Should this be the end of the Panda Game? (Probably not)

Good morning!

For the entire time I’ve been doing this newsletter, I’ve been writing it on an old laptop from 2014. It’s done a great service, but after eight years, and plenty of use it’s ready for some lighter duty. So, for the last week or so I’ve been feeling the incredible highs and inevitable lows of yo-yoing delivery dates of a brand new laptop.

Is it on its way? Is it in customs? Will it be here today? Hopefully, by the time you’re reading this, I’ll have the answers to all of this.

Also, this month we’re trying something a bit different. For every new person you refer to signup for the Lookout, we’re donating $1 to a local charity. The person who refers the most susbcribers gets to choose the charity. Fun right? Head over here to sign-up and refer your friends!

Let’s get to the newsletter.

— Robert Hiltz, managing editor

If you find this newsletter valuable, please consider forwarding it to your friends. New to the Lookout? Sign-up for free.

Weather Report

Wednesday: 21 🌡️ 10 | 🌤

Thursday: 20 🌡️ 7 | 🌤

Friday: 13 🌡️ 1 | 🌧

PANDA GAME

To cancel, or not to cancel…

What happened: After a large street party following this year’s Panda Game, cancellation is in the air. A heavy police presence was required to disperse several hundred rowdy students over the weekend.

Yes, but:: Outgoing Coun. Mathieu Fleury said cancelling the annual Panda Game wouldn’t stop student street parties. He told CTV the measures put in place by the city and both uOttawa and Carleton kept the event itself under control.

• Fleury says homecoming is the real problem. He recommended universities across Ontario and Quebec synchronising homecoming events to limit travel between schools.

What’s next: Cathy Major, member of local advocacy group Action Sandy Hill, told the Ottawa Citizen she was disappointed in the lack of respect party goers showed residents. But, the group has no firm solution yet. They first want to talk to their members about their experiences.

• “We live in this neighbourhood because we choose to live here and we have the right to enjoy living here and feel safe and secure. … We want people to have fun, but not at our expense,” Major told the paper.

ELECTION

Freezing fares (for a bit), and improving library access

Into its final weeks, the election campaign promises are still rolling in. Here’s what each major campaign announced this week:

One-year fare freeze: Mayoral candidate Mark Sutcliffe added to his already released transit plan by promising to freeze fares in his first year in office, if elected. Sutcliffe said users shouldn’t have to pay more until service improves. He also promised to make OC Transpo more transparent. His opponent, Catherine McKenney, had previously promised to freeze fares for as long as they are mayor. [CTV]

More library access, longer beach season: Catherine McKenney said they would open libraries on Sundays and extend the pool and beach season if elected mayor. To make up for the lifeguard shortage, McKenney would review salaries to keep staff, and remove financial barriers for youth to become lifeguards. [CTV]

Chiarelli promises to preserve R1 zoning: Mayoral candidate Bob Chiarelli promised to protect R1 zoning in the city—which mandates only single-family homes in certain neighbourhoods. He would also scale down “inclusionary zoning” which mandates affordable units be built in new construction along transit corridors. [Ottawa Citizen]

CITY HALL

Mayor Watson raises $4K selling off memorabilia for charity

What happened: Outgoing Mayor Jim Watson held a silent auction for all the memorabilia he’s collected over his years in office, with the proceeds going to the Food Bank. Sports jerseys, road signs, ball caps, hard hats, T-shirts and much more were put up for bids at City Hall. Watson said the event raised nearly $4,000.

• “A lot of these have memories. … But I think it's better that they go to members of the community and the funds raised go to the food bank as opposed to sitting in a box in my basement,” Watson told CTV.

Not everything: Watson isn’t selling off all he’s received. Some items will go to the archive for storage and possible display in the future. Others will stay with him, like a custom road sign with his name and the logos of three of the city’s big sports teams. He’ll also be keeping the windshield of the snowmobile he was riding when he crashed and broke his pelvis.

STORIES YOU MIGHT’VE MISSED

Cop goes around detour using bike lane: A local resident captured a video of a police officer using a bike lane to escape traffic while off duty. The incident happened while the 417 was closed.  “I only have so long on my lunch,” the officer said in the video. Coun. Jeff Leiper said on Twitter he had asked the police service for an apology if the action was unsanctioned. [SjamieIt/Twitter]

Education workers vote for strike: Education support workers who are members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees voted 96.5 percent to approve a strike mandate. The union, which represents early childhood educators, administrative staff and custodians, said they need meaningful wage increases. The average salary of these workers is $39,000, the union said. The government has offered raises of a maximum of two percent per year for workers. The union is looking for wage increases of 11.7 percent. [CTV]

Farm Boy fined: Grocery chain Farm Boy was fined $90,000 for a workplace accident last year. A worker was dismantling a cooler when the roof of the unit collapsed and he fell to the floor. The chain’s owner, Empire Ltd., pleaded guilty to the offence. [CTV]

Six charged in Gloucester beating: Six youths were charged with “multiple hate-motivated offences” including robbery and intimidation. The charges stem from a video captured of a recently arrived Syrian immigrant beaten up near Gloucester High School. [CTV]

New energy efficiency programs: The provincial power regulator introduced a new plan to increase energy efficiency across Ontario. It includes paying customers who buy a smart thermostat and allow air conditioning to be reduced remotely by the province on hot days. The provincial government previously cancelled numerous green energy programs. [The Canadian Press]

Highrise headwinds: Developers say the city is making it difficult to build highrises. Following the cancellation of a Claridge building in Hintonburg, the developers are warning more could be cancelled. They blame rising costs of labour, inflation, and interest rates, but also the city’s decision to impose a greater green space requirement on buildings. Developers can also pay a fee if green space isn’t available. [OBJ]

Man dies near US Embassy: An unidentified man died from his injuries after emergency services received a call he had set himself on fire. Crews tried to save the man, but he died of injuries. The incident took place near the US Embassy, but there was no immediately apparent link between the incident and the location. Police and the coroner are investigating. [CBC]

HOUSE OF THE WEEK

This week’s house is a big one. A Rockcliffe Park stunner, with incredible floors, tons of light, and an ensuite that is 700 square feet on its own. A turn-of-the-century home with 21 century updates, it’s worth a look.

Find out how much it costs.

CAPITAL EATS

Pork is the star at Korean restaurant In's Kitchen

Written by food editor Ralf Joneikies

• Name and Address: In’s Kitchen, #65 - 1 Templeton St.

• Food: Korean

• Prices: Lunch Boxes — $17 Dinner Sets — $22

• Diet: Modest vegetarian options, gluten free, Halal beef and chicken

• Wheelchair accessibility: Yes with washroom on ground floor

• Not Licensed

• Website: In’s Kitchen 

Early this year Suyeon In and her husband opened their bright and modern eatery In’s Kitchen in the heart of the University of Ottawa grounds. Kingston's loss was our gain as it was one of her children who attended uOttawa, which convinced the parents to open a Korean restaurant here in Ottawa. 

The space has a youthful energy to the design, painted in white with modern accents in both colour and materials. The mix of seating is especially playful.

Read the review.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• The CAQ nearly swept all the Outaouais seats, leaving just one Quebec Liberal as Premier Francois Legault swept to a large majority. [CBC]

• Saffron Kabab is one of the almost a dozen hidden gem restaurants our food editor has found across the region.

• New Sens goalie Cam Talbot is expected to be out at least five weeks with a suspected broken rib. [Ottawa Citizen]

• The Ottawa People’s Commission will meet tonight for hearings on the effect of the convoy on residents.

• Find the arts and culture job you’re dreaming of at the Apt613 jobs board. [Apt613]

• Worried about our car being stolen? Here’s a guide on how to prevent it. [CBC]

• Want to support local Ottawa charities? For every person you refer to the Lookout, we’ll donate $1 to charity.

• Take a trip to Pontiac, and a step back in time, at the Pine Lodge resort.

• Don’t snuggle this bear: Someone made a teddy bear out of burrs near Western Avenue. [Reddit]

• Nepean Point was renamed by the NCC to Kìwekì Point, meaning “returning to one’s homeland” in Algonquin. [CBC]

• Thursday and Friday jazz guitarist Stephane Wrembel will perform and give a guitar workshop at Red Bird Cafe. [Apt613]

• Have you seen Mister Beans? The black cat is missing in Barrhaven. [Reddit]

• Fill out this form to have you event or announcement featured in community highlights

TOP PHOTO

Today’s photo comes from reader Michaela Norgren, who captured this shot of some interesting reflections on the building across from Lansdowne at sunset.

Do you have great shots from around the city you’d like to share? Send them in!

OTTAWA GEOGUESSER

Congratulations to Khalida, Chantal, and Sam who all knew that Carleton won the very first Panda Game in 1955.

Today’s GeoGuesser is a personal favourite of mine, but I’ll give you a hint: one o’clock. The first five people to get their correct guess in will have their names published in the next issue.

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