Jack Hanna
Earth Day Festival – bigger and better than ever
This year’s Earth Day Festival is Saturday, April 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Dundonald Park, at Somerset and Lyon. There will be a feast of things to do and see.
For kids, there will be hands-on arts and crafts, for instance, making animal figurines from toilet paper rolls. Artist Velvet LeClair is bringing a two-metre “Earth” ball for games.
There will be live performances for children. Magician Mark Montreuil is back. Children’s author Maria Habanikova will read aloud from her book The Flying Whale!
And, as ever at CCA festivals, there will be fresh, free popcorn.
For all ages, there will street theatre and musicians doing pop-up performances.
Of course there will be information booths aplenty, with displays and folks to answer questions. Find out about bird-friendly cities, the urban forest, safe cycling, plant-based eating, fighting for climate action, and much more.
Several booths will dispense gardening advice on everything from native species and bee-friendly gardens, to general advice from Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton.
The event is sponsored by the CCA and the Centretown Community Health Centre.
Joining forces to end homelessness
The CCA and six other community associations have created the Inner City Working Group to be a voice for non-profit and supportive housing.
The group’s next meeting is Monday, March 25 at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome. For the Zoom link, email: affordable-housing-champions@centretowncitizens.ca
The meeting will draft letters to Ottawa’s mayor and council, and other levels of government. The time is right to push for the sorts of housing that truly alleviate homelessness. Governments are increasing funding. The federal government has the Housing Acceleration Fund. The City of Ottawa is doubling this year’s affordable housing budget.
Keep library services in Centretown
Centretown is by far the most densely populated community in Ottawa, so shouldn’t there be a library branch to serve all those people?
Once the new main library branch, Ādisōke, opens at LeBreton Flats, the Ottawa Public Library (OPL) plans to close the branch on Metcalfe. There will be no library services in Centretown.
“Ceasing to provide any library services in Centretown is nonsensical,” the CCA states in a letter to OPL.
Centretown has twice the population density of any other Ottawa community, according to Statistics Canada. As well, it is the place where population is increasing most dramatically.
OPL expects Centretowners to travel the 1.5 km to the new main branch. “Unfortunately,” says the CCA, “OPL’s current plan will subvert the idea of a 15-minute community by forcing people into cars, or to forego library services altogether.”
Retain the heritage streetscape
A developer has proposed demolishing a small heritage house at 145 Waverley, just east of Cartier, to make way for an eight-unit apartment building.
In a letter to the developer, the CCA applauds the creation of additional housing units. However, it urges the developer to keep the facade of the brick heritage house, likely built in the late 1800s. A modern structure could be constructed behind the facade. This would retain the heritage streetscape.
Could buses run on time, please?
The most densely populated community in all Ottawa – Centretown – has the most unreliable buses.
“Bank Street in Centretown is surrounded by high-density apartments, non-profit affordable housing, and small businesses. Yet the route 6 and 7 buses are two of the most unreliable routes in the city,” the CCA’s Transportation Committee states in a letter. “Downtown needs more reliable and frequent buses to move workers, shoppers and residents efficiently.”
Let’s share bikes
Ottawa needs bike-sharing.
Look at Montreal, the CCA’s Transportation Committee says in a letter to Councillor Ariel Troster.
“Montreal has become a draw for tourists all across North America with its people-friendly streets, cycling lanes, and Bixi bike-share system featuring over 10,000 bikes.”
Many downtown families are on limited incomes, so “Centretown’s residents need affordable transportation options.”
Vacant Unit Tax deadline is March 21
Still need to file the declaration that affirms your house is not vacant and thus avoid the tax penalty?
The Vacant Unit Tax form can be filled in online at: ottawa.ca/vut . Or you can call 613-580-2444 to have a city staffer help.
Free dental screening
There are free dental screenings at the Hub, 370 Catherine Street, on two Wednesdays, March 13 and 27, from 1 to 4 p.m.
No actual dental work is performed, but an assessment is made and folks can get advice on accessing free dental services.
The screenings are performed by a registered dental hygienist provided by Ottawa Public Health.