Outdoor Rink at St. Moritz
A giant thank you to Worry Free Snowblowing for helping clear our outdoor rink!
Our team of volunteers is working very hard on the rink! Contact us at conventglenorleanswood@gmail.com if you are interested in helping out.
Family Day Winter Carnival
Join the CGOWCA and Ward 2 Councillor Laura Dudas for an afternoon of outdoor fun for the family! We’ll be serving hot chocolate (bring your own mug!) and maple taffy, and there will be plenty of games.
Bring your skates to take advantage of our outdoor rink, maintained by our exceptional group of volunteers.
- When: Monday February 20th
- What time: 1pm to 3pm
- Where: Jeanne d’Arc Park (1155 St. Moritz)
RSVP to the Facebook event for updates and reminders.
In case of inclement weather such as rain, the event will take place on February 19th instead.
Resources from Know What do Do: Hope, Help and Strength when Faced with Suicide
For those of you who were not able to attend the webinar the CGOWCA coordinated earlier this month, the link to the full video is here on Suicide Prevention Ottawa’s YouTube page where you can also access previous recordings such as the presentation about the Skills for Safer Living program.
If these tools could be helpful to other people that you know or support, consider passing them along by sharing Suicide Prevention Ottawa’s Livestream of the webinar on your Facebook page or through other mediums.
For those who don’t have time to watch the whole webinar:
- Click here to view the presentation by Jenna Wray, Engagement Coordinator at Centre for Suicide Prevention who shares how to talk about suicide with someone you are worried about.
- Click here to view the presentation by Yolaine Roberge, Peer Supporter with the Skills for Safer Living program who talks about how to be more successful when asking for help as a person who struggles with suicide.
- Click here to view the presentation by Brittany Oremush, Public Health Nurse at Ottawa Public Health who talks about local resources that are available in Ottawa.
Update from the Bridge Committee
The Bridge Committee is working hard to gather accurate and up-to-date information about the process and progress of the decision for the placement of the Sixth Crossing in the East End. So far, neither the National Capital Commission (NCC) or Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) have answered our questions. A very candid meeting with Marie France Lalonde, MP for Orléans, yielded that a decision could be made in about a year. For folks who have seen the barges on the Ottawa River, which have been collecting samples for the studies, the barges will reappear in the Spring to do more testing.
We were able to obtain a full copy of the NCC’s Refresh Document and are studying it in detail. What concerns us most is the fact that while Kettle Island is still the preferred option, McLaurin Bay (also referred to as Option 7, which has the Bridge running through the Greenbelt next to Convent Glen) seems to be favoured as well. In collaboration with the Environmental Committee, we continue to plan for a widespread information campaign in the weeks to come.
Something you and your neighbours can do to help now, is to participate in NCC’s online consultation regarding the Sir George Etienne parkway prior to an open house. It is a good way to ensure the decision makers know the east end is strong in its desire to protect and sustain the eastern greenbelt – what is left of it.
Ski Under the Full Moon
Join us for an evening of skiing, hot chocolate, camaraderie, and more at our Moonlight Ski event! Bring your Nordic skis, a reusable mug, a headlamp (if available), and make sure to dress warmly. All ages and skill levels are welcome. You can register on Facebook for updates and reminders.
Groomers from Ski Heritage East will be out in advance, and the trails will be set for both classic and skate skiing. The event is hosted by the Convent Glen Orléans Wood Community Association with support from Ski Heritage East and Ward 2 Councillor Laura Dudas.·
- WHEN: Sunday Feb. 5th at 7:00pm (Full moon) **·
- WHERE: Meet at Roy G. Hobbs Community Centre (109 Larch Crescent). Free parking and indoor washrooms available.·
- WHAT TO BRING: Nordic skis, warm clothes, headlamp (if you have one), reflective clothing, reusable mug
OTHER DETAILS: This event will take place during a full moon, but the trails will still be dimly lit so we suggest folks bring a headlamp if they can. Participants are invited to bring friends and family to join the fun! Hot chocolate and snacks will be served, so bring a reusable mug to be kind to Mother Earth.
**If we have inclement weather, we will postpone to Mon. Feb. 6th at 7:00pm
Show Your Community Some Love!
From the CGOWCA Environment Committee
This Valentine’s Day, consider four new practices that are better for the environment—and are sure to make your Valentine swoon!
Getting dressed up? Dress more consciously. The clothes we buy and wear impact the environment. Choose natural, organic fibres as much as possible from ethical brands. Check your neighbourhood’s “Buy Nothing” Group for previously-loved articles of clothing for all ages, shapes, and sizes—100% free! Many thrift stores in our community sell quality clothing and use proceeds to help support local charities. 10 Stylish Ways to Dress More Consciously
Taking a dreamy winter walk? Contribute to citizen science.The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) needs our community’s help identifying trees, shrubs, and wildlife tracks in the winter snow. You and your Valentine can record your findings on a free app as you sip hot cocoa, walk along gorgeous neighbourhood trails, and enjoy the crisp air. No one does romance quite as well as Mother Nature! Take the NCC’s challenge to “Explore a Winter Wonderland” and enter to win a prize pack!
Going on a dinner date? Eat seasonal and local produce.You can reduce the environmental footprint of your food while eating well and supporting Orléans’ best farmers. Not only is less energy required for growing and transporting seasonal, local produce, but February’s fruits and veggies shine in soups, stews, and the following recipes: Potato-Leek Galettes, Roasted Butternut Squash Soup, Apple Loaf Cake
Shopping for someone special? Source ethically-made, local gifts. February is Black History Month! Show some love to these Black-owned, environmentally-friendly businesses in our city this Valentine’s Day: Enfematic – Cruelty-free, plant-based candles and scrumptious bath + body products. Handmade in Ottawa with 100% natural and organic ingredients. Local Leaves – A sister duo with a love of plants, who sells and delivers within the Ottawa area. They also create and ship custom, hand-painted pots, paintings, prints, crafts and graphics from Koukatelier, using reused or recycled materials. To offset shipping, a portion of funds is reinvested in tree-planting initiatives. Izere Coffee – Community-minded mother-daughter team offering roasts from light to dark. They bring a taste of their native Burundi to Canada and have done some fun collaborations with breweries to make coffee beer in Ottawa!
