See the 8 day forecast at the ottawan weather

A man and his dog were rescued after falling through the ice on the Ottawa River in Orléans. An Ottawa firefighter had pulled the man out of the water around 11:00 am Saturday but the man’s dog then climbed on top and both went back into the water. Firefighters commended a bystander who told the man to keep his arms across the ice but did not try to make the rescure himself.

The Ontario Provincial Police has published advice on how to recognize if ice is safe: it's 15 cm for a person, 25 cm for a snowmobile, and 30 for a light vehicle.

If you fall in, Ottawa Fire Services advises the following: ‘Getting your arms up on the ledge can keep you secure, so you can call for help. This position gives you the best chance for survival. Keep your head low and kick your legs until you are horizontal. Keep kicking, stay low and pull yourself out of the water and onto the ice. Continue to crawl widely and keep your body weight spread out. You do not want to pull all your weight in one spot. Follow the same path back from where you came. You know this ice was strong.’

Also in Orléans on Saturday: Ottawa Fire Services rescued a cat stuck in the wall of a home. (Cats just really hate seeing a dogs get attention.)

– Martha and Darren

OTTAWA STATS

Sports

• 🏒PWHL Ottawa 1 – Montréal 2 last Saturday
• 🏒NHL Ottawa Senators 2 – New York Rangers 7 last Saturday

CITY HALL AGENDA

WHAT OTTAWA IS TALKING ABOUT

💰 Katasa Group

•  The founder of the development company that made a CIty Councillor-arranged $300,000 donation has a colourful legal history. In 1981, Samir Chowieri was convicted of conspiracy to traffic drugs; a year later he was convicted of fraud for acquiring 12.5 tonnes of cheese without paying the supplier. This is not a euphemism. In 2002, Chowieri was fined $125,000 for tax evasion. During the pandemic, 47 out of 134 residents died at Chowieri’s Résidence Herron care home in Dorval. Capital ward councillor Shaun Menard had arranged a $300,000 goodwill donation from Chowieri’s company for traffic calming and social housing. Last week’s City Council meeting was unsure about the propriety of the donation and decided to spread the money across all 24 wards. (Randall Denley in the Ottawa Citizen)

🥫 Parkdale Food Centre

•  Excessive demand has forced the Parkdale Food Centre to close its community fridge and pantry. Demand had risen to the point that the Centre could no longer provide food in a ‘dignified and equitable manner’. The final day will be Feb 8. (William Eltherington at CTV)

🏒 Hockey

•  A former player for the Ottawa Senators has turned himself in over the 2018 World Junior team sex assault offenses. London police have charged five players of that team. Alex Formenton, who currently plays in Switzerland, denies the charges. (Canadian Press)
  
  ➕ Related The president of Hockey Outaouais says teams that abuse referees will be expelled from the league.

🚨 Ottawa Police Service

• The Ottawa Police detective accused of stealing $50,000 and planting a gun must testify after all. Detective Kirk Gidley had not been previously available to testify as he said doing so would harm his mental health. The judge has now ruled he must testify over the accusation that he stole $50,000 and planted a gun at a residence that police believed contained drugs. The judge partially based his ruling on the fact that Gidley performs in the thrash metal band, Infrared, and is therefore in a reasonable mental state. Infrared plays Stray Dog Brewing Feb 24, 7:30 pm. (Gary Dimmock in the Ottawa Citizen)

MORE FROM THE OTTAWAN

• 🍺 Our Ottawa-Gatineau Craft Brewery Map

•  

• 🏆 The Best Of Ottawa Awards 2023

•  

• 🎧 Best Podcasts from Ottawa

EVENTS

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Today

•  The Ottawa Trivia League visits Bar Robo for an evening of trivia challenges and prizes. Tonight and every Monday night at 170 Queen St.

•  Mayfair Theatre Screenings: The Iron Claw, Godzilla Minus One, Love Streams.

•  ByTowne Cinema screenings: The Zone of Interest, Banff Mountain Film Festival (SOLD OUT).
  
  Gigs

•  Open Mic. Art House Café

•  The Telegrams. Irene’s Pub Restaurant

•  Bluegrass Mondays: Concession 23. Red Bird

•  The 5-Star Monday Band. The Laff

•  Karaoke Mondaze. Atomic Rooster

Tomorrow

•  Join Pitch (Im)perfect Singers for a Folk and Country Night. Bring $10 cash to take part. Trinity United Church, 1099 Maitland Ave.

•  The weekly Life Drawing session at Art House Café is a relaxed affair for artists of all skill levels. $15 per seat.

•  Experience the Four Seasons the way Vivaldi’s original 18th century fans did: by candlelight (of course, the candles at tomorrow’s Candlelight Concerts performance by the Liesto String Quartet are actually LEDs, but you get the idea).

•  It’s the final Tuesday of the month, which means it's Pizza and Poetry night at Spark Beer. Bring your own poetry to read in the Open Mic or just enjoy the performances, pizza, and great beer. 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at 702 Somerset St W.

•  ByTowne Cinema: The Zone of Interest, Banff Mountain Film Festival (SOLD OUT)

•  Mayfair Theatre: Monster, The Iron Claw, Godzilla Minus One
  
  Gigs

•  Soul Night. Kaffe 1870 (Wakefield)

•  Karaoke at the Backroom of Il Vicolo

•  Trivia Tuesday. Irene’s Pub Restaurant

•  Open Mic Night. LIVE on Elgin

Wednesday

•  Laugh Lounge (61 York St) hosts Nerdy Bingo, where geeks know all the answers. The big prize: someone’s going to win a $500 Visa gift card.

•  Chess players: It’s your night at Wizard’s Tower. Bring your own board or you can borrow one from the venue.

•  ByTowne Cinema: The Zone of Interest, Banff Mountain Film Festival (SOLD OUT)

•  Mayfair Theatre: Monster, The Iron Claw, Godzilla Minus One

  Gigs

•  Jazz Night with Peter Woods. Queen St. Fare

•  Girls to the Front. Irene’s Pub Restaurant

•  Rare Groove Wednesday. Atomic Rooster

•  Trivia Night. Café Dekcuf

•  Bingo Night. Brew Revolution

•  Taproom Trivia. Stray Dog Brewing 

•  Tuesday Trivia. Broadhead Brewing

Just Announced / Now Booking

• Ice Cream For Breakfast Saturday is nearly here (it’s this Saturday February 3, y’all), and Merry Dairy has it handled. You can enjoy this special day at home with an Ice Cream for Breakfast Box of ice cream, waffles, and toppings (have it delivered or pick it up), or you can visit Merry Dairy for a special irl experience.

• Heads up, absolute beginners who yearn to sew: register for the Learn to Sew - Pin Cushion workshop from Fabrications. Friday February 2 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

• Energetic kids aged eight to 15 will love the Ottawa Circus School’s March Break and Summer Day Camps. You can register for both now.

DEALS OF THE DAY

BUT, ONE MORE THING ...

RAPID RESPONSE QUALITY CONTROL

THE END