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NewsHintonburg resident named "Citizen of the Year"(MAY 2008) According to the Ottawa Sun, some 300,000 volunteers in Ottawa contribute approximately $730 million worth of free service annually. To celebrate this important contribution, the City of Ottawa honoured about 120 volunteers and distinguished residents at the annual Civic Appreciation Awards on Monday 5 May. Paulette Dozois, a long-standing director and member of the executive committee of the Hintonburg Community Association, was declared adult Citizen of the Year. The City's write-up about her achievements notes that "She has been a catalyst in creating pride within her community and setting a high standard for community involvement." Echoing that sentiment, Mayor Larry O’Brien commented that each recipient was "a wonderful example of what it means to be a volunteer... [making] the City of Ottawa a better place to live." A local blogger enthused that "Her dedication to the improvement of her community can only be described as tireless."Armstong Street to be partially closed on May 11 for ArtsPark(MAY 2008) The Hintonburg Community Association has applied to the City of Ottawa for a temporary closure of a portion of Armstong Street on Sunday 11 May 2008 from 10am to 4pm. Only the block running east from Hamilton Street N to Parkdale Avenue will be closed. ArtsPark, which is being held that day in Parkdale Park, normally attracts several thousand visitors and the temporary closure is a public safety measure. The same section of Armstrong was closed last year for the event with little inconvenience for motorists. The Wellington Street detour will route traffic along Spencer Street for that day only.New public art for Wellington Street West: Have your say!(MAY 2008) From the Office of Cultural Affairs, City of Ottawa: You are invited to meet the artists who are competing for a public art commission as part of the Wellington Street West reconstruction project. Five artists or artist teams have been short-listed to create detailed designs of their creative concepts for the Wellington Street West corridor... In keeping with its percent for art policy, the City’s Public Art Program initiated a competition for a site-specific work of art that will be integrated into the soon to be rehabilitated Wellington Street West, from Western Avenue to Champagne Avenue North.Nineteen local artists responded enthusiastically to this opportunity with their submissions for the March deadline... Selection criteria includes such things as artistic excellence, experience, reflection of the community, character of the site and durability. Five finalists [or teams] were chosen to develop scale models or maquettes, preliminary sketches of the proposed artworks and detailed work plans including budgets: c.j. fleury; Marcus Kucey Jones and Ryan Lotecki; Janet MacKay and Mitchell Webster; Jennifer Macklem; Carolynne Pynn-Trudeau and Chandler Swain The public is invited to meet the artists, view the proposals and [make] comment. The Art Selection Committee will take the public’s comments into consideration when they meet again to jury the artworks and choose the winning design. The maquettes and sketches will be on display for public viewing on Thursday, May 15, 2008 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Hintonburg Community Centre at 1064 Wellington Street West, Ottawa. For more information, please call 613-244-4429. Temporary road closure: Wellington between Parkdale and Holland(APRIL 2008) From 14 April to approximately 14 June, Wellington Street West between Parkdale Avenue and Holland Avenue will be closed to through traffic, according to a City announcement. Parkdale Avenue and Holland Avenue will remain open but, from 14 April to 5 May, there will be lane reductions at the Holland/Wellington intersection. Wellington Street West will not be affected east and west of the construction zone.
Ottawa Citizen: Hintonburg's "hip, urban edge" (MARCH 2008) Editorial board member Elizabeth Payne, in the Ottawa Citizen
on 4 March 2008 under the headline "You can't rush success", paints a
highly positive, if cautious, picture of our urban village -- saying
that we seem to have become "Ottawa’s newest 'it' community." She adds
that "residents like the funky, affordable, multi-cultural and
multi-generational aspects of their neighbourhood and would like it to
remain that way... "Part of the reason Hintonburg is getting so much attention is that it remains one of the few ungentrified Ottawa neighbourhoods close to downtown. It also boasts the nearby Parkdale Market and close proximity to cycling paths and the river... But Hintonburg is still a work-in-progress... Five years ago, Hintonburg decided to reinvent itself as the city’s arts community. In addition to the GCTC, there are now numerous art galleries and graphics studios. There are several theatre troupes, and local haunts such as the Carleton and Elmdale taverns have introduced drama to their premises... "You have to squint a little to see what it will become -- the neighbourhood still features boarded up storefronts and businesses that don’t look like they are there for the long haul. But... the once-seedy Elmdale Tavern... is fast becoming a hipster hangout." ArtsPark 2008: Calling all craft, fine art and food vendors(MARCH 2008) The organizers of the fifth annual ArtsPark are now inviting submissions from vendors. This outdoor event at Parkdale Park on Sunday 11 May 2008 (Mother's Day) will feature an invitational art exhibit, food stalls and a Designer Showcase.
ArtsPark has created a loyal following, typically attracting 2000 or
more people. The ever-popular ArtsPark Designer Showcase features work from fine art jewellers, textile, clothing and other designers who create limited-run original pieces that are manufactured locally. Specialty or ethnic food appeals to ArtsPark visitors and last year the five food vendors reported excellent sales. This is an outdoor event and weather-dependent. The program for the day, running from 10am to 4pm, will include children's activities, live music and heritage walking tours. For more information contact Charles Reynolds of the Hintonburg Community Association, 613-729-5680 or arts@hintonburg.com. The deadline for all applications is 31 March. Tables, which measure 4x8 feet, are available for $50 and space is limited. Vendors normally bring a table cover and sun umbrellas. Electricity and other such services are NOT available in the park. Wellington Street West Centennial Photo Contest winners announced
(FEBRUARY 2008) The Bayswater to Western Avenue section of Wellington
Street was so named almost one hundred years ago, in June 1908. Marking
this centennial, the Neighbourhoods in Motion
photo contest has captured the spirit of the street linking Hintonburg
and Wellington Village and the people who make it special.Images for the contest were submitted from last fall through mid-January of this year and the four "best of show" along with eight runners-up will on display at the Parkdale Gallery (in the QUAD arts district, 229 Armstrong Street near Parkdale) from Sunday 2 March until Sunday 16 March. The top four images will also be featured in the 28 February issue of the Kitchissippi Times. Thanks to all who took part in the contest! Honourable Mention David Owen, Mimi Richard-Golding, Mark Rowsell, Paul Wing Best in Show The four outstanding entries were determined by the public through online voting which ended 13 February 2008.
The Neighbourhoods in Motion photo contest is brought to you by
Third Wall Theatre moves to the QUAD (FEBRUARY 2008) The Third Wall Theatre Company,
founded in 2002,has joined the Great Canadian Theatre Company at the
Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre in Hintonburg's QUAD arts district. The
first of this season's plays to debut at their new venue, Empire Builders,
was well received by critics. "Overall it works well and is noteworthy
for bringing together members of Ottawa's English and French theatre
communities'" said Patrick Langston in The Ottawa Citizen. Denis
Armstrong, writing in The Ottawa Sun under the headline "Difficult
production pulled off in aces" continues "It's fitting Third Wall's
first production in their new home should be one as ambitious as Empire Builders.
Vian's comedy is demanding in virtually every sense of the word. It's
heady, intellectual stuff. Fortunately, director Joel Beddows is
obviously comfortable with all this French absurdity." The next
production is Tartuffe by Moliere, 27 May 27 to 7 June. Tickets are $26
or less. Welcome Third Wall!
Wellington Street West public art competition(FEBRUARY 2008) Following intensive lobbying by the Hintonburg Community Association for full implementation of the "1% for public art policy", the City of Ottawa is inviting applications from artists to develop, design and implement a public art project on Wellington Street, within the limits of the reconstruction project. Installation of the artwork envisioned for 2009. The request for proposals is open to all professional artists living within the 150-km radius of Ottawa. Participants must be Canadian citizens, or have landed immigrant status. Artist and/or artist led teams are encouraged to apply.The public art project for the Wellington Street West corridor will integrate visually significant elements that provide identity and distinctive character, referencing the history, community or social commentary of the adjacent neighbourhood and roadway. Completed works of art will demonstrate artistic excellence, be conceptually timeless, address site characteristics including surrounding structures, reflect the community profile and character of the site through historical, aesthetic, environmental, material or technical references. There are many possible locations for proposed artwork and artists may even incorporate art elements into the light standards along the Wellington Street West corridor. Complete details are available on the City's website and the deadline for submissions is 3pm Monday 3 March 2008. Raising funds for the Rosemount Library(FEBRUARY 2008) On January 8, 2008, the Hintonburg Community Association Board of Directors voted to contribute $500 to a newly announced campaign to fund needed improvements at the Rosemount Library, our community library.“The Rosemount Library plays such an important role in our community,” said Jeff Leiper, President of the HCA Board. “The library serves this diverse neighbourhood. People of all ages and cultures are made welcome here and many use the services of the library every day for school, business or pleasure.” The Ottawa Public Library Foundation is asking supporters of the Rosemount Library to contribute to a campaign to raise $5,000 which will be used to provide more convenient and compact magazine storage and new tables and chairs. Built in 1917-18 as the West Branch, Rosemount is the oldest library building in Ottawa and the sole surviving Carnegie library, constructed with a grant from the Carnegie Foundation. As David Daubney, the volunteer chair of the OPLF, reminds us in his fund-raising letter: “Large windows illuminate a beautiful heritage library; an original Carnegie Library, Rosemount has all the modern features in an old-world setting.” We urge other library fans to make a tax-deductible contribution to the Rosemount Library. Please send a cheque to the Ottawa Public Library Foundation/Fondation de la Bibliothèque publique d’Ottawa at 101 Centrepointe Drive, 2nd floor, Ottawa, Ontario, K2G 5K7. Please indicate that your donation is for the Rosemount Library – and watch for those improvements. Metered parking in Hintonburg(FEBRUARY 2008) The following letter was sent in January to city councillors upon learning of the metered parking proposal. Not only will local businesses suffer but we anticipate a large increase in parking on our side streets -- some of the narrowest in the city!The Hintonburg Community Association (HCA) objects in the strongest possible terms to the implementation of metered parking on Wellington Street West in Hintonburg. The proposal is poorly conceived and was arrived at without consultation with area businesses and residents.Update from the Councillor's office, 14 February: A motion put forward by Christine Leadman yesterday calling for the delay of implementation of on-street parking meters for Hintonburg until the end of the neighbourhood planning (NPI) process was passed by Ottawa City Council. However, meters MAY BE CONSIDERED after the road reconstruction and NPI process. Therefore staff may consider recommending Hintonburg in three years from now. And if they do, a study would be required as well as intensive public consultation. Friends and neighbours meet at Wellington reconstruction open house(JANUARY 2008) The Wellington Street West Reconstruction Open House, held on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at the Hintonburg Community Centre was well attended by area residents. Many used the opportunity to meet up with friends and neighbours and exchange ideas related to the reconstruction. There is clearly a lot oft interest on the part of the community in the project and many hopes for major improvements to our main street.A detailed design plan for the corridor was posted for people to look at and provide feedback on. Councillor Christine Leadman, City of Ottawa staff, volunteers from the Neighbourhood Planning Initiative (NPI), consultants from Delcan and a landscape architecture firm were on hand to answer questions. Residents were also encouraged to provide feedback by way of a questionnaire provided by the City of Ottawa. How bicycle-friendly can we be? Some of the comments made by attendees at the Open House include the need for better accommodation of cyclists on Wellington Street West. At present there is a plan to promote an alternate cycling route on Armstrong Street, one block north of Wellington. A resident expressed his concern that cyclists prefer to use Wellington, where all the shops are located, because it’s a more direct route. According to the City, the alternate route was established because Wellington is not wide enough to accommodate a dedicated bike lane. Another resident suggested not allowing cars to park on one side of Wellington during peak cycling months to allow for a bike route that goes in both directions, east and west. This would improve safety for cyclists and promote a sustainable form of transportation in our community. Others mentioned the need for flat sidewalks, more trees and more bike racks along the length of the corridor. Some also mentioned concerns related to the use of interlocking brick (also known as pavers). Seniors or those with disabilities are especially concerned about the potential for an uneven surface to develop over time. According to the City, pavers will not shift or sink over time if installed properly. One resident suggested the need to do away with the many newspaper boxes that litter our street corners and implement a well-designed box for all newspapers instead. The City has been examining this option and there is support from volunteers with the NPI for this idea. Overall, the road reconstruction will make a huge difference to the enjoyment of our main street. We are very fortunate to live in a community where it is feasible for many people to walk or cycle to shop, play and work. As a result of the reconstruction our main street will have wider sidewalks, more trees and benches, improved lighting and better landscaping in areas fronting on to Wellington. Monitoring progress Elaina Mack and Christopher Stoney from Carleton University’s Centre for Urban Research and Education (CURE) were on hand to distribute information concerning their research into the Hintonburg/Mechanicsville Neighbourhood Planning Initiative. They are interested in how the Neighbourhood Planning Initiative is doing so far. They encourage those interested to take a few minutes to complete the survey which can be accessed at www.cure-crfmu.org. The findings of the study will be made available to the public by summer 2008. If you wish to provide more detailed comments concerning the Wellington Street West reconstruction plans please contact Max Ross, Senior Engineer, Infrastructure Projects with the City of Ottawa at 613-580-2424, Ext. 16011 or by e-mail at max.ross@ottawa.ca. Feedback is requested by February 6, 2008. "Mostly empty" urban schools should be judged fairly(JANUARY 2008) The following letter to the editors at The Citizen was sent by Hintonburg Community Association in response to their 28 January editorial about downtown schools.Congratulations to The Citizen for highlighting the disconnect between the city's best planning principles and our school boards' perspectives concerning schools in the urban core. While the thrust of your editorial was on target -- that downtown living is increasingly seen as the most viable way to deal with growth and that downtown schools should be preserved -- your editorialist should be mindful of perpetuating dangerous myths. One of the most persistent of these is that downtown schools are "mostly empty". School boards use a density measure that compares apples to oranges. The most learning-friendly schools in urban communities, with their airy classrooms and large hallways and foyers, were built several generations ago before the current trend to building to the greatest possible density took hold. Corridor planners recommending more trees and green roofs(NOVEMBER 2007) “The reconstruction of Wellington Street West next year could lead to a much greener future for our community,” says Paulette Dozois who is one of about 20 volunteers working with the City of Ottawa on the Neighbourhood Planning Initiative (NPI).By 2009, more trees — a lot more trees — along Wellington from Northwestern Avenue to the O-Train will create a much more appealing main street. City planners are also suggesting a collaborative approach whereby private landowners along the corridor can green the fronts of buildings as well as vacant or underutilized properties such as parking lots. Improving the pedestrian experience As a result of the NPI, we can all look forward to better-looking, wider sidewalks along with new street furniture, innovative bus shelters and creative public art blending with trees and gardens to provide more meeting places and rest stops along the corridor. Pedestrian-friendly intersections are also on the NPI agenda. The committee has been looking at ways to increase safety at high-traffic crossroads along Wellington such as Parkdale and Holland. Many solutions are being considered but one that is gaining favour is the “pedestrian scramble” concept where pedestrians can cross in any direction (including diagonally) while vehicles are stopped at every corner by red lights. Drivers wait a little longer to get through an intersection but should find turning easier since they won’t encounter pedestrians in the crosswalk. This safety solution has long been used in western Canada and is now being tested at some intersections in Toronto. Is a green roof in your future? As part of the new Community Design Plan linked to road reconstruction, engineers are investigating incorporating the recently approved “green roof” municipal initiative which will encourage property owners with flat roofs to install green roofs. According to the City’s website, “Green roofs are… roof terraces and roof gardens that can improve the appearance of our skyline, create new tranquil outdoor spaces, reduce greenhouse gases, save money, enhance biodiversity, improve sound insulation, and assist urban residents and businesses to adapt to the growing impacts of climate change.” Community Design Plan for Wellington West due Spring 2008
(NOVEMBER 2007) Even though Neighbourhood Planning Initiative (NPI) meetings were
suspended for summer holidays, there has been progress in developing
the three associated plans and a draft for
one of them, the Community Design Plan for Wellington Street West,
should be available for public review in early Spring 2008. The
comments received last spring at the NPI Public Open House
have been incorporated into discussions and the consultations are now
focused on the nuts and bolts of road reconstruction -- lighting,
sidewalks, public art and street furniture. Recently, the City of
Ottawa arranged an evening bus tour of some other neighbourhoods
(Westboro, Old Ottawa South, Beechwood Village, etc) so that task force
members could get an idea of what was possible when a “main street”
gets renewed. The actual Wellington Street West construction is due to
start in 2008 between Northwestern and Hamilton/Hinton Streets; the
remainder of the street as far as the Somerset Bridge will start in
2009. |
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| Helen Balanoy
Carrol Lunau Bev Binnette Dave Madely Glenda Stark Laurie Wilson Randy Dubé Vikharuddin Syed Doreen Duchesne Jasmine Tackman Michael Hebert Donna Bradbury Mimi Golding |
Beth Greenhorn
Michael Jean Sonja Kodric-Ramsaran Aidan Finlay Lorrie Marlowe Kyla Boyer Nancy McMahon Brent Hyde Cathy Chatham Ann McLaren Cheryl Parrott Gary Ludington Jean Dukacz Shirley Lussier |
Smita Ashar
Tim Golding Erin Topping Kevin O'Connell Denise Gauvin Roberta Percy Hieu Nguyen James Newton Wayne Rodney Bill Allen Tanya McGregor Vicky Smallman Pat Denny |
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