CJRO News February 15 to February 21, 2021

Hello, bonjour, and welcome to CJRO News on Carlsbad-Vars Radio. I’m Candice Vetter, reporting from near Carlsbad Springs.

The proposed Tewin development in Carlsbad Springs was approved 16-8 by Ottawa City Council on February 10th. In an informative article on the CJRO News website Denis Labreche wrote, “The updated official plan is scheduled to be considered by Council later this year. Council’s decision on the official plan will be final, unless the Minister of Municipal Affairs or a court steps in…There were attempts by some councillors during the daylong meeting to delay the Tewin question.However, most of council clearly arrived at the meeting already knowing where their votes would go.” For more details on this recently controversial story, read Denis’ piece at cjroradio.com/news. Scroll down there to see the map of lands already acquired for the project.

South Nation Conservation is asking interested contractors to submit tenders to undertake sustainable harvesting operations this year. Sustainable tree harvesting is part of managing the long-term health of forests and harvest operations are needed to help naturalize plantations. SNC’s Forestry Team specifies trees that can be harvested per acre, and the frequency, based on that ecosystem’s growth and regeneration rates. SNC’s prescriptions vary by forest, but the baseline is to keep a minimum of 10 dead trees, 10 fruit trees, and 10 cavity trees in each hectare of a healthy forest. Tender opportunities are posted at nation.on.ca/about, with more to be added soon.

Also, on the subject of trees, Ecology Ottawa, a local environmental not-for-profit organization, is giving away 15,000 of them. The organization is looking for partners in tree giveaway events this summer. To learn more, visit https://ecologyottawa.ca/campaigns/living-city/tree-ottawa.

The next CJRO Radio Bingo game is on February 25th at 7 p.m. Bingo cards now on sale at Rene’s Corner, Carlsbad Variety, and Vars Gas Bar on Rockdale Road. Fifty percent of the profits go to the Vars Optimiste Club and fifty percent to the Carlsbad Optimiste Club. There could be up to $1000 in prizes. Listen live on CJRO Radio 107.7 or 107.9 FM, or on CJROradio.com.

To learn how the game works listen to my interview with Denis Labreche on Local First at CJROradio.com/podcasts.

The Carlsbad Springs Optimist Club has selected the winners of the Optimist drawing contest. In the four- to six-year-old category Ethan, who is four, won with a drawing on a black background. In the seven- to eight-year-old category Samantha, who is eight, won with a drawing of a little girl looking ahead. And in the nine to twelve category, nine-year-old Isla’s picture of the farm won. These young artists win a $50 gift card to a store of their choice. Their drawings have been sent to the Zone 2 level to represent the Club. They will find out if they qualify for the Eastern District round at the end of February. The pictures are posted at CarlsbadSprings.ca.

The Vars Community Association is looking for a volunteer Webmaster to oversee the network administration, functioning and maintenance of the community’s website as well as its content. This invitation is also open to college students studying in this field. If interested, send a resume to info@vars.ca.

Both outdoor rinks beside the Carlsbad Springs Community Centre and in Navan are open. Other local outdoor rinks include ones at the Russell Fairgrounds, Kenmore Park, Alcide Trudeau Park in Vars, and Yves Chénier Park in Sarsfield, and skating is available at the RiverOak Skating Trail near Metcalfe. There are also several outdoor rinks in Orleans, which can be found by googling outdoor rinks, Ottawa. Remember the 25-person limit, stay two metres away from anyone outside your household, and wear face masks. No hockey or shinny equipment is allowed on any of this ice.

Join the Snow Angel Challenge all this month. Canadian Tire and The Snowsuit Fund invite businesses, families, schools, and teams to make, then share, their snow angels on social media, using the hashtag #SnowAngelChallenge. Tag The Snowsuit Fund to win prizes, and challenge others to join in.

Do you have news that matters to our area? If yes, contact me by emailing newsCJRO@gmail.com. I’m Candice Vetter. Stay well. CJRO – Last on the dial, first for local news.