CJRO News April 12 to April 18, 2021
Hello, bonjour, and welcome to CJRO News on Carlsbad-Vars Radio. I’m Candice Vetter, reporting from North Russell.
UPDATE: We have posted the official list. Please check it for new and updated information.
The Ontario government announced last week that its vaccination booking system is now booking appointments for individuals who are age 60 or will be 60 this year. You can book shots at Ontario.ca/bookvaccine or by calling the booking line at 1-833-943-3900 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., seven days a week.
The City of Ottawa offers appointments at four vaccination clinics until April 30th, however, almost all of those appointments were quickly booked. The city said more appointments will be available after April 30 "once vaccine deliveries are confirmed."
The clinics are at:
Nepean Sportsplex
Ruddy Family YMCA-YWCA
Eva James Memorial Community Centre
Ottawa City Hall
There are other groups who are also eligible, such as those with high-risk medical conditions or age 50+ and living in higher-risk neighbourhoods. Fill out the questionnaire online to find out if you qualify yet.
Last week I booked my first appointment using the provincial online system and found it straightforward, but I could see time slots disappearing quickly.
To book an appointment, you need your Ontario health card, birth date, postal code, and email address and/or phone number.
The province has also announced that anyone age 55 or 55 this year can make appointments at 700 more pharmacies in the province. However, the four local pharmacies on the previous list which I called were not booking appointments yet, as they were waiting until they had received their vaccine shipments, but I know some Ottawa pharmacies are booking. Visit ontario.ca/pharmacycovidvaccine to find a participating pharmacy and contact the pharmacy directly to make an appointment.
Ottawa residents who have a confirmed vaccination appointment and need Para Transpo to get there should call the Para Transpo COVID-19 Vaccination Trip Reservation telephone line at 613-842-3600. Have your vaccine booking confirmation number when calling. If you are disabled you may also be able to book a drive with a volunteer through Ottawa Community Transportation.
A small anti-lockdown protest took place in Embrun and Russell last weekend. Almost all protestors ignored masking and physical distancing, and crowded Notre Dame and Concession Street sidewalks. Social media blew up with anger, the vast majority of it against the protestors, with particular outrage from local health care workers who called it stupid, dangerous and disrespectful, among other things.
This week only take part in the Carlsbad Springs Optimist Club’s newest activity. Discover the village while having fun with your family, and you could win one of five $50 gift cards. The contest started Monday, April 12th and ends this Sunday, April 18th. Go to Carlsbadsprings.ca for a list of 15 clues or pick up a copy at René’s Corner or Carlsbad Variety. Once you have found the place or item, take a photo with your family.
1) If you submit five photos of the 15 possible locations, send the photos to cluboptimistecarlsbadsprings@rogers.com and you will be entered for one chance to win. 2) If you submit 10 photos or more, send them by using « Send Message » on the community association’s Facebook page. Your name will be entered for two chances to win. Deadline to send photos is April 18th at 7 p.m. The draw will take place Tuesday, April 20th at 1 p.m. If you have questions call Jessica Goyette at 613-875-0679.
The Navan Community Association is sponsoring a mini-SpringFest. Residents are encouraged to decorate their front porch, yard, doorway or driveway in a springtime theme. Prizes will be awarded for the best decorations. To register, email nca@navan.on.ca by May 7th and provide your name and address.
Russell Kin Club’s Catch the Ace Lottery has paused ticket sales for the time being, following instructions from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission. The next draw will be May 8th, and the jackpot is expected to be $340,000.
The City of Ottawa is reminding residents with outdated wood burning appliances that the Ottawa Wood Burning Changeout Program will cover 25 per cent of the cost of a new, EPA-certified replacement, to a maximum of $750. This program is a partnership between the City of Ottawa and the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association of Canada. It is open to all residential addresses within the city, with a limit of one rebate per household.
The next application deadline for the Ottawa Rural Clean Water Program is May 1st. The program provides funding to landowners and non-profit organizations for projects that protect surface water and groundwater quality, with grants up to $15,000 available. Farmers from rural and urban Ottawa and landowners within rural Ottawa can apply. Visit www.ottawa.ca/cleanwater for a list of eligible projects and an application form.
The City’s registration for spring virtual programs is now open. Take fitness, cooking, arts, dance, STEM, languages, music and more in your own home. Go to ottawa.ca/virtualprograms to register.
A reminder that beginning May 3rd Piperville Road will be closed in both directions, between Farmers Way and Russell Road, while the bridge over Bearbrook Creek is being replaced. Piperville Road will be closed for six to eight months.
CJRO Radio is looking for a Francophone reporter for about ten hours of work per week. To apply send a resume to cjrofm@rogers.com.
We are also seeking volunteer executive governing members. We need two from the Russell Municipality, two from Carlsbad Springs and one from Vars. If interested please contact us at cjrofm@rogers.com.
Our additional transmitter is being installed in Embrun next week. That will be followed by a few weeks of testing. We hope that by early summer CJRO will be heard over-the-air on 107.7 FM in Carlsbad Springs, Embrun, Russell, Edwards, and points in between, and on 107.9 in Vars.
Do you have news that matters to our area? Has your business been affected by Covid, either for better or for worse? If yes, I’d like to interview you. Contact me by emailing newsCJRO@gmail.com.
I’m Candice Vetter. CJRO – Last on the dial, first for local news. Keep well.