Update on Ottawa’s Urban Forest Management Plan

Subject: Fwd: Update on the City of Ottawa’s Urban Forest Management Plan project
Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2016 16:26:02 -0400
From: Heather Pearl <hpearl2012@gmail.com>

Here is an update on the project to develop an Urban Forest Management Plan. The city-wide high level of public interest in protecting what is left of the urban forest, and reversing the unsustainable, severe, cumulative losses to the tree canopy that occurred during the past seven years, has crystalized around this project.

The Phase I Stakeholder Consultation Report summarising the input from last fall’s public consultations is now posted on the Forestry Web page.

Heather Pearl
pearhea@aol.com

From: Urbantree/Arbreurbain <urbantree@ottawa.ca>
Date: 27 April 2016 at 15:00
Subject: Update on the City of Ottawa’s Urban Forest Management Plan project

Hello;

I am writing to give you an update on the City of Ottawa’s Urban Forest Management Plan.

Our consultants have been working on the draft plan throughout the winter and early spring. It will be submitted to city staff for review soon. We will make it available to the public later this summer in preparation for the Phase 2 consultations which will take place in late September / early October. The dates for the Phase 2 consultations will be finalized early this summer.

Please keep your eye on http://ottawa.ca/urbanforest for the draft plan and the dates for the consultations this fall. The Phase 1 Stakeholder Consultation Report is also available there. The report outlines the feedback collected at the visioning sessions that were held last November and through the surveys submitted at that time.

I will send the information about the fall consultations to this list, as soon as we’ve got our plans finalized.

Thank you for your continued interest in this important project.

Martha

Martha Copestake | MFC, BScFE
Forester – Planning / experte-forestière – Planification
Policy Development and Urban Design / Élaboration des politiques et Design urbain
City of Ottawa | Ville d’Ottawa
613.580.2424 ext./poste 17922
http://ottawa.ca/planning / http://ottawa.ca/urbanisme

Rideau River and Climate Talk – May 5

Subject: Roundtable Speaker Series on Climate Change along the Rideau
Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2016 14:35:21 -0400
From: Rideau Roundtable <rideauroundtable@gmail.com>

Hello everyone:

As community organization leaders and leaders in the not-for-profit sector around Ottawa, we wanted to invite you to attend a talk on May 5th at 7:00 by climate scientist Paul Hamilton and water management expert Paul Lehman. This talk on climate change in and around the Rideau watershed (the poster for the event is attached) is part of the Rideau Roundtable’s annual speaker series – the theme this year is climate change. The venue for this talk is the Kanata Seniors Centre – 2500 Campeau Drive (part of the Mlacak Centre, behind the library).

Paul Hamilton has been studying and documenting climate change in the north for years, working with other limnologists to determine what the climate patterns looked like across the millennia. Paul Lehman is the General Manager of the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority and his group uses climate science to determine how to establish the appropriate water levels along his river’s watershed to avoid flooding while allowing the river to remain a sustainable ecosystem and to allow it to support community and commercial uses. If you are interested in how climate change will effect those of us living and working in the Ottawa area, this is the talk to attend. Attendance is free and there is lots of free parking available at the facility.

On a related issue, many of you will know that 2014-2015 was a very successful year for the Rideau Roundtable. We carried out a very well received voyageur canoe race during Rideau Paddlefest, creating lots of buzz about our organization in the general public and in our partner organizations in Smiths Falls and community; we hosted a voyageur canoe tour for the diplomatic community during the Mountain Equipment Coop (MEC) Ottawa Paddlefest event in May; our Rideau Experience (REX) program carried out 19 interpretive tours of the Rideau waterway involving hundreds of participants; we helped a number of people get their Paddle Canada “Big Canoe Leader” certification; and we hosted a very successful speaker series that garnered a lot of support from our members and from the general community.

Immediately prior to this presentation on the impact of climate change on the Rideau River, we will be having our Annual General Meeting at the same venue (5:00PM to 6:30PM). Why not come out to the talk early and participate in the AGM and take the opportunity to join or renew your membership with the Rideau Roundtable. Our 2015-2016 membership fees are $15 for an individual membership or $25 for a family membership.

Once again, we look forward to seeing you at the speaker series event and at our AGM.

Sincerely

Kenneth Gourlay
Membership coordinator

Peter Au
President

Hintonburg Fabric Flea Market – April 30

The Hintonburg Fabric Flea Market is April 30, 2016. The event is from 10-3 at the Hintonburg Community Centre, 1064 Wellington Street just east of Parkdale Avenue. Bargain prices for quality fabrics, notions and all things sewing related. Free parking $2 entrance fee for charity. Some of the charities supported are: Doctors without borders, Salvation Army Grace Manor, Humane Society and the Cat Rescue Network. For more information or to book a table questions call Kathleen at (613)-729-8434 or email at fabricfleamarket@hotmail.com.

Hope you can make it out.
HintonburgFabricFleaMarket

There also seems to be a web site about the event at https://www.facebook.com/HFFM0505/ and a corresponding event listing at https://www.facebook.com/events/1710486649193879/

– Alex

Local Break-ins

Subject: Break-ins – Champlain Park
Date: Tue, 26 Apr 2016 15:27:35 -0400
From: Sarah Livermore <sarah.livermore@hotmail.com>

Hello Champlain Park community members:

There have been break-ins in the Champlain Park area.

Constable Dawn Neilly-Sylvestre has done a check and there have been two reported break and enters from April 17th and 18th in our neigbourhood. One was on Clearview Avenue and the other was on Patricia Avenue. In both cases reported, the rear door was kicked in and the residents were away from the home.

Constable Neilly-Sylvestre would like residents to inform the police about any break and enters. Any information will assist the in linking the instances and in catching a suspect. As well, any video or image surveillance should be sent to either Constable Neilly-Sylvestre (neillyd@ottawapolice.ca) or Detective (Det) Angela Robinson (robinsona@ottawapolice.ca).

If you witness a suspicious person who is not normally seen in your area, please call the police and let them know. Be as specific as possible. State what you believed they were doing (i.e. checking out different houses or cars); what they look like; the last known direction of travel; and if they were on foot, bike or car.

The number to call if a break and enter is in progress is 911. If you are calling after-the-fact, call 613-230-6211 and Ottawa Police Service officers will be sent to you. Again, any video is to be sent to Det Angela Robinson (robinsona@ottawapolice.ca) or to Constable Dawn Neilly-Sylvestre (neillyd@ottawapolice.ca).

As an FYI, here are important phone numbers you should keep on your fridge (or on your phone):

life threatening emergency or crime in progress: 911
other emergencies: 613-230-6211
telephone report: 613-236-1222 ext. 7300

I would ask that anyone who has made a report to inform me, so I can assist Const. Neilly to track the incidences.

Thank you.

Sarah

Sarah Livermore
sarah.livermore@hotmail.com

Neighbourhood Watch Bulletin for 2016-04-25

——– Forwarded Message ——–
Subject: Neighbourhood Watch Bulletin for April 25
Date: Mon, 25 Apr 2016 13:26:20 -0400
From: Dawn Neilly <wellingtoncpc@gmail.com>

Dear Subscribers,

As there is only one item today, I’m sending it as a regular email.

Eileen Reardon
Volunteer, Wellington Community Police Centre
(613) 236-1222 x5870

CRIME ALERT

In the past couple of weeks, there has been a significant increase in THEFTS FROM VEHICLES, particularly in the Preston St. and Somerset St. areas. Vehicles are being targeted in the late afternoon and overnight. These are quick smash-and-grabs and the thieves are looking for easily portable items: GPS, CDs, cash, etc. Please remove valuables from your vehicle and keep it secured.

If you see any suspicious activity around parked vehicles, don’t hesitate to call 911.

This time it’s Preston and Somerset. Next is anybody’s guess. Be prepared.

Spring Cleanup 2016 Summary

Just following up on the Spring Cleanup…

We had a good turnout this year, about 20 people and families signed in and I heard that a team of around 4 people sponsored by Glad came from Wakefield (saw them leaving at the end in their yellow shirts). Glad also provided the garbage bags, looks like we had about the right amount. The same can’t be said for the home baked cookies, which ran out before the baker could have one!

Andrea and Ian seemed to have everything in hand, even down to fridge magnets from the city’s “Tim Hortons Cleaning the Capital” program, beverages for the volunteers, a campaign map and so on. Thanks for setting it up and staffing mission control!

Signing Up and Getting Supplies
20160423_100156_AS_6587 Signing up

Fridge Magnet

Sticker

Campaign Map with Post-it™ notes claiming work areas
20160423_112401_AS_6602 Campaign Map

I found lots of candy wrappers, plastic cups, cigarette packs, lighters, cigarette butts, plastic bags, beverage cans, plastic water bottles and such things, mostly near the woods at the school. Weirdly, no glass bottles and just one glass fragment. But I also found a few noteworthy items:

First off, an unusual brass Allen Wrench. Usually they’re silver steel. This was in an area on Pontiac with noticable contractor debris, such as electrical wire insulation strippings.
20160423_101306_AS_6588 A rare Brass Allen Wrench

On the opposite corner of the neighbourhood on Patricia, I found this magnifying glass keychain.
20160423_103437_AS_6589 Magnifying Glass

Getting closer to the school area on Patricia, and the woods, here’s yet another glove. Seems to be designed for cartoon characters, with only four fingers.
20160423_105324_AS_6592 One Glove of Many

A blue golf ball stands out on a sunny day (great weather today for working outside).
20160423_105814_AS_6593 Blue Golf Ball

A piece of tile. Wonder where it came from.
20160423_105938_AS_6594 Tile Fragment

This assortment of garbage is brought to you by the letter O. Made of foam.
20160423_110409_AS_6595 Foam Letter O

Close to a school gate is the remains of a lesson on cooking with mud. The felt marker beside the pot is for taking notes? I left this behind since it didn’t seem to be garbage.
20160423_110504_AS_6596 Lesson on Cooking with Mud

I was surprised to see this bow tie. A closer look reveals that it is a hair ribbon accessory.
20160423_110739_AS_6598 Bow Tie Hair Ribbon

One of the lighters I found. Other people were finding them too.
20160423_111043_AS_6599 Cigaratte Lighter

Another team found an antique car leaf spring in the forest. It seems to have been halved with a cutting torch.
20160423_112448_AS_6603 Car Leaf Spring

Ian Reid with the mysterious, helpful people from planet GLAD (via Wakefield). Photo and description courtesy of Andrea Murphy.

The final result of all this work is an even larger pile of garbage. Just think how many candy wrappers are there!
20160423_120457_AS_6610 Our Garbage Pile

Thanks everyone for pitching in and cleaning up.

If you have stories or photos of interesting items, I can add them to this post. Send them to champlainpark@hotmail.ca or tweet them to @ChamplainPark.

– Alex

Spring Cleanup 2016 – April 23 Reminder

Just a reminder that the Spring Cleanup is this weekend. Additionally, the NCC forest is now officially part of the cleanup area.

LIFE’S MESSY.

APRIL 23 WE CLEAN IT UP.

Champlain Park is looking for volunteers for our annual Spring Cleanup. The snow is finally melting, and trash accumulated over a long winter has started to appear.

The cleanup, part of the City’s Cleaning the Capital campaign, is a chance for neighbours of all ages – kids, teens, and adults – to get together, say hello, and help spruce up the neighbourhood.

We’ll meet at the fieldhouse on Saturday, April 23 at 10 a.m. Juice, coffee, and cookies will be served. There is a map so that people can choose an area to work on. We’ll wrap up by noon. In case of rain, we’ll meet instead on Sunday, April 24.

The designated cleanup areas are the south side of Premier above the transitway; the boulevard on Northwestern and the path at its north end; and along the fence on Patricia and Pontiac and in the NCC forest between the fence and the parkway. It can also include the area along the river at the foot of Carleton, or any other public spaces you think could use some help.

We recommend wearing pants and long-sleeved shirts, appropriate footwear and gloves. The City will provide garbage bags.

If you have any questions or suggestions, call Andrea Murphy or Ian Reid at 613-715-9504.

Local Break-in

Subject: info for champlain park community members
Date: Mon, 18 Apr 2016 19:39:41 -0400
From: Sarah Livermore <sarah.livermore@hotmail.com>

Hello Everyone:

A house on Patricia Avenue was broken into last night, April 17 2016.

The occupants had been out from 2:30 pm until around 9pm. As they turned off Island Park Drive, they noticed a bicycle resting on the cedar hedge on the north side of Sunnymede at Island Park Drive. They also noticed a young man walking towards the bicycle from Patricia Avenue.

The occupants noticed that their back door was wide open and three basement window screens had been cut. They also noticed bike tire tracks in their backyard. Nothing appears to have been stolen.

One of the occupants believes he saw that same young man with a bicycle a few nights earlier, at night, in front of their house. The occupant does not believe the young man was there very long.

If you have any information about this or anything similar, contact me, Sarah, at sarah.livermore@hotmail.com.

I will forward any information to Constable Dawn Neilly of the Ottawa Police Service (without your personal information, if you so wish).

Thank you.

Sarah

Sarah Livermore, B.A. (Hons.), M.A.
sarah.livermore@hotmail.com

Neighbourhood Watch Bulletin for 2016-04-18

This week’s topics:

Increase in thefts from vehicles – even small stuff.
Suspicious incident on OC Transpo No. 86 – on morning of April 10th.
Road safety.
Information session and PREP Test workshop.

– Alex

—– Forwarded Message —–
Subject: Neighbourhood Watch Bulletin for April 18
Date: Mon, 18 Apr 2016 13:15:09 -0400
From: Dawn Neilly <wellingtoncpc@gmail.com>

Attached is the Neighbourhood Watch Bulletin for April 18, 2016. Please feel free to pass it along to anyone who may be interested in receiving it. Any comments, information or requests to be added to or deleted from the list may be sent to wellingtoncpc@gmail.com.

Eileen Reardon
Volunteer, Wellington Community Police Centre
(613) 236-1222 x5870

NeighbourhoodWatch-2016-04-18.pdf

Drive-through Restaurant at 70 Richmond Road

Subject: Drive-through, 70 Richmond Road
Date: Sun, 17 Apr 2016 22:00:07 -0400
From: Heather Pearl <hpearl2012@gmail.com>

Please note that the Champlain Park Executive does not object to the proposal to build a restaurant in this location. We object to building a drive-through facility, which is not allowed under the Traditional Mainstreet zoning and which would be a dangerous addition at an already dangerous intersection.

Residents of Champlain Park are welcome to discuss the issues and write their own letters to the Planner in charge, Andrew McCreight, and Councillor Jeff Leiper. Jeff is working with the surrounding communities on this issue.

Thank you,
Heather
pearhea@aol.com

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Heather Pearl <hpearl2012@gmail.com>
Date: 17 April 2016 at 21:47
Subject: Drive-through, 70 Richmond Road
To: andrew.mccreight@ottawa.ca

Dear Mr. McCreight:

The Champlain Park Community Association (CPCA) objects strongly to the proposed drive-through component of the proposed restaurant at 70 Richmond Road.

The attached letter outlines our concerns.

We would appreciate your recommendation to Planning Committee, and their subsequent recommendation to Council, to reject Zoning By-law Amendment request D02-02-16-0017 for 70 Richmond Rd.

Thank you,

Heather Pearl
Co-chair, CPCA, on behalf of the CPCA Executive
613-725-1422
hpearl2012@gmail.com

70RichmondCPCAtoPlanning160417.pdf

There’s a related note from our city councillor at http://kitchissippiward.ca/content/drive-through-proposal-70-richmond