HELLO OTTAWA

There had long been questions about former United Kingdom prime minister and mop after-model Boris Johnson about how he financed his louche lifestyle during his time in office whilst on a government salary. 

It's come out that he had a credit line guaranteed by his second cousin, millionaire Sam Blyth.

🛎️ Ottawa connection alert: Sam Blyth grew up in Rockcliffe and attended Ashbury (while his mom headmistress-ed next door at Elmwood). Students of the 70s and 80s may remember being pitched his Blyth & Co. bicycle adventure tours.

Blyth later created his international network of Blyth Academy private schools – there is one today in The Glebe. 

Nobody is saying Blyth did anything wrong in helping out his cousin – the jury is still out on Johnson – but it’s always fascinating where the threads from the past lead.

– Martha and Darren

 
 

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Charles Ogilvy Limited began as dry goods shop on Rideau Street in 1897, and ended its reign as Ottawa's greatest department store in 1992.

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Weather

Number 

  • $350 million
  • – The amount the Federal government is giving to OC Transpo to buy 350 electric buses. The goal is to have 450 electric buses by 2036. (Gord Holder in the Ottawa Citizen)

Ottawan of the Day

Quote 

  • There's no cause for concern 
  • – National Capital Commission CEO Tobi Nussbaum on the Ottawa Senators move to LeBreton Flats. Before Eugene Melnyk died, the team had signed a memorandum of understanding to move from Kanata. Now that the team is for sale, new owners may have different plans. (CTV

Sports

  • 🏒 NHL Ottawa Senators 5 – Pittsburgh Penguins 4 last night
  • 🏒 QMJHL Les Olympiques de Gatineau 2 – Les Tigres de Victoriaville 5 last night
 

🚧 Wellington Street closure to be reconsidered

  • Kitchissippi resident Mayor Mark Sutcliffe is leaning towards re-opening Wellington Street in front of Parliament, which has been closed since the Trucker siege last year.  The Federal government would prefer that the street stayed closed for security reasons. City staff say the closure has disrupted traffic and transit. A recommendation on which way to go will be made at next Thursday’s Transportation Committee meeting. (Taylor Blewett & Andrew Duffy at the Ottawa Citizen)

🛣️ Sir John A MacDonald Parkway to be renamed in June

  • The National Capital Commission plans to rename the Sir John A MacDonald Parkway to an Indigenous name at their June board meeting. Consulations will be made the Algonquin Nation in determining the name. As Canada’s first and third prime minister, Sir John A MacDonald instituted the Residential School System. (Natalie Goodwin at CBC)

🤔 Catherine McKenney returns

  • Former city councillor and previous candidate for mayor Catherine McKenney has launched a new national non-profit, CitySHAPES. The aim of the new organization is to ‘lead groundbreaking advocacy, policy, and community engagement work to spark change and build better cities in Canada’. (CityNews) (CitySHAPES)

⛸️ Ottawa highlights at the FISU World Winter University Games

  • University of Ottawa’s Shilo Rousseau won the silver medal in the women’s 7.5-kilometre sprint and gold in the 12.5-kilometre short individual race, both biathlon.

  • Team Canada beat Czech Republic 4-0 in men’s hockey.

    (Ottawa Sports Pages)

Arsaniq drop-in centre opens

  • The Arsaniq centre has announced two drop-in days for 2SLGBTQ+ Inuit youth. January 20 is for people aged 12 to 18 years old, January 27 is for people aged 19 to 25 years old. Hours on both days are 3 pm to 5 pm at Tungasuvvingat Inuit, 1071 Richmond Rd. Bus fare and snacks will be provided. (Madalyn Howitt in the Nunatsiaq News) (Tungasuvvingat Inuit)

📽️ Ottawa Canadian Film Festival accepting submissions

  • The Ottawa Canadian Film Festival – OCan – is accepting films for the 2023 festival in November. Films must be by a Canadian or permanent resident and can be fiction or documentary, short or feature-length. The ByTowne Theatre will play host to the festival. (Apt 613)

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Today

Tomorrow

  • Mamna Mia by candlelight: Enjoy all the ABBA hits as interpreted by classical musicians, with candles setting the mood.
  • Lance the Romance leads the festivities at Orléans Bowling Centre’s Friday Night Karaoke. 885 Taylor Creek Dr.
     
  • It’s going to be boisterous as C*4’s Go! independent pro wrestling takes to the ring at the Preston Event Centre.
     
  • If you like dark chocolate, Discover the World of Chocolate at JoJo CoCo. The tasting experience featuring dark chocolate from around the world starts at 7:00pm, with tickets costing $20. Buy them in the store or call to purchase over the phone. 613 435 7722

 

Saturday

  • Ottawa Transit Riders will be holding online and in-person forums in neighbourhoods across Ottawa, asking locals about their transit needs. The first of these forums rolls out this Saturday January 21 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 20 Young Road in Kanata.

  • Cold Snap, the current winter exhibition at the Ottawa West Arts Association, runs until March 10. CARDELREC Recreation Complex, 1500 Shea Road.

  • Fly Market pops up at Dom Polski Hall, with vendors, music by DJ Sacha Foster, and refreshments by Bar From Afar. 11:00am to 5:00pm at 379 Waverley at Bank in Centretown.

  • The 9th Living Locally Fair, presented by the Russell & District Horticultural Society, arrives at St.Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School, 1211 South Russell Road, Russell. Vendors will be selling baked goods, art, food, and more. It’s free to attend, but organizers will be gratefully accepting donations to the Food Bank.

 

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It’s time for Koyman Galleries’ annual Print and Framing Sale, where you can purchase prints, stock frames and custom framing for 25% off. Use the code JANSALE.

We spotted wool skirts, silk and tercel blouses, and bamboo cotton sweaters in the Meemoza sale. Everything is made in Québec.

Birds of North America is having a fabric bundles sale. Better hurry.

 

Just before we went to press, Porter Airlines announced $1 flights on their new Toronto Pearson routes, including Ottawa – Toronto. We can only assume they are going crazy fast. Passengers must return on Feb. 1, 2 or 3. 

We will see you tomorrow  – Martha and Darren
 

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