongs at Parkdale Collective.

living, cooking and entertaining zones, while lofty ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows flood each home with natural light. Underfoot, luxury vinyl plank flooring leads to sleek kitchens outfitted with quartz countertops and top-of-the-line appliances; every suite even includes in-unit laundry for maximum convenience.

Beyond your front door, Parkdale Collective delivers an amenity experience so extensive there’s no need for outside memberships. Power through a workout in the fully equipped fitness centre or find your flow in the dedicated yoga studio. Culinary aficionados will appreciate the chef’s kitchen and adjoining dining lounge, ideal for cozy dinners or larger celebrations. Social spaces like the coworking lounge, bar and rooftop pool naturally invite conversation and collaboration. Practical perks, from ski lockers and bike storage with repair stations to a dogwash station and secure underground parking, ensure both two- and four-legged residents are well cared for. Whether you’re hosting a weekend hangout, brainstorming a

Step outside and you’re already at the centre of it all. With Parkdale Market just around the corner, coffee shops on every block and direct access to the LRT, this is one of Ottawa’s most sought-after addresses. Local favourites are within easy stroll. Picture yourself biking along Wellington, catching a show at the Great Canadian Theatre Company or grabbing late-night ramen. Every corner of the city is yours to claim.

Parkdale Collective isn’t just a name, it’s a nod to the people who live, create and thrive here. It’s for the artists, the entrepreneurs, the remote workers, the first-time renters and everyone in between who’s looking for a home that perfectly matches their energy. Suites are now leasing and going fast. Whether you’re new to Ottawa or simply craving a residence that feels both personal and progressive, Parkdale Collective is ready for you.

Follow along @parkdalecollective or visit parkdalecollective.com to book your tour today!

KITCHISSIPPI TIMES

The beauty in every season

BY CHARLIE SENACK

The smell of fresh, crisp air wafts through Ottawa as the final leaves fall off the trees and the final signs of colour make their last appearance before the dawn of winter.

Storefronts on Richmond Road in Westboro and along Wellington Street West are filled with warmer clothing: coats, touques, mittens and scarves. The Parkdale pool has closed for the season, and the rink boards are up at Fisher Park.

In many ways, it feels almost surreal that we are already here. Where did the sunshine and warm days of summer go? It’s already

been five months since the newly renovated Westboro Beach opened — yet it feels more like five weeks ago.

Luckily, this fall, we’ve been blessed with above-seasonal weather. While predictions are for a very snowy winter, I still hope for slightly warmer temperatures.

For many, this time of year is hard. The days get shorter and darker, people spend more time indoors, and winter can often feel long.

But there is beauty in every season. As my fiancé reminds me, more snow means more plant drainage next spring. And we can’t forget about all the beautiful Christmas lights that will soon deck out homes and businesses.

If you haven’t already, sign up for the Kitchissippi Times newsletter to deliver the latest headlines straight to your inbox. And regularly visit Kitchissippi.com to find out what’s happening in your community. If you like the stories you read in this paper, consider scanning the QR code and donating.

Community news is a tricky business, but thanks to your support, we can ensure it remains strong in urban Ottawa for years.

Visit Kitchissippi.com to show your support . Or scan the QR code to make it even easier.

KITCHISSIPPI TIMES

Great River Media Inc PO Box 91585

Ottawa ON K1W 1K0

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

STORY IDEA? editor@kitchissippi.com twitter.com/kitchissippi

EDITOR

Charlie Senack charlie@kitchissippi.com twitter.com/charlie_senack

CONTRIBUTORS

David Cummings, Keito Newman, Dave Allston, and Anita Grace.

PROOFREADERS

Susan Rothery

ADVERTISING SALES

Jennifer Tackaberry 613-696-9482 jennifer@kitchissippi.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Tanya Connolly-Holmes creative@greatriver.ca

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Celine Paquette celine@greatriver.ca

FINANCE

Cheryl Schunk, 613-696-9490 cheryl@greatriver.ca

All other enquiries 613-696-9494 info@kitchissippi.com

DISTRIBUTION

A minimum of 16,000 copies are distributed throughout the Kitchissippi area, from the Ottawa River to Carling Avenue, spanning the Britannia and Preston Street communities. Most residents in this area receive the Kitchissippi Times delivered directly to their door. Copies are also available at the Dovercourt Recreation Centre, Hintonburg Community Centre, Produce Depot and dozens of other convenient pickup locations. If you would like to become a distribution point, please contact us.

DISTRIBUTOR Comet 2000

info@kitchissippi.com

The Kitchissippi Times is published by

FOUNDER PUBLISHER Mark Sutcliffe Michael Curran

This

This

AROUND TOWN

Concerts and christmas markets Events happening throughout Ottawa in November

BY CHARLIE SENACK

It is hard to believe it is already November!

While that means the snow will soon fall, it also brings the return of the holiday season. And with so many activities happening throughout the city this month, there is no excuse to stay indoors.

METCALFE CHRISTMAS MARKET

NOV 8 Greely Community Centre, 1448 Meadow Dr

All of the vendors are local, and make, create, bake or grow all of their products. You will also find hot prepared food Find out more: metcalfefm.com

BABETTE’S FEAST

NOV 6-15 Gladstone Theatre, 910 Gladstone Ave

This 2018 adaptation conceived and developed by Abigail Killeen and written by Rose Courtney reimagines the classic tale by Isak Dinesen (born Karen Blixen) as a rich theatrical event: deep, funny, sensual, dangerous and beautiful. It brings us into the cloistered 19th-century world of two loving, devout Lutheran sisters and tells us how they and their fractured community reluctantly, then completely, embrace Babette, a mysterious French refugee. Tickets start at $26 for students, $38 for those over 65, and $42 for everyone else. Find out more: thegladstone.ca/ shows/babettes-feast/

SKATEPARK - METTE INGVARTSEN

NOV 6-8

National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin St

The theatre stage is transformed into a skatepark, a multifaceted setting where freedom expresses itself through tricks of the parkour, choreographic flow, and countercultural high jinks. In this ode to the nostalgia of her youth, Danish choreographer Mette Ingvartsen explores the speed, power, and energy of movement on wheels, and the music celebrating skater culture’s inclusivity. Find out more: nac-cna.ca

OTTAWA GATINEAU TATTOO EXPO

NOV 7-9

Hilton Lac-Leamy, 3 Casino Blvd International artists, onsite tattooing, live bands and more. This is your chance to have a unique tattoo experience. Find out more: ottawatattooexpo.ca

SOUND OF REMEMBRANCE

NOV 8 Canadian War Museum, 1 Vimy Place

The Sound of Remembrance is an annual musical tribute held at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, dedicated to honouring Canada’s veterans, first responders, and their families. Featuring performances by celebrated artists, military choirs, and guest speakers, the event fosters healing, unity, and national recognition for those who serve. Proceeds go to organizations like Soldier On. Tickets start at $81. Find out more: soundofremembrance.com

NATIONAL CAPITAL ANTIQUES ART & DESIGN FAIR

NOV 8-9

Hellenic Event Centre, 1315 Prince of Wales Dr

This curated event brings together a select group of dealers showcasing exceptional examples of 18th- to 21stcentury furniture, art, and design. Find out more: nationalcapitalantiquesartdesignfair.com

KANATA ART CLUB CHRISTMAS $200 AND UNDER SALE

NOV 8-9

March Central Community Centre, 630 Cameron Harvey Dr Beautiful, unique and affordable gifts created by Ottawa residents. The art work for this sale represents many genres, styles and subjects. It includes only original works in watercolour, oil, acrylic, mixed media, coloured pencil and graphite and beyond. Find out more: kanataartclub.com

BRASSICA’S CIDER APPRECIATION NIGHT

NOV 10 5:00 p.m.

309 Richmond Rd

There will be local, organic Ottawa Valley Ciders, paired with a Late Fall-inspired menu. Think rich flavours, stick to your ribs kind of menu. Get ready to taste some ciders from Farmgate Cidery, Collective Arts, and more! Find out more: westborovillage.com

TURN OF THE SCREW

NOV until15

Ottawa Little Theatre, 400 King Edward Ave

Years ago, a young governess was hired to care for two orphaned children in a picturesque country house. But as the children and the governess begin to see unsettling and captivating apparitions of the former footman and governess, the idyllic setting turns dark. Determined to prove her worth, the governess risks everything to protect her charges. However, her terrifying past may be catching up with her, threatening everything she holds dear. Find out more: ottawalittletheatre.com

OTTAWA OUTDOOR FILM FESTIVAL

NOV 15

ByTowne Cinema, 325 Rideau St

Celebrate adventure, conservation, and diversity at the first Ottawa Outdoor Film Festival. This one-night event showcases powerful Canadian short films that explore the country’s wild spaces and stories. Find out more: cpaws-ov-vo.org/ottawa-outdoorfilm-festival-2025/

NOSTALGIC MARKET

NOV 15 The Warehouse, 28 Booth St

Who does not want to think back to some lighter memories from the past? And isn't art a perfect way to do it? This event from Urban Art Collective will not disappoint. Find out more: urbanartcollective.ca/pages/urbanmarkets

ROBERT PLANTE HOLIDAY

4228 Navan Rd

Celebrate the season at this festive market featuring more than 200 local vendors and artisans. Discover unique gifts, seasonal décor, and tasty treats while enjoying the lively holiday atmosphere. Find out more: robertplantegreenhouses.com/

HANGGAI

NOV 16 7:30 p.m.

Bronson Centre, 211 Bronson Ave

Experience the electrifying sound of one of the most acclaimed bands from China’s indie and world music scene. Blending Mongolian throat singing, horsehead fiddle, and timeless grassland ballads with the raw energy of rock, Hanggai creates a powerful musical journey that bridges tradition and modernity. Tickets range from $67-$101. Find out more: bronsoncentremusictheatre.com/events/ event/hanggai/

ST. PAT'S ARTISAN & CRAFT SHOW

NOV 22

10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

St. Patrick's High School, 2525 Alta Vista Dr

Exhibition/sale with more than 125 local artisans. Shop for items such as jewellery, baby items, candles, photographs, paintings, books, and more. Admission is $2.

HELP SANTA TOY PARADE

NOV 22 Downtown Ottawa 11:00 a.m.

Come see Santa Claus and friends at this popular parade! If you can, bring a gift or donation for the Salvation Army's Toy Mountain, to help those in need.

ADAAWE INDIGENOUS HOLIDAY MARKET

NOV 22

LES BELLES SOEURS

NOV 21-29

Gladstone Theatre, 910 Gladstone Ave

Written in 1965, Les Belles Soeurs portrays 15 Québécois women expressing their anger, desperation and frustration loudly, rudely and audaciously. Germaine Lauzon has won a million stamps in a contest. She invites her family and neighbours into her kitchen to help paste them into booklets. Fighting for any power in their suffocating lives, the women yell, backstab, dream and steal in grand theatrical style. The play will be performed in English. Tickets are $24 for students, $27 for those over 65, and $30 for adults. Find out more: thegladstone.ca/shows/ les-belles-soeurs/

MONTHLY DRAG BRUNCH

NOV 24

Vanitea Room, 551 Somerset St W

Darling, are you searching for a drag brunch unlike any other? Are you craving an afternoon of glittering, prosesso/Orange Mimosa-fueled, unadulterated drag fabulousness? Then maybe this event is for you. Find out more: thevanitearoomteasalon.com/

100:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

ADAAWE Indigenous Business Hub, 338 Somerset Street W Discover unique products and gifts from over 20 local Indigenous vendors, perfect for your holiday shopping. Warm up with complimentary bannock and tea, traditional favorites that will get you in the holiday spirit.

OTTAWA CHRISTMAS MARKET

NOV 21-23

Aberdeen Plaza at Lansdowne, Marché Way

Get into the holiday spirit at Ottawa’s European-style Christmas market—the perfect place for great food, warm drinks, traditional kiosks and a festive atmosphere! Find out more: ottawachristmasmarket.com

BIG STUFF

NOV 25 Great Canadian Theatre Company, 1233 Wellington St. W

Married comedy duo Matt Baram and Naomi Snieckus invite you to join them as they explore some Big Stuff. Using their unique style of humour, shaped by their time at The Second City and in comedy clubs around the world, Baram and Snieckus debate the sentimental power of objects.

She wants to keep everything. He wants to throw it all away! Is she a pack rat? Is he a monster? This hilarious and highly addictive couple wants you to decide. Tickets are between $15 and $42. Find out more: www.gctc.ca/2526-season DEC 7 to

NOVEMBER UPDATES

FALL 2 SWIM LESSONS

Register now for group, small group, and private lessons. The session runs Nov. 3 – Dec. 21.

REC SWIMS

Our warm pool is a great place to be when the weather gets cold. Book your drop-in swims online up to 7 days in advance at  www.dovercourt.org.

FIT PASS

Enjoy exclusive access to 52+ weekly group fit, spin and aquafit classes, the Fitness Centre, pickleball and access to drop-in swims with your monthly Fit Pass.

PD DAYS & DATE NIGHTS

PD day programs offer a full day of activities with caring, energetic leaders. Book now for Nov. 7, Nov. 24, Nov. 28 and Dec. 5. And leave the kids with us for date nights: Fri. Nov. 28, 6-9pm (#29003).

NOVEMBER WORKSHOPS

Check out this month’s menu of single-session workshops including Book Club, Games Club, Beginner Jazz dance, art workshops, robotics, playgroup, basketball, bullet journalling, and baking maple-glazed apple blondies (yum).

REGISTRATIONS

• Register now for single day Winter Holiday Camps. Week 1: Dec. 22, 23, 24; week 2: Dec. 29, 30, 31 & Jan. 2

• Winter recreation registration begins Tue. Nov. 18

• Winter fitness and swim registration begins Tue. Dec. 2.

Carlington’s Alexander Community Centre gets $8 million expansion

BY CHARLIE SENACK

The Alexander Community Centre in Carlington is getting a facelift.

A new gymnasium, three times the size of the current one at 960 Silver St, will be constructed as part of the $200 million Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund. It will be 6,243 square feet and be used for pickleball, volleyball, and other sports.

Ontario’s Minister of Sport, Neil Lumsden, was in Ottawa on October 6

to make the $8 million announcement alongside Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and area Councillor Riley Brockington.

“This is about more than just bricks and mortar and building. This is about creating opportunities for young people to develop new skills, friendships, leadership opportunities and where seniors can stay active and connected. A place where families can come together in the heart of their community,” said Lumsden.

The existing gym will be converted

Army vet Mike George runs his olive oil business with military precision

BY MARISSA GALKO

In the summer of 2016, Mike George took time off from his job in the military to visit family in Italy. On the last day of his trip, his uncle gave him some local olive oil to try and asked a question that would stick in George’s mind: “Do you think Canadians would like real olive oil?”

The simple question “really lit something inside me,” George said. So much so that, even with no experience in the food industry or in business, he started drafting pricing schemes and identifying competitors in the olive oil business as he made his way home to Ottawa.

“I don’t know why, but it became an obsession,” George said of the concept that would later become Aurelius Fine Oils & Balsamic Vinegars. “But I was still fullyoperational military and gone six months out of the year.”

Over the next two years, George spent any free time building his business, including networking and meeting with chefs from well-known Ottawa eateries such as Riviera Ottawa, e18hteen and North & Navy.

“I always build a relationship with the chefs, not the owners,” he said. “The chefs are the ones who fight to get my product in there. Plus, if they open another restaurant, they’ll just bring it over.”

into a new community space for cultural, recreational, and fitness activities.

“This facility is 60 years old, and it's never been renovated or expanded. That 60-year journey started with Second World War veterans and then the addition of Central Park. About 20,000 people now call this their home community centre,” said Brockington.

“We think that annually this will attract 100,000 people to this centre.

Brockington added that people are currently driving out of the Carlington

He continued building his business and working full-time in the Canadian Armed Forces, but at one point he realized things had to change.

“I was told I would have to go to Iraq to backfill a person who got injured. But it was Christmastime and I had a dinner at e18hteen planned where they were going to showcase our oils, from the appetizer to the dessert. It was a big, fun event and I

and Central Park communities to other recreation centres. He hopes that with the expansion, it will become a place people from other neighbourhoods want to visit.

Sutcliffe said the city plans to increase access to after-school programming and seasonal activities at the site.

The new building will also include upgraded washrooms and improved IT infrastructure.

“I am excited to see the impact this project will have for years to come,” he said.

thought, ‘Crap, this is ruining my oil plans.’ That’s when I knew my focus shifted,” George said.

Once George returned in January 2018, he put in his release and left the military that June. By September, he’d opened Aurelius Fine Oils & Balsamic Vinegars on Wellington Street West.

At Aurelius, customers can taste products from the store’s two categories: exclusive small-batch products and a general line of flavoured oils and vinegars.

The small-batch olive oils are his most expensive products but this year, Aurelius’s revenue is up 20 per cent year over year and, in April, George acquired The Unrefined Olive, an Ottawa-based olive oil competitor. The acquisition boosted his store count to three, with the other two locations on Second Avenue and Terry Fox Drive.

In addition to a standing discount for members of the Canadian Armed Forces, Aurelius will be donating a percentage of each sale made from Nov. 1 to Nov. 11 to veteran non-profits and charities.

Ruby Urloker’s story follows Lucy, a young woman with schizophrenia whose obsession with a man deepens her delusions. It is based on her own lived experiences.

Ottawa becomes the scene of crime in new anthology

BY CHARLIE SENACK

Many local mystery authors have been quoted as saying Ottawa is a great city to plan a murder. There are various small towns and villages full of quirky characters, rivers and waterways where bodies can be hidden, and countless neighbourhoods to keep the settings new and different.

A new anthology is putting Ottawa’s mystery writers — and the city itself — in the spotlight. A Capital Mystery, released this fall by Ottawa Press and Publishing, gathers 21 stories by local authors who have turned the nation’s capital into a stage for crime, suspense, and surprise.

Mike Martin, who is co-editor of the book, has been writing local mystery

novels for the last 20 years. He said the idea to compile various short stories has been in the back of his mind for years, but he finally had the energy to move it forward.

“We had probably 40 submissions, and we only targeted people who were members of Crime Murders of Canada or Capital Crime Murders,” Martin told KT. “It is pretty cool when you see the whole collection because it stretches from Orleans to Stittsville. It goes down to Greely, Manotick, and every little neighbourhood in Ottawa, from Westboro to Bell's Corners and Rockcliffe Park. People from Ottawa are really going to enjoy this collection because they might see their neighbourhood included.”

be up to a young boy to put an end to the reign of terror. And on the topic of terror, in another story a downtown restaurant is plagued by threats from a poison pen. The proprietor, the chef and a former vice cop turned major domo try to fend off disaster while cooking up a side order of romance.

What makes this book unique, Martin says, is that it includes a mix of known local mystery authors and bright new talent.

Ruby Urloker’s story follows Lucy, a young woman with schizophrenia whose obsession with a man deepens her delusions. Love both captivates and destroys her, pulling her toward danger. As her fixation grows, her grip on reality slips — until it drives her to a tragic, irreversible act. In the end, Lucy realizes she cannot separate her identity from her desperate need for love, even though it’s the source of her downfall.

The story draws on personal experiences Urloker faced while being treated for schizophrenia at the Royal Ottawa Hospital. She said many of the thoughts and sensations Lucy faces through the course of the series mirrored her own.

The short stories each have their own flavour and charm. One of Martin’s favourites is based around the old Ogilvy's department store which was located on Rideau Street. It centres on the heir to the company's fortunes and two women who end up in competition until something bad happens to one of them.

In another story, an unknown assailant is terrorizing the quiet suburban neighbourhood of Riverside South. It will

“I hope readers get a view of what it's like to have delusions and to suffer from a psychotic illness. What I wanted to really show is what it's like to be delusional where you don't realize it when it's happening,” said Urloker. “There’s no difference between me being psychotic or me being in a normal state of mind. And so I think that the connotations behind that can be really scary because you can look back on all these very foolish decisions you've made when you were delusional and you don't know where you were at that time or what went wrong. I'm also hoping that people can get more of a compassionate view of what it's like to have a mental illness.”

Urloker is new to the crime fiction world, but has been writing poetry and short stories since she was 13. The mental health advocate came

upon the opportunity to be part of A Capital Mystery thanks to her dad and his twin brother who were planning to submit short stories of their own.

Looking ahead to the future, Urloker said she is now penning a memoir about her mental health struggles to look back at her own triumphs and hopefully encourage others.

“I'm recovering more than I ever have before. I wanted to write a statement of what I've been through and all the tough chapters of my life and how I've come out of it victorious,” she said.

Anna Di Meglio, whose short story is titled “The Key is in the Buttons,” said her inspiration was drawn from a

I hope readers get a view of what it's like to have delusions and to suffer from a psychotic illness. — RUBY URLOKER

curiosity about the people’s lives she passes in the grocery store, doctor’s office, or coffee shop.

Its premise is based upon mystery writer Terra Ramblings who is pulled

into a “real-life whodunit” when visiting her quirky, Star Wars-obsessed chiropractor for a quick neck fix. But when a tearful woman, a cryptic cat collar, and an unsolved murder collide

just down the street, Terra’s writer’s block takes a backseat to something far more intriguing.

The story is primarily set in Orleans and draws upon events from Di Meglio’s real life.

“My husband had a painful neck and I kept thinking he should probably go see the chiropractor, who is quite funny and a Star Wars fan. So I incorporated that into the story,” she said. “It just all fit together. I wrote it in two weeks and was very thrilled to hear it was accepted. Now I am continuing to write my own cozy full-length mystery novel.”

A Capital Mystery can be purchased on ottawapressandpublishing.com.

Community officials were on hand for the opening of the newly revitalized Hintonburg Public House on Oct. 2. ALL PHOTOS BY KEITO NEWMAN.

But the revitalization of the former pumphouse could never have happened without a real injection of funds from City Council. Since November 2023, the city has invested $2.2 million in stabilizing the ruins, transforming the site into an accessible public space.

“I think it’s a great investment in the community and in public space, in recreation,” Sutcliffe said.

But creating public recreation space doesn’t pay the same obvious dividends as a neighbourhood redevelopment like in Tunney’s Pasture or the extension of the O-Train line. So, what makes an investment like this worthwhile for the city?

“We’re going to have way more people living in the downtown core, ideally,” King said. “And if that’s the case, we will need green spaces.”

According to Councillor Jeff Leiper, the addition of accessible public and historical spaces like this in his Kitchissippi ward makes sense, especially in the context of a rapidly growing neighbourhood. One clear example of this trend is in Tunney’s Pasture, which is aiming to welcome 7,000 to 9,000 residential units as the federal campus transforms into an urbanized neighbourhood, according to the city’s recent plans.

A look at the revitalized Hintonburg Pumphouse

BY DAVID CUMMINGS

Once a neglected ruin, the revitalization of the former Hintonburg Pumphouse and its surrounding area has transformed the historical site into a usable public recreation space with a unique view of Ottawa’s waterfront.

The polished and tidy public space opened to the public on Oct. 2 is a far cry from how the structure stood for nearly four decades. Since it was nearly razed by a fire in May 1987, the Hintonburg Pumping House was long left alone to brave the

elements on the road to Lemieux Island.

Until now, the site was little more than a graffitied pile of rubble behind a fence lined with barbed wire. It was an unwelcoming look for a landmark that once stood as an essential piece of history, playing a part in Hintonburg’s annexation into the nation’s capital city.

But starting in November 2023, the City of Ottawa finally decided to begin a project to refurbish the site.

“You used to come by here and see something that was falling apart and that had been neglected for 30 years,” Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said. “And now you’re

coming by here and seeing something that’s been taken care of and invested in and been improved.”

“Now it’s this beautiful public space that everybody can use.”

Reviving public access to the space also provides a new opportunity for locals to learn about a key part of Ottawa’s past.

“It also emphasizes our cultural history,” said City Councillor and Built Heritage Committee Chair Rawlson King. “It’s important that we preserve that because without knowing our past, we really can’t effectively, by estimation, build a real future.”

“The neighbourhoods are intensifying, and public spaces are critical, essentially as those new neighbours’ backyards,” Leiper said. “Apartment dwellers don’t have a backyard.”

Leiper – who’s eyeing a campaign for mayor next fall – said he thinks the city should do more in the way of providing public spaces like the Hintonburg Pumphouse.

“The public realm becomes more and more important in an intensifying city,” Leiper said. “Investing in spaces like these is critical.

“I don’t think we do it enough.”

The Hintonburg Pumphouse’s grand reopening marks the start of a recreation space that will be freely available to locals and visitors for years to come. That’s not to mention its unique waterfront location that lends the space a clear view of both the William Commanda Bridge and Parliament Hill.

“I just think it really opens up the space to the public,” King said. “So, something that had many decades of being derelict is brought back to life.”

Gift giving in Westboro Village

For someone who’s a little bookish

You know the person. They are wishing they could curl up with a book half-way through the workday ready to escape back into their fantastical, fictional world. Westboro Books carries new releases, chart-topping novels, and everything in between. There’s something for book lovers of all ages including accessories and gift items. Or, wrap up a gift card and give them an excuse to go book shopping.

For the at-home chef and foodie

They’ve probably already picked out their next recipe to try, or get excited about a new kitchen gadget to use. Step into Kitchenalia for a chef’s dream and find the perfect apron, knife, seasonings, or bakeware like this Everyday Pan from Le Creuset in Artichoke

Create a foodie forward basket of bites off the pantry shelf at The Piggy Market. Look for locally roasted coffee, pickled vegetables like these locally made Top Shelf Preserves Carrots, and Ontario-made mustards.

For the entrepreneur

They are building their business and filling their calendar with meetings, appointments and emails. Help them stay organized with a planner or notebook at The Village Quire with a unique design like this Shakespeare inspired 12-month agenda. Add a pen, or two, or six, to finish the gift.

At Fjällräven, a useful and stylish laptop bag will help them when on-the-go catching the O-Train, biking to work, or travelling. This backpack style comes in over a dozen colours.

For the pet parent

You want to spoil an amazing person in your life, and their pet as well. We don’t blame you. Check out Masters N Dogs for gifts to delight fur-friends and their owners. A wide variety of food and treats are available, as well as toys and needed items like Canadian-made leashes. A seasonal design would be fitting.

For the jewellery lover

Silver and gold decorations on anybody makes the season bright. The fashion icon and jewellery lover in your life needs a statement piece like this black onyx mood necklace at Bluboho. Lean into the season with a sterling-silver snowflake necklace from Magpie Jewellery

The festive season shines extra bright in Westboro Village, especially for gift givers looking for the perfect, thoughtful item for a loved one. We’ve put together this Westboro Village shopping guide to help you fulfill the wishes of everyone on your list, with the bonus of planning a shopping experience in Westboro Village

For the person who needs more pampering

Simplify a loved one’s self-care routine by insisting they prioritize time for themselves. Pick up a gift card to Westboro Infinity Nails for a manicure or pedicure, or pamper them with a UH Head Spa & Body Massage experience so they can melt away stress before or after the busy holiday season.

For the little ones dreaming of sugar plums

When looking for a gift for the littlest ones in your life, turn to Kazka Toys to find a unique, won’t-find-in-a-big-box-store option; the whimsy of Maileg toys, the Micro Scooter and accessories, and wooden playtoys. And yes, there are Jellycats, like Ricky Rain Frog, a gift that has no age limit.

For the one with the sweet tooth ‘Tis the season of sweets so why not give something indulgent. Wrap up cookies or cupcakes from Batter Up Bakery, Macarons of the season at Quelque Chose, or a pan of squares like this brownie tin by Strawberry Blonde Bakery, a nut-free, vegan, kosher, gluten free bakery.

For the memory maker

Not everything needs to come in packages, boxes or bags. Gift an experience that creates memories to last a lifetime. Gift cards are available at Flight Centre, or get tickets to an upcoming Broadway Across Canada Show like Clue or Mamma Mia!

For the elegant host

The host in your life is ready to open their door to their holiday party with a welcome beverage and plated canapes. Set them up with barware and cordials at Split Tree Cocktail Co. like a pair of old fashioned or coupe glasses with intricate etching and designs paired with their orange slices

Every wishlist can be fulfilled at Westboro Village. Enjoy a shopping trip for yourself, cross off your holiday to-dos, and share in the generosity of the season.

Royal Ottawa to reopen urgent care clinic next spring

BY CHARLIE SENACK

Nearly 25 years after its emergency department was shuttered by the provincial government, The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre is preparing to open a new urgent care clinic aimed at providing faster, more specialized support for people in crisis.

Set to open in April 2026, the clinic will offer same-day or next-day access to psychiatric assessments, crisis counselling, and guidance through mental health and addiction services. It represents a significant shift in access to care — currently, patients can wait months or even years for a psychiatric evaluation.

Unlike The Royal’s existing services, which require scheduled appointments and referrals, the new clinic will allow individuals aged 16 and older to seek urgent psychiatric care without one.

The plan, unanimously approved by The Royal’s board of directors, has received strong backing from area hospitals, police, and paramedic services, all of whom have long called for more immediate mental health support.

The urgent care clinic will be located at the front of The Royal’s Carling Avenue building. It will initially operate on weekdays during regular business hours, with plans to expand into the evenings as demand grows. The clinic will be staffed by psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, social workers, and other mental health professionals.

“We're just really bringing the Royal into a place where it should have been all along. About 85 per cent of mental health care is provided at the primary care level,” said Cara Vaccarino, president and CEO of The Royal.

“But when family doctors or nurse practitioners in the community need specialized psychiatric consultation, oftentimes they're left holding the bag with nowhere to go. So they put their patients on long wait lists – which is very, very terrible for outcomes,” she added.

“The longer people who are experiencing mental illness or addiction don't get help, the longer they take to get well, have to wait to get well, [and] the harder it is to get them well and keep them well.”

The Royal Ottawa previously had an emergency department that was shut down in 2000 when the Mike Harris-led government did wide-spread restructuring of hospitals. Since then, emergency mental health visits have been dealt with at the Civic or Queensway Carleton Hospitals, but that's been adding to the long wait times in emergency rooms.

Vaccarino, who stepped into her role in early 2024, said she was shocked to learn there was no direct patient care at Ottawa’s

brings care to the streets where people are in need.

Data from Statistics Canada shows that every year, about one in five Canadians experiences a mental health or substance use disorder. In a lifetime, about half of the population will deal with mental illness.

The situation has been getting worse in recent years with the COVID-19 pandemic and social media being identified as primary factors. Generalized anxiety disorder among Canadians over the age of 15 doubled from 2.6 per cent in 2012 to 5.2 per cent in 2022.

While many statistics are not easily available for Ottawa, between 2010 and 2015 there was a 46 per cent increase in emergency department visits at CHEO.

“The data is clear that the ravages of the pandemic really targeted young people in unique and unprecedented ways. Kids that were in university or high school had two or three years wiped out of normal development, and kids ended up too reliant on their iPhones and social media,” said Vaccarino.

“We also saw an increase in problematic drug and alcohol use during the pandemic. The aftermath is being felt in different ways. Mental health is the leading cause of disability in Canada, and it's gotten worse since the pandemic,” she added.

mental hospital. While she does not want to put the blame on people who thought they were making the right decisions, she said the time has never been so urgent to get people access to care.

“I don't think it was a good idea to close the emergency department because I think the gaps in the system only grew bigger and bigger because our local hospitals have gotten more and more busy. There's unprecedented demand for mental health and addiction care. It was a confluence of perfect storms that has led us to a pretty dismal place in terms of our responsibility to people with mental illness and addiction,” said Vaccarino.

But Vaccarino doesn't want to stop there. She understands the Royal is located on Carling Avenue, which can be quite far from the Byward Market, Rideau Street, and Vanier, where many of the social service issues are located. The CEO, who is trained as a social worker, said she would like to see the system work together so it

Other initiatives across Ottawa are also trying to change how mental health services are being provided. The Montfort Hospital created a Mental Health Emergency Zone that feels a lot less like an ER department and more like a safe space. As a result, it has seen double the amount of mental health-related cases than other hospitals.

The Ottawa Police, which has also been seeing an increase in mental health-related calls, now has specially trained officers respond to crisis situations.

Vaccarino said mental health is what the Royal does best and said their team is made up of healthcare providers who have dedicated their life's work in helping people with mental vulnerabilities. She said that while Canadians have become “tolerant” of the crazy wait times to see specialists like psychiatrists, she wants to create a world where access to professionals is immediate.

“I think that is a reasonable expectation. Why can't we challenge the status quo? Those are the sort of bold visions and curiosities our senior leadership team has at the Royal,” she said.

Complete

Hearing

Speech

Written

Better

At Saint Paul University, we embrace students who think critically, act compassionately, and seek a meaningful education.

Our social science programs are designed to address the most urgent human and global challenges — from mental health and social innovation to ecology, communications, and public affairs. We prepare students to engage with complex issues and drive positive change in the world.

I have no doubt that her legacy will live on for years to come because of the groundwork she laid to build a strong community. — SARAH SIMS

Insert: Reverend Anthony Bailey listens to the instructions before he joins the group taking a portrait. ALL PHOTOS BY KEITO NEWMAN.

The group is made up of Hintonburg residents who have made a difference in their community.

Legends of Hintonburg project honours 21 local community builders

BY DAVID CUMMINGS

On the evening of Sept. 29, Hintonburg Park played host to a small crowd bathed in a final gasp of late summer sunshine. It was a select group of former and current community leaders gathered for the Legends of Hintonburg project, a photoshoot looking to capture and honour the neighbourhood’s often unsung heroes.

“It’s been something that we’ve thought about for a long time and to actually see it

happening is incredible,” said Sarah Sims, a community member who organized the event along with her husband, Dave Hartell.

Sims and Hartell first approached just a handful of community builders with their idea to figure out who they should include as a legend of Hintonburg. One was Cheryl Parrot, the first director of the Hintonburg Community Association, which formed in 1991.

“When they came up with this idea, I thought it was just thrilling,” Parrot said.

“Because there were so many people that were pivotal in changing the community.”

Visiting Hintonburg today, there’s little evidence the neighbourhood was once troubled by the same social issues now present in much of Ottawa’s downtown. But the neighbourhood looked much different in the HCA’s early days.

“Just after we formed, drugs and prostitution moved into the community virtually overnight,” Parrot said. “So all of these people here were involved in some of that transformation.”

According to Kitchissippi Ward councillor Jeff Leiper, who moved into the neighbourhood in 1999, Hintonburg found strength in forging a deep connectivity between its civil society, businesses and residents, since all three became “invested in each other’s success.”

“When the challenges of street prostitution and crack houses first really started to present themselves, there was a synergy between these three groups that has continued to this day,” Leiper said.

“That wouldn’t have happened without

a lot of really hard work and a lot of creativity and a lot of generosity on the part of the people who you saw here today.”

The work of Reverend Anthony Bailey, the minister at Parkdale United Church for 25 years, exemplifies this connectivity. His contributions included launching a free weekly meal program alongside the HCA and partnering with the owner of the local Giant Tiger and fellow legend of Hintonburg, John Ferguson, to hand out vouchers so struggling locals could purchase groceries “in dignity.”

want to have their kids in the education system,” Sims said.

Unbeknownst to her fellow Hintonburg community legends at Hintonburg Park, Dozois passed away the same night as the photoshoot in Hintonburg Park.

“Paulette is a shining example of what has made Hintonburg such an amazing community,” Sims said. “People who truly care about their neighbours, who know what’s going on with their neighbours, who are there to help when times are tough.”

“It’s kind of a nexus of care, is what I would call it,” Bailey said. “It is something very, very special here in Hintonburg about how we support each other and how we want to see a vision where everyone belongs and they can find a place of dignity.”

While the photoshoot itself only lasted a few minutes, the legends of Hintonburg stuck around to reconnect in the dimming sunlight. But missing from the group of 21 changemakers was Paulette Dozois, who was battling cancer.

Fortunately, Sims and Hartell arranged a photoshoot in Dozois’ backyard a week in advance to make sure she would be a part of the legends of Hintonburg.

Dozois was a valued community leader who, among other contributions, fought local school closures and was integral in fostering Hintonburg’s art scene, launching ArtsPark. When Hintonburg was struggling to fill its schools decades ago, she led the charge in City Hall to ensure Hintonburg wouldn’t be overlooked in terms of quality schooling.

“Now we’re 20 years later and the schools are bursting at the seams because there’s so many kids that live in the neighbourhood and so many families that

“I have no doubt that her legacy will live on for years to come because of the groundwork she laid to build a strong community.”

While there is not yet an exact plan for how or where this community portrait will be displayed, Sims said she was looking forward to commemorating all 21 community leaders as the legends of Hintonburg.

“I’m just excited that they’ll get to be remembered as being such huge community builders,” Sims said. “Because these are not people who are looking for gratitude, but they sure deserve gratitude.”

With Leiper’s planned campaign for mayor of the City of Ottawa in October 2026, the work of these 21 Hintonburg community builders over the past decades has a chance to spread city-wide.

“There is a special sauce in this neighbourhood that I think can be replicated in neighbourhoods right across Ottawa,” Leiper said.

“I worry that the city right now is becoming very focused on the individual, very focused on your backyard and I think people know that it could be more fulfilling to live in Ottawa,” Leiper continued. “I want to talk to them about some of what we’ve done here in Hintonburg that could be applied to the Broader City.”

Just after we formed, drugs and prostitution moved into the community virtually overnight.

— CHERYL PARROT

Two Level Professional Office Space

Remembering Cloutier’s Gift Shop A Wellington West Landmark for Nearly 50 Years

BY DAVE ALLSTON

An unforgettable part of the Wellington Street West streetscape for nearly 50 years, Cloutier’s Gift Shop lives on strong in the memories of longtime residents.

The story of Cloutier’s begins way back in 1932, when Armand Cloutier was a 32-year old automobile mechanic living at home in a small six room tenement above the original LCBO at 1008 Wellington Street. His widowed father Napoleon paid $35 a month rent, but Armand had dreams beyond fixing cars.

Listed throughout that spring was a small storefront for rent just up the street at 1248 Wellington, a little west of Holland. Advertised simply as “heated, clean”, with a lease cost of $32 per month, the modest unit in the new building adjacent to a Dominion grocery store must have appealed to Armand. He decided to open a shop selling books, stationery and candy to the growing population of Wellington Village. He called his business the ‘Novel Book Store’.

Armand Cloutier soon caught on to a popular fad of the 1930s – the rental of books! The Great Depression of the 1930s saw an explosion in the popularity of reading as an accessible pastime. “More reading is being done and by a greater number of people”,

began offering “immoral” and “salacious” books, which led to the government of Ontario passing legislation in 1934 empowering local municipalities to license and control the lending libraries.

declared an Ottawa Journal editorial in April 1932.

However, many couldn’t afford the cost to purchase books, and even city libraries couldn’t afford to buy sufficient copies of the newest and most popular releases to keep up with the demand. Thus “lending libraries” became a major trend across North America in the 1930s. Armand smartly became one of the firstin Ottawa to jump on this opportunity, and moved to a larger space on the main floor of the old three-storey Goldwyn Apartments building at the corner of Holland and Wellington, opening the “Novel Lending Library”.

He continued to sell greeting cards, stationery, magazines, cigarettes and school supplies, but its main feature was the rental of books. Armand advertised his shop as the “largest library in the west end”, with “rentals at the usual reasonable rates”, and “books to suit your taste”. A similar Ottawa shop, the Glebe Bookstore, operated with a $1 joining fee, and then two cents per book, per day, for book rentals!

Lending libraries soon expanded to include children’s toys, and another craze of the 1930s: jigsaw puzzles. The explosion of these libraries soon became controversial as there were no controls over the material being offered. Some (though not Cloutier’s)

By the late 1930s, Cloutier steered away from book renting, and focused more on greeting cards, advertising as having the largest selection in the city.

A Christmas 1937 trend was for children to sell boxes of Christmas cards to earn new Ace Bailey skates. Cloutier’s hired kids to do just that.

After the lending library craze had subsided, Armand relocated to a different leased space at 1244 Wellington Street from 1939 to 1945, where, like any good shop of the 40s, he installed an 18-foot long soda fountain with a marble front, used to serve drinks, ice cream and light meals. During this time as well he married 32-year old Winnifred Irwin.

However, in 1944, the Cloutiers made the decision to establish a more permanent home. They purchased a 45’ wide empty lot fronting the north side of Wellington Street between Ross and Grange Avenues, and borrowed $7,800 to build the 39x35 foot, single-storey commercial building at 1321 Wellington Street. This is now the front portion of the Ottawa Bagelshop, but for the next almost 40 years would be home to Cloutier’s Gift Shop.

When it opened for business on April 1, 1945, the building had a flashy modern appearance, with large front windows accented by squares of blue vitrolite, a

decorative material popular during this art deco period.

Cloutier’s had been leaders in new fads in books, greeting cards and building materials; and now also in the goods and services they would offer in early years! One of his first ads for the new store promoted the new “Zer-o-pak” frozen foods, Canada’s first frozen fruit and vegetables for sale! They also began to offer “expert radio repairs service”.

Tragically, Armand was only able to enjoy his new shop for a little over a year. He passed away suddenly on Oct. 29, 1946 from a brain hemorrhage. He was only 46.

His widow Winnifred — or “Winnie” as she was known to most — made the decision to keep the business going. The store became stocked with even more toys and sports equipment, and the advertisements became even more elaborate.

Just days before Christmas of 1951, Harold Charbonneau, owner of the Gracefield Dairy

in Perth, and husband of Winnie’s sister Mabel, was accidentally killed during a snowstorm, leaving behind his young wife and four children — with a fifth on the way.

Mabel moved her family onto Inglewood Place to be near her sister Winnie and their mother, who lived closeby on Holland Avenue.

Joy Merriam, who was the fifth child, remembered her Aunt Winnie as the father she really never had.

“Oh, she was a giver, she was just great”, shared Mrs. Merriam on a recent phone call, while sharing her warm and vivid memories of her Aunt and the store.

“She would work all year, just to take us away on a trip, because my Mom didn’t drive. Every summer, the last week of July and first week of August, she would close the store. We went to Maine and Cape Cod. Always the best”, she shared. “And we would go down to the store in August, and we’d get the best pencil cases, and candy, and all our school supplies. We had the neatest binders and everything.”

She recalled that the store was a popular spot for local kids. “Half of the store was china and lovely pieces like that. And part of the store they had stools where kids could sit and have the old ice creams in the roll cones, with the paper around them.”

Her brother Jack Charbonneau had similar fond memories: “I loved going there for the comic books. My aunt would always have some for me. I make sure to

1. Armand Winnifred Cloutier in the early 1940s on Holland Avenue. CREDIT: MRS. JOY MERRIAM.

2. An Ottawa Journal advertisements-from Dec. 20, 1945.

3. An Ottawa Journal advertisement from the same date in 1946.

4. Students shopping in the window of Cloutier's in the mid-1970s. POSTED TO FACEBOOK BY TINO LAFRATTA.

5. The old Pure Spring sign that appeared on the side of the building taken in 1946. CREDIT: CITY OF OTTAWA ARCHIVES.

6. The Cloutier store as seen on July 18, 1947. CREDIT: CITY OF OTTAWA ARCHIVES.

take extra good care of them, as she would put them back on the shelf afterwards. And the sodas! The current generation are missing out on the variety of drinks we used to have back then. I loved Stubby soda drinks, and all the flavours it would come in. At my aunt’s store, there was a long counter, and kids would come in and have sodas and ice cream.”

The best-seller at Cloutier’s and what many might remember the store most for, was high school textbooks.

“One of the top selling items in the store were textbooks for the students from Fisher Park”, remembered Jack. “Back in those days, you had to buy your own textbooks. So the textbooks would be a popular item in the fall for several weeks. And then afterwards, my aunt would put out a large section of Christmas toys.”

Cloutier’s also maintained a welldecorated window display fronting Wellington Street, which has been shared as a key memory by those sharing reminiscences when inevitably Cloutier’s is mentioned in a Facebook post of old Ottawa memories.

In 1972, Winnie Cloutier decided to sell the store and business. The new owner, Carman Poll, retained the Cloutier’s name, and even briefly franchised the Cloutier’s name for at least one other location at Place de Ville mall.

Still keen to work in the neighbourhood in a similar setting, Winnie joined the staff of the Laura Secord chocolate shop at the corner of Holland for a few years. She passed away in 1985.

The building was sold again in 1980. The Cloutier’s Gift Shop business and name were advertised for sale, but sadly found no takers. Classified ads from the spring of 1980 listed “wrought iron glass showcases”, a “rotating showcase”, a cash register and other similar items for sale individually. A final ad for the store promoted “fireworks” for sale at Cloutier’s in big block letters, a strange ending for the landmark Wellington West business.

The storefront briefly became home to a carpet store, before opening as the Ottawa Bagel Shop & Deli in April 1984, which remains in the building more than 40 years later.

WEST celebrates 30 years and welcomes new artists

BY ANITA GRACE

Retirement has brought new beginnings for Jennifer Simpson. The

“Like all baby-boomers, I’m always looking for significant ways to fill my time,” Simpson said. She embraced her love of art and creativity, dedicating time to develop her skills and explore new mediums, with the goal of having an art show. On a sunny weekend in September, that goal became reality.

Simpson’s abstract paintings were among those of the 16 artists featured on the tour. With construction shutting down access to her home on Clarendon, she gratefully joined long-time WEST artist Manju Sah at her home on Brennan Avenue.

WEST, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, is the longestrunning studio tour in the region. It is cooperatively organized and juried by the artists themselves. It’s earned a reputation for showcasing creative talent and introducing artists to new audiences.

“WEST is a really easy way to edge into the art world,” said Lynette Chubb, a participating artist since 2001. Every year, the tour invites new artists to submit applications. Chubb recalled that when

I think I’m an intuitive artist, I don’t start with a plan. — JENNIFER SIMPSON

she saw Simpson’s work, it was clear she belonged in the tour. “Wow! That’s amazing use of colour and space,” she remembers thinking. “People will love her art.”

Chubb added that even though Simpson is new to WEST, and to professional shows, her work looks “very beautifully established” with a wonderful use of balance between colours and textures.

Simpson also brings a new medium to WEST since she works with cold wax. Cold wax, a soft paste of beeswax, solvent and resin, is mixed with paint to create textured images.

“I like how malleable it is,” explained Simpson. “The possibilities are endless. You can take all your energy and scratch into it, and if the next day you don’t like it, you can redo it.”

“The challenge is to not rework too much,” she added, likening the creative process to a dialogue. “I have to learn to listen.”

Simpson retired from Somerset West Community Health Centre in 2019. She’d spent decades in a career in medical administration and was involved in initiatives like the Needle Exchange and Safer Inhalation program. Her social justice

approach continues to inform her work as she explores complex concepts through lines, shapes and colour.

“I think I’m an intuitive artist,” Simpson said. “I don’t start with a plan. As it develops, images emerge.”

For anyone who missed the September’s studio tour, or who would like another chance to check out local art, the GCTC is hosting a WEST Artists’ Closing Show and Reception on Sunday, November 9 from 6-8 pm. Said Managing Director Hugh Neilson, “We want to support art from our community, in all its forms, whenever we are able.”

WEST art is also on display at Trio Bistro & Lounge and in the GCTC main lobby, and upstairs in Fritzi Gallery until the end of November.

More on page 24

WEST welcomes new artists

Continues from page 22

This was the first time an “unusualist” was included in the West End Studio Tour.

“Everything I do is unusual,” said Matt Ficner, standing in his home on Crerar Avenue surrounded by some very unusual creations indeed. Fantastical robots with goblin-like faces stoodon tables and shelves. Life-sized creatures crowded along the wall. Colourful gremlins spilled out of a box. There is almost a steampunk aesthetic here, with lots of metal and glass, as well as diverse mediums like leather, fabric and thermo-plaster. The gremlins were 3D printed.

Ficner has been a puppeteer, creator, and artist for decades, but this fall was his first time joining the West End Studio Tour(WEST). He saw it as an opportunity to showcase his work and find new audiences. For long-time WEST artist Lynette Chubb, Ficner brought a whole new creative aspect to the tour.

“His stuff just freaked me out,” Chubb said, recalling when shereviewed his application. “What a creative brain this guy’s got!”

“I like to pull people into a narrative,” Ficner explained. Every figurine and creature in he’s created has a story, a personality(maybe even a strange little secret). “I enjoy that escapism of some sort.”

That Ficner’s art seems infused with personality and narrative is not surprising. The Ottawa-born artist started working in film and television in his teens, apprenticing under renowned Canadian puppeteer Noreen Young. Young, who passed away this spring, created the popular CBC children’s show Under the Umbrella Tree and was the first artistic director of the Puppets Up! International Puppet Festival. Ficner also helped in the creation of the Puppets Up! in 2005 and has participated over the years at the Almonte event.

Ficner has also developed a multidimensional production company – Matt Ficner Productions Inc. - which provides set design, props, fabrication and illustration. He described creating as his “natural state, keeping busy and making something tangible out of an intangible idea.”

“I’m always learning, always evolving,” he said. “Figuring out new materials.”

He and his wife, Kelly Ficner – a writer and educator – evencreated a book. The Gift Goblins, which was published in the spring, is an imaginative story about a young boy who drew a small door on a piece of paper and placed it on his wall. Through this door, Gift Goblins entered his life, sparking new creative discoveries. The Gift Goblins recently won the 2025 Golden Wizard Book Prize.

I like to pull people into a narrative.

— MATT FICNER

Ficner also has a televised puppet show in development: Fernsby’s Cryptid Critter Control – described as Dirty Jobs and Mountain Monsters meets Ghostbusters with a fantastical twist. It has already won several awards for children’s television.

Ficner’s work can be viewed on his on his YouTube channels: Matt Ficner Productions

and UFOS Unusual Fun Odd Stuff, and on his socials. He is open to commissions and custom work.

He is also happy to help people learn if they are interested in trying new materials. “I had apprenticeships growing up, but those don’t exist the same way in this day and age. I’d like to give back what I was lucky to have.”

Meet Renée Galioto: the 91-year-old Dovercourt regular with a swimming regimen and a story to tell

BY DAVID CUMMINGS

For three decades, Renée Galioto has been a regular at Dovercourt and even today, at 91 years old, she still swims three times a week.

On land, Renée moves around in a chair but in the water she is free to swim as she pleases and she’s all too grateful to the Dovercourt staff who help her in and out of the pool. Renée said three office staff have been especially helpful, going so far to learn how to take on and off the medical equipment she has for her legs.

“I just say downstairs, ‘I'm here.’ They go in and the three ladies, bless my guardian angels, they come, they take it off,” Renée said. “I can get in the pool and do my swim."

For Renée, Dovercourt as a pool and a community has been a great asset, especially recently as she’s recently lost some mobility in her legs.

“To me, it gives me my life,” she said. “Not only does it help my body but my mind.”

Not only does it help my body but my mind. — RENÉE GALIOTO

But if you ask many of Dovercourt’s staff, they might tell you a conversation with Renée often means learning something completely new about the storied past of their favourite regular.

That’s because Renée has quite the well-travelled history, one that she usually doesn’t dig up. Fortunately, Renée told many of those incredible stories in an interview with KT.

Importantly, this article could never encompass Renée’s life story, nor should it attempt to. Something that makes her

life story so intriguing is its many different phases, each worth an article or two of its own. Instead, this article looks to provide a little understanding of the scope of Renée’s ranging experiences, what motivated her and what she learned.

Renée’s story starts in Pretoria, South Africa where she grew up.

The first turn in Renée’s story took root in a boarding school there, where her teachers discovered that she had a natural affinity for singing. This would launch her on an early path chasing a career as an opera singer. That path eventually led to Europe, where according to Renée, she even studied under the famous Beniamino Gigli.

Her venture to Europe also marks the beginning of a chaotic time in her life. In 1956, Renée lived in Vienna, Austria while pursuing her singing career. In November of that year in neighbouring Budapest, the Hungarian Revolution broke out against the occupying Soviet Union.

“Because my grandfather was an ambulance driver in the Boer War, I said to my parents I would volunteer to do ambulance driving,” she said.

An important influence in her life, Renée’s grandfather was an ambulance driver for the Red Cross during the 1899 Boer War in South Africa. Renée said the ambulance he drove was an ox-wagon powered by a dozen oxen.

“In between singing, I volunteered to do ambulance driving, basically to go into Budapest to get the wounded to bring out back to Vienna,” she said.

But only a few months into her volunteer work, Renée suffered a serious accident.

“I was going in, there were three of us,” Renée said. “The ambulance in front was the one that actually hit the land mine.”

Nobody in the first ambulance survived the explosion.

“I was behind and I was driving and when the stuff fell back, it fell on the car and my feet got caught under the dashboard,” she said.

It’s an injury that still lingers today in her legs. It’s partly why Dovercourt has been a godsend for Renée, giving her the ability to continue her weekly swimming regimen.

Although she was grateful she still had her voice after the accident, tragedy struck again for Renée. She then caught the Asian influenza pandemic, which ended her singing career.

“I needed something to take my mind, because now I’ve lost my career,” she said. “So what the hell was I going to do?”

While recuperating in South Africa, her father suggested Renée pursue volunteer work back in Vienna. Over this period of her life, she would volunteer wherever she was needed, even becoming a pilot while doing so.

During that time, she met her eventual husband Vito, which would mark a shift away from this turbulent period of her life.

Overall, Renée said she witnessed a world war and four revolutions first hand during the chaotic time.

“When I got married, he said, ‘no more flying,’” she chuckled.

Her husband’s work building pipelines gave the new couple an opportunity to move anywhere in the world. While Vito had an office in New York City, Renée was deterred from moving to the United States because of the way she saw the American soldiers treating women when she lived in Vienna. So

Staff from the Dovercourt Recreation Centre stop to chat with Renée Galioto at Dovercourt in Ottawa on Thursday, Oct. 16 2025. Renée affectionately called them her guardian angels.

ALL PHOTOS BY KEITO NEWMAN.

Renée landed in Toronto in 1975 to move her life to Canada.

“There were no guns, there was no bombing,” she said. “There was peace, what else to say?”

It was there where she would find her footing writing cookbooks. She published her first book titled The Mother Kitchen in 1980.

Jumping back to today, Renée is exceedingly grateful for the peace she has been able to find here in Canada and to the staff and friends at Dovercourt that keep her physically and mentally active at 91 years old. It’s a sense of peace she wasn’t able to find during many of the other phases of her life, where she was seemingly only a moment away from chaos at every step.

“When it happens, you just make the best of it and you just get on, and you’re only too glad that the next day you wake up and you’re still alive.”

LIFESTYLE

Top travel destinations for Canadians

PORTUGAL

Affordable, sunny, and walkable, Portugal has become one of Europe’s biggest travel success stories. Canadians are sipping port wine in Porto, exploring Lisbon’s iconic yellow trams, and lounging on the Algarve’s golden beaches. Fun fact: Portugal gets more days of sunshine each year than California.

ITALY

It’s hard to top Italy’s mix of history, food, and style. Travellers are trading crowded cities for smaller gems like Puglia and Sicily, where meals stretch for hours and locals still make olive oil by hand. Italy is also home to more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other country.

CROATIA

Once Europe’s best-kept secret, Croatia has become a summer favourite thanks to its turquoise coastlines and walled cities. Canadians are sailing between islands like Hvar and Korčula or visiting Dubrovnik, which doubled as King’s Landing in Game of Thrones.

ICELAND

Iceland’s surreal scenery continues to draw adventurers. Many rent a car to drive the famous Ring Road, stopping at geysers, waterfalls, and volcanic fields along the way. About 80 per cent of the country’s energy comes from renewable sources — making it as green as it is gorgeous. Direct flights from Halifax make it an easy place to visit.

JAPAN

With direct flights from Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal and Calgary, Japan is easier to reach than ever. Travellers are exploring Tokyo’s neon streets, Kyoto’s peaceful temples, and Osaka’s world-class food scene. Did you know Japan has over five million vending machines? That’s one for every 25 people!

MEXICO

While all-inclusives are still popular, Canadians are increasingly choosing culture-rich cities like Oaxaca, Mérida, and Mexico City. They’re diving into local markets, tasting mezcal, and exploring ancient ruins. Mexico has 35 UNESCO sites — more than any other country in the Americas.

GREECE

Between whitewashed islands and historic ruins, Greece remains timeless. Canadians are hiking in Crete, relaxing on Naxos beaches, and exploring Athens' lively tavernas. Santorini sunsets are said to be among the most photographed in the world.

VIETNAM

Vietnam’s mix of affordability and adventure makes it one of Asia’s fastest-growing destinations. Canadians are cruising Ha Long Bay, wandering lantern-lit streets in Hoi An, and sampling pho from Hanoi’s bustling street stalls. It’s also home to the world’s largest cave, Son Doong, big enough to fit a 40-story skyscraper.

Rethinking the getaway Ottawa residents seek new travel options beyond the U.S.

BY CHARLIE SENACK

Forget Florida and Vegas – Canadians are charting a new course when it comes to travel plans.

Whether it's a food tour through Italy, a river cruise through Europe, or a safari adventure in South Africa, travel agents say their clients are looking to explore new and unique destinations that are far removed from U.S. politics.

Susan Dennison from Wellington West’s Expedia Cruises said the demand first began in 2024, which was the best year for bookings post-COVID.

At the time, travel to and through the States was still popular, but that changed when Donald Trump was elected to office and started a trade war with Canada.

for wildlife viewing, and the northern lights which can be seen from Fairbanks and surrounding regions in the fall and winter.”

The travel bug started to improve when Canada’s federal election occurred this spring, said Dennison.

“We had massive, like millions of dollars in cancellations of anything going through the U.S., to the U.S., or leaving from a cruise ship in Miami or Fort Lauderdale, going to the Caribbean,” said Dennison.

One anomaly to the U.S. travel ban is Alaska – which Dennison said is a bucket list trip for many. It is a quick plane ride from Vancouver and offers a worldly experience you can't quite match elsewhere. There are the large glaciers people want to encounter before they disappear due to climate change, a never-ending list of national parks

Expedia’s business is around 62 per cent cruises and the rest are resorts. Up until recently, the Caribbean took the lead for prime destinations, but now it's 47 per cent Europe. For those still looking to set sail on the high seas, they are often leaving from Montreal and passing through SaintPierre and Miquelon – a French archipelago off the coast of Newfoundland –rather than hitting the U.S. coast, Dennison added.

The U.S. boycott has been a benefit to some other countries that are trying to put themselves on the map. Government officials from the Bahamas were recently in Ottawa for a seminar to encourage travel agents to send their clients to the island country given its short distance by flight.

To help give wannabe travellers easier options, Expedia Cruises has also been pivoting to charter their own trips. A supplier is looking at doing a trip to the Mediterranean centered around a solar eclipse next August. The agency has also recently chartered two river boats to go from Paris to the Canadian war sites.

DIRECT FLIGHTS ARE GIVING OTTAWA RESIDENTS MORE OPTIONS

What has made travelling much easier are direct flights from the Ottawa Airport to other countries. Over the summer, Air Canada was running four flights a week from London’s Heathrow Airport to Canada’s capital. While service has paused for the winter, it's expected to resume next spring.

Starting next May, Air Transat has

announced it will be launching non-stop flights from Ottawa to London-Gatwick three times a week on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays.

As of Dec. 13, Porter will fly twice a week during peak season from YOW to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and once weekly to Nassau in the Bahamas. Starting Dec. 17, Porter will fly three times a week to Cancun, Mexico, and twice a week to Liberia, Costa Rica. Starting Dec. 19, Porter will fly once a week to Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.

“These are Porter’s first routes outside of our longtime presence throughout Canada and the U.S., and we’re starting off in a big way by introducing five distinctly different destinations,” said Kevin Jackson, president of Porter Airlines, in a news release. “This is a significant development for anyone who wants to fly with Porter to more places and experience our award-winning service that focuses on making flying enjoyable for economy travellers.”

Also popular are the direct flights

between Ottawa and Paris which are having its frequency slightly reduced between January and March next year.

“We often see people going to Paris as a springboard. From there, travellers can go anywhere. Rome, Greece – particularly the Greek Islands and Athens – Spain and Portugal have all seen an uptick in the winter,” said Dennison. “It’s really Ottawa’s only direct route to Europe so those seats get picked up quickly.”

Statistics from the Ottawa International Airport paint a picture of a booming travel economy. Their data shows 336,764 passengers travelled internationally through the Ottawa Airport between January and August, compared to 320,541 international travellers during the same period in 2024. There were 27,343 international travellers in August, up from 18,789 travellers in 2024.

But there is still room for improvement, says Dennison. She remains hopeful that Ottawa’s Airport will continue expanding its direct flight options and will soon reach pre-pandemic levels.

“We hope airlines look at Ottawa as a viable hub,” she said. “There is definitely an appetite there and you are seeing that with other Canadian cities.”

Experience the Warmth of Luxury Retirement Living

This winter, enjoy a short-term stay at The Vista on Sparks, where every detail is taken care of. Relax in a tastefully furnished suite, savour chef-prepared meals, and participate in enriching programs designed to keep you engaged and inspired throughout the season.

LIFESTYLE

1. FINDLAY BEGAN HER CAREER AS A TEACHER

Before her days as a television host and being a household name in Ottawa, Findlay worked as a school teacher.

“I had an opportunity to teach English as a second language in Mexico in 1998, and I realized the importance at that point of supporting others,” she said. “I began my career at Ashbury College, where I taught grade 13 sociology and grade 11 English. Then I moved onto various grades across the board.”

Findlay said she “absolutely loved” being in the classroom, but put the profession behind her in 2006 when her first daughter was born.

“I loved the opportunity to empower students to learn, grow and become critical thinkers," said Findlay. “But it was a natural occurrence to leave teaching because I then had an opportunity to provide education through a different method on-air.”

2. COLLABORATING AND CONNECTING

When Findlay’s kids were young, she was always involved in their school and sporting communities. But her philanthropic efforts never stopped there.

She has been part of the Ottawa

things about Julie Findlay

The ‘Mom in the Know’ talks about the importance of giving back and her new television show

BY CHARLIE SENACK

Network for Education, Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation’s Lemonade

Standemonium, and The Ottawa Heart Institute’s Jump in Campaign. Snowsuit Fund, Ottawa Mission, Parkdale Food Centre and community Food Banks, to name just a few.

“I really love connecting and collaborating. Ottawa is such a perfect city where those two passions fit so easily together,” Findlay said. “Our city is broken off into neighbourhoods, and each has a hub where you can connect, whether a recreation centre, a food pantry or a food centre. One in five children goes to school hungry. That's why the breakfast programs and all of these sorts of programs exist: to help families and young people.”

3. A FOODIE

Findlay spends a lot of time in the kitchen. She continues to work as a spokesperson for Foodland Ontario and Egg Farmers of Ontario. You can still see her appear on various television networks promoting healthy, familyfriendly dishes.

“It really was just a coincidence one day when my good friend Korey Kealey asked me to help her with a demo for moms showing them how to prepare food easily alongside the dieticians of

Canada,” Findlay recalled. “I became hooked on ensuring people were eating healthy, and I have a real passion for supporting local farmers and produce.”

So what is ‘Mom in the Know’ making in her kitchen these days?

“I love pumpkin pie made from scratch,” says Findlay. “I also love making salads because they change with every season.”

Garden salads are a good go-to for this time of year, added Findlay. Now with root vegetables on the way - soups on!

4. FROM WORKAHOLIC TO FITNESS FANATIC

When Findlay asked her husband, in preparation for this interview, how he would describe her, the word he used was a “fitness-aholic.”

As a way of unwinding after running around the city, Findlay likes to play sports and work out most mornings. She has been playing Ultimate since high school; her ‘Trophy Wives’ team recently won a gold medal at the 2025 USAU Masters Championship in the great grandmaster women’s division.

“I have always been a runner, which made it an easy entrance to every sport, but Ultimate was the one I stayed with and continued to play at national and

world club levels,” said Findlay. That passion is partly thanks to her father, who encouraged participating in sports when growing up and never missed a game.

Findlay also uses her athletic background to mesh with her nutrition teachings.

“We have lots of issues with food security and healthy active living. If ‘Mom in the Know’ and ‘Ottawa in the Know’ can provide the community with solutions and helpful tips, we can help people get through those harder times,” said Findlay.

5. FINDLAY DOES NOT THINK OTTAWA IS A BORING CITY

Findlay describes Ottawa as “the biggest small city,” full of hidden gems and treasures.

“In the fall, you must take advantage of the free shuttle to Gatineau Park to see the trees changing colours. In the summer, we seem to have more music festivals every year, which is just fantastic,” she said. “Lansdowne is a great place, too, and both of our soccer teams have just made the playoffs. Museums are also a great option because they are becoming more engaging for everyone. But one of my favourite places has to be the library.”

It can be difficult to think of just a few words to sum up Julie Findlay. She’s a television host, a philanthropist, and educator – but better yet, ‘Mom in the Know’ – a lifestyle brand she crafted to help other parents with young families.

That journey began in 2006, when Findlay started appearing on local television networks to share tips and advice that other parents could find helpful. That was the same year she became a mom and thought it could be a good way to continue engaging in the community.

Findlay’s first regular role was with Leanne Cusack on CTV News at noon. Cusack

coincidentally helped Findlay develop the ‘Mom in the Know’ brand after the name she wanted – ‘Mom on the Go’ was taken. Then came appearances on Global Kingston, Breakfast Television in Montreal, in Ottawa’s Parenting Times magazine and Ottawa Outdoors.

Recently, Findlay began her own show on Rogers Cable 22 called ‘Ottawa in the Know’. It is branded a “fun magazine-style show” that highlights local guests and talent who are making a difference in the community.

“We want to show Ottawa’s bestkept secrets and spotlight people and organizations that make Ottawa thrive,” Findlay recently told KT. “It's hard to get everyone's voice on the news because so many people are doing great work in this city. I am excited to provide a time and space to help support that.”

Each interview is about eight minutes long, and two new episodes are filmed weekly. They then air during various prime time slots throughout the week.

Findlay’s outgoing personality is rooted in her childhood in Borden Farm, a quiet then-suburban community in Nepean near Merivale Road and Viewmount Drive. She says it was a Hallmark-style environment where everyone knew their neighbour, children played on the streets, and access to activity was everywhere.

While much of her life has been in the public eye, KT sat down with Findlay to learn some details you may not know about the ‘Mom in the Know.’

Ottawa’s ‘Mom in the Know’ has recently launched a new Rogers TV show titled ‘Ottawa in the know.’ PHOTOS BY KEITO NEWMAN.

What 65 years of the Ottawa Gymnastics Centre has meant in Westboro

BY DAVID CUMMINGS

Since 1960, the Ottawa Gymnastics Centre has not only been a staple in Westboro, but has also put Ottawa on the map within the world of competitive gymnastics.

The not-for-profit has long been a place for kids and adults alike to come together in a safe space to face fears, find community and sometimes even compete at the sport’s highest level. Because of this, OGC’s impact has not been lost on its regulars.

“For me and I think for my daughter as well, it's kind of like a second home,” said Nausikaa Muresan, a competitive coach at

OGC. “We spend so much time here and we love the place.”

Operating as a not-for-profit means the OGC relies on memberships to fund their equipment, which isn’t cheap. For example, their most recent floor ran them back $100,000. While that’s a pretty large piece of equipment, taking a look at OGC’s gym will quickly reveal there’s a lot more gear than just a floor. All that without even accounting for rent.

In the club’s early years, it operated out of various high schools where the equipment would have to be packed up and put away daily. The club moved to two different permanent facilities in 1980 and 1988, but finally settled in the old hockey arena on

once an extremely active kid who seemed to scale whatever she could find around the house.

“I was like five when I fell off the fridge and I would be in cupboards,” Pepin said. “My mom just said, ‘well, at least if she goes to gymnastics, she'll learn how to fall.’”

Pepin would go on to compete in the sport and found the lessons she learned at the gym often applied in everyday life.

“When I got older, I realized that gymnastics really helped me to focus, to manage my time really well, to be patient, to be disciplined,” Pepin said. “all those life skills that carry on with you into adulthood.”

Even while her focus shifted as she grew up, Pepin couldn’t turn her back on the sport she loved, often coaching part time in between studying geology and chemistry at university.

“One day, I think I just woke up and I was like, clearly this is what I want to do,” Pepin said.

Similarly, Muresan – commonly known as Naus to her OGC students – also couldn’t stay away from the sport.

Growing up in Romania, gymnastics was a huge part of Muresan’s upbringing, eventually leading her into national level competition.

“I started when I was quite young,” Muresan said. “I think I was five or six and I trained a lot and my coaches were not always very nice, let's just leave it at that.

“In Romania, you’re either a competitive gymnast or you pick another sport.”

Muresan was a national level gymnast in Romania before she moved to Canada to pursue an education at the University of Ottawa. But she still found a way back into gymnastics when she joined OGC as a coach.

Elmgrove Avenue in 1992.

Today, the OGC runs programs seven days a week for over 3,000 members with ages ranging from six months old through adulthood. For coaches and the club’s more competitive members, it’s an almost daily commitment. Since the OGC was established, the club has trained a number of high level athletes. While this list most notably includes four Olympians, the club has also sent seven athletes to world championships and eight to pan-American championships.

According to Amanda Pepin, OGC’s director of programs, gymnastics provides kids with valuable skills that go beyond sport. Pepin of all people would know, as she was

While her life experience in the sport certainly helps her as a competitive coach today, Muresan has sought to create a more comfortable environment to teach her competitive students. That group notably includes her own daughter, Dalia and it created a unique dynamic between the mother-daughter duo.

“At OGC, I don't call her my mom, I just call her Naus, which is what everyone else calls her,” Dalia said. “At the gym, she's my coach. At home, she's my mom.”

While her mother tries to keep talk of gymnastics limited to the gym and the car ride home, it has been a passion the two have been able to share since Dalia started baby gymnastics at OGC.

“Being in gymnastics together adds an extra layer of connection,” Nausikaa said.

Embrace Your Golden Years with Dovercourt’s Vibrant Programs

Retirement marks an exciting new chapter—a time to prioritize health, pursue passions, and connect with like-minded individuals. Dovercourt offers a dynamic range of programs designed precisely for those looking to embrace this phase with energy and purpose.

With kids grown and professional demands behind you, it’s your moment to focus on well-being. Dovercourt’s extensive daytime offerings cater to retirees

with flexible schedules. Engage in invigorating group fitness, as well as gentler options like “Seniors on the Go” classes. Or dive into the refreshing world of aquafitness, including specialized sessions for rehabilitation and specific health conditions, and fun, high-energy choices like Aqua Zumba and HIIT.

For those who’ve discovered a love for pickleball, Dovercourt provides a court perfect for both beginners and seasoned players. Prefer the water? Enjoy recreational

swims that promote both exercise and relaxation. Meanwhile, the fitness centre is fully equipped to support personalized goals, with personal trainers available to tailor workouts to your specific needs.

Are you an early riser? Dovercourt has you covered with early morning workouts to kick-start your day. If evenings suit you better, there’s a variety of options to keep your routine vibrant and adaptable.

Beyond physical fitness, Dovercourt fosters social connections. Participate in engaging activities like euchre games or casual coffee meet-ups, ideal for forging friendships and sharing stories. The inviting, living room-like upstairs lobby is more than just a space—it’s a community hub where you can unwind with a good book or enjoy lively chats with friends.

For lifelong learners and creative spirits, Dovercourt offers sessional recreation classes, as well as monthly one-session workshops, including visual arts, book club and games club. Whether you prefer in-person interaction or the convenience of online participation, there’s a workshop to spark your curiosity.

At Dovercourt, retirement isn’t about slowing down; it’s about thriving. Discover programs that inspire, challenge, and connect you with a vibrant community dedicated to living life to the fullest.

LIFESTYLE

10 Fun Places in Ottawa to Spend a Great Day (or Night)

BY CHARLIE SENACK

Ottawa might be known for politics and Parliament Hill, but there is an abundance of fun things to do here. From live entertainment to outdoor adventures, here are 10 great places where Ottawa residents can go for a good time.

THE MOONROOM

Tucked along Preston Street, The Moonroom is one of Ottawa’s best-kept secrets. This dimly lit lounge offers an intimate setting perfect for date night or catching up with friends over craft cocktails and small plates. The vibe is effortlessly cool — think flickering candles, indie music, and a menu that changes with the seasons. It’s small, so go early or be ready to wait — but it’s worth every minute. Located at 442 Preston St.

THE OTTAWA ART GALLERY

Located downtown beside the Rideau Centre, the OAG is a modern, welcoming space that celebrates creativity and local talent. Admission is always free, and the exhibits range from contemporary installations to historic pieces that highlight Ottawa’s artistic roots. After exploring the galleries, head upstairs to Jackson Café for a latte or glass of wine with a view. The OAG also hosts frequent events and film screenings, adding to its already vibrant energy. Located at 50 Mackenzie King Bridge.

ESCAPE MANOR

If you’re looking for something interactive and social, Escape Manor has several Ottawa locations that deliver a chance to test your limits. Each themed room — from prison breaks to haunted manors — challenges players to solve puzzles and escape within 45 minutes. Think you can do it? The downtown location even has a lounge and bar, so you can debrief over a drink afterward. But if you're looking for an even closer location, you can visit the Hintonburg site at 982 Wellington St. W.

CENTRAL EXPERIMENTAL FARM/ DOMINION ARBORETUM

A green oasis in the middle of the city that’s 427 hectares in size, the Central Experimental Farm is perfect for a peaceful stroll or picnic. Visitors can explore its scenic fields, ornamental gardens, and heritage barns, or visit the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum to learn about farming history.

Right next door, the Dominion Arboretum is one of Ottawa’s most beautiful outdoor spaces. With mature trees, winding pathways, and sweeping views of Dow’s Lake, it’s ideal for walking, photography, or simply relaxing by the water. Fun fact: there are over 4,000 different kinds of trees and shrubs — some dating back to its founding in 1889!

WELLINGTON GASTROPUB

A staple of the Wellington West dining scene, the Wellington Gastropub blends casual comfort with elevated cuisine. The menu changes regularly, featuring locally sourced ingredients and inventive takes on pub fare. It’s a great spot for date night or a relaxed dinner with friends. Located at 1325 Wellington St. W.

ART HOUSE CAFÉ

Just steps from Chinatown, Art House Café doubles as both a coffee shop and

community art gallery. It hosts live music, poetry nights, and art exhibits in a cozy, welcoming space filled with local creativity. Located at 555 Somerset St. W.

ORANGE MONKEY

Looking for something a little different?

The Orange Monkey billiards hall and bar in Chinatown offers 14 pool tables, retro video games, and a laid-back vibe perfect for groups. The name “Orange Monkey” was actually the nickname of one of the entrepreneurial students who was suspected by his friends to self-tan from a bottle. Located at 250 City Centre Ave.

FLORA HALL BREWING

Flora Hall Brewing, housed in a restored heritage building, has quickly become one of Ottawa’s favourite craft breweries. With its high ceilings, communal tables, and friendly vibe, it’s perfect for afterwork drinks or casual hangouts. Try their rotating beer selection paired with comfort food like fried chicken sandwiches and nachos. Located at 37 Flora St.

WESTBORO BEACH AND THE KICHI ZĪBĪ MĪKAN TRAIL

For an active outing, rent a bike or take a walk along the Kichi Zībī Mīkan Trail to Westboro Beach. The trail offers stunning river views, and the beach is great for a summer swim or sunset hangout. In the winter, the pathways transform into a wonderland for skiers, snowshoers, and snow bikers. The Grand Pizzeria has also recently opened there!

THE RECORD CENTRE

Music lovers shouldn’t miss The Record Centre — part store, part cultural hub. Beyond the shelves of vinyl, it frequently hosts live in-store performances from local artists. It’s the perfect place to spend a rainy afternoon flipping through records and discovering new sounds. Located at 1099 Wellington St. W.

Cocktails & Hors d’oeuvres

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4