U of T Housing Features Survey

For a bit of summer variety (we usually don’t post surveys but this seems fun), here’s a survey from the University of Toronto, asking people to send in photos of parts of their housing they like and parts they hate. The professors (Dr. Marianne Touchie and Dr. Alstan Jakubiec) seem legitimate, and have published quite a lot of similar research.

The primary goal of our study is to uncover the environmental, economic, and social aspects of housing design that are most significant to residents. Through this study, we aim to inform the design of socially and environmentally sustainable urban housing in Canada.

Who knows, maybe one day building codes and what developers offer will reflect things that bug people (like not having dangerously narrow stairs) or make people happy (like having big windows for enjoying winter sunshine). So what do you enjoy or get annoyed by?

– Alex


Subject: Request from the University of Toronto to share survey on housing perceptions
From: CivMin Housing Survey <housingsurvey.civmin@utoronto.ca>
Date: 2024-07-16, 20:27

Hello Ottawa Resident Associations,

University of Toronto researchers, Dr. Marianne Touchie and Dr. Alstan Jakubiec, seek your insights on the experience of living in different housing forms, from multi-unit residential buildings (MURB) to single-family homes.

To collect our data, we request residents in your neighbourhood to fill out a short (10-15 min) survey which involves answering questions about their dwelling unit’s features and amenities and taking pictures of housing features. Please help us by sharing this survey link with residents in your neighbourhood through your newsletter/mailing lists/social media channels: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/housingpreference.

Participants will receive a $10 Amazon e-gift card for their participation if they complete the survey and provide their contact details.

Thank you. Please feel free to email us if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Dr. Alstan Jakubiec and Dr. Marianne Touchie

[Poster for MURBS survey on housing likes and dislikes, 2024]

Elmdale BookFest 2024 – February 23-24

Elmdale Public School is excited to announce the return of our beloved annual BookFest fundraiser, a tradition cherished by our community for over 50 years! BookFest is not just an event; it’s a celebration of literacy and community spirit.

Last year, thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, we raised over $23,000 and gathered a whopping 40,000 books! These contributions directly support the many enriching activities and programs here at Elmdale.

We warmly invite you to be part of this wonderful tradition by donating books at Elmdale Public School (49 Iona St, Ottawa) or via the Java Street entrance until February 15th.

Save the dates: February 23rd (9am-9pm) and February 24th (9am-4pm) for our BookFest sale, held in the Elmdale gymnasium! Dive into a treasure trove of books priced between $1 and $3. It’s an opportunity not to be missed for book lovers and bargain hunters alike.

Let’s come together as a community to celebrate the joy of reading and support our school. We can’t wait to see you at BookFest!

[Poster for Elmdale BookFest 2024]

Home Sharing Experiences

A Master’s student from McGill University’s School of Urban Design is looking for homeowners willing to talk about home sharing arrangements in Ottawa (Basement suites, laneway homes) for a research project. He’s looking for homeowners who support the practice (or not) and those who have had experience with it.

The project is being done with the Ottawa Climate Action Fund in an effort to create more affordable, carbon-friendly housing alternatives. The interviews will add input from Ottawa home owners into future projects.

It involves a 30-minute discussion via Zoom. They hope to do the interviews by the end of November. Those interested should contact Gavin Armitage-Ackerman at: gavin.armitage-ackerman@mail.mcgill.ca

Pollinator Patch Program

Help save the monarchs, bees, and other pollinators with these free resources

There’s been a significant decline in pollinators in the last 20 years. Without these important pollinators, life as we know it will change. But YOU can help by planting native plants on your property, and there’s a local Ottawa community group that can help you make that happen.

Not sure where to start? New to gardening? Our friends at Eco West Enders have got you covered. Anyone participating in their Pollinator Patch Program will receive FREE information on everything from how to set up your new garden, to where to source your native plants, as well as gaining online support through a private Facebook group and direct email to the Eco West Enders team.

They’ll also be selling native plants for $1 each on June 18th at the Stittsville Market At the Barn event.

Please join your 175K neighbours as we encourage them to naturalize their outdoor space to build a greener and more resilient future. We can do great things together!

For more information and to register to participate, visit ecowestenders.ca.

[Eco West Enders Pollinator Logo]

CN Cycle for CHEO (Road Closures) – May 7

From: Julie Berube (jberube@cheofoundation.com)
Date: 04/05/23 20:40
Subject: CN CYCLE 2023 – Road Closure Notification

French version to follow

—————————————————————-

Good Evening,

On Sunday, May 7, CN Cycle for CHEO participants take to the streets to support the biggest oncology fundraiser for CHEO!

Now in its16th year, this is a fun, non-competitive event that offers a wide range of cycling and walking routes for people of all ages, helping raise over 1 Million dollars each year to support oncology care and research for CHEO.

This year’s event will be held at the Canadian War Museum and LeBreton Flats and to ensure the safety of everyone involved, some streets will be partially closed to vehicle traffic between 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 7, 2023. Please refer to the attached document for the preliminary road closures. An updated version will be sent to you the week prior the event.
Continue reading “CN Cycle for CHEO (Road Closures) – May 7”

Tree Seedlings – October 15

via Heather…

FYI.  Hi.  In case you are interested, there are free trees on offer.  As for the other three docs: the CAFES Tree Manual is pretty darn good; Ecology Ottawa’s “How to Plant” is a simple guide for people who don’t already know how to plant trees; and, the Just Food Community Farm map is neat for those interested in taking a look at what’s being done on NCC lands by some Ottawa groups vis a vis sustainable agriculture.  It could be an interesting half-day trip for families.
Continue reading “Tree Seedlings – October 15”

Bicycle Safe Riding Workshops for Kids

The Ottawa Safety Council is running several CycleSafe Workshops throughout the City this summer!

These workshops are open to children aged 5-14 years old, cost $30/child and range in duration from 45 minutes to 2 hours.

Less about how to ride a bike, these workshops focus primarily on safety concepts and awareness needed to share the road safely with other road users, including: anticipating and understanding other road users’ perspectives and actions, Selective Attention, parked cars, positioning on the road, weather conditions and terrain, falling safely, communicating with other road users, hazard scanning, navigating intersections/driveways and right of way.

For more information visit: https://www.ottawasafetycouncil.ca/cycle-safe/
To register your child visit: https://form.jotform.com/211713495890259

[Poster for Cyclesafe Workshops 2022]

Tree Givaway, Concert, Summer Camp – May 13+

Ecology Ottawa Tree Giveaway + Stephen Lewis Foundation Fundraising Plant Sale

Friday, May 13 – 10am – 1pm
30 Cleary Ave (First Unitarian Congregation, just off Richmond Rd)

Ecology Ottawa is embarking on their largest tree giveaway in Ottawa’s history, and we’re involved!
Help re-plant Ottawa’s urban forest by picking up one of 20,000 seedlings that are looking for new homes on your private property.
Visit FirstU, at 30 Cleary, on May 13th to pick up a FREE baby tree for your yard

PLUS

You can pick up some by-donation perennials for your garden while you’re here, and help the Unitarian GoGos raise money for the Stephen Lewis Foundation.
The plant sale runs from Friday at 9am through to Sunday at 2pm. Stop by any time!


Choral Concert: The Road Home

Saturday, May 14 – 4pm
In Person at 30 Cleary Ave (First Unitarian Congregation, just off Richmond Rd)
By Donation at the Door – $15 Suggested

FirstU’s singers are so excited to be home again and presenting “The Road Home”, our first concert in over two years!
Join us on Saturday, May 14 at 4pm for an hour-long live, in person performance featuring our contemporary Fusion ensemble, our Three Rivers Singers women’s ensemble, and our Chalice Choir, presenting music about community, resilience, and finding home.

Please Note: You must be fully vaccinated to enter our building and masks are required for attendees.


OWL Summer Camp – Registration Open!

July 4 – 8 (9am-4pm, daily)
$75 per child for the week – subsidies available upon request

Good news! First Unitarian is running OWL Summer Camp for both 10-11 year-olds AND 12-14 year-olds this July!

OWL day camp includes all the usual Summer Camp fun – art, games, and getting active outdoors – plus workshops that focus on “Our Whole Lives” topics like body image, consent education, cultivating healthy peer-to-peer relationships, and building communication skills.

More information is available here: https://www.firstunitarianottawa.ca/owl.html
Contact owl@firstunitarianottawa.ca to register your kids for camp.
Please Note: There is a mandatory information session for parents and caregivers.