May 06

May 2019 Newsletter

Seniors’ Services in Convent Glen-Orléans Wood

Seniors are an important part of the Convent Glen-Orléans Wood community. According to Statistics Canada, one in every five people living in our area was over 65 in 2016. Working, volunteering, sharing their talents – seniors help make our community a great place to live.
To help seniors live here comfortably, the Community Association is gathering information on local services specifically for seniors. We have started with healthy living and health care services and will add more in the months ahead.

Check out the list of local “healthy living and health care services” on our website at:  http://www.conventglenorleanswood.com/healthy-living-and-health-care-services/ You will find information on local services with advice on how best to access them. There are programs and services for:

  • Fitness
  • Home Support
  • Home Health Care
  • Specialized Home Health Care
  • Emergency Response
  • Assisted Living
  • Long-Term Care

There is also information about seniors’ health care services available locally at:

  • Clinics
  • Hospitals
  • Online

Repaving St Joseph

The long-awaited resurfacing of St Joseph Boulevard will be starting in early May and continuing through to October 2019.  The work will start on the section from the 174 to Youville Drive.  The second phase will see the section from 100m East of Jeanne d’Arc Blvd South to Prestone Drive resurfaced.  Follow Councillor Luloff’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/matthewluloff4orleans/ or website: www.matthewluloff.ca to get more information on local projects, or call 311.

Bike to Work Month

Did you know it is the 10th anniversary of Bike to Work Month?!  Envirocentre, with the support of the City of Ottawa and other great community organizations and businesses are working toward getting more people to try commuting by bike during the month of May.  Last year, there were over 4,000 participants and 250 workplaces who cycled more than 13 times around the planet!

This year, they will be giving away over $10,000 worth ofdaily prizes.  You can see some of the highlighted ones here!

Wondering how to get involved?   

  •  Sign up as an individual or start a team to encourage your colleagues to join in!
  • Log your commutes and be eligible to win one of the great prizes!
  • Book a workshop in your community!
  • Invite us (the City) to your spring event
  • Like or follow Bike to Work Ottawa on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Orléans Community Garden

Located at 3350 St. Joseph Boulevard, near 10th Line, the Orléans Community Garden was established to:

  • provide a community space for the residents of Orléans to grow local organic produce;
  • promote gardening as a healthy and cost-effective activity; 
  • educate community members and young children in particular, on the practice and benefits of gardening; and
  • give back to the community by providing free plots and crops to those less fortunate and to provide fresh surplus vegetables to the Ottawa Mission.

If you would like to get involved with the Community Garden, contact jcocg@hotmail.com or you can follow happenings on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Orleans-Community-Garden-Jardin-Communautaire-186264088077578/

Spring Home Safety Tips

Here are some Home Safety Tips from the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA): http://cosafety.ca/assets/pdf/SpringSafeBrochure.pdf:

  • Check cleaning supplies.  Look for leaking containers and dispose of what is no longer used or needed at a hazardous waste distribution site.  For more information about City of Ottawa Household Hazardous Waste Depots, call 311 or go to https://ottawa.ca/en/residents/garbage-and-recycling/hazardous-waste-and-special-items#disposal-household-hazardous-waste
  • Install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.  Replace batteries and test.
  • Visually inspect electrical cords and outlets.  Replace cords if worn or damaged.  Contact a licensed electrical contractor to check loose-fitting outlets.
  • Maintain air conditioner.  Make an appointment with a qualified technician to perform safe and proper maintenance work for your specific unit.
  • Clean eaves troughs thoroughly.  Use a sturdy and reliable ladder and rubber gloves.
  • Clean and check BBQ.  Clean burner ports and tubes and test for hose leaks with a 50/50 water/soap solution.
  • Store fuel and other combustibles outside.  Keep them in a well-ventilated shed or detached garage and away from direct sunlight and other heat sources.
  • Check recreational equipment.  Make sure all playground equipment, bikes, skateboards, etc. are in safe working condition for family use.

Call before you dig.  Before starting a garden or outdoor home renovation, contact your local utility to quickly and easily get your underground utility lines marked to avoid pipeline damage. www.on1call.com or 1-800-400-2255.

Apr 07

April 2019 Newsletter

Spring is coming – however slowly!

two french bulldogs being walked

3rd Annual Dog Walk-a-thon

Bring your four-legged friend out on Saturday April 27th to 6491 Jeanne d’Arc Blvd N (Convent Glen Shopping Centre) at 10am. This is a rain or shine event (dogs are mostly keen to walk regardless of the weather). We will head out on a 4km walk route together. We’ll end the walk back where we started and there will be a photo booth for you and your pooch hosted by the RBC branch. This event is open to all. Donations will be accepted for the Canadian Cancer Society. Follow our updates here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1908769599233178/

a red bicycle and a blue bicycle leaning against trees

2nd Annual Bike Rodeo

On Saturday May 4th, dust off your bikes and bring out your little ones to take advantage of some bike safety activities with instructors from the City of Ottawa’s cycling education program. This is a great way to get a refresher on signals, handling, helmet fitting and more! This event is free and open to everyone. Location to be confirmed. Watch for an event to be posted on the Facebook group for updates and details.

a senior doing nordic walking

Active living club

The City of Ottawa Active Living Club is a great way for seniors to connect with fellow outdoor enthusiasts in an encouraging, safe, and fun environment while staying active this spring and summer. The Active Living Club goes on multiple group cycling and hiking excursions throughout Ottawa. Find our more at: https://ottawa.ca/en/residents/recreation-and-parks/recreation-and-leisure-older-adults, email terryfoxathletic@ottawa.ca or call 613-247-4883.

logo for Glad Cleaning the Capital

Organize Outdoor Spring Cleaning in your neighbourhood

Registration for GLAD Cleaning the Capital is now open. Register your litter pickup and/or graffiti removal project by April 14 to be eligible to win an early bird prize donated by our generous sponsors. By registering a project, you will receive a cleanup starter kit for free. You can get more information, see where others have projects, and register your own project at: https://ottawa.ca/en/residents/water-and-environment/green-living/glad-cleaning-capital. Maybe you can challenge your neighbours to a community clean up.

thank you for lifting our communities image with hot air balloons

“Thank you!” to all Community Association volunteers:

We’d like to celebrate and recognize the impact of volunteers in our neighbourhood and how they lift our community! Celebrate with us during National Volunteer Week (April 7-13) as we highlight some of the people in our neighbourhood who have made an impact. Join our Facebook Group to see and share our thank you messages. We encourage you to let volunteers and neighbours know how they have affected you in positive ways.

Mar 14

March 2019 Newsletter

Financial Literacy Workshop for Seniors

  • Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at 6:30 PM – 8 PM
  • Orléans-Cumberland Community Resource Centre
  • 105-240, Centrum Blvd., Orleans, Ontario K1E 3J4

Join us and RBC financial advisors to improve your financial literacy and learn about fraudulent projects that target seniors. This workshop is open to residents of the greater Orléans area. There is no charge to attend this event.

Space is limited, so please register by sending an email to sara.ammoun@rbc.com

Local Free Income Tax Clinics

  • RCCG Faith Chapel Orleans – 2181 St Joseph Blvd Unit 4 – Community Volunteer Income Tax Clinic Sat 10 am-4 pm, Fri 10 am-2 pm, February 16th – April 30th, 2018.  For more information, contact rccgfctaxclinic@gmail.com
  • Orléans-Cumberland Community Resource Centre – Free Income Tax Clinic for low income individuals or families.  By appointment on Wednesdays or Saturdays from February 21st to March 23rd at 240 Centrum Blvd, Unit 105.  For more information: https://crcoc.ca/income-tax-clinic/ info@crcoc.ca (613) 830-4357
  • EBO Financial Education Centre – 300 Olmstead St, 2nd floor – by appointment Monday to Friday.  Contact Ange Ningabiye, Income Tax Service Coordinator; Phone: 613-746-0400 ext 201; Email: acningabiye@centre-ebo.com

Save the date! 

The CGOWCA’s 3rd Annual Dog Walkathon is coming on Saturday April 27th.  We will be sharing more information about this event and how to take part shortly!

Community-Engaged Arts Gathering

Neighbourhood Arts Ottawa is hosting a one-and-a-half-day Community-Engaged Arts Gathering on March 25th and 26th 2019 at Nunavut Sivuniksavut! If you are interested in making a difference in your community via the arts, you can get more information and sign up for this event here:  https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/community-engaged-arts-gathering-tickets-53407932564

Gardens Ottawa – Spring Symposium

Gardens Ottawa is made up of a group of active garden organizations and avid gardeners. Their goal is to facilitate communication and connection between a variety of garden groups and organizations to enhance quality of life and the beautification of Ottawa through the creation of, and care for, gardens and green spaces.

To this end, Gardens Ottawa is holding a Spring Symposium on March 16th, 2019 at City Hall, Ottawa. Join members in discussing how to make Ottawa bloom as a City of Gardens.

There are two ways to participate, you can fill in the questionnaire at the following link:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1J4CZLgu3e4R_imKhNSrmfQaNQ3UCAP9qvhfjOedDKdw and/or if possible you can attend the Garden Symposium.

To register for the Garden Symposium visit:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/gardens-ottawa-symposium-ottawa-a-city-of-gardens-tickets-56933429420&sa=D&ust=1550678133007000&usg=AFQjCNHCmuHieJJ9Hj-AmIEFkWAIh9mTDg

Feb 11

February 2019 Newsletter

Infographic showing 5-step process for City of Ottawa BudgetIt’s budget time at city hall

Don’t know much about municipal budgets? You are not alone! Our municipal budget covers many things that affect us daily, such as waste management, roads, public transit, first responders, parks and recreation, libraries, and much more. The city has plenty of information to help you understand the budget and how to have your say at www.ottawa.ca/budget.

Because 2018 was an election year, the budget process is slightly different for 2019. The draft of the municipal budget will be presented to council on February 6th. The budget will be discussed at committee meetings and in public consultations until March 6th, at which point councillors will vote to amend and/or accept it.
Matthew Luloff, the new councillor for our neighbourhood, held a public consultation on January 12th. If you missed it and would like to share your opinion with him directly, you can do so via email at Matt.Luloff@ottawa.ca or by phone at 613-580-2471.

Here are a few other ways to provide input on the city’s spending:
Answer the city’s survey – https://s-ca.chkmkt.com/?e=145306&h=EAFE13C3035A06D&l=en
Email your feedback and suggestions to budget@ottawa.ca or call the city at 613-580-2401.

Family Day Laser Tag with Matthew Luloff Image

Family Day Laser Tag with Matthew Luloff!

Join Councillor Luloff for some free Family Day Laser Tag at Laserforce! Advanced registration is required. A total of 8 fifteen minute games will be offered, with the first game starting at 1:00 p.m. and the last game starting at 2:45 p.m.

Each participant must register for a specific game. When registering, please ensure to reserve a spot for each member of your family that intends to play. Spaces will be allocated on a first come first served basis. The minimum age to play is 6. Indoor shoes are required to play.

To register, please call Laserforce (613) 424-8543

image of 5 people (legs only) standing with a bowling ball between their feet

Family Day Bowling with Marie-France Lalonde and Andrew Leslie

Looking for something to do on Family Day (February 18th)? Our local Member of Provincial Parliament and our Member of Parliament are hosting a family-friendly FREE event at Orleans Bowling and Striker’s Billiards. Come out to 885 Taylor Creek Drive between 9am and noon to take part in this fun event.

You don’t need to register, but you can follow the Facebook Event for updates (just click to say you are interested and updates will show up in your feed): https://www.facebook.com/events/2260841210863948/

cartoon image of a mole coming out of a burrow

Snow Moles 2019

Snow Moles are volunteers who report on what it’s like to walk outside on a winter day in Ottawa. The information they gather will be used by the Council on Aging of Ottawa (COA) to inform the City and others of ways that winter walkability can and should be improved.

Anyone can be a snow mole, but we are particularly looking for seniors and children to participate, as well as people who use mobility devices (e.g. canes, walkers and wheelchairs). You can participate as an individual or with a group.

Pick a time of day when you need to go out (best after some winter weather has occurred such as a. snowfall or freezing rain), and a destination (e.g. bus stop, grocery store, school, bank, seniors centre, library).

Use the Snow Mole questionnaire to audit your walk. Complete the questionnaire online: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JG8GLWC or send a completed paper copy to the Council on Aging of Ottawa at 1247 Kilborn Place, Ottawa ON K1H 6K9. For more information, check out the COA website: https://coaottawa.ca/snowmoles/

image of father and son on the community rink with hockey sticks at the Carnival

Winter Fun in Convent Glen

We had fun on February 2nd at the CGOWCA Winter Carnival. Thank you to everyone who helped make it happen, and to everyone in the community who came out!

Jan 26

January 2019 Newsletter

image of someone reading articles on a tabletCity of Ottawa Newsletters

Did you know that you can sign up for newsletters on a variety of municipal topics? Choose as many newsletters as you like and stay in the know on things like: affordable housing development, cycling in the city, emergency preparedness, and francophone events at Ottawa City Hall and more.

Go to this site to choose the newsletters you want to receive: https://ottawa.ca/esubscriptions/signup-form-en.html

After you sign up, you’ll get an email asking you to confirm your subscriptions.

Photo of two children and their parents playing in the snow with a snow man and sled

2nd Annual Winter Carnival

Less than a month away! Come out on Saturday February 2nd to enjoy some games, skating and hot chocolate with the neighbourhood. The CGOWCA is organizing this event for the second year and we hope you will stop by. Come to Jeanne d’Arc park between 11am and 1pm. All activities will happen on or near the rink. More details to come on the CGOWCA Facebook group.

photo showing a snow covered trail with ski tracks

Tis the season for Ski Heritage East!

You can follow their work and achievements, as well as get more information about trail conditions and their current fundraising goals by visiting their Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/skiheritage.orleans.ontario/ or their website: http://www.skiheritageeast.ca/wpshe/.

We encourage you to support this local initiative however you can!

image f a man, a woman and a child sitting in the snow

8 Activities for Your Winter Bucket List in the Capital

Maybe you aren’t a winter person, and are looking for some ways to have fun this season? Check out the NCC’s blog post: 8 Activities for Your Winter Bucket List in the Capital. Who knows, you might find that winter isn’t so bad… http://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/blog/8-activities-for-your-winter-bucket-list-in-the-capital