MEDIA NIGHT FUND-RAISER - APRIL 17TH
For the fourth year in a row, Special Events Committee member, Abby Pollonetsky, with the help of Kate Fawkes, orchestrated a fun-filled evening of music, story telling, food and drink that made about $1,000 for OSCA and helped the Ottawa Food Bank and the Shepherd's of Good Hope. Our MC again this year was CBC Radio's Rob Clipperton.
Well-known TV and print journalist Richard Cléroux assisted by arranging for the involvement of a number of our talented neighbours. Both kept the evening running smoothly with a mixture of anecdotes, songs, jokes, and music. Providing the musical entertainment were Phil Jenkins, Arthur McGregor, Doug Weir and Derek Roche. Besides Rob and Richard, our local media types included the ever-popular duo of CBC Producers Wendy Robbins and Linda Russell presenting their version of The Old Ottawa South News Report. CBC National Radio and Television reporter Jason Moscovitz and Ottawa City Magazine Editor Rosa Harris-Adler also entertained the appreciative audience. A number of local politicians including Mayor Jim Watson, City Councillor Inez Berg, and Regional Councillor Clive Doucet joined in on the fun. The event is becoming so well known that even officials from outside our area bought tickets. Deputy Mayor and Alta Vista Councillor Alan Higdon was there as were fellow City Councillor Elizabeth Arnold and provincial MPP Richard Patten. Ms. Arnold and Mr. Patten, representing the NDP and Liberal Parties respectively, will vie for the Ottawa Centre riding that will encompass Old Ottawa South in the next provincial election. Such a successful evening is not possible without the assistance of our local merchants and volunteers. Most of the food was donated by four of our favourite eating establishments: the Mad Cow; Patty's Pub; the Barley Mow; and, for the first time, the recently opened Pavarazzi's. Prizes for our raffle were provided by the Mayfair Theatre, Mother Tongue Books, Roy Barber Service Centre (MacEwen), Full Cycle, Framed, and the Folklore Centre, which also supplied the sound system. Don and Isaac Cockburn ran the bar for us and a number of people helped us clean-up at night's end. Setting up the main room of the Firehall before the event was a lot of hard work. Those deserving special mention for that are Deirdre McQuillan, Pat Kealey, Abby Pollonetsky, Lora Lindsay, Megan and Terry Winsor, and my wife, Jackie. Thanks to everyone who attended, performed, made donations or was involved in some aspect of the function. We hope to see you again next year.
FIFTH ANNUAL BELLWOOD AVENUE STREET HOCKEY TOURNAMENT
This popular rite of spring, originally conceived by Richard Cléroux and former OOS resident Forest Smith, continues to attract kids of all ages. Neighbours dragging nets and sticks began converging on the Bellwood Avenue site early in the morning of April 18th. Mayor Jim Watson and Regional Capital Ward Councillor Clive Doucet officially opened the event. Clive and City Councillor Inez Berg were later seen to demonstrate their stick-handling prowess by joining in on a game or two. It was a bring your own food event with neighbours supplying the barbecues. It is this sort of camaraderie that typifies the community and its quality of life. Maybe that's why houses in our neighbourhood seem to be selling so fast lately.
ECOS MILLENNIUM PROJECT WORKSHOP
On Saturday April 10th at City Hall, OSCA's Environment Committee hosted a "Restore the Rideau" Workshop attended by over 150 concerned citizens. It was a complete success and got major coverage from the local media. Mayor Watson addressed the group and pledged continued City support in cleaning up the river. Representatives from the Museum of Nature, the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton, Action Sandy Hill, the Friends of the Jock River, Carleton University, Algonquin College, the City of Ottawa and a number of other organisations took part. ECOS Co-chairs Mike Lascelles and Mike Loewen deserve a lot of credit for staging the event. Other ECOS members who made presentations or moderated work sessions included Sandy Garland, John Wright, Hedrick Walchelka, and David Mungall. The ECOS project is funded in large part by the Millennium Bureau of Canada. You can find out more about the work of ECOS on OSCA's website at www.cyberus.ca/~osca/.
BANK STREET RECONSTRUCTION
Regional Councillor Clive Doucet has begun organising a reconstruction working group made up of Regional staff, area residents and members of the business community. The group will be tasked with ensuring that the Bank Street reconstruction results in an outcome that is both people and business friendly. Joining Clive and City Councillor Inez Berg on the project will be OSCA Board members Marey Gregory and Michael Lynch. The Old Ottawa South Business Association (OOSBA) has also been invited to participate. While the project for the major reconstruction of Bank Street between the Canal and the Rideau River was originally slated for 1999, it has been postponed by the Region due to budget pressures. Rumour has it that the City has been asked by the organisers of the 2001 Francophonie Games at Lansdowne Park to request that the work be put off again until after the games are over.
MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
Again this May, the annual OSCA membership drive will come to your door courtesy of a number of volunteers organised by Board Director Pat Kealey. The membership cost remains at $5.00 per family. Copies of "Your Essential Guide to Old Ottawa South" will be offered for sale or order from your OSCA Block rep when they pay you a visit. If you haven't seen the Guide, it is an invaluable collection of information about our community compiled by our Community Relations Committee Chair, Peter Wells.
DATES TO REMEMBER
- GARDEN CLUB SPRING PLANT EXCHANGE AT BREWER PARK &endash; SATURDAY MAY 15TH 9:30 AM
- OOSBA'S BLOOMS BETWEEN BRIDGES - SATURDAY JUNE 12TH
- OSCA BOARD BBQ AND CONCERT BREWER PARK - THURSDAY JUNE 17TH