Regular news reviewer Francois is out vacationing in the East, so I’m jumping in while he’s away to summarize the kind of week it was here in Ottawa. If I’ve missed any stories you’ve been watching this week, join the conversation and throw them into the comments below. Ottawa Bluesfest fans were reminded of the harrowing stage-collapse this weekend, when a similar accident turned fatal at the Indiana State Fair. Support is growing for a smoking ban at beaches and public parks. The ban, proposed by Cumberland Councillor Stephen Blais,... | Continue reading article

Do you like ice cream? Visit the Canada Agriculture Museum on Sunday, August 7, and learn about the journey from cow to cone. Practise your milking technique on the Museum’s wooden cow and get the scoop on how dairying technology now includes milking machines, and even robotic milkers. . Try your hand at an old-fashioned manual ice cream maker, and taste your own yummy creation. Local beekeepers will be at the Museum to explain the buzz about honeybees and the essential role that pollinators play in ice cream production. To add to... | Continue reading article

Pretty pictures seems to be a theme on the blog this week. It may be because Ottawa looks good with a tan, but more likely its because anything beyond pretty pictures would take away too much time away from playing outside. So for your viewing pleasure, here’s some pretty moving pictures of Ottawa courtesy of Ryan Emond. Now go play outside.

Grill, Grin and WIN on National BBQ Day™! . There’s nothing quite like a summertime BBQ. Grilling steaks and burgers with friends and family is one of the joys of the season, and we want to help you celebrate! . National BBQ Day is on August 6th, and Meal Exchange is calling on all Canadians across the country to host a BBQ with locally-grown food in support of our local food economy. Every Canadian deserves access to healthy, nutritious food, and this starts with you! . Send us your local... | Continue reading article

Ottawa may not be the country’s fashion capital, but those of us living here know there’s a whole lot more style in our city than we’re given credit for. And part of this style is thanks to a small but dedicated group of shops – the places where we get our inspiration, our funky clothing, our one-of-a-kind accessories. Ever since opening its doors five years ago, Victoire has joined the ranks of these boutiques, outfitting many a fashion-seeking Ottawan. Owners Katie Frappier and Regine Paquette have dedicated countless hours to... | Continue reading article

June 22-26 teams from Canada and the United States will compete for the top rank of best rib choice, best rib sauce, best chicken choice and best chicken sauce. . If you miss this, you will be missing some of the best BBQ chicken and ribs you’ll ever taste. This is truly an international Chicken and Rib Cook-off.

Have you ever wanted to see what the Canadian home of the Aga Khan, the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, looks like ? Or see if Ashbury College, the place where Ottawa’s young smarty pants go to study looks anything like Hogwarts? Perhaps you’re more interested in seeing how one of Ottawa’s well-known media sources, the Ottawa Citizen, operates? Doors Open Ottawa offers you the opportunity to check these buildings and many many more this weekend. On June 4th and 5th, between 10am and 4pm, over 100 buildings will be... | Continue reading article

Hey all, since Karen’s away for a bit, I’m stepping in this week and next to share my time-tested recipes for a delicious, mouthwatering weekend in the capital. They’re healthy, filling, and perfect for people with allergies (unless, that is, you’re allergic to fun). Nothing says spring like clearing out the unwanted crap cluttering up your home and making room for new crap, right? So you’ll definitely want to set your alarm for the crack of dawn Saturday and make your way down to the Great Glebe Garage Sale. It... | Continue reading article

Chefs’ cup oyster shuck off – Ottawa valley oyster shucking competition Entertainment: – Soul Jazz Orchestra – DJ L T Ruck – Greenfield Main Food: oysters, walleye burgers, refreshments Tickets on sale at The Whalesbone Oyster House (430 Bank Street) and Sustainable Fish and Oyster Supply (504A Kent Street) Location: Whalesbone Oyster Supply (504A Kent at Arlington) Start: Sunday, 26 June at 12:00 PM End: Sunday, 26 June at 11:00 PM

Forget gentrification. We here at Apartment613 are dedicated to the funkification – the process of transforming Ottawa into the Canadian capital of the good, James Brown kind of funky. That’s why we’re hoping you’ll pay attention to the city’s plan to establish its second five-year arts and heritage action plan, city hall’s strategy for getting Ottawa out of its boring pin-stripe state of mind and into a new crushed blue velvet suit – with all the attitude that comes with it. Adopted by council in 2003 as one of five... | Continue reading article