Patricia Marsden Dole, a remarkable life in Centretown and abroad

It is with heavy the Centretown Community Association share the news of the passing of a remarkable individual. On August 27th, our community lost a leader and activist, former CCA Director Patricia Marsden Dole. Patricia's legacy in public service is unparalleled, having been Canada's first female Trade Commissioner in 1969 and serving with distinction in diplomacy from 1989 to 2003.

During her tenure on the CCA Board from 2007 to 2016, Patricia's dedication to advocating for seniors in Centretown was truly exceptional. She championed for improved accessibility, including wider sidewalks and safer intersections, advocating for the well-being of seniors with mobility challenges and urging the City Council to enhance support for the elderly in Ottawa.

In CCA Board meetings, Patricia's words resonated deeply, embodying wisdom and compassion. Patricia's heart was always leading her activism in Centretown and her kindness to others had an immediate impact when you met and held a discussion with her.

Though her presence in recent years was less frequent, the impact of her advocacy and professionalism reverberates throughout Centretown, earning her widespread respect and admiration within our community.

The CCA extends heartfelt condolences to Patricia's family during this difficult time. Her strength and support were unwavering pillars for her loved ones, and her absence will be deeply felt. To learn more about her remarkable life, you can read her obituary here:

 https://www.hpmcgarry.ca/obituaries/Patricia-Mary-Paddy-Marsden-Dole?obId=45068527

Robert Dekker
President, Centretown Community Association

Robert Smythe: The passing of a Centretown giant

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Sunday November 17, 2024; Robert Smythe, the prolific Centretown historian, journalist and tireless volunteer, died Friday, November 15, at the Ottawa Heart Institute.

Centretown has lost a local hero, a giant who contributed so much to the community over so many decades. The community newspaper The Centretown BUZZ a half century ago was named for his style of haircut. Robert was a huge contributor to The BUZZ for decades, writing articles about history and urban affairs.

He was the author of the Urbsite blog and website, with 408 entries detailing the history, urban planning and architecture of Centretown, each lavishly illustrated with historical photos and maps. A journalist described Urbsite as "an absolute treasure trove."

He was a lecturer on Centretown's history.

More than anyone else, he chronicled the history of the heart of the nation's capital. He also provided astute commentary on current architecture, proposed new buildings, and urban planning. Robert worked as a staffer to Councillor Diane Holmes.

His volunteer work was widespread and profound. Besides authoring a proliferation of newspaper articles and blog entries, he volunteered with the community association and Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation, the non-profit dedicated to affordable housing. The Centretown Community Association sends condolences to the family, friends and work colleagues of Robert.

Through his writings, his love of Centretown will live on fulsomely. His very readable, top-quality articles on Urbsite and in The Centretown Buzz will endure as fundamental resources on Ottawa's history.

We will miss seeing Robert's smile on Elgin Street, and in the parks, shops and elsewhere around Centretown.

Robert Dekker
President, Centretown Community Association of Ottawa
210 Gloucester Street, Suite 101
Ottawa, Ontario K2P 2K4
vice.president@centretowncitizens.ca

Climate Resiliency Community Dialogue

Are you interested in learning more about how climate change will affect Ottawa, and in discussing community preparedness for these impacts with other residents? Join the dialogue hosted by the Centretown and Dalhousie Community Associations on Tuesday, June 13 at the McNabb Community Centre (180 Percy Street). The event will run from 6:30 – 8:30 PM.

This dialogue will be an opportunity to learn about climate impacts and risks, and an opportunity to share how you see climate impacts affecting you and your community. It will also be a chance to discuss actions that individuals, communities and the city can take to prepare for climate impacts.

This event is part of a series of community dialogues co-organized by CAFES and partner Community Associations across Ottawa. The insights from the dialogues will be sent back to Community Associations, attendees, and to the city's Climate Change and Resiliency Unit to help inform their prospective Climate Resiliency Strategy.

Winter Party in the Park

The festive season is here, and it’s time to decorate the trees at Dundonal Park with simple, homemade ornaments and treats for the birds. The decorating party will take place Sunday, December 18 from 1 to 3 p.m. in Dundonald Park (at Somerset and Lyon).

Goodies for the birds might include popcorn strings, dried oranges, or suet balls with birdseed. Google has loads of suggestions. Decorations that are neither fragile nor plastic, such as wooden or straw ornaments, are great too. And if you are feeling the urge to bake, treats for people, such as cookies, are welcome.  

The Dundonald gardening volunteers are coming off a spectacular gardening season. They planted 38 shrubs, 113 perennials, 99 annuals and 280 bulbs.

CCA Climate Resiliency Webinar

The Centretown Community Association in Collaboration
with The Glebe Community Association invites you to attend our

 Climate Resiliency Webinar

  Thursday, November 17, 2022
7 - 9 pm

Join us on Thursday, November 17, 2022, from 7 PM to 9 PM for a webinar on what Climate Resiliency can mean for Centretown. Our presenters include Professor Andy Kenney (Faculty of Forestry, UofT), architect Toon Dreessen, Birgit Isernhagen, Environmental Policy Lead at Ottawa Public Health, and landscape designer Mary Stewart. These experts will introduce a range of practical solutions to make our homes and our community more resilient to face the critical challenges of increased heat and storm events that climate change has already brought to our neighbourhood.

Eventbrite Registration: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/webinar-reducing-the-impact-of-future-weather-events-tickets-453468074217

Ottawa Municipal Election’s Mayor Candidates Debate – Monday, October 17, 2022 @ 7pm

Ottawa Municipal Election 2022

Debate among the four leading contenders for Mayor

MONDAY, 17TH OF OCTOBER 2022

AT 7:00 PM I Horticulture Building at Lansdowne Park
1525 Princess Patricia Way, Ottawa, ON

Doors open at 6:15 pm. Debate starts at 7 pm sharp.

Register for a free ticket at
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/leadership-for-a-liveable-ottawa-tickets-432518944807

Brought to you by the Glebe Community Association together with the Carlington Community Association, Centretown Community Association, Champlain Park Community Association, Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Association, Dalhousie Community Association, Dows Lake Residents Associa-tion, Faircrest Heights Community Association, Hampton Iona Community Group, Heron Park Community Association, Hintonburg Community Association, Lindenlea Community Association, Lowertown Community Association, Manor Park Community Associa-tion, Old Ottawa East Community Association, Old Ottawa South Community Association, Overbrook Community Association, Rockcliffe Park Residents Association, Vanier Community Association, Westboro Beach Community Association.

Fall Festival In Dundonald Park!

Annual Fall Festival at Dundonald Park, 516 Somerset Street at Lyon Street, Ottawa, ON, on Saturday, September 24, 2022, 10 am - 2 pm.

Rain date: Sunday, September 25, 2022.

Family friendly activities for all ages will be offered: a drawing workshop in honour of Annie Pootoogook by the Ottawa Art Gallery; music and dance by Chinese Seniors; and bilingual storytime courtesy of the Ottawa Public Library. Get aquainted with Bibliobike, the Tool Lending Library, Grassroots Group, Ticket Defence Program, and others.

Sponsored by Centretown Community Association and Centretown Community Health Centre

Celebrate Gardening!

June 11, 1-4 pm in Dundonald Park

Help us launch the national Year of the Garden in Canada’s Capital!

Proclaimed by the federal government and the City of Ottawa, the Year of the Garden commemorates the centennial of Canada’s horticulture sector and rich garden heritage. Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson and Somerset Ward Councillor Catherine McKenney will open the event. 

There will be nearly 20 activities and information booths at the June 11 event, including messing with worms in vermiculture, tree-seedling giveaway, nature-themed crafts and planting annual flowers. Enthusiasts will be on hand to teach about local trees, apiaries, sprouting edible seeds and pollinators. Information booths include the Master Gardeners of Ottawa, Fletcher Wildflower Garden, Ottawa Field Naturalist Club, Gardens Ottawa, Ottawa Wildflower Seed Library, Macoun Field Naturalists, Ottawa Tool Library, Ottawa Outdoor Gear Library and more.  

The event is free. Rain date isJune 12, 1-4 p.m.  

Letter to to Mayor Watson, Interim Police Chief Steve Bell, Premier Rob Ford and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau demanding a Public Inquiry on the Freedom Convoy’s Occupation of Ottawa

The CCA is demanding that all 3 levels of government begin an immediate and thorough public inquiry into the handling of the convoy occupation of downtown Ottawa and develop a joint plan to prevent similar events from happening again.

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Letter to Mayor Watson and Police Chief Sloly on the Freedom Convoy's Occupation of Ottawa

The situation was entirely preventable and the lack of action on the part of the city and Ottawa Police has given the protesters control of our city. We strongly urge immediate action for the safety and security of Centretown and Ottawa residents.

Holiday Decorating at Dundonald Park

It’s the festive season & time to decorate the trees in the park with simple, homemade holiday ornaments and treats for the birds. The decorating party will take place Sunday, December 12, from 2 - 4 p.m. in Dundonald Park (at Somerset and Lyon).

Goodies for the birds might include popcorn strings, dried oranges, suet balls and such. Decorations that are neither fragile nor plastic, such as wooden or straw ornaments, are great too.

AND if you’re feeling the urge to bake, some people-type treats (cookies etc.) would not go amiss!  

Let’s make Dundonald a winter wonderland — and a feast for birds!

Join our Tree Canopy Team!

Do you want a Centretown where you can stroll down shady streets? Interested in learning more about trees? Want to ensure trees are protected and more are planted to provide needed resiliency to climate change?

The CCA is looking for volunteers for a new project to protect and increase the tree canopy in Centretown. The new Tree Canopy Team will be carrying out a tree inventory throughout Centretown. This information will form the basis for developing a stewardship plan for trees on both public and private lands. The goal is to instill a greater appreciation for the aesthetic and health benefits trees provide, and to encourage Centretown residents to take greater pride in, and responsibility for, our neighbourhood trees. We will use the Neighbourwoods model already in use in communities in other cities and here in Ottawa. http://neighbourwoods.org

An initial organizing meeting is being held by ZOOM on Thursday, May 20 at 7 p.m. Please contact Darlene Pearson for more information and to get on the invitation list at treesandgreenspace-chair@centretowncitizens.ca

New QuikCurbs installed along Elgin St.

Councillor Catherine McKenney announced on Twitter that new separated bikes lanes had been installed along Elgin Street south of Argyle Avenue. These new QuickCurbs will help make this stretch of Elgin safer for all cyclists. Many cycling advocates had been pressing for changes after a 20-year-old cyclist was injured after being struck by a truck at the Catherine and Elgin St. intersection.