Join the SLOWest Energy Competition – and help Champlain Park win!

It’s simple, residents from different neighbourhoods sign up for an online account with Switch Hop that let’s you know how much electricity you are using (and helps you find ways to use less and save $$).

The energy used (or saved!) is added up for all the residents in the neighbourhood and the neighbourhood who uses the least amount of energy wins.

Sign-up..its free!

A description of the SLOWest Energy Competition and how to sign up.. its free.

More information

More information on the SLOWest Energy Challenge is also available at the SLOWest website.

This project is run independently of the Champlain Park Community Association.

Nick Xenos
Champlain Park Environment Coordinator

Ecology Ottawa Annual Dinner October 24 has a Business Focus

From Ecology Ottawa:

Buy your Annual Dinner tickets here

What better way to show your support for Ecology Ottawa than tucking into a mouthwateringly fabulous four-course meal, created by inspirational chef Murray Wilson of the Courtyard Restaurant for the 6^th Annual Eco Gala networking dinner on Wednesday October 24, 2012 at St Elias Banquet Centre,750 Ridgewood Avenue,Ottawa?

Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options will be available as part of this sumptuous feast showcasing the finest locally-sourced Ontario produce, lovingly prepared and served in this comfortable, informal venue – with no stuffy dress code to curtail your enjoyment.

Tickets – priced at $60 a person, $50 for students and seniors, tables offered at $440 – extend you the perfect opportunity to network with like-minded, environmentally-committed friends and neighbours, and reinforcing your commitment to makingOttawathe green capital ofCanada.

We are thrilled that numerous city councillors, business luminaries and opinion leaders have accepted our invitation, and that CBC’s Adrian Harewood from ‘News at 5, 5.30 and 6’ will oversee proceedings. Doors open at 5.30 pm for socializing, networking and silent auction bids before dinner kicks off at  7pm.

Entertainment will follow at 8pm, with sustainable business entrepreneurs Jeff Westeinde (Invest Ottawa) and Jonathan Westeinde (Windmill Developments) sharing practical strategies through whichOttawacan transform itself into an environmental protection leader by shifting to a more sustainable economy, including introducing world-class sustainable businesses and designating our downtown core an Eco-District.

It’s the Eco event of the year. Tickets from our website – http://ecologyottawa.nationbuilder.com/annual_dinner_2012

You’re invited to the FCA’s Emerald Ash Borer forum

Associated email for more details:

Dear Ottawa-area Community Associations,

The devastation to Ottawa’s ash trees by the Emerald Ash Borer <http://www.bioforest.ca/index.cfm?fuseaction=content&menuid=34&pageid=1062> (EAB) is and will continue to have a tremendous impact on our City for many years to come. Ash trees make up 35% of Ottawa’s tree canopy so the threat of losing the majority of these majestic trees is also a threat to Ottawa’s tree canopy as a whole.

To better inform residents and Ottawa-area community associations about what they can do to help protect their communities and save as many ash trees as possible, the Federation of Citizens’ Associations of Ottawa is hosting a public forum and panel discussion on the Emerald Ash Borer Tuesday, October 9th at the Overbrook Community Centre, 33 Quill Street <http://goo.gl/maps/w0yOv> .

We’ve gathered all the key players who were engaged on the ground fighting the Emerald Ash Borer this summer in Ottawa. They know the extent of the infestation and the threat it poses to Ottawa’s urban forest. Come hear directly from the people who know the facts and can tell us what we can do to minimize the impact of the Emerald Ash Borer in our communities.

The forum begins at 6 pm with a Meet & Greet with industry professionals. Ottawa area tree service providers and City officials will be on hand to speak to the public. If you or someone you know has an Ash tree on their property, this is the time to come because you will have a chance to speak 1-on-1 to these experts about your situation. At 7 pm, the expert panel discussion will begin. The FCA will pose four questions to the panelists designed to help flesh out the complexities of this issue. After a short break, we’ll open up the discussion to questions from the floor.

This is an excellent opportunity to become better informed so you can help inform the residents living in your community, so please join us at 6 pm on Tuesday, October 9th at the Overbrook Community Centre, 33 Quill Street <http://goo.gl/maps/IkQon> .

PS: Please help us spread the word about this important event by sharing it with your residents online and through email. I have attached the event poster which can also be downloaded from our site at: http://www.fca-fac.ca/Misc/121009EA.pdf.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Sincerely,

James O’Grady, VP Communications
Federation of Citizens’ Associations of Ottawa

e: communications@fca-fac.ca
w: http://www.fca-fac.ca <http://www.fca-fac.ca/>
t: @FCAOTT

Upcoming Champlain Park Activities – 2012

Fall 2012

Please checkout the following activities starting next week at the Champlain Park Fieldhouse, you may want to participate in the fun!

12-Sept-2012: Yoga – new classes start for the fall

12-Sept-2012: Bridge Club– starts for the fall

11-Sept-2012: Garden Club– starts for the fall

Opening night, join special guest Ed Lawrence, CBC garden expert will share his vast knowledge and take your gardening questions.

10-Sept-2012: Aerobics– new classes start for the fall

Membership Drive 2012 results

Your Membership Made a Difference

As Co-ordinator of this year’s Membership Drive I wanted to show you how we did:

250 households in Champlain Park purchased memberships this year.
This year’s drive raised nearly $3800 for the Champlain Park Community Association (CPCA).
In addition to the memberships, 14 households donated an extra $190 targeted for the CPCA Development Fund.
We raised more this year (almost $3800) versus $2400 last year. However, our better results this year are due to the increased membership fee.
Overall, 62 % of our community’s households chose to purchase a membership this year; that rate remains unchanged from last year.

These results would not have been possible without the hours and efforts our team of 15 canvassers dedicated to this year’s drive. Specifically I would like to recognize:

§ Pauline Rubarth and David Constant who stepped up to be canvassers for the first time;

§ Patrick Mates, Chris Liebenberg and David Gourdie who each cracked $300 in collections on their respective routes;

§ Will Egan is our youngest and returning canvasser who demonstrates community involvement is ageless; and finally,

§ Secretary1, whose efforts resulted in 100 percent participation of her neighbours on Daniel Avenue.

On behalf of CPCA I would like to thank all of the canvassers for a tremendous job well done!! We could not have done it without you!

Please note:

We will NEED more canvassers for next year. Think about it … do it!

As this year’s official Membership Drive is now over, anyone who has not yet purchased a membership and wishes to do so, or wishes to make a donation to the CPCA Development Fund, please contact me at 613-722-6829 or by email: bmbg@sympatico.ca.

Barbara Borylo-Gourdie
CPCA Membership Drive Co-Ordinator

Household Hazardous Waste Depot, August 25 at Tunney’s Pasture

Subject: Notice: HHW Depot August 25th at Tunney’s Pasture
Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2012 15:33:29 -0400
From: Katherine.Hobbs@ottawa.ca

Dear Community Association and BIA leaders,
On Saturday, August 25^th, the City of Ottawa will be hosting a one-day household hazardous waste collection in Kitchissippi. The depot will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Tunney’s Pasture parking lot located at 150 Tunney’s Pasture Driveway, between Sorrel Drive and Goldenrod Drive. These depots are to help residents and small businesses safely dispose of hazardous waste items in an environmentally and economically friendly way.
Household hazardous waste includes the following items:

Aerosol containers
Propane cylinders
Disinfectants
Fluorescent bulbs/tubes
Fire extinguishers
Fertilizers and pesticides
Mercury switches/thermometers
Needles and syringes
Pharmaceuticals
Paints and coatings
Oven and window cleaners
Pool chemicals
Batteries (automotive/household)

I encourage you to promote and support these household hazardous waste depots amongst your members, and help us keep Kitchissippi clean and green.

Thanks,

Katherine

First wave of Ottawa wading pools opened today

For immediate release from City of Ottawa:
June 22, 2012

Ottawa – The City of Ottawa opened 20 of its 56 wading pools today. Most of the remaining wading pools will open by Friday, June 29.

For the best information on the opening date of your favourite wading pool go to ottawa.ca/recreation .

Please note there are also two sets of closing dates this year: August 17, 2012 for the pools opening today and August 22, for those opening later.

Also check the schedule for special event days at your favourite wading pools. Special events are held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and feature arts and crafts, games, prizes, and lots of time to stay cool in the pool! Six of those special event days will feature a free barbecue lunch and a performance by local entertainers from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Please remember…

Operating hours vary. Check the schedule.
The opening of wading pools is dependent on the weather. If the weather looks uncertain, call the Seasonal Recreation Office at 613-580-2590 to find out if the wading pool is open that day.
Visitors are reminded to abide by admission requirements and water safety rules

For more information:
Media contact: 613-580-2450

Public inquiries: 3-1-1

Wading Pool scheduled to open June 29

Wading pools will open for the season starting on June 29, 2012 (weather dependent).

Check back soon for pool-specific schedules at “City of Ottawa wading pools”.

The opening of wading pools is dependent on the weather. If the weather looks uncertain, call the Seasonal Recreation Office at 613-580-2590 to find out if the wading pool is open that day.

Visitors are reminded to abide by admission requirements and water safety rules.

Champlain Park wading pool will open:

June 29 to August 22, 2012
June & July weekdays: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm;
August & weekends: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm;
Except:
In July: Tuesdays & Thursdays Noon – 7:00 pm
In August: Tuesdays & Thursdays Noon – 6:00 pm.
Closed: Wednesdays

SPECIAL GUEST ACTIVITIES:

Highlighted events feature special guest activities a free barbecue lunch and a Lunchtime Performing Art Series performance between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Thursday, July 26

Rain date : July 27

Champlain

Company of Fools (Theatre)

Garage Sale Repeat

Laurie Fagan has been talking to neighbours and they’ve decided to try and hold the community wide garage sale the next Saturday (since this weekend was such a washout).

So, we’re going to try it again!

Event date: Saturday June 9, 2012.
Rain date: Sunday, June 10.

We anticipate that residents on Island Park will take part as well, though we haven’t heard from them yet.

Think about donating a portion of your proceeds to the charity of your choice, or to help support Champlain Park Community Association.

Reminder: Garage Sale this Saturday

Yes, it’s that time of year again!

Time to buy back all that stuff you sold to your neighbour last year, but at twice the price.

We are planning to hold the community-wide garage sale again this year.
As usual, it will be held on the first Saturday in June.

Event date: Saturday June 2, 2012.
Rain date: Should it be pouring rain, the sale is moved to Sunday, June 3.

We anticipate that residents on Island Park will take part as well.

Think about donating a portion of your proceeds to the charity of your choice, or to help support Champlain Park Community Association.

Leftover treasures
If you have leftover treasures when the garage sale ends keep in mind that the Ottawa’s Spring Give Away Weekend will take place the same weekend as the garage sale (both days).
See Rules for setting out at your Leftover Treasures at the “Ottawa’s Spring Give Away Weekend” link provided above.