Westboro and Hintonburg a hotspot for Christmas movie filming locations

For people who take in a movie as part of their holiday tradition, chances are they will soon spot a familiar location on the big screen. That’s because Ottawa is becoming known as the Christmas movie capital of the world. A whopping 16 holiday films were shot in the city this year, a record the Ottawa Film Office expects will soon be broken.
Kitchissippi Times editor Charlie Senack explores some of the films that were shot in Westboro and Wellington West neighbourhoods.
 

An echo of home: Ukrainian Orthodox Church helps newcomers settle

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral on Byron Avenue has been a place of refuge for Ukrainian newcomers to Canada. The congregation has spent the last 10 months organizing sales, events, and fundraisers, as a way to help war efforts. The Kitchissippi Times sat down with Father Taras Kinash, who fled Ukraine himself in April, to talk about their efforts over the past year.

Giant menorah to light up Parkdale for Hanukkah celebrations

A giant menorah will light up Parkdale Park as part of this year’s Hanukkah celebrations in Wellington West. 

On Dec. 19, members of the public are invited to join in on the celebrations, scheduled to take place at 366 Parkdale Ave, beginning at 5:30 p.m. This is the second year the Chabad Jewish Centre will be hosting a menorah lighting in the community.

The Kitchissippi Times has all the event details.

Holiday strain: Parkdale Food Centre faces “a difficult month”

More Kitchissippi residents are turning to social services this year to put food on the table. With inflation, an ever-rising cost of living and stagnant wages, the affordability gap has pushed demand at local food banks to record highs. KT’s Bradley Turcotte sat down with the Parkdale Food Centre and the Westboro Food Bank to find out more about the demand for service they are seeing.

What’s happening in Kitchissippi 

COVID-19 note: This page has been updated to reflect the developments in Ottawa during the pandemic. 

Stay safe and healthy, Kitchissippi! 

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December 2022: Great BIG Smalls XVIII Online Buy Local Art Holiday Art Sale 

Great BIG smalls features more than 30 artists and includes over 100 pieces of art. A great opportunity to purchase an original gift of art and support local artists. Great BIG Smalls will be held exclusively online, so you can shop in the comfort of your home until Dec. 31, 2022. You can safely do a porch pick-up from our Ottawa home office; we can deliver to your door if you live in the Ottawa area, or we will mail your purchase through Canada Post.  Visit the show today at: cubegallery.ca 

Dec. 5-10: Hilson Avenue Public School Online Auction 

The Hilson Avenue Public School Council is continuing its efforts to improve the school’s outdoor space for its students by hosting an online silent auction from Dec. 5, 2022 to Dec. 10, 2022. For last year’s auction, we received incredible support from this community and met our goal to build an outdoor classroom – we hope to have that same success this year in order to update the Kindergarten Yard with a new play hut and land preparation. The school board provides minimal financing for yard improvements so this is part of a larger parent-led community initiative to create a more enjoyable and greener space for students and the community. Visit this website for more information.  

Dec. 2: Nepean Choir Presents “Songs for a Winter Night”

The Nepean Choir is pleased to present “Songs for a Winter Night,” on Dec. 2, beginning at 7:30 pm. The show takes place at Woodroffe United Church. This seasonal themed concert features pieces by Gordon Lightfoot, Ola Gjeilo, Sara Quartel, and wintry classics. Tickets are $25 each and available on Eventbrite and at the door. Come and kick off the season with us! Visit nepeanchoir.ca for more info. 

Dec. 9: Babies, Business + Breakfast: Ask + Receive Meetup

Join us on Dec. 9, at Cours Bayview Yards for the final meetup of 2022. Think of it as a family-friendly business meetup in one of Ottawa's spaces built for entrepreneurs at all stages of their journeys. TIME: 10:00-11:30 AM ET LOCATION: Invest Ottawa Bayview Yards, 7 Bayview Station Road Level 2, L204 Training Room, Ottawa, ON K1Y 2C5 COST: FREE! 1 ticket per parent and their child(ren) RSVP online at: babiesbizbreakfastdec2022.eventbrite.com

DEC. 9: Live Band at Westboro Legion

The Collection entertains from 7-11 p.m. in the Upstairs Bar & Lounge, located at 391 Richmond Rd. General admission is $5.00 Legion and Ladies Auxiliary members: $2.00.

Dec. 19: Wellington West Menorah Lighting 

The Chabad Jewish Centre is inviting members of the public to attend a grand menorah lighting for Hanukkah taking place at Parkdale Park (366 Parkdale Ave.) on Dec. 19. The lighting is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. fFree Hanukkah packages will be distributed. To learn more please visit Jewishww.com. 

DEC. 31: Westboro Legion New Year’s Eve Party 

The Rick King Band entertains from 8:30 p.m.-1:00 a.m. in the Westboro Legion’s Downstairs Hall, located ar 389 Richmond Rd. The doors opens at 7:30 p.m. The $15 admission cost includes a light meal at midnight. Tickets are on sale now at the upstairs bar of the legion. 

MONDAYS – ABOVE AND BEYOND TOASTMASTERS

Every Monday at 6:45 p.m. (except holidays). Have the jitters each time you need to present a speech? Visit us online. Learn how to communicate better in a relaxed atmosphere and hone your leadership skills. Impromptu speaking is one of our highlights. It’s fun, fun, fun! We would love to have you join us on Mondays. Contact our club at aandbtoastmasters@gmail.com to receive the link.

TUESDAYS – BYTOWN VOICES COMMUNITY CHOIR

 Bytown Voices Choir has opened its doors again to singers from near and far. We are masked and singing at 7:30 pm Tuesday nights at St Basil's Church on Maitland, just north of the Queensway. And now we are truly a community choir as we welcome youths from 9 years and up to join our mixed voice chorus. There is no auditioning, everyone is welcome. Come and give your vocal chords a workout in a relaxed environment. For more information see our website at bytownvoices.com.

WEDNESDAYS – WEEKLY BINGO

Westboro Legion Downstairs Hall, 385 Richmond Rd. Door opens at 4 p.m, kitchen at 5 p.m. and games begin at 6:30 p.m. Cash prizes. Net proceeds to local non-profit organizations.

THURSDAYS – WEEKLY DARTS

Regulars and new players are invited to join the Westboro Legion’s Dart League. The Downstairs Hall door and bar open at 6:30 p.m. and play begins at 7:30 p.m. The cost is $6.

Got an event taking place in the Kitchissippi area? Tell us about it! Send your info to editor@kitchissippi.com for a chance to be featured in our community events calendar.

Trustee Suzanne Nash says OCDSB mask vote was a “difficult decision.”

The Ottawa Carleton District School Board voted 6-6 against a motion that would again require face coverings in OCDSB schools. Newly-elected Kitchissippi trustee Suzanne Nash, who didn’t support the motion, said it was a “difficult decision.”