Celebrate the summer at Shad’s Park Party and BBQ on Saturday June 15th!

Please come out and join my team and I tomorrow starting at 12:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Village Square Park, located on Abbot Street at the corner of Stittsville Main Street for my annual Park Party! We have lined up a full day of fun activities for everyone to enjoy.

Members from the local emergency and health departments will be on hand offering services and educational material for families as well the City of Ottawa Roads department are bringing in some of their seasonal operations equipment to show you how they keep our community safe and moving all year long.

So come on out to my Park Party and BBQ to help my team and I celebrate the start of summer. I look forward to seeing you all! Don’t forget the hats and sunscreen.
 

Cool off with City of Ottawa Outdoor Splash Pads

The Splash Pads were made operational May 17th at a majority of the City’s 100 sites and will operate until Wednesday, September 18th (weather permitting). Please note that all Splash Pad Sites are unsupervised. In Stittsville we are pleased to have 2 splash pads in our area. They are located at Upcountry Park, 310 Upcountry Drive in the south end of Stittsville and Bandmaster Park, located at 230 Mistral Way in the Fairwinds area of Stittsville.

Certainly splash pads are a welcome addition to any area. I will continue to do what I can to try to get more installed in future planned parks in our area if they are available to be included.

For a list of locations, please visit:
http://ottawa.ca/en/residents/parks-and-recreation/parks-and-sports-fields/splash-pads
 

War of 1812 in Stittsville!

Step back in time this Father’s day, June 16th and join in the War of 1812 Tribute Event from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Goulbourn Museum. Everyone is welcome! There are a variety of activities to participate in; horse and buggy rides between 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., an old fashioned photo booth, barbeque, silent auction, book fair and much more.

Please be advised that parking for this event is primarily along Huntley Road as a result there may possibly be some traffic delays in this area.
 

Stittsville Community Mental Health Forum

On June 20th at 7:00 p.m. in the Johnny Leroux Stittsville Community Center, my office along with Ottawa Public Health (OPH), the Western Ottawa Community Resource Center (WOCRC) and the Royal Ottawa Health Group (ROH) are holding a Community Mental Health Forum. The purpose of this mental health forum is to provide residents with the opportunity to hear about Mental Health issues and how to find the necessary tools and resources to deal with mental illness.

Steve Walsh is a lecturer from Algonquin College, parent and registered nurse for over 12 years at The Royal (Ottawa Hospital). He will be providing tips on how adults and teens can deal with mental health and the signs and symptoms of mental health issues.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAGtMOoyDvc&feature=youtu.be

Kathleen Gorman will be sharing her personal experience with mental health and how she overcame her depression. Kathleen is a spokesperson for the ROH and teaches others how they too can deal with their mental health issues.

Resource material will be available and representatives from both the OPH and WOCRC will be on hand to answer any questions you may have.

The Community Mental Health Forum is open to everyone. Please feel free to share this information with anyone who you think might be interested in attending.
 

Your chair awaits you for our Canada Day Senior’s Breakfast

It is with great pleasure I invite the seniors of our community to attend my annual Canada Day Breakfast on Monday July 1st from 8:00 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The volunteer fire department has once again generously opened their doors and invited us in to hold the festivities at the Fire Hall on Stittsville Main Street. Please call my office at 613-580-2476 to reserve your spot for the breakfast as space is limited and filling up quickly! My team and I look forward to seeing everyone on Canada Day!
 

Ottawa Public Health pilots new healthy eating and physical activity guidelines
at five municipal child care centres

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) and the City’s municipal child care centres are working together to promote healthy eating and physical activity for infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers. A new pilot project provides child care centres with nutrition and physical activity guidelines for healthy snacks and meals and active living for children in their care.

The Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Guidelines, which are now in place at five pilot City of Ottawa child care centres, ensure that all children have healthy meals and a wide range of physical activities during their day. The guidelines encourage adult-led activities, active free play indoors and out, and child care staff acting as role models for healthy eating and physical activity.

The pilot project plans to roll out the guidelines to all 15 City child care centres which serve more than 500 children.

This pilot project is one example of OPH’s strong commitment to take concrete steps to work with community partners to improve the health of children in the City. OPH is focused on providing caregivers and parents with the best supports to make healthier choices for children.

For more information on Healthy Living, visit ottawa.ca/health or call Ottawa Public Health Information at 613-580-6744 (TTY 613-580-9656).
 

Ottawa Public Health and local organizations join to help older adults
Connect to support services

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) launched the Community Connect training program at Billings Bridge Shopping Centre. Mayor Jim Watson, Board of Health members Councillor Chernushenko and Gisèle Richer, and Dr. Isra Levy, Ottawa’s Medical Officer of Health announced the official start of a new program to assist Ottawa’s older adult population stay connected to essential support services.

There are currently over 10,000 older adults in Ottawa who are isolated and have little support from family or friends to act on their behalf. Older adults often want to remain in their own homes for as long as they can.

In October 2011, Mayor Watson hosted the Seniors Summit at City Hall to re-affirm the City’s commitment to the well-being of the older adult population. It was through participation and suggestions from residents that the Ottawa Older Adult Plan was shaped, and programs like Community Connect were created. This new program is funded by a grant obtained through the City of Ottawa Older Adult Plan.

Billings Bridge Shopping Centre is one of the first Ottawa businesses to encourage tenants and employees to take the training.

To request a Community Connect training session or for more information, please visit ottawa.ca or call the Ottawa Public Health Information Line at 613-580-6744 (TTY: 613-580-9656). You can also connect with OPH on Facebook, Twitter (@ottawahealth), blog and now on Pinterest.
 

A matching gift opportunity that will double your gift!

An anonymous donor has stepped forward to match donations, up to $50,000 when you donate to the Queensway Carlton Hospital (QCH) by June 24th, 2013.

Each amount contributed to Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation will be doubled in value.

The recent expansion of the QCH means that a hospital that once served 100,000 people is now a regional centre of outstanding care serving the health care needs of more than 400,000 people.

Your generous gift will go twice as far towards improving health care in our community today and in the future.

Donations are going towards the completion of the hospital’s renovations, train staff and purchase life-saving equipment.
 

Public Open House June 17th for Western Light Rail Transit Corridor

Ottawa residents are invited to take part in an open house and drop-in consultation session at City Hall on June 17th from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. regarding the planning and environmental assessment study for the proposed Western Light Rail Transit Corridor.

The City of Ottawa is continuing its planning and environmental assessment study for the proposed WLRTC. The goal of this study is to identify the most effective way to build on the first phase of LRT currently under construction (Confederation Line) to bring service to Baseline Station, increase transit use and provide higher quality transit service. This study is considering alternative options and designs towards a final alignment and it will inform the City’s Transportation Master Plan.

The study area stretches between Bayview and Baseline Stations and includes the area from the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway south to Carling Avenue and from the O-Train west to Lincoln Fields and Baseline Stations.

This open house and drop-in consultation session will provide an overview of the study progress to date and will address concerns raised by both the public and the National Capital Commission following the April 2013 public release of the preliminary preferred WLRTC alignment – Richmond Underground.

A revised design for a Western Light Rail Transit service was released on June 13th. The changes call for the 700-metre section near homes backing onto the John A. Macdonald Parkway to be underground.

Last April, the City unveiled the Richmond Underground as the preferred option for extending Confederation Line. The Richmond Underground proposal was a refinement of alternative routes that responded to public feedback underscoring the importance of the Byron Linear Park.

Members of the Western LRT project team, supported by local Councillors, have made further changes to respond to these key findings from discussions with community groups and various consultation sessions.

By electing to bury the additional 700 metres near homes backing onto the parkway, the plan now eliminates the noise and visual intrusion of the train while improving the landscape and access to the adjacent Parkway lands. Other refinements to the project include better linkages to the pathway system, greenspace and waterfront, improved safety, and two new open-air stations that will be well integrated with the community and provide easy access to LRT for local residents.

Participants will have an opportunity to meet with City staff to discuss the proposed corridor design, mitigation measures and other issues arising from consultation, including effects on property values and greenspace, operation of the trains, cost and affordability, development implications and the work completed to date.

For those residents who cannot attend the session, the information presented at the open house will be available on ottawa.ca/westernLRT. The City will be accepting comments by email (westernLRT@ottawa.ca) and fax (613-580-2578) until June 21st , 2013.
 

Go! To the Ottawa Public Library this summer

The Ottawa Public Library (OPL) invites kids to participate in the TD Summer Reading Club (TDSRC) this summer. This year’s theme is Go!

Kids can set their imaginations free this summer with books and programs about travel adventures near or far.

Children participating in TDSRC will receive a passport and a pre-reading activity book or school-age magazine, and stickers with secret codes that unlock rewards online. The illustrator of this year’s TD SRC is Matt James award-winning illustrator, painter and musician.

Registration for TDSRC and all other children’s summer programs starts Wednesday, June 19th.

During the summer, branches across the City will offer programming featuring trains, voyageurs, travel journals, Mount Everest, movie-making, global instruments, Victorian times, puppets, Bollywood dancing, and more!

For more info, visit http://kids.BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca or contact InfoService at 613-580-2940 or InfoService@BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca.
 

Public Meeting for proposed Fernbank Community Subdivision 570 Hazeldean Road
* Please see image below

There will be a public information meeting at the Johnny Leroux Stittsville Arena on June 18th at 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. to discuss the proposed plan of subdivision by Mattamy Homes at 570 Hazeldean Road, within the Fernbank community.

The applicant is requesting to permit 600 dwelling units: 393 detached dwellings, 117 townhouse dwellings and 91 back-to-back units. The plan for this subdivision also includes a 0.8 meter hectare park, a small portion of a school site and a storm water management pond.

Should you have any questions or concerns regarding you may contact, Kathy Rygus, lead planner on this file at 613-580-2424 x28318 or via email kathy.rygus@ottawa.ca

For further information pertaining to this proposed plan of subdivision please visit http://app01.ottawa.ca/postingplans/appDetails.jsf?lang=en&appId=__9IGGBL

Correction to last week’s Column “Natural Poison Ivy Killer” 

*In my last week’s column there was a misprint regarding the ingredients needed to make the natural poison ivy solution. The recipe calls for 16 cups of vinegar not 16 cups of water.

1 cup of salt, 8 drops of liquid detergent, 16 cups of vinegar: Combine the salt and vinegar in a pan and heat to dissolve the salt. Cool mixture then add the detergent and pour some of the liquid into a large spray bottle. Spray the vegetation. (You can also just pour the mixture onto the weeds). It’s important to note that this formula will kill all the vegetation, so make sure that you are only spraying the plants you want to kill.
 

2013 Graduation Wishes

As we head into the third week of June, many of the young adults in our community are preparing themselves, for the celebrations that come with their educational Commencement. At this time I it gives me great pleasure to wish each and every one of our Stittsville students’ congratulations. I wish for each of you that your dreams take you to the corners of your smiles, to the highest of your hopes, to the windows of your opportunities, and to the most extraordinary places your heart has ever known.

Please have a safe and happy graduation!
 

Did You Know?

During the War of 1812, Canadians, Natives and the British fought alongside one another against the Americans. The British were the main driving force; however without the assistance of the Canadians and Natives, they would most likely not have defeated the Americans.

The final American advancement occurred up the St Lawrence River where the British had followed to inevitably meet and defeat them at Crysler Farm. This would be the British’s second victory over the Americans within one year.

Many of us have visited the War of 1812 Crysler battle site as it is located right next to Upper Canada.
 

My Team and I would like to wish all Dads a very Happy Father’s Day!

Always listening and acting on your concerns

As your Councillor, I always welcome your keen input and ideas on how we can sustain and improve Stittsville. You can always reach my office by emailing Shad.Qadri@ottawa.ca  or by dialling 613-580-2476.