SEVENTH ANNUAL OLD OTTAWA SOUTH PORCH SALE - SATURDAY SEPT 11th
Rain or shine between the hours of 9 AM and 3 PM, our community will welcome thousands of bargain hunters from all over the region. It is anticipated that more than 300 families will put their under-utilised treasures up for sale. The sale is organised by OSCA as a community event and association fundraiser.
OSCA volunteers will approach vendors for a suggested donation of 10 % of sales to be used to support OSCA activities, to defray advertising costs and possibly to help rejuvenate our tired Community Centre, the Old Firehall. Following the day's event, a local charity will have a truck in the area to pick up any unsold items that you care to donate. If you can spare a few hours to help us with this activity, please call Deirdre at the OSCA office at 247-4872.ANNUAL OSCA MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
Pat Kealey and her army of volunteer area and block reps were out in force during May, June and July selling $5.00 family OSCA memberships and the popular "Your Essential Guide to Old Ottawa South". We now have about 700 household memberships and the number is growing. In addition to supporting OSCA activities and programs, a large membership allows us to speak with a strong voice on issues affecting our community. Significant interest in the Essential Guide has necessitated a new print run. For those who have placed orders, they will be delivered as soon as we receive them. I apologise for the delay in getting them to you and thank you for your patience and understanding.
FIREHALL SPRUCE-UP
If you haven't visited the Firehall in the last month you have a treat in store. Volunteers have cleaned and painted the lounge, activity room and main hallway in bright uplifting colours selected by our volunteer designer, Janice Jones. The idea of fixing up the building ourselves due to the City's budget squeeze came from Peter Wells, who, along with fellow Board member Kate Fawkes, co-ordinated the work activity. Assisting them with the painting were: Deirdre McQuillan; Christine Hywarren; John Field; Lora Lindsay; Gary Lum; John Graham; Jessica Drysdale; Sandra Kari; Michael Loewen; Anne-Marie Corbeil, Laurel (sorry last name not known); Brenda Lane; Bethany Armstrong; Rob Stoton and yours truly. Rob has agreed to be our contractor for the next phase &endash; kitchen renovations. I would also like to mention that John Field did a remarkable job repairing drywall. Thank you all for your help.
LANSDOWNE PARK - THE SAGA CONTINUES
Everyone is likely aware that the plan to transfer Lansdowne Park and the City sanitary sewer system to the Region has fallen through because estimated savings for the combined deal no longer appear feasible. A new proposal for the Region to take over the Park on its own has yet to be debated. An Open House at Lansdowne is tentatively planned for August 12th. OSCA has asked that the public information sessions be delayed until September when people are back to their normal routines after the summer holidays. Notices of the confirmed dates and places of four Open Houses will be advertised in the local papers. Given the recent news that the Province, supported by Regional Chair Bob Chiarelli and Mayor Jim Watson, is pushing for one tier government for Ottawa-Carleton by year-end, I wonder if the discussion is only academic.
PRIVATE SCHOOL TO OPEN IN OLD OTTAWA SOUTH
The building that was once offered as a Community Centre for our neighbourhood will soon be the new home for the Westboro Academy. The school will occupy the former 214 Hopewell Avenue building (now 200 Brewer Way) under the terms of a five-year lease recently approved by City Council. The Academy is a bilingual JK to Grade 6 school with about 100 students and 16 staff. The City plans no major work on the building although we can expect new signage for the 26 reserved parking spots that come with the rental agreement. Increased enforcement of parking regulations can be expected. Towards the end of the lease OSCA will be consulted as to potential future use of the building. OSCA welcomes the staff, students and their families to our community.
SCOUTS BUILD NEW BRIDGE
The 17th Ottawa Scout Troop, led by former OSCA Board member Craig Turner, has built a new steel and wooden footbridge just west of the Dunbar Bridge linking Brewer Park and Carleton University. The bridge, part of our ECOS Millennium Project will enable walkers, joggers and cyclists to avoid crossing an all too busy Bronson Avenue. Bravo to all those involved!
NEW BOARD MEMBERS SOUGHT
As the new term for the OSCA Board approaches in the fall, there is the inevitable requirement to replace a few members as they retire. Serving your community on the board is a very satisfying endeavour that allows you to meet new friends while helping to improve the quality of life in our part of town. We have a number of areas to get involved in depending on one's interests. If you are willing to consider joining the board in October or would like to assist us in some other capacity, please call me at 730-0424 to discuss the possibility.