January 24, 2003

Disabled say O-Train safety fears ignored OC Transpo is discriminating against members of the disabled community by making it difficult — and even dangerous — for them to use the O-Train, advocacy groups claim. Organizations turning away student volunteers Volunteer organizations are turning away the flood of Centretown high school students scrambling to complete the 40 hours of community service they need to graduate this spring. Graduation in jeopardy Maya Santoro is a straight-A Grade 12 student at Glebe Collegiate — but she may not be able to graduate with her classmates in June. Arnold says she will run for another term City borders. Amalgamation. Transportation standards. This is the stuff every day is made of for city councillors, says Somerset Ward Coun. Elisabeth Arnold. Official plan flayed for ignoring Centretown Tempers flared at City Hall on Monday as Somerset Ward Coun. Elisabeth Arnold’s first public consultation regarding Ottawa’s draft official plan left Centretown residents feeling left out. Council flip-flops on support for canal foot bridge The Rideau Canal Pedestrian Crossing has been given new life after funding was restored in the 2003 budget. Winterlude grows as it celebrates its silver year Put on your hats, mittens and scarves because Winterlude 2003 is just around the corner and is about to make the best of what winter has to offer. City to wipe out downtown graffitti City council has targeted traffic control boxes and concrete structures for graffiti clean-up. Committee urges province to re-open wildlife centre Heated debate surrounding the closure of the Ottawa-Carleton Wildlife Centre has prompted a city committee to recommend Ottawa collaborate with the Ministry of Natural Resources to re-establish the centre. Library shuttle service ‘alive and kicking’ A shuttle service pilot project that transports low-income families to local libraries will operate until August due to donations, fundraising and leftover funds, city officials say. City looks to private sector for new library The City of Ottawa will likely seek private sector partnerships to help pay for a new public library. NDP hopes to reclaim Ottawa Centre A second political party has set a date for its nomination meeting for Ottawa Centre in anticipation of a provincial election later this year. NCC helps canal visitors skate around danger Despite two ice-related deaths in the Ottawa area earlier this month skaters on the Rideau Canal have few safety concerns about the ice. Downtown needs people City council tabled a draft of its official plan only this month, but it has already begun work toward the plan’s goals for the downtown core. Letters Keeping Canada’s Kyoto promises It’s up to Canadians to save the planet. Centretown is ‘the place to be’ for federal politics in 2003 Drawing upon the spirit of former prime minister Wilfrid Laurier who famously predicted the 20th century would belong to Canada, at the turn of the 21st century Jean Chrétien called Canada “the place to be.” Merchants give new billboards poor reviews They’re big, bold and brand-new. But already some downtown businesses are saying they’re a bad idea. Apartment vacancies back on the rise People walking through Centretown are likely to encounter a once-rare sign: apartment for rent. Local merchants fear losses if Sens leave city Local fans and the franchise’s employees aren’t the only ones who stand to lose out if the Ottawa Senators leave the city. Some local businesses say they would take a financial hit as well. Column: Government, not fans, must rescue impoverished Senators Don’t blame the Sens, or the fans for that matter. Taking murder from the stage to the church James Richardson sits on the steps of the altar admiring the grandeur of the Christ Church Cathedral. The reality of cancer comes to life on stage The fine line between life and art is providing a Centretown theatre and two local organizations with the opportunity to help Ottawa women battling a deadly disease. Clubs compete for Sunday night revellers Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” is blasting and hundreds of retro ’80s enthusiasts are making the wooden dance floor at Barrymore’s vibrate under their feet. Column: Graffiti’s history gives ‘urban scrawl’ credit as an art form Ottawa is proud of its thriving arts community. There’s a gallery or museum on almost every downtown city block and the regular art opening isn’t hard to come by. Yet even in this community of art lovers, graffiti always kicks up quite a fuss. One three-pointer at a time Sally Thomas weighs 36 kg and has the face of a teenager, but the 32 year old is stronger than she looks, inside and out. Neighbourhood rinks flooded with extra cash While the Ottawa Senators struggle to stay afloat financially, hockey is alive and well at outdoor rinks in Centretown. Golfers are driving away winter blues On one of the coldest days of the year, Steve Wagner, 27, has been golfing for over an hour without a jacket. Super Bowl a financial boon for local sports bars Spicy chicken wings and tasty nachos aren’t the only things football fans are looking for when they choose where to watch the Super Bowl, managers at some local sports bars say. Column: Women’s role in NHL will always be limited by physiology The notion of a woman competing in such a physical league with some very large men is unrealistic.