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Off The Cuff

Welcome to Miss Vicky's Offhand Remarks! On this page you'll find Miss Vicky's latest ramblings, but feel free to browse the various sections. You'll hear a lot about Kitchissippi, Miss Vicky's westish Ottawa community, but you never know what you might find. And feel free to jump in - this may be Miss Vicky's virtual soapbox, but she loves a good discussion!

Municipal Elections and the Voluntary Sector

Miss Vicky Mon Dec 7, 2009

Miss Vicky attended a workshop held by the Ottawa Coalition of Voluntary Organizations today, on how to further an organization's goal during municipal elections. Live tweeted it, even.

A couple of interesting tidbits, if you don't feel like scrolling through the tweets:

Caroline Andrew, UofO Political Studies prof, discussed the different kinds of strategies voluntary organizations can take during elections. Her advice: set goals, make a plan that fits your goals, and don't get distracted by the campaign. Stick to the plan.

Bob Chiarelli, former mayor, talked about the importance of getting staff on side, and described his three Ps of advocacy: passion, partnerships and a plan. Cited the Shenkman Arts centre as an example of a good campaign. Also suggested that the Concert Hall could have been put on the table as part of the Lansdowne proposal (an interesting take). Oh, and in response to a direct question, he said he is giving another run for mayor "serious thought". Says he's getting a lot of people approach him, but his family's not wild about the idea.

Dick Stewart, former City People Services manager, suggested that there would be more potential for progressive change if the voluntary sector worked collectively. His four areas of focus: the triple bottom line (environmental, social, fiscal - it's supposed to underlie city decisions, but that's not really happening), the need to reinvest the money that's being uploaded from the provincial government back into social infrastructure, transforming the voluntary sector, and refusing to sell services to city at less than cost (an interesting point given the dismal salaries of community and social service staff)

Linda O'Neil, from the Alliance to End Homelessness, talked about their approach in the last municipal election. Their goal was to draw attention to homelessness and housing and to become the go-to organization for the media on these issues - they did this by hosting a mayoral debate early in the campaign. She gave a good rundown of what they did and why

Jenny Gullen from People for a Better Ottawa gave an overview of that organization's history and work. Their goal is to become an ongoing, credible presence on municipal issues between elections (and, indeed, they have).

It was an interesting afternoon - Miss Vicky regrets she wasn't able to make the followup discussion tonight at City Hall. If anyone went to Our Ottawa's event, feel free to post your impressions!

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Remembering

Miss Vicky Sun Dec 6, 2009

20 Years. I can't believe how much time has gone by. Yet the emotions are still so raw. And we're still fighting the same battles.

Miss Vicky isn't sure she has much to add to the post she made back in 2005. Except maybe to reinforce that the best way to remember and honour the 14 women who fell 20 years ago is to continue to stand up for women's equality, to never take the progress we have made for granted.

(note: in reviewing the links from the original post, I discovered that the page on statistics on violence against women is no longer available on Status of Women Canada's December 6 website. Don't even get me started on why.... instead, I have linked to a relevant page from Statistics Canada)

Reflections on December 6
Tue Dec 6, 2005

December 6 always sneaks up on me. Approaching holidays, social obligations, busy-ness at work - and this year, kitchen renovations - take up a lot of my focus and attention this time of year. Then - it never fails - on the day I'm reminded of the massive surge of grief and loss I felt when I heard of the murder of 14 women at l'École polytechnique.

I was getting my hair cut on Grafton Street in Dublin, where I was doing my Master's. My hairdresser told me she'd heard some news about Canada that morning (a rare occurrence, let me tell you). So we listened to the hourly news on the radio together. I have rarely felt so isolated and powerless. Since this was before the days of google and I could never get the Radio Canada International when I needed it, I was craving information and solace and community and it just sucked being alone there.

All these emotions - not to mention the anger I feel at the attitudes that lie beneath horrific acts of violence against women - come flooding back to me when the anniversary rolls around.

It's interesting that a decade and a half after this event, people still gather annually to remember. And it's unfortunate (what a profoundly inadequate word) that this one horrific act has become such a powerful symbol for violence against women when so many more women and girls are beaten, raped and murdered every year by strangers and by those who profess to love them. Not to mention our too-many forgotten aboriginal sisters, and other victims who are ignored or simply slip away unnoticed.

I'm not going to go on at length about the facts. We've been through this already. pamused wrote an entry today and included some lyrics that struck a nerve with me.

Why do women mark December 6? Because we are all too aware that we could have been any one of those 14 young women. And we still could be, someday.

here's the song:

'this memory -- the wyrd sisters

early that morning, cup of coffee in her hand,
kissed her mother on the cheek, said I'm more busy than I planned.
i'll be coming home a bit late - could you keep the supper warm?
oh, it's just another busy day.

early that morning, getting ready by the door,
kissed her lover on the cheek, said I'll be coming back for more.
oh how i love you, we've got so much to live for baby
and i'll be coming home real soon.

and it could have been me, just as easily,
could have been my sister left there to bleed,
oh it could've been my father or my brother done the deed.
oh no, don't let me lose this memory.

later on that evening, i turned on my tv,
listened as they're talking about the news of a
shooting spree.
fourteen young women shot dead in montreal...
oh, it's a killing of us all.

and it could have been me, just as easily,
could have been my mother left there to bleed,
oh it could have been my father or my brother done the deed.
oh no, don't let us lose this memory


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Festive Fun December 5

Miss Vicky Wed Dec 2, 2009

Despite the mild weather, the holiday festivities have begun. Miss Vicky is actually feeling on top of the game this year, having participated in one cookie exchange and thus relieving any sense of obligation to bake for the holidays (baking may occur, but she won't feel guilty if she doesn't)and figured out most of the gifts (including Wee G's puzzling request for a "runaway crab". Heck, even the storm windows on the Finishing School are up before the first snow!

Here in the 'hood, the various festive events are beginning. Despite the construction at the Market, trees should be in this weekend. The BIA has put wreaths up along the mainstreet. Craft sales are well under way.

If you're looking to include gingerbread house-decorating in your family's holiday plans, Devonshire Public School is having a great fundraiser this Saturday: a Family Gingerbread House Workshop. They supply the house and candies - all you have to do is show up and be creative! The workshop takes place at the Champlain Park Field House (Clearview and Cowley, off Island Park Drive). There are sittings from 10am to 11:30, noon to 1:30 and 2pm to 3:30. You pay $20 per house ($15 for additional houses for your family). All money raised goes to their playground renewal project. Email gingerbread.house@rocketmail.com to reserve your spot!

On Saturday evening, Cyclelogik will be opening their latest art show, organized by the lovely and talented Andrea Stokes. Their opening night parties are always a blast, featuring food by Essence Catering, great music and, of course, lots of great, affordable local art. If you are thinking of buying art for Christmas, you should be able to find something great either here or at the Cube's Great Big Smalls Show (which opens Thursday).

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First Thursday starts this week!

Miss Vicky Tue Dec 1, 2009

Local galleries and the BIA have come up with a great idea to promote the creative side of our community. Starting this week, galleries will be open late on the first Thursday of every month - for fun! Can you think of a better excuse for an evening stroll through the 'hood?

First Thursday will take place from 5pm to 9pm

Participating Galleries for this month are:

Gallery 3 1281b Wellington St. W. (beside Bridgehead)

Exposure Gallery (2nd floor studio Thyme & Again) 1255 Wellington St. W.

Fritzi Gallery (at GCTC) 1233 Wellington St W.

Cube Gallery (on Hamilton) 7 Hamilton Ave. N. (they'll be opening the annual Great Big Smalls exhibit that night, so get ready for some holiday shopping!)

Patrick John Mills Gallery 286 Hinchey Ave.

Gallery CA 1112 Wellington St. W. This is the newest gallery on the strip, and the latest re-use of the space by these local designers

Cube Gallery's second location (on Wellington, in the former Roses/Diwali location) will be opening soon, but unfortunately not in time for this month's First Thursday. But add it to your route next time!

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Idle Hands: Craft Show Tomorrow!

Miss Vicky Sat Nov 28, 2009

Patrick Gordon Framing, located at 160 Elm Street, hosts the Idle Hands craft show tomorrow (Sunday, November 29). Some of our 'hood's most creative and talented artists and artisans will be there, so check it out! Promo material promises "prints, clothing lines, knits, jewellery, childrens items, cards for all occasions, bags, purses, scarves, hats and other accessories. Pillows, clocks and home decor galore. Apple pies, vegan desserts and gourmet holiday sweets to name a few of our edible delights".

Admission is $2 and the show takes place between 10 and 5. Get your holiday shopping done early and support local crafters!

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FREE Labour Film Fest this weekend

Miss Vicky Tue Nov 24, 2009

The Canadian Labour International Film Festival is the first-ever film festival dedicated to telling the stories of workers - their working conditions, lives and struggles. It launched in Toronto last week and takes place this weekend at locations across Canada, including here in Ottawa.

We see labour stories so seldom in the media - pretty much only when there is a strike or some sort of crisis, and even then it's a struggle to get accurate coverage of what can often be complex issues. Take the current 60+ day strike by staff of the Canadian War Museum and Museum of Civilization: are we hearing about their issues? Not so much, despite some really creative efforts on their part to draw attention to the inequities in pay and the abuse of precarious temporary appointments by management of both museums. So the film fest is an opportunity to uncover these hidden stories, and also to give workers a chance to speak for themselves using the medium of film.

Check out the list of films being shown here. Screenings at the Library and Archives start at 12:30 on both Saturday and Sunday. Admission is FREE and Miss Vicky has heard there will be free beverages as well.

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Carruthers Fire Fund

Miss Vicky Sun Nov 22, 2009

Last week a 7 unit apartment building on Carruthers Avenue burned, and tenants lost everything. A fund has been set up for to help these fire victims - you can donate at any TD Canada Trust branch under the Carruthers Ave. Fire Fund Account 513-5206374. Please give generously!
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you guessed it... upcoming events!

Miss Vicky Fri Nov 20, 2009

As usual, lots of stuff happening!

Hintonburg's annual Artisan Craft Fair takes place today and tomorrow at the Hintonburg Community Centre. Drop by and browse from 2-8pm today and 10-6pm on Saturday. There is usually diverse range of crafty offerings, a bake sale and silent auction... and they are even serving up some yummy chili!

On Saturday, why not start at the Craft Fair and shuffle down Wellington St West for the second annual Wassail. Here's a great opportunity to make a dent in your holiday shopping list, and to let our small businesses know how much we appreciate them. There will be hot cider stations at Gilchrist, Holland and Melrose, a choral performance outside the GCTC, and horse-drawn wagon rides as well! Visit the BIA's page for details.

On Sunday at 1pm, there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly-refurbished Stirling-Carruthers Park. Once a dark, underused space, the place has been brightented, the play structure improved and is a nice space to hang, especially for the under-6 kids. Wee G has tried out the new play structure and enjoyed it greatly. The ceremony will take place at 1pm and hot chocolate will be served.
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Cornerstone update

Miss Vicky Tue Nov 17, 2009

So the quick response from local bloggers and social media types is yielding results. Bob LeDrew from Flacklife/Translucid Communications took Ian Capstick's call to action to heart and offered up his time and vehicle on Friday to collect donations.

So come on! Can you help? Bus tickets, clothing and household items, Tim Horton's gift certificates, phone cards and especially CASH are needed.

And in other charitable giving news, I'm still waiting for someone to take me up on my Magic Boxes giveaway! Don't feel guilty about letting me buy your ticket - save your money to bid on the Rick Mercer box!
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Magic Boxes: A Giveaway!

Miss Vicky Mon Nov 16, 2009

Planned Parenthood Ottawa is a great organization that has been providing nonjudgmental reproductive and sexual health information, support and resources in Ottawa for 45 years. They provide an impressive range of programs and resources - from tips for parents talking to teens about sexuality to the amazing Insight Theatre.

To Celebrate their anniversary and raise some money for their programs, PPO is holding a fascinating fundraiser at the Cube Gallery this Thursday, November 19. It's called Magic Boxes, and it's part cocktail gala, part circus, part art show, part silent auction. The event will feature performances by talented performers (contortionists and hooping!), a retrospective of the PPO's 45 years in the community, and boxes decorated by artists and celebrities from Ottawa and parts beyond. The boxes will be up for auction, so you can take home a unique (and functional!) piece of art from the likes of Cathy Jones, Dr. Henry Morgentaler, and plenty more...

Tickets are $75. There will be light finger foods and a cash bar and it's a dressy affair.

This is definitely an event not to be missed. Unfortunately, Miss Vicky will be missing it, as months ago she bought tickets to see Billy Bragg at the Bronson Centre... What poor timing! However, she does want to support Planned Parenthood, so here's the deal.

Miss Vicky will purchase one ticket to give away to one of her Faithful Legion. Just tell her why you want to go, what PPO means to you, or maybe what box you'd like to bid on. She'll make the draw on Wednesday night and get the ticket to you on Thursday. And if you want to buy a second ticket to bring a friend - or you want to buy a ticket for yourself and leave the giveaway to others - Miss Vicky has tickets to sell, so let her know if you want any!

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