Ottawa Songwriters Uplifting the Mayfair (OSUM) — Saturday and Sunday, May 15 and 16, 2021 on YouTube (free) and on Zoom (ticketed). Two events of music, a silent auction, and more to raise funds for Mayfair Theatre.

When gyms and recreation facilities closed down during the COVID-19 pandemic, many OOS residents returned to or increased our most fundamental form of exercise—walking. In the process, we re-discovered our local neighbourhoods, got to know our neighbours better and found ourselves developing a greater sense of community. Often, we were not alone in our efforts, walking our dogs or alongside a grandchild or friend with whom we shared experiences, frustrations, and sometimes sorrows.

Glebe Collegiate Institute will be holding its ‘Kids 4 Kids’ CHEO drive virtually this year, the fundraiser will run from May 1st to June 22nd 2021. Glebe’s CHEO drive is an annual event run by students and staff at Glebe Collegiate Institute to help raise funds for the CHEO Foundation. Every year, Glebe students organize amazing events and canvas door to door to raise funds for CHEO. Unfortunately, these in person events can’t happen this year, but we will still have plenty of opportunities for you to donate virtually.

April 18-24 is National Volunteer Week. It’s time once again to say “thank you” with a big round of national applause and to recognize you locally for all that you do to enrich our communities. You, by your simple acts of kindness, encourage and nurture trust in people, trust in institutions, a sense of belonging, civic engagement at its best and a socially diverse and inclusive community.

The National Volunteer theme this year is “The Value of One, The Power of Many.” This simple mantra reflects upon the value of individual acts of kindness and how these small generous acts can grow into the power of many working together towards a common purpose.

The Enviro Crew of Old Ottawa South is organizing another plastic bag collection for recycling. This one will kick off on Earth Day (April 22) and you’ll have four days to drop off your bags.

The City of Ottawa’s 2021 Cleaning the Capital Program returns for the spring campaign, from April 15 to May 15. Early registration has begun. To register:

“It’s been a family affair” says Candace Newman, “imagined at the dinner table and realized by the talents at hand.”

It’s hard to say where the inspiration came from; it’s as if several ideas came together at once. Initially, Candace was inspired by Kim Elmslie’s sale of her homemade Ottawa puzzles with proceeds re-directed to Save our Firehall, OSCA’s Fundraising Campaign for programming. “What can I do?” thought Candace, “what can I offer?”

It’s that time of year again – time for OSCA, the Old Ottawa South Community Association, to start looking for residents of Old Ottawa South who are willing to step up and become a member of the Board or a Committee!

Like everyone, OSCA has had a tough year but the community association remains strong and ready to move forward in new and different ways.  It will be an interesting time for the Board and its Committees!  

On November 25, 2020, a new subgroup of the Enviro Crew of OOS – the Tree/Urban Canopy Subgroup – was formed when 16 motivated and talented residents of Old Ottawa South and beyond met virtually for the first time. Discussion covered the subgroup’s concept and vision, functions and roles, terms of reference and next steps, but the most inspiring part of the meeting was hearing about everyone’s interests and experiences. The diversity of skills, knowledge, and interest represented was very impressive and included: founding and operating charities, journalism and writing, studying impacts of trees on human health, environmental policy and planning, biology, landscape architecture, advocacy, community reforestation, and conducting tree censuses. Our collective passion for trees and forests and the many benefits they provide to individuals and society was very motivating, and there are high hopes for what this group of dedicated tree huggers can achieve together!

The City’s Winter Maintenance Quality Standards (WMQS) are approved by Council and they define the “desirable level of maintenance and the executed outcome of each winter service by defining the timing and extent of each winter maintenance activity in the context of achieving the overall objective of safe and passable roads and sidewalks by reducing hazards caused by snow and ice accumulation.” Essentially, they provide guidance on when, and how, the City will address winter weather conditions (snow, ice, freezing rain) on roads, sidewalks, bicycle lanes and multi-use pathways to ensure that they are safe for drivers and pedestrians.