Weather

• ❄️  Flurries. High of 1°, low of -7°. 

Number 

• $1.08
• – For each $1 received, how much the National Arts Centre Foundation spends using paid external fundraisers. In 2021, the Foundation paid the fundraisers $434,000 to get $403,000 in donations. (Charity Intelligence) 

Ottawans of the Day

• The members of the Birdsong Foundation
• The volunteers have released Taking Flight, an album that showcases artists who’ve struggled with mental illness or substance use. (Blaine Crawford in the Ottawa Citizen)

Quote 

• ‘We’re going to well exceed that number. We think we’re going to be between 13-to-15 games sold out. It’s great all around’
• – Anthony LeBlanc, president of business operations for the Ottawa Senators on how the club will probably blow past the expectations of 10 sell out matches this year. (Ottawa Sun)

Sports

• 🏒 OHL Ottawa 67s 2 – Les Olympiques de Gatineau 5 last night

🗞️ City Auditor General’s report on the Convoy Fallout

Some more responses on the Auditor’s report on the Convoy.

• The City Auditor General herself
  
  Apparently the Auditor did not get the response to her satisfaction, so she re-issued the three reports again yesterday 
• The Ottawa Citizen
  
  Mohammed Adam: ‘So much is missing from the auditor's reports on Ottawa's actions during the protest convoy’
  
  ‘Many Ottawa residents would beg to differ on the great work city staff and police did. Looking back to the federal inquiry or the people’s commission, you’d be hard-pressed to find residents who didn’t think the city and police failed them.’
• The Bulldog
  
  Ron Benn: ‘Where are the words of acknowledgement that the Ottawa Police Service and city officials (not just the elected ones) failed to adequately communicate and coordinate actions during the trucker protest and occupation? ’
• The Ottawa Police
  
  Police Chief Eric Stubbs: ‘There's just layer after layer of positive communication occurring’

🛻 Recognition

• Someone has already stolen the Battle of Billings Bridge plaque. The official-looking-but-in-no-way-official plaque commemorated the brave residents of Riverside Drive in turning back a convoy of Trucker siegers on Feb 3, 2022. The City says that it didn't remove it. (Megan Gillis in the Ottawa Citizen)

🚋 Transit Commission

• The Transit Commission approved its 2023 budget. While 60 per cent of paying transit riders have returned, the Commission based their calculations on 70 per cent returning. It has cut $47 million from expenses, by, amongst other things, removing 117 buses from service but did not explain the rest of the savings. The budget is short $39,000,000, which the Commission hopes to get from the Provincial government.
  
  A proposal from River ward councillor Riley Brockington to raise the age of free transit for children from 8 to 12 year-old was approved, provided that Brockington could find the $87,000 to pay for it. There was no word why money asked from the Province could not be $39,087,000 instead. (Joanne Chianello at CBC)

🏎️ Road runners

• Ottawa Police arrested a 46 year-old driver on Wednesday who had his license suspended in 2002. Last month, the Police arrested a different guy who had his licence suspended in 1986. Both now have dates in May for court, presumably using OC Transpo to get there. (Megan Gillis in the Ottawa Citizen)

Click here to feature your event

Today

• Broadhead Brewery’s Drink Easy two four is 12 Pils and 12 Light for under $3 per can. $68.62. If you’re situated within their delivery area they’ll drop it off Saturday.
• 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 opened 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.

Tomorrow

• Freewheeling Craft’s Big Love Market continues in the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne Park. Big Love Craft Market from Freewheeling Craft

• At Art House Cafe, where the 6th birthday celebrations continue, dance the night away at Swing Jazz night with Centretown Swing. Get limited advance tickets for $10 or $15 at the door.

• 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 (with doors opening at 6:00pm).

• Find vintage treasures from nearly 20 vendors at the Ottawa Mystic Market, this Saturday at Billings Bridge Mall. Enter the mall at the main entrance, and head down to the escalator below the food court. The Mystic Market will be in the little brick house.

• 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.

• On Saturday the Wellington West BIG HEART Valentine’s Night Market rocks up to Armstrong Street off Parkdale Avenue. You’ll find yummy treats by Little Jo Berry’s Bakery and Suzy Q Doughnuts, art tarot card love readings, and great music by DJ del Pilar.

• Nita Beer Company invites hockey fans to watch the Sens kick some Oilers butt while enjoying fresh Nita beer and free popcorn. 12:00pm to 5:00pm at 190 Colonade Road, Unit 17.

• It’s the first Russell Flea Market of 2023, this Saturday at Russell High School from 9:00 am to 3:00pm.

Sunday

• Art House Cafe winds up the 6th birthday celebrations with Queer Connections: a queer speed meeting event. Admittance is for those 18 and older. $15.

• Enjoy free, family friendly winter activities at Rideau Hall. 12:30pm to 4:30pm. As there is only limited street parking near the GG’s residence, it’s a good idea to take the free Winterlude shuttle bus, running a loop from downtown (Metcalfe St) to Rideau Hall every hour.

• Square Lemon Presents the Love is in the Air Craft Market, with more than 40 vendors and a free workshop on site. From 10:30am to 3:00pm at the Glebe Community Centre, 175 Third Ave.

• Get your Heart on! Valentine’s Day Local Market at Spark Beer. Vendors will be selling handmade jewellery, collectables, art, streetwear, and vintage. 11:00am to 4:00pm at 702 Somerset St. W.

• The Drag Bingo Community Fundraiser with Ward 12 Councillor Stéphanie Plante and guests, will raise money for St Brigid’s Centre for the Arts. 2:00pm to 4:00pm at St. Brigid’s Well Pub, 310 Saint Patrick St.

• Want to spend the day in a cute small town, but don’t feel like driving? Destination Almonte, She Shops Local and Thrive Select Thrift have partnered to launch the Disco Bus, a shuttle from downtown Ottawa to Almonte. Departing Thrive Select Thrift (1547 Merivale Rd, Unit 3) at 10:00am, you’ll have all day to shop and grab lunch, before the bus returns to Ottawa at 4:00pm. Tickets are $23 and include the bus ride, a $10 gift certificate, and surprises.

• Deacon Brodies shifts gears a bit from its usual whisky tastings, with A Sherry Valentine. You’ll taste four sherries, accompanied by chocolates, cheese, and meats. $70 per person. 4:00pm at 247 Elgin St. RSVP necessary.

Just Announced

• Presale tickets are now available for Jagged Little Pill, running May 30 to June 4 at the NAC’s Southam Hall. From $55.

Things to book before ♥️ Tuesday February 14

• Do something different this February 14:  Hummigbird Chocolate is holding a chocolate and wine tasting event.
• February 14 is the cutoff for Early Bird pricing at the International Film Festival Of Ottawa, taking place at the Mayfair, the Bytowne, and the Ottawa Art Gallery March 8-19.