2017 QTSRCA Bird Photo Contest Winner

Congratulations to Drew for taking the winning photo for this year's QTSRCA photo contest.

We look forward to seeing more great pictures of birds in our neighbourhood next year!

City of Ottawa Museums - February

Beat the Winter Blues at Your Local Museums

Play in the past. Make happy memories for the future.

Fun for Families

On the last Saturday afternoon of every month, kids aged 3 to 10 and their families are invited to become Saturday Explorers. Drop by the Nepean Museum to play games, make crafts, and even touch some authentic artefacts as we learn about a different topic each month. This February, we'll be cooking up a storm as we try out some pioneer recipes.

Bring the Kids to Billings Estate

Keep busy this February with fun programs at Billings Estate National Historic Site. On Friday mornings, kids aged 3 to 5 and their parents are invited to Preschool Playdates, where we'll explore a variety of themes through fun games and interactive activities. On Saturday mornings, 8- to 10-year-olds can put down the tablet and smartphone and get their hands dirty as we try out different recipes with Campfire Cooking in the great outdoors. Registration is required for both these programs, so please contact us to reserve your spot!

Still a Chance to Try Snowshoeing

The groundhog may say that spring is on the way, but why not make the most of winter while it's still here? Come out to Pinhey's Point Historic Site for Snowshoeing Under the Stars on Friday, February 17, or Friday, March 10. On February 26 or March 12, bring the kids and come out into the fresh air for some Sunday Snowshoeing. Space and snowshoes are limited, so be sure to contact us.

Artefact Showcase

Do you have all your gear ready for hockey season? This leather hockey helmet once belonged to a local resident and was used while he played hockey for his high school team around 1944. Safety equipment may have changed slightly since then, but the love of the game still remains a part of our culture. You can see this helmet, along with other winter sports artefacts from the City of Ottawa Museums' collections at Ottawa City Hall during Winterlude this year.

Check us out at Winterlude

Planning on heading downtown for Winterlude this Sunday? Be sure to stop by Ottawa City Hall and visit with staff from the City of Ottawa Museums who will be on site to chat about how winter, and winter sports in particular, have always played an important role in Ottawa's history. Share your favourite winter memory with us, examine some winter artefacts up close, and check out vintage sports equipment from days past.

Did You Know?

Did you know that the growing number of families (and especially the growing number of children) in Ottawa after the Second World War had a direct impact on our city's layout today? In the 1950s, new developments in neighbourhoods like Barrhaven, Craig Henry, and even Kanata were the first to be formally planned for families, with parks, shopping areas, and recreation centres all located within reasonable distance from most homes. Learn more interesting facts about your city with our special exhibition, "Ottawa through the Eyes of the Community" coming to Ottawa City Hall, Billings Estate National Historic Site, Cumberland Heritage Village Museum, Nepean Museum, and Pinhey's Point Historic Site in May.

Looking for a Summer Job? We're Hiring!

Do you, or does someone you know, want to help us bring history to life for our visitors? If you've completed your second year of college or university, you can apply to be a Heritage Leader at one of the City of Ottawa Museums this summer. Not a student? Take a look at our other opportunities like Heritage Specialist and Customer Service Representative.

Need Community Volunteering Hours?

Do you know a high school student looking to get a head start on their Community Volunteering Hours for graduation? The City of Ottawa Museums have lots of different opportunities to volunteer at different locations this summer and fall – from helping to showcase our city's architecture during Doors Open Ottawa, to helping families with old-fashioned crafts and games, there are many options to choose from. Please send us an email to find out more.

Like us on Facebook!

Get the most up-to-date details about special events and programs, and lots of other neat information by following us on Facebook. Billings Estate National Historic Site Cumberland Heritage Village Museum Fairfields Heritage House Nepean Museum Pinhey's Point Historic Site Doors Open Ottawa Do you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for our newsletter? Please contact Melissa Lansing at melissa.lansing@ottawa.ca or call 613-580-2424 ext. 19040.

Next QTSRCA Meeting - February 13th

The Queensway Terrace South Ridgeview Community Association (QTSRCA) will be holding our next monthly meeting on February 13th, 7:30-9:00 and you are welcome to join us.  A copy of the agenda for the meeting is available at this link.

When: February 13th, 7:30 pm 

Where: Sonny’s Bar and Grill – 1119 Baxter Rd

Great Backyard Bird Count and QTSRCA Photo Contest

Join us for the 20^th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count from February 17-20, 2017

QTSRCA Photo Contest

Take a photo of any bird you see between February 17^th and 20^th. Submit your photo to www.facebook.com/qtsrca/ or @QTSRCommunity before February 22^nd. One entry will be randomly drawn to win a birding prize package.

Great Backyard Bird Count

Join in! Count birds in your backyard, local park, or wherever you spot a bird, and submit your observations online at birdcount.org

How to Count the Birds:

1.       Count birds anywhere you like.  We recommend at LEAST 15 minutes – or even longer if you wish.  Keep track of the numbers and species of birds you see and how long you watched.

2.       Make your best estimates of how many birds you saw of each species.  For example, 5 Northern Cardinals, 3 American Crows.  Huge flocks may be a challenge, but your best guess is still valuable.

3.       Enter your list(s) online at BirdCount.org.  Put in a new checklist:

a.       For each new day

b.      For each different location

c.       For the same location, same day, if you counted at a different time of day

Great Backyard Bird Count and QTSRCA Photo Contest Poster

Great Backyard Bird Count Instructions

City of Ottawa February Events

March Break Adventures for Kids

March 13 to 17 offers a perfect opportunity to try something new, improve your sports skills and make new friends at the many day camps across the city. Days filled with physical activity, games, songs, crafts and special events, guarantee there will be no boredom in this city. Our qualified and certified staff are busily planning for exciting times in March.

Winterlude Activities: February 3 to February 20

Don't let the cold keep you indoors! Winterlude is back and bigger than ever with new and expanded events to celebrate Canada's 150th! Explore the ice sculptures in the Crystal Garden at Confederation Park, skate the state-of-the-art refrigerated Sens Rink of Dreams at Ottawa City Hall and, of course, enjoy a delicious local favourite; Beavertails.

Spring and Summer Recreation Guides

City of Ottawa Parks, Recreation and Culture Services programs are divided by language of instruction into two guides: the Recreation eGuide and Mon Cyberguide francophone des loisirs. Both will be available in PDF format online beginning Wednesday, February 22.

Registration Starts Soon!

Swimming and Aquafitness Programs  Online and Touch Tone Telephone Registration (613-580-2588) – starting Monday, March 6 at 9 pm. In-Person Registration on Tuesday, March 7 during regular business hours. All other Recreation Programs and Summer Camps  Online and Touch Tone Telephone Registration (613-580-2588) – starting Wednesday, March 8 at 9 pm. In-Person Registration on Thursday, March 9 during regular business hours. What you need to know for registration.

Call for Artists - Young at Art 2017

No better time than now to enter your artwork for Young at Art 2017! Participate in this citywide juried art exhibition for a chance to exhibit your work and be recognized. Application forms are now available online! For latest updates and everything you need to know visit ottawa.ca/youngatart.

Breeze through frosty winter days with specialized arts courses and workshops

Spend your time in our studios and put January behind you. It's not too late to register for classes at NVAC and NCAC.  Many classes and workshops to choose from, like Altered Images: Photo Transfer, Clay Wheel, Dundun Dance, and more!