Reevely: Effort to green downtown gets big boost from provincial grant

By David Reevely, Ottawa Citizen, April 23, 2014

OTTAWA — Electric car-charging stations and plugging private buildings into the federal government’s central heating plant are the key projects for a small but increasingly well-funded effort to make downtown Ottawa the country’s first “eco-district,” its executive director said Tuesday.

Don Grant was still aglow from an announcement by the provincial government’s Trillium Foundation that it’ll give the eco-district effort $199,600 over the next three years. MPPs Yasir Naqvi and Bob Chiarelli praised it lavishly in presenting the money in a little do at Hub Ottawa’s hip “collaborative workspace” on Bank Street for freelancers of all kinds who want a place to work downtown, with other people. The elevator often doesn’t work but the Wi-Fi does.

Op-Ed: Greening a schoolyard

By Angela Keller-Herzog, Ottawa Citizen, April 22, 2014

‘Our school looks like a jail!” is what our students say. The Ottawa inner-city Glashan schoolyard is bleak, mostly pavement. As the tulips are coming out in Ottawa, the Glashan school council is poised to launch a direct-ask fundraising campaign — looking to raise $250,000 to realize the greening project. The project integrates new green space and trees with several digital murals that the students will co-create with a local artist, and a new naturalized climbing and play structure (the yard currently has no play structure).

Both the City of Ottawa forestry department and Ecology Ottawa are contributing partners in the project.

Via Rail to hold public briefing on Barrhaven rail crossing problems
Metro

By Joe Lofaro, Ottawa Metro News, April 21, 2014

Via Rail will hold a technical briefing at City Hall in Ottawa in the coming days at the request of Mayor Jim Watson, one of several area politicians who have expressed concern about rail crossing signal glitches in Barrhaven. The update from Via comes after senior city staff urged Via officials for two days to hold a public briefing on the matter, according to an open letter from Watson that was released to the media on Thursday. via Via Rail to hold public briefing on Barrhaven rail crossing problems | Metro.

City-owned green buildings still await certification years after construction

By Matthew Pearson, Ottawa Citizen, April 21, 2014

OTTAWA — The city’s efforts to construct green buildings appear to have hit a snag as projects completed as far back as 2008 are still awaiting official certification, a new environment committee report says.

Council approved the green building policy for the construction of corporate buildings in 2005, and amended it two years later.

580 CFRA News Talk Radio :: City Looks for Savings in Street Lights :: News - Article

By CRFA News, April 20, 2014

The City of Ottawa is hoping to save millions of dollars a year by changing the street lights.

As part of a four-year, $40 million Energy Management and Investment Strategy, the City plans to convert 67-thousand street lights to LED technology.

The City of Ottawa's current lamps last between 12-thousand and 18-thousand hours, while LED life spans range from 50-thousand hours to over 100-thousand hours.

Trapped beaver tale has a happy ending

By Robert Sibley, Ottawa Citizen, April 21, 2014

On a weekend better known for bunnies, this beaver tale had a happy ending.

After hearing reports from customers that a beaver was trapped in a nearby Rideau Canal lock early Saturday, Deanna Whaley went to investigate.

Kirkwood Avenue southbound lanes closed due to water main break

By Ottawa Citizen, April 19, 2014

OTTAWA — Kirkwood Avenue’s southbound lane was closed north of Carling Avenue due to a water main break Saturday evening.

Southbound traffic on Kirkwood is being detoured at Clare Street. City crews are on scene repairing the break.

Earth Day art show ready for Vanier; Assumption Grade 6 class hosts recycled art show

By Michelle Nash, Ottawa Community News, April 17, 2014

This Earth Day the students of Amy Howe's Grade 6 class would like to invite area residents to a different kind of art show. The Assumption Catholic School students will host the Assumption Earth Day Art Gala on April 22 in an effort to raise money for an end-ofthe-year class trip and to promote the idea that art can be made with anything - including recycled materials. via Earth Day art show ready for Vanier; Assumption Grade 6 class hosts recycled art show.

Overbrook to talk environment at next public board meeting; Presentation from Climate Realty Project Canada planned

By Michelle Nash, Ottawa Community News, April 17, 2014

The Overbrook Community Association will host a special environmentally-friendly meeting this month. As part of the effort the association has made to host monthly meetings with themes and topical subjects, on April 24, local resident and speaker for the Climate Realty Project Canada, Gaye Taylor, will give a presentation about global environmental realities and what residents can do at the neighbourhood level to address them. via Overbrook to talk environment at next public board meeting; Presentation from Climate Realty Project Canada planned.
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