November 2022 Newsletter

photo of Santa Claus looking out a window of a house that is decorated with garland and christmas lights

Santa’s Parade of Lights

On November 26th we welcome back Santa’s Parade of Lights in Orléans! This event is hosted by the Ottawa Professional Firefighters Association.  The parade will start at 6pm at Youville and St-Joseph and will run along St-Joseph Boulevard to Prestone Drive.

You can learn more on the Parade of Lights website or by checking out their Facebook page.

four hands in a fist that are lined up in a row displaying the backs of their hands. There is a sticker on the back of each hand that says vote. Each hand has a different skin tone.

Municipal Election 2022

A little under 44% of eligible voters in Ottawa cast their ballots on October 24th and the results are now official. Congratulations to the successful candidates! We have a new mayor, Mark Sutcliffe, and a new-to-us councillor, Laura Dudas.

In Convent Glen and Orléans Wood, here are the returning or new elected officials:

  • Ward 2 – Orléans West Innes Councillor:  Laura Dudas
  • Ottawa-Carleton District School Board Zone 12:  Cathryne Milburn
  • Ottawa Catholic School Board Zone 3:  Brian Coburn
  • Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est Secteur 9:  Johanne Lacombe
  • Conseil des écoles publiques Secteur 7: Philippe Landry
a photo of one lone poppy in a field of light brown wheat or grass

Help Royal Canadian Legion Branch 632

The Orléans Royal Canadian Legion is looking for volunteers to help with the poppy campaign.  You do not need to be a member of the Legion to get involved.  Find more information here: https://www.rcl632.ca/poppy-campaign

Pierre Rocque Park Renewal

The City is looking for your feedback on the lifecycle renewal of Pierre Rocque Park in WARD 1. The park is located at 1257 Joseph Drouin Avenue. The park renewal will include the removal and replacement of the existing play structures, the installation of engineered wood fiber fall surface and the repair and replacement of asphalt pathways. The play area will be universally accessible and include accessible play features.

You can provide feedback through the Engage Ottawa platform until Monday November 14.

a teenager resting on a ledge with a scooter. The child is looking at a smartphone.

WalkRollMap

Funded by the University of Victoria, WalkRollMap.org is a crowdsourcing tool for mapping micro barriers to accessible walking and rolling. What is a micro barrier? Anything that makes it harder (or maybe even impossible) to walk or roll safely or comfortably in your community. It might be a missing bench, uneven payment, or unplowed snow. Whatever it is that is getting in your way, or missing (e.g. bench or washroom) we want to know what it is and where! 

Here’s a video to explain it:  https://youtu.be/fTeOYuAapGM

Here’s a walkthrough of how to report an accessibility challenge on walkrollmap.org.

Why use WalkRollMap.org?

Although urgent accessibility challenges should be reported to 3-1-1, these service requests are not shared publicly, and other members of the community are not able to see that other people have reported concerns. By using WalkRollMap.org, you will be contributing to a visual record of accessibility challenges in the City of Ottawa and also have access to view the overall map of all concerns reported.

The sister app for cycling (BikeMaps.org) is already well known by city councilors, and we will be sharing WalkRollMap.org with all newly elected councilors post-election.

If you have any questions, please contact Felicity Borgal, the Active Transportation Coordinator at Ottawa’s EnviroCentre. Together, we can help make Ottawa’s walking and rolling environment safer and more accessible!

October 2022 newsletter

photograph of a carved pumpkin with a candle in it

Pumpkin parade November 1

After the trick or treating is over and the good candy is eaten, bring those beautiful Jack-o’-lanterns to Hiawatha Park (corner of Voyageur and Voyageur). The CGOWCA is hosting a Pumpkin Parade on Nov. 1st from 6:00pm to 7:30pm.

Residents are asked to bring their pumpkins and a battery-operated candle. We will line up the lighted pumpkins for people to see, and then vote on the best one.

There will be two categories for voting, each with their own prize: one category for kids 12 and under, and one category for 13+ years old.

We hope to see you there!

Annual General Meeting - Get Involved!

2022 Annual General Meeting

The CGOWCA held its AGM virtually on September 19. Thank you to all of the members who attended!

We heard an amazing presentation from Meg McCallum, Executive Director of the Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa. She showed us that change is possible when it comes to affordable housing – all that is required is the will to make it happen. The Alliance launched the Starts With Home campaign ahead of the municipal election to raise awareness of this issue and encourage all candidates to build more and better affordable housing into their platforms. The CGOWCA has endorsed the campaign as an organization, and we encourage you to do the same as individuals.

During the AGM we welcomed three new board members: Cassandra Polyzou, Daniel Lamothe and Karen Chow. We are very excited to have them join us and wish them a warm welcome!

The board extends its gratitude to Gary Bradshaw, former board member, for his dedication and love for our community during his time on the board.

photograph of a little free library (location unknown

Little Free Libraries Near You

Have you noticed Little Free Libraries popping up around Orléans or other places in Ottawa? Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization based in St. Paul, Minnesota. Their mission is to be a catalyst for building community, inspiring readers, and expanding book access for all through a global network of volunteer-led Little Free Libraries.

Their vision is a Little Free Library in every community and a book for every reader. We believe all people are empowered when the opportunity to discover a personally relevant book to read is not limited by time, space, or privilege.

You can search on the Little Free Libraries website: https://littlefreelibrary.org/map/

Here are a few we have found in Orléans:

  • LANE Library at 1721 Meadowview Cres.
  • Librairie Des Prairies, 1751 Des Prairies Ave.
  • Radisson Way, between Amyot and Ethier.
  • Zunzun Little Free Library, 1895 Markwell Cresc.
  • Little Free Library Orleans, 2129 Avebury Drive.
  • Trish’s Little Free Library – Orleans, 443 Wincanton Drive.
image of a person putting a ballot into a box, a checkmark in a circle and a silhouette of the Ottawa downtown skyline

Reminder to Vote – Ottawa municipal election

Advanced polls are already open. We strongly encourage everyone to get out and vote. City Council has a huge impact on our day to day lives from garbage, to transit, to parks and recreation.

If you aren’t sure where to go, or what you need to bring, or have other questions – this website is a good starting place: https://ottawa.ca/en/city-hall/elections/2022-municipal-elections/information-voters

To see the Rogers TV Debate for our area (Orléans West-Innes – Ward 2) it is available online: https://youtu.be/6EsHMW48UWk

Get out and vote!

September 2022 Newsletter

Header image that says "Ottawa Cleaning the Capital"

Cleaning the Capital Fall 2022 – Registration is Open!

Register your clean up project until September 30, 2022.  Registering a project makes you eligible for a  free Cleanup Kit for you and your team. 

Your clean up can be as small and simple as your household heading out together to clean up a part of your neighbourhood.  It could be as large as a neighbourhood-wide event including a social get together after the clean up! 

Registering online means you’ll pick a location that isn’t already going to be cleaned by another group.  If you fill out the final report (just a summary of how much you picked up and how many people took part) then you can even win prizes.

Help pitch in and keep Convent Glen and Orléans Wood looking green and clean!

Register here: https://ottv3.ottawa.ca/en/cleaning-capital-program-registration-form

Convent Glen – Orléans Wood Community Association Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Please join us on Monday September 19th at 7pm for our virtual AGM.

Link to Register for the AGM is here: https://bit.ly/3JPxNaH

Annual General Meetings are a chance to come together, to hear about the activities of the Community Association for the past year and to elect the volunteer Board of Directors.

If you are interested in volunteering to help the Board of Directors, please reach out to conventglenorleanswood@gmail.com

a group of people doing a yoga class outside in a park

Yoga in the Park 2022

Mireille Brownhill has led the efforts that have allowed the CGOWCA to offer free yoga in the park for several years. In 2022, it was hosted in Hiawatha Park (in Convent Glen) and Décarie Park (in Orléans Wood). 

Thank you to the instructors who shared your time and expertise with neighbours. Thank you to the neighbours who attended!

Keep those Wednesday evenings open in July and August 2023 for our next offering.

image with a hand putting a ballot into a voting box, a checkmark inside a circle, and a silhouette of the Ottawa downtown skyline

Municipal Election – Monday October 24, 2022

All of us have a civic responsibility to vote.  The next regular municipal election to elect a Mayor, City Councillors, and School Board Trustees will be held on Monday, October 24, 2022. Eligible electors will have the opportunity to cast a ballot for the following offices:

  • Mayor – one elected at large
  • City Councillor – one elected per ward
  • School Board Trustee – one elected per zone: 
    • Ottawa-Carleton District School Board
    • Ottawa Catholic School Board
    • Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario
    • Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est

The slate of candidates for our upcoming municipal election is set.  The ward boundaries changed since our last election and Convent Glen and Orléans Wood now fall in Ward 2.  You can confirm your ward and your slate of candidates by entering your address here: https://elections.ottawa.ca/UI/CandidateList/CandidateList

If this is your first chance to vote in a municipal election (or even if it isn’t and you just want to better understand the process), check out this Voters’ Guide prepared by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs:  https://www.ontario.ca/document/2022-voters-guide-ontario-municipal-council-and-school-board-elections

Mayors and City Councillors are responsible for making decisions about how property tax dollars are allocated.  Municipal government is responsible for things that affect everyone daily such as:

  • Infrastructure services:  snow removal, roads, garbage and recycling, water and sewer
  • Quality of life services: community centres, parks and recreation, libraries
  • Essential services:  public transit, affordable housing, public health, community services
  • Enforcement and Emergency services:  Police, Bylaw, Fire


School Board Trustees make decisions about how schools run by setting policies and strategic directions.  They are part of making decisions about how budgets and resources are allocated.  They are representatives of the community who are our advocates for public education.  Find out more here: https://elections.ontarioschooltrustees.org/WhatDoTrusteesDo/SchoolBoardTrustees.aspx

The work of municipal government affects all of us every day – VOTE!

Four kids under 10 years old who are on a beach and holding signs saying "save the earth" and "love the earth"

Call for Environment Committee Volunteers

Are you interested in environmental sustainability, protecting and naturalizing greenspaces, and engaging the community on sustainable transportation and climate resilience? Do you want to meet other like-minded folks interested in improving the biodiversity and environmental protection in our area? CGOWCA is starting an Environment Committee and we are looking for a group of committed volunteers who are interested in developing goals and projects for our community!
 
Please send an email to conventglenorleanswood@gmail.com with your interest, time availability (i.e. hours per month), and areas of interest (i.e. gardens, transportation, tree planting, etc.). We hope to set up our first virtual meeting sometime in October!

2022 Summer BBQ

All are welcome on Saturday August 6th from 11am to 1:30pm. Join us at Convent Glen Plaza by Golden Fries.

June 2022 Newsletter

Logo for the play:  a hand holding an open book that is being struck by lightning.

A Company of Fools brings The Tempest to Hiawatha Park

Friday June 24, 2022 at 7pm

Pay what you can, suggested donation $20

This live performance has a running time of 90 minutes.  This year’s play is brought to you by 6 actors, and features an original score with live music and their signature cartoon-ish puppets embodying numerous supporting characters.

Who are a Company of Fools?

They are a local, professional theatre company.  Their mandate is to create accessible and interactive performances based on the works of William Shakespeare for all audiences regardless of their geography, income, or age.  This summer, they are touring to over 40 parks in and around Ottawa. 

Check them out at https://fools.ca/

person grilling hamburgers and hot dogs

CGOWCA Annual BBQ!

We’ve started planning our annual community BBQ and we are looking for volunteers to help. Please write to conventglenorléanswood@gmail.com if you’d like to get involved.  Stay up to date on our activities with our Facebook group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/CGOWAssociation

Let's Bike Ottawa logo

Let’s Bike Ottawa!

The weather is improving to make it easier to take part in Let’s Bike Month this June!  Let’s Bike Month is an annual campaign that encourages people to try cycling as a fun and healthy transportation option. Participants in the campaign:

  • Win prizes
  • Save money
  • Get access to free resources
  • See the GHG averted by choosing to bike
  • Have fun!

Whether you want to try biking for the first time, use the campaign to encourage your employer to support alternative commuting options, or encourage others in your life to give it a try, Let’s Bike Month provides the resources and motivation to help!

Find out more or sign up here: www.letsbike.ca

Let’s Bike Month, an EnviroCentre initiative, is made possible with the support of local businesses, sponsors, and our partnership with the City of Ottawa.

two women holding hands with arms raised.  one woman has a rainbow painted on her skin.

Pride Orléans

Connect with others locally who care about support, respect and inclusiveness for everyone: https://www.facebook.com/groups/258762344501674/about

In Ottawa, Capital Pride hosts a parade in August.  There are events coming up soon too!

  • June 17th – Pride Prom 2022:  Through the Decades — Open to high school students from across the National Capital Region and featuring live music and performances plus a recognition ceremony.  More information here: https://capitalpride.ca/events/pride-prom-2022-through-the-decades/
  • June 22nd – Trey Anthony:  Black Girl in Love (with Herself) — Trey Anthony is a visionary creator, comedian, television writer, and award-winning playwright of international significance. The first African Canadian woman to have her own program on a primetime Canadian network, she is the writer of the critically acclaimed hit play and television show ’Da Kink In My Hair, which put her on the map as a mentor and role model.  More information here: https://capitalpride.ca/events/12548/
person holding a red maple leaf

Canada Day – How to mark the day

We recognize that celebrating Canada Day is problematic for many members of our community because it celebrates the colonization and oppression of the original owners of this land.  If you don’t know about the problematic parts of Canada Day, please learn more here:  https://www.theindigenousfoundation.org/articles/why-you-shouldnt-be-celebrating-canada-day-and-what-to-do-instead.  As stated by the Indigenous Foundation, you might want to use the day as a day of reflection and of mourning.

There are some local events for those who wish to celebrate the day: