An open letter to the Old Ottawa South community dated 9 November 2020.

Over the coming weeks you may notice some additional activity at Southminster United Church. The planned renovation and rejuvenation of the church will finally begin. Southminster has been working with local firm CH2 Architecture on the design and has recently engaged Bradford Construction Limited as the general contractor for the project. The renovations will include:

Since March 2020, we have seen our Old Ottawa South community come together in a spirit of neighbourliness in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Individuals have been connecting with their neighbours to see how they are faring. Community pillar organizations, including OSCA and churches, have made commendable pivots to a virtual environment, including new programming and supports. Local businesses have implemented creative approaches in response to physical distancing measures. Artwork and messages – taped to living room windows, attached to trees, or drawn on sidewalks – have inspired hope.

Over the past few months we have kept you informed about the overall impact of the pandemic on OSCA's operations and finances. While we have tried our best to remain positive and optimistic, you will have noticed that over time the messaging has shifted from "we'll get through this" to "we are going to need help if we want to keep the Firehall open." Over the past months, Staff, the Board, the Executive, and countless volunteers have continued to work incredibly hard to come up with alternate ways to generate revenue. We have successfully transitioned to a full suite of virtual programming, secured a significant grant through Red Cross Canada, and managed to open up in-person After-4 in a safe and secure environment. But none of that will be enough to keep the Firehall open in the long term, and we are "ringing the bell" and calling on all residents to help Save Our Firehall!

Below is the article that was published in the November OSCAR, introducing the notion and benefits of a local community fundraising effort.  

Registration is now open for OSCA’s AGM, scheduled for Tuesday 20 Oct 2020 commencing at 7:30pm. In order to be able to attend the 2020 AGM, registration is required and the deadline is October 16, 2020.

All Members of OSCA are eligible to register for, attend, and vote at the AGM.  Membership is free, and is available to all adults who are residents of Old Ottawa South.  You may register for the AGM, even if you are not yet an OSCA member, or do not know whether you are an OSCA member; your AGM registration will be considered to be an application for OSCA membership, if required.  

Glebe Report and OSCAR showcase young artists

You can now see five fresh newspaper boxes on Bank Street in the Glebe and in Old Ottawa South, a collaboration between the Glebe Report and OSCAR to get their valued community papers out to readers who may not receive them at their doorstep, or who would like a copy to read while they sip their morning coffee at a favourite café – as many of us hope to be doing again soon.

As I write this, it’s one day after the Ottawa Athletic Club (OAC) announced that it is closing its doors after 44 years.

OSCA was officially incorporated on October 17th, 1979. The loss of the OAC hit too close to home. I was struck by the number of friends sharing their memories of the OAC and recalled my own visits during high school. We’ve seen other institutions and businesses close in the last few months, while others have held on. But what resonates the most is how unexpected it feels. In many ways we overlook the very real possibility that a deep-rooted and well-established organization can close. But it can.

Our team of local volunteer gardeners needs to replenish the ten city plant beds we care for on Bank Street between the bridges, and on Sunnyside Avenue. Because our limited budget has been strained due to COVID-19, we cannot cover the cost of new plants so would appreciate your help.

The Green Dreamers will be collecting plant donations on Saturday, September 26,2020 from 9 am to noon at the Firehall.

Many in Old Ottawa South will remember the “Walk for the Centre” which runs every fall to promote awareness of food insecurity for many in our city, and to raise funds for the Centretown Emergency Food Centre. The Centre serves a large central catchment area including OOS, and has students, seniors, recent immigrants, and rooming house occupants amongst its clients. In addition, the Food Centre’s 90-plus volunteers include a number of OOS residents. Several neighbourhood churches are members of the Centre’s parent organization and sponsor of the walkathon, the Centretown Churches Social Action Committee (CCSAC).

Ottawa’s population has risen significantly since the last major ward boundary review of 2005. Some wards now have significantly more residents than other wards.

For this reason, at City Council’s request, an independent consultant was hired to study viable alternatives that would lead to more equal representation. After public and stakeholder consultations, research and study, the consulting team presented 5 options for Council’s consideration. Council then passed a motion asking the consultants to present a sixth option based on different criteria.

Beginning August 14th, Reaching Seniors In Old Ottawa South (RSOOS) will be implementing a new program: ‘Coffee Conversations’. These will be held bi-weekly on Friday afternoons from 2:30pm to 3:30pm.