Apr 07

April 2018 Newsletter

Dog Walk-A-Thon – April 28th

Have you and your furry friend and/or child been looking to go for a walk around the neighbourhood? If so, we’ve got the perfect idea for you! The CGOWCA is organizing a 3km walkathon to help raise funds and awareness for the Canadian Cancer Society! Come enjoy a nice walk down by the Ottawa River all the while meeting new people and raising awareness for a great cause! We promise it’ll be the best walk you’ve ever had!
When: Saturday, April 28th at 10am.
Raindate: Sunday, April 29th at 10am.
Where: The start and finish line is in the parking lot of École Catholique Élémentaire Des Voyageurs, 6030 Voyageur Drive
Why: To raise funds and awareness for the Canadian Cancer Society.
What: 3km walkathon, everyone is welcome.
How to make a donation: You can make a direct donation the day of or donate online: http://convio.cancer.ca/goto/cgowcawalkathon
Hope to see you there!

Bike Rodeo – May 6th

Dig out your bicycles and join the CGOWCA for some bike safety tips, equipment checks and a lovely ride along the Ottawa River Pathway. This FREE event is open to residents of all ages.
Meet us at École des Voyageurs, learn about good helmet fit, try out a small “obstacle course”, then follow a marked route – at your own pace! – to explore the pathways in our neighbourhood.
The event runs from 11 until 1; there is no firm start time for the ride portion, participants can come and go on their own schedule. More details to come on our Facebook page!

Support the Orléans Community Garden – Garage Sale

If you want to donate items: We accept donations at 622 Valin Street every Monday evening from 6-7pm sharp. We accept all small appliances that work, all kid items (including clothes), glassware, lamps, seasonal items, small tables, bookshelves, artwork, mirrors, gently used adult clothing, toys, novels, tools, crafting items. If you have old plant pots, please donate them as we will have a plant sale again this year. If you have house plants you want to multiply for the sale that would be great too!

If you want to shop: The Garage Sale is on MAY 5 from 7:30am-3pm at 622 Valin Street. You can RSVP to the Facebook event to get updates: https://www.facebook.com/events/404471209975519/

The Orléans Community Garden supports the Ottawa Mission Rooftop Garden along with the Ottawa Little Theatre Garden which donates it’s produce to the Ottawa Mission. We also donate excess food to the Ottawa Mission on a weekly basis which adds up to between 2,000 – 4,000 lbs depending on the weather. We also provide FREE educational field trips to schools in the area. Many have taken advantage of these field trips already and the feedback is great.

Call for Volunteers for Cycling without Age

Cycling Without Age: seeking strong-legged warm-hearted volunteers! Cycling without Age is an innovative program designed to enhance the lives of seniors by providing them with a great opportunity to remain connected to society and active in our community. Cycling without age is the obvious generous act of taking one or two elderly people out on a bike ride. It's a simple act that everyone can do. Bruyère's Saint-Louis Residence is looking for volunteers to take senior citizens for bicycle rides as part of the program. If you have strong legs and a generous heart, please contact Mariama Diallo at 613-562-6262, ext. 2517.

Mar 10

March 2018 Newsletter

Tell the city about your favourite pothole!

It’s pothole season in Ottawa! Did you know: You can report a number of concerns online (potholes included) with the city of Ottawa’s online reporting tool. Topics include Animals and Pets; Complaints and Compliments; Garbage and Recycling; Health and Safety; Noise; Parking; Parks and Trees; Property Damage or Maintenance; and Road Maintenance. Go to www.ottawa.ca and click on Report or Request. This tool is also accessible from your mobile device. You can report a pothole using a specific address or intersection, and you have the option of adding a photo. You can also report a pothole directly through this link: https://so311.serviceottawa.ca/selfserve/?reqId=2000164&lang=en&form=Road_Maint_Surface.Pothole.

 

It’s also tax season…

If you are looking for a free income tax clinic, here are a few options to check out in Orléans:  http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/vlntr/clncs/orleans-on-eng.html

 

Have your say on the future of Ottawa with Ottawa Next: Beyond 2036

Do you ever wonder what this City will be when 2- 3 million people call Ottawa home?

Can you imagine how everyone will get around, where they will live or work and how climate and new technologies may change the way we do things?

In December 2016 City Council directed that a planning study be undertaken that will begin to look at what the answers to these questions might be and how to position the City so that it can prosper from what we know will happen in the future but also create a city that is adaptable and responsive to changes that are less certain or even unknown.  

Submit your input via this survey:   https://s-ca.chkmkt.com/?e=108024&h=1D75850A5D6988A&l=en

 

Save the date(s)!

The CGOWCA is working on finalizing two community events in April. Mark your calendars!

  • Family fun for cyclists at the Bike Rodeo at École élémentaire catholique des Voyageurs on April 21st (tentative).
  • Dog walk-a-thon fundraiser (bring your furry friend) on April 28th!

Feb 17

February 2018 Newsletter

Looking for something to do on Family Day? Come to the CGOWCA Winter Carnival!

The Carnival will run from 10am to 2pm on Monday February 19th on and around the St Moritz rink, behind Convent Glen Catholic School. We will have different games and activities that are fun for kids and adults. Bring your skates if you would like to enjoy the rink. There will be free maple snow taffy (while quantities last) and refreshments. RSVP on the event on the Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/events/1414806265296985/) and bring your neighbours!

Have you heard about OHIP+?

As of January 1, 2018, all babies, children and youth age 24 years and under who have OHIP coverage are automatically covered by OHIP+: Children and Youth Pharmacare. OHIP+ covers more than 4400 prescription items!

You do not need to enroll or register. Find out more online at https://www.ontario.ca/page/learn-about-ohip-plus

Interested in effecting change in your community? Synapcity’s Civics Talks are coming to Orléans

Synapcity, an organization that connects people across diverse communities to share perspectives and create positive change, will be holding their Civics Talk in Orléans on February 22nd and March 1st at Shenkman Arts Centre.

What’s a Civics Talk?

“Synapcity’s Civics Talks is coming to Orleans to help interested people understand the power of coming together, discover our shared connection to place and inspire neighbourhood innovation. We will work with you to share and uncover dreams and hopes while practicing collaborative skills. You will then begin to imagine your neighbourhood and we will provide some tools to make that dream come true.”

Find out more or register by visiting http://synapcity.ca/workshop/orleans/.

Jan 19

Newsletter – January 2018

Happy New Year!

Community outdoor rink – behind Convent Glen Catholic School

A message from our amazing community rink volunteer:

The outdoor rink is in great shape, and is being well-used by kids and adults of all ages in this wonderful winter weather!

All participants at the rink are reminded to follow some simple rules:

  1. Put garbage in the garbage can.
  2. When the ice needs shoveling, and someone starts, do not keep skating – put sticks and pucks aside, and help out.
  3. Please control behaviour and language – this is a public rink.
  4. After shoveling, please return shovels to the exterior of the shed.
  5. Please do not leave anything on the ice which could endanger the volunteers who are clearing the ice – pop cans or bottles, hockey sticks, pucks, etc. can be a danger to those working on behalf of the participants, using the snow blower.
  6. Lastly, the lights go out at 11 pm, and we are trying to water every night, weather permitting. If you are one of the last groups on the ice, please scrape the ice and remove any snow. This will improve the quality of the ice for the next day. Also, the nets should be taken off the ice surface.

I am enjoying my first year as the rink operator, and with the cooperation of all participants, hope to be able to continue in the role for a few more years – volunteers always welcome!

George Jamieson

 

Update on the Ski Heritage East Trail

The Ski Heritage East Trail is a go!  With funding of $15k from the City, community support through our GoFundMe page and a generous contribution from the CGOWCA, we have been able to begin grooming. Negotiations are underway to bring a major private sector sponsor on board soon. We will also have an on-line raffle, with cross country skis donated by Giant Orléans, as well as other goodies from local merchants, as the prizes.

The Trail, which runs from Green’s Creek in the west to Trim Road in the east, was groomed last Thursday and is scheduled for more grooming this week. Despite the recent frigid temperatures, local residents have been flocking to the Trail on skis, snowshoes and fatbikes, as well as the usual hardy contingent of dog walkers.

Please join us at the Official Launch of the Trail on Wednesday, January 17th at 1 pm. We will be joined at Cairine Wilson HS by Mayor Jim Watson, Bob Monette, the Ski Heritage East Team and others associated with the Trail. Watch our Facebook page for updates, as well as for trail conditions.  Please send us your photos from the Trail so we may post them to our page.

 

Upcoming event – Winter Carnival

Come one, come all to the Convent Glen Orleans Woods Community Association’s Winter Carnival! The Carnival will be taking place on Family day (Monday, February 19) between 10am and 2pm behind Convent Glen Catholic School. There will be games and activities that will be fun for the whole family! There will be events both on and off the ice so make sure to bring your skates (if you’d like to enjoy the rink).  As well, we will be offering free maple snow taffy (while quantities last), hot chocolate and coffee.  This is a great opportunity to get out, have some fun, and meet some members from your community and community association.

Dec 08

Newsletter – December 2017

Would you like to help make someone’s Christmas merry and bright?

…and you’d like to make a difference in your community:

  • The Orléans-Cumberland Community Resource Centre has a Christmas Program that looks for people to sponsor a family; to host an “Angel Tree” at their office, business, or with friends and family; to donate new unwrapped gifts or gift cards; and to donate food. If you are interested, contact them quickly! There are deadlines for some types of help. You can see the full write up on their website or you can contact Cindy MacKay at 613-830-4357 ext. 305 or at cmackay@crcoc.ca.
  • The Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre also has a Christmas program to sponsor a family; Tuques for Tots, donations of winter accessories; Teen Angel, donations of gift cards; and Food for the Holidays. You can find more details on their website or call Chantal or Najwa at 613-741-6025.
  • Other ideas: Visit with your neighbours! Lend a helping hand after a heavy snowfall!

…and you’d like a broader impact:

  • The Ottawa Food Bank helps over 40,000 people per month and looks for community members just like you to organize Holiday Food Drives. You can get information and materials on their website to organize your own drive. You can also leave donations at bins around the city such as the one found just inside the doors at the Metro at the Convent Glen Plaza. Also, please consider donating money instead of food; the food bank can stretch 1$ into 5$ worth of food!
  • The Caring and Sharing Exchange was started in 1915 and provides food hampers and gift cards to families during the holiday season. In 2016, over 14000 households in Ottawa received help through the Caring and Sharing Exchange. Find out more on their website or call them at 613-226-6434.
  • You can donate money to most charitable organizations through canadahelps.org if you have a cause that is close to your heart. Even though Giving Tuesday has passed, it’s not too late to make an impact in 2017.
  • If you would rather donate your time, you could check out volunteerottawa.ca and search through hundreds of opportunities around the city. You can filter results by neighbourhood if you would like to stay close to home. You can also filter by when you are available – days, evenings, weekends, etc.

Community outdoor ice rink

We at the Convent Glen Community Association are looking for volunteers to help in the cleaning and maintaining of the ice rink behind Convent Glen Catholic School.  We are looking for two levels of volunteers:

  • an “A team”, consisting of 4 people, who will be able to devote one or two nights or days a week to the regular maintenance of the rink. This team will need to be able to operate the blower and water the ice, and will have access to the storage bunker. Depending on conditions you will be at the rink for 1-2 hours.
  • a “B team”, consisting of 6+ people, who will be available as necessary, to assist in clearing the ice after significant snowfalls. The more individuals on the B team the better as it means the work can be done faster.

If you, or anyone you know, might be interested in being part of either of these teams please contact George Jameson via phone at 613-824-5536 or email him at g.jam (at) hotmail.com.

text saying Happy Holidays with coloured lights below the text

And last but not least, MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR from all of us at the CGOWCA! May your holidays be filled with love, laughter and warmth!