Just Food's Seedy Saturday Event This Weekend

 

Seedy Saturday - March 4, 2023

The event is free for all visitors and will run from 10am-3pm at the Ron Kolbus Centre.

Come out and enjoy: 

• More than a dozen seed vendors from the region!
• The ever-popular seed exchange table
• Food, drink and merchandise vendors, 
• Info tables from Seeds of Diversity and Master Gardeners of Ottawa
• …and more!

You will also receive access to 3 online workshops on regenerative agriculture, organic seeds, and pollinators from Seeds of Diversity.

For those who are interested in ordering ahead and picking up at the event:

Contact these participating vendors directly, make your order, pay directly to the vendor, and they will bring your seeds to the event for pickup:  

• Urban Garden Harvest
• Semences Le Noyau Seeds
• Northern Seeds (formerly Ferme des Collines)

For more information, including a list of vendors, click here.

City of Ottawa Accessibility Spotlight - February 2023

 

Accessibility Supports for the Vacant Unit Tax Declaration

Ottawa homeowners are reminded to complete their Vacant Unit Tax declaration before the March 16 deadline. The City has set up declaration options for residents who may require accessibility-related supports, and for those without access to the internet or digital devices, such as computers, tablets and other hand-held devices: Call 613-580-2444 where an agent will help complete your declaration over the phone Call 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service Book an in-person appointment at the Mary Pitt Centre (100 Constellation Drive) Please visit ottawa.ca/vut for more information. Information is available in Arabic, Somali, Simplified Chinese and Spanish. Accessible formats are also available, by request.

Snow Angel Program

Do you know a Snow Angel who deserves recognition?

A Snow Angel is a neighbour or friend who volunteers to help older adults or persons with disabilities improve their accessibility during the winter by shoveling and/or de-icing their private walkway and/or laneway. Snow Angels generate a sense of community by lending a helping hand. “My snow angel is a neighbour who works 12-hours shifts, and still finds the time and energy to ensure I am safe and that my steps and walkway are cleared and salted. She does not tell me or ask for gratitude. Although we received so much snow and it was very windy, somehow that path stayed clear for 2 days. I felt protected, safe, cared for and so very grateful. She works in security downtown, keeping other people safe too. I am disabled and falls for me are very serious. I am glad to have someone who is helping and looking out for me like this.” - J Wilson The Snow Angel Program recognizes these shoveling and de-icing efforts with a certificate of appreciation signed by Mayor Sutcliffe. If you know a Snow Angel and would like to show them your appreciation, please visit ottawa.ca/snowangel to nominate them. Nominations close March 31, 2023. If you’re looking to get involved and make a difference in your community, contact communitypride@ottawa.ca to learn more.

OC Transpo making it easier for people with guide dogs to travel on public transit

A decommissioned OC Transpo bus is on its way to CNIB’s Canine Campus in Carleton Place, creating a new life and purpose for a bus that once transported thousands of customers across Ottawa. After many years in service, this bus will now help CNIB Guide Dog Trainers enable future guide dogs to learn the procedures for boarding, traveling, and exiting public transit. “The Canine Campus is a state-of-the-art guide dog training centre where our dogs learn the skills they need to become partners in mobility for people who are blind or partially sighted. The decommissioned OC Transpo bus will help us to maximize our training – setting up our guide dog partnerships for success by providing a safe space for guide dogs to learn the rudiments of day-to-day safe travel with their handler," said Kristen Black, Director, Operations and Business Development, CNIB Guide Dogs. OC Transpo’s former Accessibility Specialist Kathy Riley says the bus will go a long way to help train future guide dogs, including working safely with their handlers. “It’s about inclusivity. It will provide a calm and familiar opportunity before they get on a real bus,” said Kathy, who has also been a Guide Dog walker in the past. The City is committed to providing transit services that are accessible to everyone. For more information on accessibility and how to use OC Transpo’s services with a service animal, please visit octranspo.com.

City of Ottawa Special advisory: overnight winter weather parking ban in effect from 7 pm on Tuesday, February 28 to 7 am on Wednesday, March 1

 

Due to weather conditions, an overnight winter weather parking ban will be in effect on Tuesday, February 28 between 7 pm and 7 am on Wednesday, March 1 across Ottawa. These hours might be extended if additional time is needed to complete winter road operations.

During a winter weather parking ban, parking is prohibited on city streets so crews can plow easily and effectively. Vehicles parked on the street during a ban may be ticketed and towed. On-street monthly parking permit holders are exempt from this restriction when they are parked in residential parking permit zones.

Available parking

During winter weather parking bans, residents will have access to select OC Transpo park and rides as well as certain recreation centres. Some City parking garages are available for parking during winter parking bans, however it is important that residents take note of what time they need to remove their car. Visit ottawa.ca/winterparking for more information about which City facilities are available during winter weather parking bans.

Commercial main streets

To help residents shop local, some commercial main streets are exempt from winter parking bans. When a parking ban is called during winter weather events, residents can park in the identified areas (view maps), while observing all posted signage and pay and display requirements.

Be in the know about snow

• Subscribe to our electronic email alerts. If you subscribe to e-Alerts, you will receive notification each time a winter weather parking ban is put in place, extended or lifted. There is no charge for this service, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
• Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to receive updates
• Residents can also download the City of Ottawa app on their Android or Apple device to receive up-to-date information on winter parking bans and other City news.

For more winter parking information, please visit ottawa.ca/winter.

City of Ottawa Recreation - Spring Programs

 

Spring programs are online

Arts, sports, fitness, general interest workshops and much more are on offer this spring. Click over to register.ottawa.ca to explore what the City has to offer. To make searching easier, use the filter options and remember to click on the heart to save your top choices to your account page so you are ready for registration night. Dates to remember: Monday, March 6 at 9 pm registration for spring swim programs Wednesday, March 8 at 9 pm registration for all other spring programs Tuesday, March 21 summer camps and activities will be online to view Monday, April 3 at 9 pm registration for summer swim programs Tuesday, April 4 at 9 pm registration for summer camps and all other programs Check out this video on how to search for activities.

What’s happening

Inclusive Recreation Camp Fair, Saturday, March 4 online. Contact Inclusiverecreation-loisirsinclusifs@ottawa.ca Mardi Gras Mambo featuring Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Chas, Friday, February 24 at Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe Jeremy Ledbetter Trio, Thursday, February 23 at Shenkman Arts Centre Cirque Kalabanté - Afrique en Cirque, Friday, March 3 at Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe Adrian Sutherland, Saturday, March 4 at Shenkman Arts Centre