A Most Appropriate Canadian Memorial

 By Benjamin Gillies Two years ago, the Government of Canada endorsed the creation of a new national monument to the victims of Communism, and a prominent location was selected for the structure in the Garden of the Provinces and Territories across from the Library and Archives Canada building in downtown

Community Mediation Ottawa – Solving Disputes!!

 Have you or someone you know had trouble with neighbours, parking, dogs, landlords, tenants, or within a volunteer organisation? Too often, disputes are dealt with by arguing, increased frustration, calling the police or Bylaw Services, or even a lawyer. These approaches can be costly, emotionally draining, and time-consuming. While these

Harper Government’s Disdain For Science

 In recent years, science in Canada has come up against an increasing disdain for evidence-based decision making and a disappearing commitment to transparency. In brief, evidence-based policy-making in Canada is under attack and it is orchestrated by our own federal government. In the absence of evidence, government policy is increasingly

Are you ready for Canada’s largest independent literary celebration?

 By Clayton Andres When his father Neil first came up with the idea of a writing festival in Ottawa, Sean Wilson thought his dad was insane. “At the time, I had been noticing that just about everyone I knew in the creative community had the sense that they had to

Petal Power: The Art of Irena Sherstyuk

 Irena Sherstyuk creates mesmerizing paintings of psychedelic flowers and young lovers in abstract cityscapes. Her work is attracting attention at galleries across Canada. OTTAWA LIFE: When did you decide to become a professional painter? IRENA SHERSTYUK: From an early age, I always liked to paint and it was something that gave

Letter from the Publisher

 Twelve years ago when we started the first Annual Top People in the Capital issue, JDS Uniphase CEO Jozef Straus was our number one pick. Remember him? Do you even remember JDS Uniphase – the Halley’s Comet of Ottawa high-tech companies? Other picks in 2000 included then Prime Minister Jean Chrétien

Behind the Seams: Designing the Perfect Dress with David McCaffrey

 If you’re planning a wedding in Ottawa you've no doubt planned to have your wedding photos taken along the Rideau Canal, in front of the Parliament buildings or to have the National Art Gallery featured in the backdrop.  Not only does Ottawa offer some incredibly beautiful backdrops but its historical

Homes: British Mania

 With 2012 being the banner year for all things British, what with the celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in June and the Olympics in July, it couldn’t be a better time to show a little love for the union jack. Have you ever considered injecting a little British flavor

Ottawa’s first board game cafe hopes to monopolize entertainment in the capital

 In the course of a typical day at work, David Narbaitz can be a real estate hot shot, military strategist and a duelling magician. It’s easy to see why his resume can be so full when you walk into his store on Somerset Street. The rooms are mazes of board

Persona Non Grata: Art by Lesotho’s Orphans

 Persona Non Grata is an art show to benefit the orphans of Rachel’s Home taking place on October 10th, 2012 from 7-10 PM. This event will be held at Saint Brigid's Centre for the Arts, 310 St. Patrick St., Ottawa, to raise funds for post-secondary scholarships and awareness about the

Crafty beer makers brewing up something different in Ottawa

 Ottawa, this ain’t your grandfather’s beer. That’s the message the surging craft brewing industry in the capital is sending to beer drinkers as they turn heads and flip taste buds. The days of automatically ordering traditional beer from big brewers like Molson or Coors are gone as more local choices

Celebrating Ottawa’s Colourful Community

 Ottawa’s queer community and its allies will be coming together and celebrating at this year’s Ottawa Pride Festival. Known as Ottawa’s most colourful festival, Capital Pride will be hosting various events and activities in celebration of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) community. “Once a year, our community has

Public Servants Series: Norway Shows Canada a Better Way

 In Canada, we have much to be thankful for. But as a society we still struggle with equality rights and, as wealthy as we are as a nation, we don’t provide a guaranteed standard of living to all our citizens, most notably many of our aboriginal people who still live

A Perfect Pairing: Artist and Writer

 Without illustrators, writers would never see their works come to life in poetry, short stories, graphic novels or children’s books. Illustrators who collaborate with writers effectively bring life to specific scenes and characters that live in a writer’s head. Through their genius, these agents of visual art are able to

Ontario Education Must Learn to Deal with Massive Spending Cuts

 The public education system in Ontario will be hit with $2.6 billion in cuts over the next three years. The education cutbacks will have an enormous impact on students and teachers across the province. Ottawa Life spoke recently with Ken Coran, president of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation. OTTAWA

Ode to Ottawa

 This city is one of the most beautiful to behold. As a poet, I am inspired by how our gracious capital harmonizes urban man-made structures with nature's creations. At every turn, I see vistas of green, picturesque pathways bordered by flowers and water, water everywhere. What other city can boast

Shakespeare in Ottawa’s Great Outdoors

 Every summer, local theatre enthusiasts gather in parks around the city to experience productions by A Company of Fools. As part of Torchlight Shakespeare, the company has presented an outdoor production during the summer season since 2003. Scott Florence is the artistic director of A Company of Fools, which is

Travel Diary: Maputsoe, Lesotho

 A big, white pickup truck pulled into the compound, one afternoon at Rachel’s Children Home, an HIV/AIDS orphanage  in Maputsoe Lesotho. A tiny figure cowered in the truck’s bed. Two police officers emerged from the truck and instructed the figure to hop out. The officers explained this figure-a young girl-was

Last Weekend to Experience Winterlude in Ottawa

 A winter highlight in the capital region since 1979, Winterlude offers adults and children alike the opportunity to embrace the carnival benefits of living in a snow (and ice) covered landscape. If you have not taken part in Ottawa’s Winterlude activities in 2012, this weekend is your last chance. Outdoor

The New Hub is the Mill St. Brew Pub

 Marching through the snow on Wellington Street, making our way to the riparian Mill St. Brew Pub, mirroring a small castle with limestone walls, it was clear this route is off the beaten path. Perched on the banks of the Ottawa River, the new Brew Pub awaited conquering by our

Natives Indigenous to All-Star Game

 Once again, Carey Price represented the Montreal Canadiens at the All-Star Game in Ottawa last week. Not only was he the only Habs there (excluding the rookies), and with reason, but he was also the only Native NHL player there too. According to Greg Horn, editor-in-chief of Iori wase, news

Niagara's Best Comes to Town

 We are less than 2 weeks away from one of the premier Ontario wine events to hit the Ottawa market.  This February 6, 2012 at the National Gallery of Canada (380 Sussex Drive) between 6:30 and 9:00pm 46+ Ontario wineries will be pouring their wares from diverse vintages ranging from

Niagara’s Best Comes to Town

 We are less than 2 weeks away from one of the premier Ontario wine events to hit the Ottawa market.  This February 6, 2012 at the National Gallery of Canada (380 Sussex Drive) between 6:30 and 9:00pm 46+ Ontario wineries will be pouring their wares from diverse vintages ranging from

Relics of the Past

 The Mill Street Brewery might tempt you to put a hold on your New Year's resolution diet once they start tapping their kegs on January 27, 2012 at the historic limestone mill. Situated between Lebreton Flats and the Portage Bridge, this unique building once occupied by the renowned old Mill

Massimo Capra’s Confession

 “Is this my confessional?” said the chuckling Massimo Capra, as he and his assistant joined me in the booth of the monastery inspired Pub Italia. This wasn’t an inquisition nor did Capra confess his sins to me, but he did confide his love for Chicken McNuggets! “Now that’s molecular cuisine