September 26, 2003

Centretown schools spared Despite long-held fears low enrolment could make them prime candidates for the chopping block, Centretown schools will be spared the axe in the next round of school closures. Harb says he won’t abandon constituents Centretown could be without an MP until as late as next spring. But former Ottawa Centre Liberal Mac Harb, who was appointed to the Senate Sept. 9, says he won't abandon the riding he represented for 15 years. A street away – worlds apart Geographically, Bell Street North and Clemow Avenue are a few minutes walk from each other in Ottawa Centre. But politically, socially and economically, they are worlds apart. Press Club faces tough times Ottawa's National Press Club, once a vibrant part of a city bustling with news media, is operating under bankruptcy protection due in part to a decline in membership, club officials say. New CBC building turnsback on Sparks Street Pedestrians strolling past the new CBC headquarters on Sparks Street will be able to watch its 700-person staff in action - but curious onlookers will have to trek to Queen Street to enter the building. Six candidates vie to replace Arnold With the Ottawa municipal elections just over a month away, candidates are scrambling to take the place of current Somerset Ward Coun. Elisabeth Arnold. Students’ graduation fears unwarranted For some, it was a last-minute scramble to paint school bathrooms, walk dogs, even babysit for neighbourhood kids.But all of Centretown's Grade 12 students still managed to scrape together 40 hours of required volunteer work in time to graduate in June. Local advocates fight to keep Piece Park Centretown's Piece Park advocates want city council to help keep Ottawa's public school board from selling a multi-million dollar property that houses one of the city's only legal graffiti walls. Trustees should dictate closures Although the final bell won't toll for any of Ottawa’s schools until at least the end of November, their fate is already proving contentious. That's just one reason local trustees elected in this fall's municipal contest must have the final say on which schools stay open and which shut their doors. Tobacco legislation burns arts and sports Banning sponsorship of a legal substance only hurts Canadian culture, argues Andrew Thomson. Canadian politics lack the glitz and glamour of celebrity With upcoming elections in the provincial and municipal levels of government and rumours of a federal election next year, Ottawa residents will be given the opportunity to exercise their democratic prerogative and elect those they wish to lead. Commentary: The campaign that wasn’t there The election campaign in Ottawa Centre should, by all accounts, be a battle royal among the five candidates vying to represent the people. This isn't lofty idealism . . . Tory promises a more vocal leadership Joe Varner thinks Richard Patten is a good man. But that isn't keeping him from trying to replace him as the MPP for Ottawa Centre. Other parties ‘should think green’ Green party candidate Chris Bradshaw claims to have found the other parties' appeal to voters - Chinese food. Tory policies convinced Patten to run again After three terms as Liberal MPP for Ottawa Centre, Richard Patten isn't done fighting for his constituents. NDP candidate makes rent control a top priority He got his first glimpse of politics as a young boy, watching his grandfather serve in the Dunwich township council. Now, at 36, Jeff Atkinson is the New Democratic Party candidate for Ottawa Centre. Communist fights for education reforms Stuart Ryan has a message. As the Communist party's candidate in Ottawa Centre, Ryan knows he is not likely to get elected on Oct. 2. Car wash can’t foot the bill for solar energy Tony Kue uses solar energy to heat the water for his busy Centretown car wash, but he says he can't afford to maintain the 21-year-old system. Tourist sector tries to lure back foreigners Some Ottawa businesses geared towards foreign visitors are revamping their marketing strategies this fall to make up for the summer's decreased number of international travellers. Column: Big brands want to buy your last name: But is it for sale? In an age when lustful, half-naked models splashed across downtown bus stops can't even draw a second glance, some companies have found a new way to shock people into paying attention: placing their ads on human beings. Slashing the red tape for local film producers As the newly appointed film commissioner of the Ottawa-Gatineau film office, Ken Korrall plans to slash the red tape that has stopped the region from becoming a major destination for filmmakers and producers. GCTC gives young directors a chance When the Great Canadian Theatre Company renewed its Late Night Series this season, 24 year-old Christopher Roberts got to do what most aspiring directors only dream of - produce a play on a professional stage. Column: Purple mullets and hightops: the ‘80s craze continues It is only 10 p.m. and the line outside Barrymore's Music Hall on Bank Street stretches two blocks long . . . Landmark lawnbowling club threatened with extinction A cloud of uncertainty looms over the future of Centretown's Central Lawn Bowling Club as the closing of what may be their last season approaches. Frisbee players can’t find ultimate downtown location Centretown's ultimate frisbee players are being ostracized by the city, says Nick Roberts, general manager of the Ottawa-Carleton Ultimate Association (OCUA). Activist courts challenges Jane Scharf's wrinkled but captivating blue eyes and weathered appearance hint at her struggle. For the past three months, this 50-year-old woman has been proving the strength of her convictions by giving up everything for the sake of the homeless.