Halloween Activities in Ottawa

The stores are stocking up with costumes and Halloween candy so you know the time is near. Halloween can be a lot of fun for young and old alike.

While working on our website we have found lots of great stuff to do for Halloween in Ottawa and the surrounding area. Some events take place on Halloween, other things you can do leading up to Halloween.

I am sure there are even more ideas so we'll keep adding them as we find them. In the meantime, if you are looking for something to do for Halloween, take a look at our Halloween in Ottawa page for some great ideas!

Happy Halloween!

Pools in Ottawa

A friend recently asked me if I knew of any outdoor pools in Ottawa. I really had to think about it because my kids are the age where they are really enjoying the splash pads so I haven't had to think a lot about pools.

I did a quick search for her and came up with a lot of locations in the East and West end of Ottawa.

Here is a list of indoor and outdoor pools in Ottawa. There are way more than I thought there were.

There is also the RA Centre. I went a few times when I was MUCH younger and loved it.

Happy swimming (and staying cool)!!

City of Ottawa Recreation Guide - Fall/Winter 2010-2011

In case you don't already know, the City of Ottawa Recreation Guide for Fall/Winter 2010/2011 is ready and available now!!!

Registration is VERY soon:

Registration for swimming and aquafitness programs begins August 9 at 10 pm for Online/Touch Tone and August 10 during regular business hours for In person.

Registration for all other programs starts August 11 at 10 pm for Online/Touch Tone and August 12 during regular business hours for In person.

If you are anything like us and want specific classes at specific times, you would be wise to sign up early.

Here is where you can find the information online on the:
City of Ottawa website

Ottawa Buskerfest 2010 is on NOW!!!

Shame on us for not mentioning it sooner! If you didn't know, the Ottawa Buskerfest 2010 is on now (July 29 - Aug 2, 2010) on Sparks Street Mall.

The best place to find out all the details is on the
official Buskerfest website.

They have a schedule that breaks down the various sites for entertainers. There is a circus area, fire performers, singers, musicians and so much more. There is even a kids' section on Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 12-5pm at O'Connor & Sparks.

There is SO much to see and do at the Buskerfest. Grab the family and c'mon out! You won't be sorry!

Ottawa Dragonboat Team (Galley Girls) in China

Did you know that Ottawa has a Dragonboat Team, called the "Galley Girls", in Macau, China right now competing in the world championships? I am sure a lot of people don't know but I am trying to help get the word out.

One of the team members' daughters is blogging about it here:
Galley Girls in China blog

If you want to hear how the team is doing then take a look at her blog.

The Ottawa Citizen also has some stories as well. Here is
a Galley Girls update from July 30th in the Ottawa Citizen.

Go Galley Girls Go!!!

O-Train Closed for a few weeks

I don't take the O-Train but I know many who do. I also know quite a few people who wanted to use it for Bluesfest. In any case, if you didn't know, the O-Train is going some major rehabilitation. It is supposed to last from July 12 to August 14.

Here is information directly from the OC Transpo website.

O-Train information

I hope the above information helps!

Ottawa Splash Pads - Perfect Way to Stay Cool!

Friends of mine who don't live in Ottawa (or Ontario for that matter) can not comprehend our drastic temperature changes. It is crazy. I chat with them on the phone in the winter and explain that it is -30 with the windchill and then I chat with them in the summer (like last week) and explain that it is in the mid-40's with humidity.

So, how are you staying cool in this humidity? If I didn't have children, I would probably just spend more time indoors in the air conditioning (or possibly a pub with a cold drink)!! But, I do have children who LOVE the outdoors and don't comprehend humidity. So, I need to think of them.

I am not much of a beach person (bathing suits and I dislike each other VERY much) so the next best thing is a splash pad. To me, they are the best way to keep cool on these hot summer days.

Here is a list of the splash pads in Ottawa (from the City of Ottawa website):

City of Ottawa splash pads

Grab the kids and their bathing suits and towels and go enjoy the water! Don't forget hats and sunscreen. You can also pack a picnic lunch so you could spend a few hours there.

Enjoy!

Two Year Hiatus - I'm Back WITH a Partner

Hi Everyone,

Is anyone still reading? From my traffic stats, it appears as though some people are still finding this blog. I haven't posted in almost 2 years because I was taking a little hiatus. My sincerest apologies.

I have been busy these past couple years with my young family but I have continuted to work on my Ottawa website. We are receiving over 25,000 visits per month which is awesome. Hey, wait, did I just say "we"? Yes, I did. We refers to my new business partner and I. There are two of us working on the website now which means that we can add more information and expand the website at a much faster pace.

If you have any comments or questions, feel free to contact us on our Ottawa Information Guide website!

Toodles!

See you around this blog or our website soon.

Cheers!

WOOHOO! Sens are going to the Finals!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOO!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOO!

Just a very quick entry in our blog to say how completely overjoyed we are (and the rest of Ottawa) that the Ottawa Senators are going to the Stanley Cup Finals!

GO SENS GO!

Bluesfest 2007 - Tickets go on sale today!

I have a feeling that this year's Bluesfest is going to be one of the best ever. The concert lineup is amazing. It is going to be difficult to decide on who to see. Artists include Kanye West, INXS, Blue Rodeo, George Thorogood, Steve Miller Band and so many more. Way too many to list here.

If you are interested in finding out more about the Festival, check out our Ottawa Bluesfest page on our website.

PLEASE NOTE - the location of Bluesfest is back at LeBreton Flats across from the Canadian War Museum.

Last weekend of Winterlude

This is just a VERY short message to remind everyone that this weekend is the last weekend for Winterlude 2007. Make sure you find some time to stop in at one of the events taking place or go skating on the Rideau Canal. It isn't supposed to be too cold this weekend so it should be perfect.

Have a beavertail for me, ok? I won't be able to make it this weekend.

Have fun & enjoy!

The Red Violin Concert in Ottawa

For those of you looking for something to do this Friday, January 12th, how about checking out a concert called "The Red Violin"? The Thirteen Strings Orchestra will be performing at St. Andrew's Church on Wellington at 8pm for their first concert of the New Year.

For more information please visit their website Thirteen Strings.

It will obviously be a great concert for violin lovers but would also be a great idea for those who want to do something different on a Friday night.

Enjoy the concert.

Upcoming concerts in Ottawa

Looks like 2007 is going to be another great year for concerts in Ottawa. Some of the bands/artists that will be coming to Ottawa in 2007 include Nelly Furtado, Rod Stewart, Il Divo, Josh Groban, Barenaked Ladies and much more.

We have a page on our website called Concerts in Ottawa that we update regularly. Make sure to bookmark that page so you can check back often and see what other great bands/artists are coming to Ottawa. You don't want to miss out!