Ottawa PoutineFest promises good music, beer, and of course lots of poutine

 ABOVE: PoutineFest is back and ready to serve up the best in traditional, exotic, and extreme, including kimchi poutine! (Photo: Ottawa Poutine Fest)  After two long years, the beloved Ottawa PoutineFest is back on! Forced to be postponed two years in a row in light of the pandemic, the popular four-day

Attention city hall: Please stop ignoring Para Transpo riders

 Last week, I took my first trip of 2022 on Para Transpo. While my experience on that day went smoothly, it’s not always the case. Having a positive experience with Para Transpo can almost be a reason to celebrate. For those who aren’t aware of what Para Transpo is, I’ll

Mayor Watson gives his final State of the City Address

 Ottawa City Hall convened yesterday for the first time this year but the session marks the twilight of Jim Watson’s tenure as mayor. It is also the final year on the council for Catherine McKenney and Diane Deans. Both have thrown their hats in for the run to replace the retiring mayor

Exploring the world and your own backyard

 How the internet can help make the world seem a little more accessible I’ve lived in Ottawa my entire life, and even after almost 47 years, I haven’t seen everything. There are several reasons for that. One is that Ottawa itself isn’t very wheelchair accessible, and I’m not just talking

Give rogue councillors the provincial boot

 If there is a metaphor for the dysfunction that plagued Ottawa City Hall during the 2018-2022 term, most would exclaim the LRT. But they would be wrong. The perfect analogy for the city government that literally can't get the trains to run on time is counsillor Rick Chiarelli. After last year's damning inquiries

Over 500 signatures on a petition demanding Chiarelli’s resignation

 A petition published online yesterday demanding the resignation of City Councillor Rick Chiarelli has now reached 500 signatures in less than 24 hours. Chiarelli, who is the City Councillor for College Ward, was accused earlier this fall of sexual harassment and other predatory conduct on multiple occasions by over a

Safe Wings Ottawa Annual Display Raises Awareness for Bird Mortality in the City

 Every year, Safe Wings Ottawa creates an eye-opening display of birds that were killed by colliding with windows during the previous year. On Wednesday, March 20, Safe Wings will present the birds its volunteers collected in 2018. The 3,135 collisions documented represent 111 species, 5 of which are at risk. These are just a small fraction of the estimated

Six Hip Picks for Chamber Fest 2017

 Ottawa Life’s Festival City Series is back! We'll provide a unique look at some of your favourite events. We’ll go beyond the music with artist interviews, volunteer profiles, concert reviews and spotlights on the tastes, sights and sounds of the festival season.  Your city! Your festivals and events! Like a good sunscreen,

The Visual Delights of Canada Scene

 Ottawa Life’s Festival City Series is back! We'll provide a unique look at some of your favourite events. We’ll go beyond the music with artist interviews, volunteer profiles, concert reviews and spotlights on the tastes, sights and sounds of the festival season.  Your city! Your festivals and events! Like a good sunscreen,

From Farm to Table to Community

 All photos by Andre Gagne. Raw oysters, seared salmon, turkhetta, Jamaican style goat curry, and cake in a jar… all in one place? Last Wednesday, Ottawans indulged in an evening of gourmet food and drinks prepared by some of this city’s most well-known culinary masters. The entire evening, Ottawa City

On The Rocks: In the Caribbean Brings The Heat

 Oh, the weather outside may be frightening, but inside Jean Pigott Place, City Hall on February 5th, the Caribbean awaits. Year after year the Ottawa Art Gallery (much to the delight of many cold Ottawans) celebrates a country or region around the world for its annual Winterlude fiesta: On the

Margaret Chwialkowska Illustrates Reflection in Annex Gallery Exhibit

 All photos by David Barbour  Ottawa-based artist Margaret Chwialkowska’s solo exhibition, “The Illusion of Reality,” brings a marvelous must-see energy to the Ottawa Art Gallery’s Annex Gallery at Ottawa City Hall. In this collection, Chwialkowska delves into the theme of reflection. Her work explores the evolving natural landscapes and the mind

Latin Expo 2015: Visit Latin America Without Leaving Ottawa

 Culture, community and commerce are coming together for one high-powered event that’s sure to spice up your Sunday. The third annual Latin Expo will take place at Ottawa City Hall on Sunday, May 17, 2015. “It’s like going to Latin America without getting out of Ottawa,” says Red MELOG public

Young Ottawa Male’s Passion, Results in Unbelievable Success

 Maurice is a multi-talented singer, songwriter, producer, rapper, and engineer from Ottawa who worked hard to pursue his dreams. Although he had a passion for music ever since he was a young boy, Maurice’s career truly jumpstarted when he applied for the Summer Company Grant offered by Ottawa City Hall.

Ottawa to Ring in the New Year Scottish Style

 The people of Ottawa will have another chance to get their Celt on this New Year’s Eve. After the success of last year’s first-ever Scottish Hogmanay at Ottawa City Hall, the Scottish Society of Ottawa has announced it will host another free downtown party on December 31, presented by TD.