Weather

• 🌧️  Mixed rain and freezing rain. High of 2°, low of 0°. 

Number 

• 350
• – The number of layoffs proposed by pot purveyors Canopy Growth Corporation in Ottawa and Smith’s Falls. Canopy will be closing the old Hershey chocolate factory it operates from. Canada-wide, there will be 800 layoffs. (Evelyn Harford in the Smiths Falls Record News) 

Ottawan of the Day

• Pierre Noel
• Noel has come out of retirement to serve as interim CEO of The Royal Mental Health Centre, a job expected to last eight months.The previous CEO, Joanne Bezzubetz, left suddenly in December. Noel spent 16 years as president and CEO of Pembroke Regional Hospital. (Joanne Laucius in the Ottawa Citizen)

Quote 

• ‘It's] not looking like that freeze is anywhere to be seen’
• – Environment Canada warning preparedness meteorologist Steven Flisfeder on the dwindling chances that the Skateway will reopen this year. (CBC)

Sports

• 🏒 OHL Ottawa 67s 8 – Kingston Frontenacs 1 last night

🗞️ City Auditor General on the Convoy Fallout

Nobody had anything nice to say about the City or the Ottawa Police after the release of the Auditor General’s report on the Convoy yesterday.

• The Ottawa Citizen
  
  ‘Auditor cites poor communication, inconsistent bylaw enforcement in report on city's convoy response’
  
  ‘City auditor's report finds Ottawa Police Services Board lacked information during convoy protest; violated its own procedural rules’
  
  ‘Police withheld key intelligence, traffic plan from City of Ottawa, auditor general finds’
• The Bulldog
  
  ‘AG’s Report Leaves The Truth Out In The Cold’

🛻 Recognition

• The Battle of Billings Bridge was honoured with a plaque today at Bank Street and Riverside Drive. On Feb 13, 2022 local residents did what the Ottawa Police would not – stopped a caravan of trucks intending to occupy downtown Ottawa. The would-be Convoy siegers were immobilzed most of the day, later allowed to return in the direction they came under police escort – and with flags lowered. Who issued the official looking plaque is unknown. (Megan Gillis in the Ottawa Citizen)

🚋 Transit Commission

• The O Train wires ‘melted’ during the Ice Storm. Today's Transit Commission meeting heard that the system was designed with a limit 12.5 millimetres of ice accumulation. On Jan 4, a bad weather day but not exactly armeggedon, there was 4.3 millimetres of freezing rain per hour, eventually knocking out the line for six days. Two trains sent to remove a stuck train also became stuck. Richard Holder, the city's director of engineering services, says they are considering using a diesel powered rescue train in the future. (Laura Glowacki at CBC)
  
  ➕Related OC Transpo is considering offering a limited pass for workers who work part time from home, part time from the office. 

Click here to feature your event

Today

• Death and the King’s Horseman debuts for streaming today, via Stratfest@home.

• Early Access ends at 10:00pm tonight to the April 13th Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets In Concert with the NAC Orchestra. Use the code NOTES to access the tickets before 10:00pm tonight.

• Undercurrents Festival continues with ça rime avec vinaigre, Lena, Small Tortures, and in Late Night Programming, Soirée Musique Franco.

• It’s the return of the Battle of the Ottawa River tonight as the Ottawa 67’s host the Gatineau Olympiques inside the Arena at TD Place. 

• The 5th Sex Positive Comedy Stand-Up Special sashays onto the stage at the Laugh Lounge. Expect dirty jokes, jokes about love, and jokes about heartbreak. 61 York St.

• Get jazzy at Apothecary Cocktail Lounge, with free live jazz from 7:00pm to 11:00pm. Yes the jazz is free, but don’t forget to buy a nice cocktail, folks. 54 York St.

• Head to the Happy Goat at 145 Main St. For the Evening Goat: Pop-up Gallery.

• Art House Cafe turns six this weekend, and there will be partying. Tonight, head to the Staff Exhibition Vernissage from 7:00pm to 10:00pm.

Tomorrow

• Register by Friday February 10 for the Snowmobile Ride for Autism along the Prescott-Russell trails, taking place on Saturday (February 11).Last year 43 snowmobiles raised more than $11K in donations.
• 10% of all sales will be donated to the Heart & Stroke Foundation in Must Boutique’s Save a Heart Shopping Event. Shop today and tomorrow in person at 356 Richmond Road.
   
• The 8th annual Big Love Craft Market from Freewheeling Craft opens at the Horticulture Building, Lansdowne Park, at 5:00pm today. Shop until 9:30pm from more than 85 vendors, makers, artists, food producers, and creators, or come back on Saturday from 10:00am to 4:00pm.
   

• Art House Cafe’s birthday event continues tonight with the Fancy Birthday Dance Party with DJ Akeem Oh. Tickets $10 in advance or $15 at the door.

• It’s Stray-oke at Stray Dog Brewing Company. Enjoy Karaoke from 7:00pm to late. 501 Lacolle Way Unit 4, Orléans, ON

• Book Launch alert: Author Carolyn Whitzman and playwright Sarah Waisvisz spend the evening at The Spaniel’s Tale bookstore, talking about Clare At the Door with a Revolver.

Saturday

• Artist Alison Fowler’s Wall of H’Arts returns for its first in person sale of 4x4 paintings in support of the Heart Institute Foundation in two years. This year’s sale is at Fringe & Foliage, 1300 Carling Ave, with Opening Night on Saturday at 7:00pm, (doors open at 6:00pm.)

• Take the family to Fête Frissons, a free, family friendly event at the Shenkman Arts Centre in Orléans. There are indoor and outdoor activities all over the venue, so the littles won’t have a chance to be bored.

Just Announced

• The David Dino White Quartet with Braden Foulkes and Hercules, Tickets $19.95 incl. tax Saturday, February 25 at Red Bird, 1165 Bank St.