Registration is now open for the 2023 Master Gardener Lectures!

"Creating your Garden with Nature" is this year's theme for the series of five lectures by the Master Gardeners of Ottawa Carleton.

A lot can happen in 10 years, as the past decade of noon hour concerts at Southminster United Church proves.

Introduced as a six-part “Lenten” series in 2013, Doors Open for Music at Southminster (DOMS) quickly caught on, and by popular demand was extended to a full 10-month annual calendar of events that has lasted to this day.

Encompassing a broad range of styles, from classical, to jazz, choral, chamber music, and even some rock n’ roll, the program has retained broad support from music lovers across Ottawa, and since 2020, even further afield due to the addition of live streaming.

CBC reporter Hallie Cotnam recently interviewed local resident Missy Fraser and Imam Syed Sowarhardy about the change-over of the former St Margaret Mary Church property.

On November 21, 2022, Imam Syed Soharwardy, President of the Islamic Supreme Council of Canada, representing a Sufi Muslim collective of 25 combined worship and community centres across Canada, shared the news of the recent purchase of the former St. Margaret Mary Church to a grassroots gathering of interested partners and supporters at the former church site. The new owners have been reaching out to engage community partners to collaborate in reopening the space for all walks, ages and traditions. Their goal is to be inclusive, of service and open to all. Ideas for renewal include community recreation and after school programming, health support, activities and housing for seniors, education, food security, music, theatre and visual art.

Good news! The City of Ottawa has withdrawn the Bylaw charges against The Company of Adventurers from two years ago. We would like to extend our enormous gratitude to Emilie Taman of Champ and Associates and Michael Polowin of Gowling WLG for steadfastly supporting and defending us pro bono these last two years. This process took a very long time and entailed a great deal of work, in part because of delays related to the COVID-19 situation. Thank you, both! We would also like to say a huge thank you to Sunnyside Wesleyan Church for offering us their space for rehearsals during the height of the heat this past August. For two years, they’ve extended compassionate support to us when we needed it. Thank you, Sunnyside!

We will be offering the community one weekend of shows at our residence at 57 Glen Avenue this Sept. 9, 10, and 11; and a second weekend at The Gladstone Theatre, Sept. 16, 17, and 18. The hiatus of the past two years has left us sorely missing our neighbourhood gatherings. Please come out and see us!

After a two-year hiatus, the Old Ottawa South Porch Sale is back! Saturday September 10th is the day to explore the neighbourhood looking for deals or to sell your stuff. The event runs from 8am to 3pm.

Do you love being outside? Do you have spare time in the morning or afternoon? You might love being a Crossing Guard!

Neighbourhood dismay this week to see a clean-up crew arrive without warning to empty Saint Margaret Mary Church at the corner of Sunnyside Ave and Fairbairn St.

Shuttered in the spring of 2019, St. Margaret Mary Church at 5 Fairbairn, and the house at 7 Fairbairn which was used as a rectory, are officially for sale. Avison Young Commercial Real Estate Services LP, has been hired by the Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall to arrange the sale of the property in a closed bid process, unpriced with a bid date to be determined. The listing for the church site states that a concept plan supports development of up to 40 units over five storeys. This envisioned redevelopment at the corner of Fairbairn and Sunnyside would sit directly across the street from the Old Firehall Community Centre and atop the short block of houses on Fairbairn Avenue below.

On Saturday, July 2, 2022, the City of Ottawa, in collaboration with the Central Canada Exhibition Association, will host a community festival at Lansdowne Park to celebrate 30 years since Ottawa City Council resolved to restore the Aberdeen Pavilion.

The Aberdeen Heritage Festival will kick off at 9:30 am with an opening ceremony in the Aberdeen Pavilion, followed by exciting activities throughout the day. This includes: