BEHIND CLOSED DOORS: Real Actors!

 I suspect most people think the word actor applies to those people you see on network TV. Admittedly, occasionally one sees some real acting skill in the plethora of shows out there, most of which exist to numb our beleaguered psyches after a hard day’s work. And admittedly, those cloned

Gluten-Free Waffles

 Inspired by an older recipe that I enjoyed years ago before I eliminated gluten from my diet, this gluten-free recipe produces lovely, light waffles. In addition to substituting a white and brown rice flour mixture for the traditional wheat flour, this recipe also adds a little bit of ground flax

War of 1812 Veterans Celebrated in Musical Showcase

 With the War of 1812 bicentennial anniversary very top of mind these days, 2012 marked the launch of the 12th season of A Musical Taste of Our Canadian Heritage / Notre patrimoine canadien, une odyssée musicale – a bilingual musical showcase paying tribute to Canada, including a new sequence on

Bette’s Etiquette Beat- Pedestrian Politesse Part II

 As mentioned already,  this month's topic is one that is near and dear to me. Hence my musings are a little more lengthy this time around. Blame it on the heat!   Enjoy Part II of Pedestrian Politesse. Happy Canada Day! Scenario 1:  Crosswalk Conundrum The light changes and the

Bette’s Etiquette: Pedestrian Politesse- Part I

 Hard to believe that it was only a short while ago the days were darker, colder and winter was casting its familiar hand on the nation’s landscape.  Tylenol, toques and tedium were the order of the day.  Now with the official start of summer (June 20) people are coming out

Beyond Old Age Security

 Sifting through the minefield of pension terminology is not for the faint of heart. With terms such as defined DB plans and DC plans right through to DPSPs, EPSPs, group and individual RRSPs, LIRAs, LIFs and TFSAs, to name but a few, retirement pension plans can be confusing to the

DIY: Cut-Out Shoulder Blouse

 The cut out shoulder blouse is one of this summer’s hottest essentials and fortunately it is very easy to make. The cut-out shoulder blouse is versatile as it can be worn with dress pants or with a pair of shorts for a weekend brunch, lunch or simply for a day around

Education Series: Dr. Agatha Sidlauskas

 Known simply as “Doc,” Dr. Sidlauskas’ lifelong dedication to child development in North America and Europe culminated in her founding the Venta Preparatory School in 1981. Located a five-minute drive from Kanata, Venta specializes in drawing out the potential of gifted children. While most students are from Ottawa, the day

Summer Sizzlers: Escape to Indulgence with Flaunt

 The third annual Flaunt event, held by local designer Stacey Bafi-Yeboa, will take place on the rooftop of the National Arts Centre on June 29th from 7 PM - 12 AM. This edition of Flaunt is called 'The Pre - Party' - kicking off Canada Day weekend in style, said

Persona Non Grata

 persona non grata |p?r?s?n? nän ?grät?| noun ( pl. personae non gratae |p?r?s?n? nän ?grät?|): an unacceptable or unwelcome person. The Persona Non Grata Art Initiative was started to break the stigma of HIV/AIDS and end the cycle of poverty in Lesotho while exposing the orphans at Rachel's Home, an orphanage in Maputsoe, Lesotho to art. We will accomplish our goals by providing post-secondary

Putting the “Science” in “Science Fiction” – Spiderman

 There are many superheroes and villains who rely on technological gadgets and devices to provide them with their superhuman abilities, and inventors and scientists often look to these characters for inspiration for new technology. However, it is not only these gadget heroes who are being imitated by scientists in the

Ottawa, A Very Scary Town: A Conversation with Howard Sonnenburg, Founder of OTTAWA HORROR

 Started in 2008, Ottawa Horror is a blog and portal dedicated to all things horror in our nation's capital. If you are a filmmaker, musician, artist, or fan, this is the place for you. Founder Howard Sonnenburg urges you to recruit minions! Ottawa Life met with Sonnenburg on June 8.

Greenstream Series: From Knowledge to Action

 Urgent action is needed on climate change and the time to act is now. That was the main message to emerge from an Arctic conference attended by the world’s top polar scientists in Montreal this April. The 2012 International Polar Year From Knowledge to Action Conference (IPY2012) saw more than

Putting the “Science” in “Science Fiction” – The Invisible Woman

 The Invisible Woman is a superheroine with the ability to turn herself invisible, becoming almost impossible to detect. This ability protects her from enemy attack and allows her to infiltrate guarded areas while remaining unobserved. The Invisible Woman's powers manifested after she was exposed to cosmic radiation, but this fact

Recipe: Homemade Organic Granola Bars

 There are few snacks that are as nutritious, quick and delicious as granola bars - throw one in your purse and you are good to go! Although there are a variety of granola bars available in-store, if you have a little time it's always great to make your own and

A Presidential Election Campaign Heats up as America’s Economy Cools Down

 After months of campaigning and mudslinging, the Republican primary race is over. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney will challenge the incumbent President of the United States of America, Democrat Barack Obama, in this November’s presidential election. Romney’s decisive win in last week’s Texas Republican primary pushed him above the 1,144

From the Horses’ Mouths: The Mystery of Choreography Revealed

 If you read my last article for Ottawa Life here you are now familiar with the Kafkaesque life many choreographers lead in the game of grantsmanship. However, there is so much more to this art and therefore this article is dedicated to how choreographers create a dance. Recently I had the chance

Homes: Bathroom Bliss

 Hmmm – bathroom and bliss: an oxymoron in your home? Is your toilet the first thing you see when you walk into your bathroom? Do you have sufficient storage for all your bathroom essentials or is all the clutter driving you mad? Do you long for more space in sharing

An Evening of Nordic Music

 Opera Swedish style is coming to Ottawa with a performance this week by one of that country’ most talented young opera singers. Swedish mezzo soprano Josefine Andersson winner of the prestigious Jenny Lind scholarship will perform in Ottawa at An Evening of Nordic Music this Thursday. Andersson’s presence at the

Jennifer Lawrence Takes on Horror in Ottawa-Made House at the End of the Street

 Movie  summary: A mother and daughter move to a new town and find themselves living next door to a house where a young girl murdered her parents. When the daughter befriends the surviving son, she learns the story is far from over. Robert Menzies, president of Zed Filmworks and line

Somatic Movement, Computers & the Red Light Reflex

 Today we spend much of our work or personal time in front of computers.  While this is often considered normal in the frantic pace of contemporary life, working on computers can be a great source of muscular tension and stress in the body.  Long hours in front of the computer