Monday September 23, 2019 7pm 255 Centrum Blvd, room 340
You’re invited to the Convent Glen-Orléans Wood Community Association’s Annual General Meeting
This is where the Board reports on the year’s activities and finances, and new board members are elected.
If you live in Convent Glen or Orléans Wood, you are automatically a member of the Community Association and have voting privileges.
There are some large projects coming to our neighbourhood in the coming years such as LRT phase 2. Get involved and help make sure that voices are heard!
ASSEMBLÉE GÉNÉRALE
le lundi 23 septembre 2019 19h00 255 boul Centrum, salle 340
Nous vous invitons à l’Assemblée générale de l’Association communautaire Convent Glen-Orléans Wood
À l’Assemblée générale, nous partageons les activités de l’année et l’état financier, et les nouveaux membres du conseil d’administration seront élus.
Si vous habitez à Convent Glen ou à Orléans Wood, vous êtes déjà membre de l’association communautaire et vous pouvez votez.
Nous aurons de grands projets dans nos quartiers dans les prochaines années comme la deuxième partie du projet LRT. Impliquez-vous et nous aidez à partager nos opinions!
We are looking for volunteers to help maintain the community outdoor rink in Jeanne d’Arc Park again this year. The rink gives children, families and everyone in our community the chance to have fun, play pickup hockey, make new friends and stay active all winter long.
If you want to do something for the whole community, if you like being part of a team and want to make some good friends, and you have a couple hours free each week between December and February, please contact us at conventglenorleanswood@gmail.com. A Board member will respond to you directly.
CGOWCA Annual General Meeting
The AGM is coming up on Monday September 23rd at 7pm. We’ll be meeting at 255 Centrum, in room 340. The current Board of Directors will report on the past year’s activities. There will be an election for new and returning Board members. The meeting is open to the public and anyone who lives in Convent Glen or Orléans Wood is automatically a member of the Association with voting privileges.
In addition, we will welcome representatives from Ecology Ottawa (www.ecologyottawa.ca) and the Ottawa Riverkeeper (www.ottawariverkeeper.ca). Join us to learn more about their programs and initiatives.
Register your cleanup project for the 2019 GLAD Cleaning the Capital fall campaign by September 14th and you’ll have a chance to win an early bird prize. Registration continues until October 15th.
GLAD Cleaning the Capital volunteers who submit their online cleanup reports by October 31st are also eligible to win one of many prizes.
Join the thousands of community volunteers who will help keep Ottawa clean and green in 2019!
For more information on the GLAD Cleaning the Capital campaign, please visit ottawa.ca/clean. Thanks for keeping Ottawa clean and green!
Making Voices Count
The Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre (EORC) is looking for residents to participate in the Making Voices Count Project for the 2019 Federal Election and City Budget consultations. Residents from diverse communities are being recruited by Community Health and Resource Centres to bring their insights and develop skills for voicing their concerns. You must be available for two full-day workshops. There is funding to help with childcare and transportation. Applications are due by Wednesday September 11th. For more information and to submit an application, see http://makingvoicescount.ca and email MLemieux@eorc-creo.ca.
Other News
The City of Ottawa announced that the LRT will be open to residents on September 14, 2019.
The new splash pad at Hiawatha Park opened late this summer.
We had a wonderful turnout for the 2019 Community BBQ on July 20th. Thank you to RBC, the Bytown Fire Brigade, Trinity Physio, and of course Golden Fries! Kudos to our lead organizer, Karen!
Dinner Under the Stars – A fundraiser for the Heart of Orléans BIA. Saturday August 17th at 6pm at Orleans Fruit Farm. More details to come from the BIA.
CGOWCA is organizing a Community BBQ on Saturday July 20th from 11:30am to 1:30pm in the parking lot of the Convent Glen Metro near the Golden Fries truck. Watch for more information posted on our Facebook Group as the event details are finalized. https://www.facebook.com/events/342258613116889/
Orleans Farmers’ Market – Benefit from fresh, local produce even if you don’t have a green thumb. The summer market season is from May 23 to October 10. The market runs from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm every Thursday at the Ray Friel Recreation Complex parking lot.
Bob MacQuarrie – This Recreation Centre has a pool, a rink, a fitness centre and more. You can sign up for classes or participate in drop-in classes in swimming, aquafitness, camps and classes for children, and more. Check out what is available here: http://join.ottawa.ca/fac/26/all/
Orleans Library – Located on Orléans Boulevard. It isn’t only about borrowing books – they offer free events at the library too. For example, there is a knitting club; Orleans Writing Group; and many other activities for families and children. Get details here: https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/branch/orl%C3%A9ans
Cumberland Library – Located on Tenth Line near Ray Friel. They also host a selection of free events such as a knitting/crocheting club and many weekly themed events for children. The listing for this location is found here: https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/branch/cumberland
Tap into your creative side. There many different ways you can explore the arts at Shenkman since there are offerings from the Ottawa School of Art, Gloucester Pottery School, Ottawa School of Theatre; and City of Ottawa courses. See what is available here: http://www.shenkmanarts.ca/en/classes_camps_cours_camps/summer_ete_2019/index.htm
Give Back
Bruyère: If you are interested in helping residents of Bruyère, you have many options. They need help with Mass, help with meals and porter residents to and from the dining room, help with therapeutic recreation activities; help with Wednesday night BINGO, welcome visitors at the information desk, and more! For more information on the application process for volunteers, check out their site: https://www.bruyere.org/en/volunteering
The Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre runs several programs out of the Ray Friel Centre including a Day Program for Seniors. They need folks who can help out with many things from friendly visiting, to driving a Meals on Wheels route, to helping out with administrative tasks. Here is more information on how to get involved: https://www.eorc-creo.ca/Getting_involved.php
The Orleans Cumberland Community Resource Centre is also looking for people who can get involved. The first step is to reach out to their Volunteer Coordinator to set up an interview and discuss your interests! https://www.crcoc.ca/en/volunteer/
Check in on a neighbour. Does someone on your street need help with yard work or pet care? Are they lonely? Maybe you can help or help them connect to someone who can. Making connections is more important than you might realize – did you know that there is research showing that loneliness affects our physical health? https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/the-couch/201901/is-loneliness-making-you-sick
Spend Time Outdoors
Summer Series on the outdoor plaza at Shenkman. Get a weekly dose of fun at the summer lunchtime series. These free concerts will take place at 12:30 pm every Thursday in July and August. The performances will be outside the Centre in the Agora (or in the upper lobby if there is rain) and will present a wonderfully diverse selection of local artists and performers. These are FREE performances!
July 4 – Sing Song Party Time with Derek McKinley
July 11 – Caribbean Fit Fete, Caribbean dance
July 18 – Oto-Wa Taiko, Japanese drumming
July 25 – Moov Ottawa, hip-hop dance
August 1 – Erika McCulloch, Belly dance
August 8 – Aboriginal Experiences, Pow Wow dance
August 15 – Louis Mercier, French Canadian folklore
August 22 – Galitcha, Bollywood dance
Yoga in the park. The CGOWCA is organizing a series of yoga classes in local parks at 7pm. RSVP to events on our Facebook Group to be notified of any changes.
July 3 at Hiawatha Park
July 10 at Décarie Park
July 17 at Orléans Fruit Farm
July 24 at Convent Glen Catholic Elementary School
July 31 at Convent Glen Elementary School
August 7 at Hiawatha Park
August 14 at Luc Major Park
Park-ticipate The Park-ticipate program is a free, informal drop-in program offered by the Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex-Orléans at various local, rural and urban parks throughout East Ottawa. It runs weekdays from July 2 to August 23.Children aged 4 to 10 are invited to join highly trained Recreation staff in this fun-filled program of crafts, games and sports.Some parks have splash pads so be sure to bring your towel!Please note that parents/guardians are required to supervise their children while participating in our program.613-580-9600 ext. 32776. See the complete list of parks here: https://ottawa.ca/en/residents/recreation-and-parks/recreation-programs#park-ticipate-2019
Check out some of our beautiful parks. Bring a book and a blanket, go for a walk, have a picnic! Did you know we have 20 different parks in our area (not including the NCC trail along the river?!)
Convent Glen North
Voyageur Park
Mary Scott Park
North Vineyard Park
Father Richard Ward Park
Hiawatha Park
Jean D’Arc Park
Terry Fox Park and Participark
Mystery Park
Convent Glen South
Grey Nuns Park
Glen Park
Friar Gate Park
Bonaventure Park
Stoneboat Park
Pierre Rocque Park
Orléans Wood
Luc Major Park
Décarie Park
Beauclaire Park
Troyes Park
Bilberry Park
Joe Jamieson Park
Stay Active over 65!
In our community, there are many ways to meet others and stay active as we age. Here are a few options:
Centre Séraphin-Marion d’Orléans. Activities in French for people over 50 including Yoga, Tai-Chi, Zumba, Line Dancing, Pickleball, Badminton, Table Tennis, Meditation and more. An initiative of the Mouvement d’implication francophone d’Orléans (MIFO) at 660 Carrière Street. Visit: http://mifo.ca/activites-recreatives/csmo-50-ans-et/ or call 613 830-MIFO.
Rendez-vous des aînés francophones d’Ottawa. Activities in French for people over 50 including a Walking Club, Pickleball and Exercise Classes. 3349 Navan Road. Visit: https://rafo.ca or call: 613-834-6808.
Place d’Orléans Mall Walkers. Walking and social events. At the Community Meeting Place, Place d’Orléans, 2nd Floor, Tuesdays and Thursday between 8:00 and 10:30am. Visit: http://www.millepattesplacedorleansmallwalkers.com/home
Gloucester 50+ Centre. Activities in English for people over 50 including Yoga, Tai-Chi, Zumba, Core Strength and more. At the Pat Clark Community Centre, 4355 Halmont Drive. Visit: https://www.gloucester50pluscentre.ca or call 613-749-1974.
Roy G. Hobbs Seniors Centre. Exercise classes and yoga in the Roy G. Hobbs Community Centre, 109 Larch Crescent. Call: 613-841-8664 or 613-580-4765×32060.
Cycling without Age. Gives seniors free rides in specialized bicycles, peddled by local volunteers. Starts at the Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre, 1515 Tenth Line. Contact Chantal Vachon at cvachon@eorc-creo.ca or call 613-741-6025. Visit: https://cyclingwithoutage.ca/ottawa/
Two years ago, I had a job loss. So, when the news announced Cumberland needed volunteers on a wet and rainy Friday, I went. I thought if I do not get a job, I would want people to help me keep my house. I helped build up and tear down sandbags on the streets leading to the river.
Fast forward two years. I lost my niece suddenly this year, just before the flooding began. So I went to help, again. Giving to others proved to be a good way to deal with the loss of this young and beautiful 22-year-old. I felt deep sadness as I drove home the first day as I could not share my extraordinary experience with her. My lesson: get out and seize the day! Life is short.
The bags were heavy, and the body was in worse shape than two years ago, but it was a pleasure to be with others. It was a great comfort and a few of the City of Ottawa staff and homeowners remembered me. One homeowner gave me a hug. We held bags for somebody to shovel sand into, tied them up, piled them high and then – the most fun and tiring – threw them into the truck or onto the forklift. We built walls by handing sandbags off in “chain gang” fashion. Foolishly we raced each other. It was tiring, using muscles most of us did not use often – but we wanted to help. And they fed us well. The Salvation Army has some good cooks!
I asked where the other volunteers were from and about 75% said Orleans. I was not surprised; Orleans is made up of a lot of people from away: immigrants, former and current military and public servants, Francophones and Anglophones living side by side. It does not matter; we are all Canadians and neighbours. I have lived in a few places and Orleans Wood is the only place where people routinely say “good morning.” We are not perfect, but we have a lot of the right stuff. I am proud to call Orleans Wood my home.
Flood Information and Volunteering
If reading about Louise’s experience inspired you to help, follow the updates on the City of Ottawa Website. Once the flood waters have receded and they move to recovery operations, volunteers will be needed again. See: www.ottawa.ca
3rd Annual Dog Walkathon partners with local RBC
This annual CGOWCA event in support of the Canadian Cancer Society was bigger and better this year thanks to our team of volunteers and support from our local RBC branch at the Convent Glen Shopping Centre. Despite the inclement weather on April 27th, there were about 30 people and 12-15 dogs who participated. Approximately $1,700 was raised to help fight cancer. Thank you to the organiser, Gary Bradshaw, and his family, to our volunteers Joel McPhee and Émile Williams, and to Rachelle Brisebois and all of the RBC staff who supported the event. We hope to see you, and your pooch, next year!
Save the Date – Summer BBQ!
The CGOWCA will hold a community BBQ on July 20th from 11am to 2pm. Save the date and watch for more information.
2019 Torchlight Shakespeare Series
“A Company of Fools” has been performing in parks across Ottawa for more than 25 years and often performs in Hiawatha Park at the corner of Voyageur and Voyageur. This year, from July 2 to August 17, they will bring “Romeo & Juliet” to parks around the city. Admission is “Pay-What-You-Will” with a recommended donation of $20. Check out the Tour Calendar and pick a date and location that works for you: http://fools.ca/whats-on/torchlight-shakespeare-romeo-juliet/
Canada Day in Orléans
As we approach July 1st, keep an eye on www.ocanadaorleans.ca for updates on our local celebrations.
Subscribe to “The Beat”
If you want to stay up to date with what is happening on and around St Joseph Boulevard and learn more about local businesses and events, sign up for the Heart of Orléans BIA newsletter, “The Beat”: https://heartoforleans.ca/thebeat/
Seniors are an important part of the Convent Glen-Orléans Wood community. According to Statistics Canada, one in every five people living in our area was over 65 in 2016. Working, volunteering, sharing their talents – seniors help make our community a great place to live. To help seniors live here comfortably, the Community Association is gathering information on local services specifically for seniors. We have started with healthy living and health care services and will add more in the months ahead.
There is also information about seniors’ health care services available locally at:
Clinics
Hospitals
Online
Repaving St Joseph
The long-awaited resurfacing of St Joseph Boulevard will be starting in early May and continuing through to October 2019. The work will start on the section from the 174 to Youville Drive. The second phase will see the section from 100m East of Jeanne d’Arc Blvd South to Prestone Drive resurfaced. Follow Councillor Luloff’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/matthewluloff4orleans/ or website: www.matthewluloff.ca to get more information on local projects, or call 311.
Bike to Work Month
Did you know it is the 10th anniversary of Bike to Work Month?! Envirocentre, with the support of the City of Ottawa and other great community organizations and businesses are working toward getting more people to try commuting by bike during the month of May. Last year, there were over 4,000 participants and 250 workplaces who cycled more than 13 times around the planet!
This year, they will be giving away over $10,000 worth ofdaily prizes. You can see some of the highlighted ones here!
Wondering how to get involved?
Sign up as an individual or start a team to encourage your colleagues to join in!
Log your commutes and be eligible to win one of the great prizes!
Install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Replace batteries and test.
Visually inspect electrical cords and outlets. Replace cords if worn or damaged. Contact a licensed electrical contractor to check loose-fitting outlets.
Maintain air conditioner. Make an appointment with a qualified technician to perform safe and proper maintenance work for your specific unit.
Clean eaves troughs thoroughly. Use a sturdy and reliable ladder and rubber gloves.
Clean and check BBQ. Clean burner ports and tubes and test for hose leaks with a 50/50 water/soap solution.
Store fuel and other combustibles outside. Keep them in a well-ventilated shed or detached garage and away from direct sunlight and other heat sources.
Check recreational equipment. Make sure all playground equipment, bikes, skateboards, etc. are in safe working condition for family use.
Call before you dig. Before starting a garden or outdoor home renovation, contact your local utility to quickly and easily get your underground utility lines marked to avoid pipeline damage. www.on1call.com or 1-800-400-2255.
