See the 8 day forecast at the ottawan weather

Santa’s personal appearance list has just dropped. He’ll be conducting parades over the next month at the following locations, after which apparently he has other things to do. 

• Help Santa Toy Parade, Saturday, November 18, 11:00 am
   
• Barrhaven Santa Claus Parade, Sunday, November 19, 5:30 pm
   
• Kanata Santa Claus Parade, Saturday, November 25, 10:00 am
   
• Riverside South Community Association Toy Mountain Parade, Saturday, November 25, 11:00 am
   
• Orléans Santa’s Parade of Lights, Saturday, November 25, 6:00 pm
   
• Osgoode Village Parade of Lights, Friday, December 1, 7:00 pm
   
• Manotick Kiwanis Santa Claus Parade, Friday, December 1:00, 7 pm
   
• Constance and Buckham’s Bay Santa Claus Parade, Saturday, December 2, 4:45 pm
   
• Richmond Christmas Parade, Saturday, December 2, 5:00 pm
   
• Stittsville Parade of Lights, Saturday, December 2, 6:00 pm
   
• Huntley Community Association Santa Claus Parade, Saturday, December 9, 6:00 pm
   
• Fitzroy Harbour Christmas Parade, Saturday, December 9, 6:30 pm
   
• Metcalfe Santa Claus Parade, Sunday, December 10, 2:00 pm

Grinch Law

Winter parking restrictions go into effect today. All cars must be removed from most streets to allow for snow ploughing if Ottawa ByLaw gives the word. Ottawa ByLaw says that it tries to make it’s announcements by 9:00 am for overnight parking bans, and by 3:30 pm if the ban is for the next morning.

Bans go into effect when at least 7 cm of snow is expected.

– Martha and Darren

Festive meals (Part 1)

No, it’s absolutely not too early to plan for your holiday meal. If you’re not into the actual cooking part Christmas dinner, have one of Ottawa’s restaurants, delis, and catering companies create a comforting meal for one or many. All you’ll need to do are the dishes, when it’s all over.

•  At Red Apron, choose from Turkey Dinner for 2 ($48), Turkey Feast for 6 ($109.95) and the Half Turkey Dinner for 8 or more ($175). Each option comes with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and mix veggies. Pick up is available on December 23 or 24.
•  The Family Style Turkey Dinner from NeXT is an elevated five course menu that’s peppered with finishing touches like maple candied pecans on the Arugula, Kale, and Brussels Sprouts side dish, and mashed potatoes infused with duck fat. $199, the meal is designed for up to five people to enjoy.
•  Smoked turkey is the star of the Meatings Christmas Dinner for between eight and 10 people. The meal, which includes everyone’s favourite sides like mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry, is currently on sale for $197.99 (regularly $219.99). Order by November 22 to get the special price.
   
•  Biagio’s is so confident of its Christmas meal’s calibre that they’ve named it a masterfeast. You’ll receive the classic turkey and sides plus soup to start and cheesecake to top it off. $40 (for one) up to $150 for four.
   

Food + Drink News

•  In Constance Bay, the Point has added a firey Nashville Chicken to the menu, and Steak Night every Thursday. The latter means a 10oz striploin steak with frites veggies, and mushroom Demi-glaze for $32. There’s live music most nights at this jumpin’ joint.
•  J & J's Chocolate Sensations Renfrew have released an Instagram reel where they hand out their chocolates to the hosts of US morning show Live with Kelly and Mark.
•  Chef Raghav Chaudhary of Aiana will be Ottawa’s replacement representative at the 2024 Canadian Culinary Championship in February. The winner of the qualifying round was actually chef Khalid Farchoukh of Carben Food + Drink in Hintonburg but he was disqualified as the rules state the chef must be working in November – and Carben closed in September. the ottawan thinks this is a terrible rule, but wishes Chef Chaudhary all the best in the competition.
•  Peter Hum at the Ottawa Citizen pays a visit to the new ‘Québec wine bar’ in ByWard Market, Buvette Daphnée. The restaurant is the new concept by former Gray Jay Hospitality’s Dominique Dufour with chef partner Jordan Holley and located in the old Shelby Burger space. Hum says Dufour’s ‘latest dishes might be her best yet, perhaps because they’re so direct and personal’.
  
  Hum has also written a feature on the the Desi-fication of Merivale Road, highlighting the dozens of Indian and Pakistani restos and stores that have opened to fill a void in the capital’s cuisine.
•  At Eat the Strip, Ameya Charnalia orders at Ottawa’s sole El Salvadoran restaurant, La Cabaña on Merivale. A highlight was the queso con lorocco pupusa. ‘It reminded [me] a bit of the pickled cactus used in Mexican food’.
•  Apt 613 has launched a biweekly restaurant roundup. The inaugural column from Alison Larabie Chase and Kiersten Vuorimaki features:
  
  ◽ Umbrella Burger: ‘This might be my new favourite burger in town, honestly’.
  
  ◽ Paninaro, where they had the fantastic soundning Pistachio Passeggiata sandwich (pistachio cream, stracciatella, sun-dried tomato, spicy zucchini, spicy eggplant, pistachio crumble, arugula). Also, sandwiches are 10% off if you order a coffee.
  
  ◽ Café Palmier, which they recommend as a ‘destination brunch spot’.
  
  ◽ Ten Toes Somerset, where they were ‘blown away’ by the soup.

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EVENTS

The event submission form seems to be broken. Email your events to us at ‘events@theottawan.com’ while we fix it.

Today

•  John Waters’ Hairspray began as a moderately successful film in 1988, became a cult favourite on VCRs in the early 1990s, was turned into a Tony-award winning Broadway musical in 2002 (book and lyrics by Marc Sharman, whose South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut tunes quickly became classics), and was in turn transformed into another cinematic iteration combining the story of the original film with the hugely popular musical.
  
  It’s a simple enough story about body positivity and racial segregation in 1962, but it remains popular because of its secret sauce: insanely catchy songs delivered with high energy dance and a feel good factor that leaves you smiling as you leave the theatre.
  
  It’s no secret that Darren loves musicals, and getting to see the show live last night is like Christmas came early. He enjoys Hairspray so much that anytime either movie version is on TV he’ll stop what he’s typing to watch it.
  
  Broadway Across Canada’s touring version of the show, playing at the NAC until Saturday, delivered all the singing, dancing, and energy that Darren could ask for. @BACTouring #BACHAIRSPRAY

•  At Perfect Books, Kevin Hearne will present his new novel, The Curse of the Krakens. 7:00 p.m. at 258A Elgin.

•  Make it a chill Wednesday evening with the Prescott’s Board Game Night.
  
  
  Gigs

•  Atomic Masquerade. Atomic Rooster 
   
•  Taproom Trivia. Stray Dog Brewing
   
•  Dirty Rectangles. Avant-Garde Bar
   
•  Open Mic. Pour Boy Pub
   
•  Girls+ to the Front, Jessy Lindsay, KJ Thomas. Irene’s Pub & Restaurant
   
•  Rainbow Bash for CKCU: Iconoclast, Vicki Brittle,, C.A. & Sonny. Rainbow Bistro
   
•  Customer Service, Out by Lucy, Dart Trees. House of TARG
   
•  Jazz Jams with the Peter Hume Trio. Montgomery Scotch Lounge
   
•  November Jazz Nite with Angelo Leo. Queen St. Fare

   

Tomorrow

•  The European Union Film Festival is back for its 38th edition with in-person screenings – one film from each of the 27 member states – from tonight through November 26. Tonight’s lineup: Ramona from Spain, and The Man with the Answers from Cyprus. All screenings happen in the Ottawa Art Gallery Alma Duncan Salon, 10 Daly Ave. If you can’t attend, most of the films will be screened virtually at the online festival December 1 through 17.

•  Take a free, guided meditation workshop at the Ottawa Public Library Nepean branch (1547 Merivale Road).

•  The Ottawa Human Society’s Auxiliary Christmas Craft sale will be set up at Carlingwood Mall until Saturday (November 18).

•  Kindred Shop and Studio’s Holiday Opening will offer 25% off everything in the shop, Tarot readings, and good times. A portion of each sale will be donated to Cat Rescue Network. 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at 1243 Wellington St.

•  Broadway Across Canada presents feel-good musical Hairspray at the NAC until November 19.

•  Author Lesley Choyce reads from his latest novel, The Untimely Resurrection of John Alexander MacNeil. He’ll also give tips to aspiring writers. Octopus Books.

•  The snowy streets are a perfect fit for the Almonte Winter Night Market from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Get a handle on your holiday shopping with a stroll down Mill St, where merchants will have promos, holiday tunes will be playing, and you’ll have plenty of food and drink to choose from.

•  It’s opening day at the Rock ’n’ Gem Show, where you’ll find jewellery, crystals, gemstones, beads and fossils for your creations. The show runs until Sunday at the EY Centre.
  
  Gigs
   

•  Comedy Night. Pour Boy
   
•  Uncle Strut, Myles from Home, PettyCache, Noise Hotel. Lowertown Brewery
   
•  Joe McDonald Trio. Montgomery Scotch Lounge
   
•  Boy Golden, Fontine, Kris Ulrich. Rainbow Bistro
   
•  Corpse Pit, Ultimis, Exorcist. House of TARG
   
•  Scott Helman. Bronson Centre

Friday

•  To really get in the holiday mood, take the Magic of Lights drive-through experience at Wesley Clover Parks (starting tonight and continuing through January 6, 2024. Your entire carload gets to see lighting displays of holiday scenes and life-size characters.

•  Get a glimpse inside some truly fabulous homes and raise funds for Hospice Care Ottawa. Homes for the Holidays offers tours of six gracious homes, all of which have been decorated for the holidays by local florists and designers. Today through Sunday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Physical tickets must be booked and picked up in advance.

•  Meet the producers of Ontario’s fine wines and craft ciders at Outstanding in their Fields. 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm (VIP reception from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm). While you’re sampling wine, cider, and charcuterie, buy bottles for gifts (or yourself), which will be delivered to your home or office after the event. This event will raise funds for Ottawa Food Bank.

•  Broadway Across Canada presents feel-good musical Hairspray at the NAC until November 19.

•  The Maple Leaf Almrausch Club of Ottawa presents a Christmas Market with all the German flavours of the season. 3928 Farmers Way in Carlsbad Springs, tonight from 5:00 pm to 9:00pm. Continues Saturday and Sunday.

•  Possible Worlds is holding its first Object//Project event in its new home at Arts Court, Friday November 17 to Saturday November 18. Expect experimental music, the opening of a Canadian Risograph Group exhibition (digital screen printing), and an artist market. At the same time, Possible Worlds’ own record label Low Noise Productions will be celebrating 10 years. The event continues tomorrow (Saturday November 18).
  
  Gigs

•  Lana Del Rey Dance Party. Mavericks
   
•  The Wade-Laroche Trio. Montgomery Scotch Lounge
   
•  Six13 A cappella. First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa
   
•  Hubsch Martel Zoubek with Humboldt Duo. St. James United Church (Glebe)
   
•  The Retrogrades Live. Queen St. Fare
   
•  Diamond Weapon, Gilgamesh, Poste. Avant-Garde Bar
   
•  Eighties dance Party. House of TARG
   

Just Announced / Now Booking

•  Ticket sales for Overflow Brewing’s next Brewer’s Dinner on Tuesday November 21 end tomorrow morning at 9:00 am (Thursday November 16). Enjoy six courses paired with craft beer, and the company of other fine beer enthusiasts.

DEALS OF THE DAY

BUT, ONE MORE THING ...

RAPID RESPONSE QUALITY CONTROL

THE END