Around Town–Events and briefs for January-February 2023

COVID variant vaccines

Ottawa Medical Officer of Health Vera Etches has said the prevalence of respiratory infections is only expected to get worse into the new year. The combination of flu, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and the COVID-19 omicron variant has already strained hospital resources.
Ottawa Public Health is encouraging masking and vaccinations as protection. Children six months and older are now able to get COVID vaccinations while children 5 to 12 are eligible for boosters six months after their first dose.

Locally, COVID and flu vaccines are available without appointment at the former Rideau High School, 815 St. Laurent Blvd. from 1 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays (closed 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.) and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday (closed 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.).

Vaccines are also available at the Canadian Mental Health Association at 311 McArthur Ave. from 1 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays (closed 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.) and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays (closed 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

See the Ottawa Public Health website for updated information.

Masks are required at all vaccination clinics.

Ottawa Public Library events

The St. Laurent branch of the Ottawa Public Library offers regular, drop-in events all week long.

Family Storytime features stories, rhymes, and songs for children of all ages and a parent or caregiver. It takes place in English 10:30 to 11 a.m. Mondays and in French 10:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays.
Babytime features stories, rhymes, and songs for babies (0 to 18 months) and a parent or caregiver. This bilingual event takes place 11 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays.

The Knitting and Crochet Club allows crafters to share tips, ideas, tricks and just enjoy conversation with other crafters. The club is bilingual and takes place 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesdays.

The Conversation Group is a forum for informal discussions and a chance to practice your language skills by discussing topics of interest to you in a fun and relaxing atmosphere. The French group meets 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and the English 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays.

Finally, the St. Laurent branch book club meets 10 a.m. to noon on the last Thursday of each month. This English club gathers to enjoy and discuss a wide variety of books selected by members. On January 26, the club will be discussing The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce. On February 23, the club will be discussing How to Pronounce Knife by Souvankham Thammavongsa.

RCMP Musical Ride open house

For the first time since 2020, the RCMP Musical Ride Open House and Food Drive is back.

The doors open on Saturday, February 4, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the RCMP Musical Ride Centre located at 1 Sandridge Rd. The event is also bringing Winterlude to Manor Park as a proud partner activity of the winter festival.

This annual tradition that began in 1996 is once again supporting the Ottawa Food Bank. Admission is free, but visitors are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item or a cash donation for the Ottawa Food Bank.

Winter walking

The Council on Aging of Ottawa is holding an online meeting of its Pedestrian Safety and Walkability Sub-Committee to celebrate the launch of the “Snow Mole Report 2022—How Safe is Winter Walking in Ottawa?” Participants can also learn how to volunteer as “snow moles” to report on winter safe walking conditions in their neighbourhoods and become involved in the 2023 Snow Mole Campaign. (In 2022, 25 audits were submitted from “Ottawa East”, an area including Manor Park, Lindenlea and Vanier.) The online meeting takes place from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday January 12. To register, visit the Council on Aging of Ottawa website.