Theatre Thrives at the 1000 Islands Playhouse

 All photos/graphics courtesy of 1000 Islands Playhouse. The 1000 Islands Playhouse sits where local culture and some of Ontario’s most breathtaking views meet. Right now, the Gananoque theatre is gearing up for its 35th season and 10 performances that promise love, mystery, music and unforgettable performances. The playhouse operates out of

Loft Studios Open House is a September “Must Do”

 Stephen Perry. Dog with Flock of Swallows 32?x 48?. Beginning September 22, the Loft Artist Studios on Gladstone Avenue are opening their doors and sharing their work with the public. The open house will run for two weekends, giving visitors the chance to explore the workspace where 17 local artists

Why it’s Never too Late for Low Income Canadians to File Their Taxes

 Those earning $40,000 a year or less may be eligible for a range of benefits. Most Canadians would like to see an end to poverty.  What if we told you that one organization, using the existing social benefits system, found a way to get $21 million into the pockets of

Volvo V60 is a Wagon for the Driving Enthusiast

 It appears we’ve forgotten how to travel lightly. I have nothing against SUVs and crossovers, but with nearly two-thirds of today’s vehicle purchases being some form of truck, it begs the question: do most of us really need this much vehicle? I’m not sure how many hockey bags today’s smallish

A Perspective on European Banking

 Yesterday, Patricia Kowsmann published the linked article on the Portuguese banks. I wish it was as good as Patricia described.The facts are: With one exception, all of the Portuguese banks including Caixa Geral, the government owned bank, are technically bankrupt and insolvent. They have not yet written down most of

Blackiron Takes Shape

 Gerry McGillvray, the founder and president of Blackiron. With a sleek new name, an airy office overlooking the Ottawa River and some fresh faces amongst its staff, Ottawa’s new Blackiron advertising agency has found its shape. Formerly BBandM Advertising + Media, Blackiron was forged out of the older agency’s smoothest

A Portrait of Canada

 Canada is a place of boundless natural beauty, and part of being Canadian means appreciating the natural wonders of where we live. Few understand this better than Leah Pipe, the BC-based artist who pens the awe-inspiring beauty of the Skeena Watershed area in Northern British Colombia. Beautifully arresting, rivetingly detailed and quietly absorbing, Pipe’s

My Advice for a Posh Loo

 “I don’t know if less is more or more is less”  - David Gill, Gallerist Any home renovation can be daunting, but make a few wrong turns and it can quickly turn into a nightmare. My advice is to make sure you have a clear plan and design at the

Interview: Why do Canada’s Children Lag so Far Behind?

 In a recent UNICEF report, Canada ranked in the bottom half of the world’s richest countries in overall child well-being and child equality. Experts say that a lack of access to healthcare and inadequate supports for parents are reasons why Canada lags behind. In the video below, Dr. Denis Daneman and

Your Right to Privacy

 A Q and A with Jim Bronskill and David McKie on their new book, Your Right to Privacy. Why is there a need for Your Right to Privacy? We work, shop and play online, embracing all the wonderful things cyberspace has to offer. But hacking, snooping and harvesting of information are

What Real Inclusion Looks Like

 How community building to include kids of all abilities is important for everyone. Getting to be a valued member of their community should be the norm for all kids – but for kids with autism, it is too frequently not the case. Media stories are full of parental struggles to

Elantra Continues to Surprise with Premium Content

 All Photos by Neil Moore.  Far too often, auto scribes have pointed out how “Hyundai has raised the bar yet again,” making reference to its best-forgotten nameplates from the 1980’s: Pony, the unstellar Stellar and the Excel that didn’t. Yeah, we’ve all heard this before, and it’s unfair to keep

The Very Best Summer Games: Indoor, Outdoor and Online

 Wondering what the best summer games are? Satiate your appetite with these winners! Summer is in full swing and folks everywhere are being entertained in zany and unconventional ways. If you think you’ve seen everything, think again. There are myriad summer games that have emerged and they are unique and

Raising the Barre

 If you’ve ever done a fitness challenge, you know how daunting just starting can be. All you can think about is just how long 30 days can feel and whether you’ll actually be able to stick with the process and produce the results that got you interested in the challenge

Redblacks Undefeated

 In a nail-biting, overtime finish, the Ottawa Redblacks tied the Calgary Stampeders in their first home game of the season. The game ended 26-26, making the Redblacks the only undefeated team so far this season, securing the first place position in the CFL standings. "This tie might really help us out

First Annual Just Fore Dogs Golf Tournament Benefits Homeless Dogs

 Looking for an exciting day out on the golf course? The first annual Just Fore Dogs Golf Tournament is coming up next month at Hammond Golf and Country Club. On August 13, enjoy a fun day out with friends, all while supporting two amazing local dog rescues, Freedom Dog Rescue

Hit the Links with the Ladies’ Foursome at Hudson Village Theatre

 Summer is here and that means that the Hudson Village Theatre (HVT) season has finally arrived. It is one of the true joys of summer because without fail, the HVT offers up stellar theatre. Ottawa Life will feature more about the HVT in the days to come, but for now

Solving Canada’s Opioid Epidemic Must Include Tackling What Got Us into the Predicament in the First Place

 By all accounts we are in the midst of a deadly drug epidemic so severe and widespread few people in North America will remain untouched by it.  In case you think I’m exaggerating, right now we have probably the highest rates of narcotic abuse and deaths in modern history. Critics

A Refreshing Response – The National Capital Commission Does the Right Thing for Lemonade Kids

 Over the years Ottawa Life Magazine writers have been critical of the NCC on many occasions. So we were a little indignant (like everyone else) when we heard the news this past weekend that that seven-year-old Eliza Andrews and her five-year-old sister Adela's lemonade stand was shut down by what appeared to be

The Best Real Money Canadian Casino Sites

 One of the main attractions for Canadian casino-game players is that there is a large number of different online casino sites where they can play. However, since there is so much choice for players based in Canada looking for first class gaming sessions, you should spend a little bit of time looking around

Turkish Canadian Community Raises Money for CHEO

 On Saturday April 23, distinguished guests gathered to celebrate Turkish National Sovereignty and International Children’s day at a fundraising gala organized by the Council of Turkish Canadians (CTC), the proceeds of which were donated to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). The CTC has been organizing this commemorative event

Think You Got Game?

 Attention all basketball players! Think you got game? Back for a second year is the Got Game Ottawa basketball tournament. After player input from last year’s event, this year’s tournament is being held across two days on July 9th and 10th at La Cité Collégiale, a sponsor of the tournament.

BREXIT – The Economics

 "Britain's exit from the European Union is of less significance than the economists have contemplated" at least to the UK. The economic pundits, always in sync with the status quo have hopped on a new bandwagon!  They shout "The evil English have separated from the EU and they will be

Time to Re-Think Health Care Policy for the Elderly

 As the Canadian population continues to age, there is a need to revisit conventional thinking regarding the provision of health care services for seniors to ensure that the system is sustainable for all Canadians. There are a number of misperceptions in current thinking. First, there is a belief that a

This Will Floor You

 “Hi, I’m Shelley Alexanian”… ha ha. Some of you may recognize me from TV as the Alexanian Carpet and Flooring spokesperson. Contrary to popular belief, I am not in fact more than five feet tall. I am a mother of three, proud wife, and I enjoy a healthy style of