<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>The Centretown BUZZ</title>
	<atom:link href="http://www.centretownbuzz.com/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://www.centretownbuzz.com</link>
	<description>At the heart of Ottawa since 1995</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Sat, 19 May 2012 02:10:48 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1</generator>
		<item>
		<title>What to do about the wall: Fate of historic Bronson Avenue retaining wall in dispute</title>
		<link>http://www.centretownbuzz.com/2012/05/18/what-to-do-about-the-wall-fate-of-historic-bronson-avenue-retaining-wall-in-dispute/</link>
		<comments>http://www.centretownbuzz.com/2012/05/18/what-to-do-about-the-wall-fate-of-historic-bronson-avenue-retaining-wall-in-dispute/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 May 2012 02:15:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[May 2012]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.centretownbuzz.com/?p=289</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[by Kathryn Hunt The limestone wall on Bronson Avenue, north of Laurier, is in trouble. The Bronson Rehabilitation Project and its implications for traffic patterns north of Laurier, as well as the deterioration of the wall itself, have caused serious questions to be raised about its safety. The wall was originally part of the wall to the Bronson Estate, which was Henry Bronson’s first house before he built his better-known house on the site where the Juliana now stands. By current building standards, the stone is “far from building grade material,” according to Bruce Kenney, manager of the Bronson Project, who has recommended either temporary or permanent removal of the wall for reasons of safety. Suggestions for what to do with the wall range from reinforcement to complete removal to construction of a replica using stronger building materials. Some of these decisions may depend on what is planned for the reconstruction of Bronson north of Laurier, which does not fall under the scope of the current project. Councillor Diane Holmes has, however, advised the Bronson Project that any replica of the wall would have to be constructed using similar materials and professional stonemasons, due to the historical significance of the [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.centretownbuzz.com/2012/05/18/what-to-do-about-the-wall-fate-of-historic-bronson-avenue-retaining-wall-in-dispute/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Preserving our heritage buildings</title>
		<link>http://www.centretownbuzz.com/2012/05/18/preserving-our-heritage-buildings/</link>
		<comments>http://www.centretownbuzz.com/2012/05/18/preserving-our-heritage-buildings/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 May 2012 02:06:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[May 2012]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.centretownbuzz.com/?p=285</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[by Nancy Oakley One of the biggest challenges to conserving our heritage resources is our own planning. Communities across the province have seen their heritage character eroded by insensitive development when heritage is not effectively incorporated into planning processes. It sounds simple, but this “death from a thousand cuts” can be avoided when planning is based on accurate information and a balanced framework. The proposed Community Design Plan (CDP) for Centretown is an opportunity to update the vision for our neighbourhood. It will help guide future planning and development and will have an impact on how our heritage resources are conserved. Heritage conservation and development are often seen as conflicting forces, when in fact they work well together. When done right, the goals of intensification and heritage conservation can be met through adaptive reuse or sensitive infill. Heritage also has the added bonus of contributing to sustainable, liveable cities—after all, the greenest building is the one already standing. Knowledge is half the battle. Before an informed decision can be made about a proposed development, it is important to understand how it may impact the character of an area—and what that character is. Centretown is home to a variety of heritage [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.centretownbuzz.com/2012/05/18/preserving-our-heritage-buildings/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>More and more seniors staying in the workforce: Is 70 the new 65?</title>
		<link>http://www.centretownbuzz.com/2012/05/18/more-and-more-seniors-staying-in-the-workforce-is-70-the-new-65/</link>
		<comments>http://www.centretownbuzz.com/2012/05/18/more-and-more-seniors-staying-in-the-workforce-is-70-the-new-65/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 May 2012 02:04:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[May 2012]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.centretownbuzz.com/?p=277</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[by Georgia Lay and members of the CCCA Seniors Committee Last month’s Seniors’ Committee column examined income and housing for seniors in Centretown. This month, the CCCA Seniors Committee decided to explore the financing of longer life spans further. The 2012 federal budget will delay by two years the age at which OAS benefits commence for those born after 1962. For this demographic cohort, the loss could be about $13,000 (present value) from their life-time incomes. How will they make up this lost income? Provincial and federal legislatures have, for the most part, abolished mandatory retirement ages. During the last decade, more and more seniors have been working beyond what used to be the mandatory retirement age. The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) has published a report, Working After Age 65, which explores why and which seniors work later in life. The chart at the right illustrates the recent growth in the numbers of working seniors. As the report notes: “since 2000, participation rates for men 65 to 69 have almost doubled, rising from 16 percent to 30 percent in 2011. Participation rates for women over 65 have more than doubled over the same time period, from 7 percent [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.centretownbuzz.com/2012/05/18/more-and-more-seniors-staying-in-the-workforce-is-70-the-new-65/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Draft Community Design Plan and tall buildings</title>
		<link>http://www.centretownbuzz.com/2012/05/18/the-draft-community-design-plan-and-tall-buildings/</link>
		<comments>http://www.centretownbuzz.com/2012/05/18/the-draft-community-design-plan-and-tall-buildings/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 May 2012 01:56:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[May 2012]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.centretownbuzz.com/?p=273</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[by Joan Spice CCCA Planning and Development Review Committee The Centretown Citizens Community Association (CCCA) will host a public meeting on Wednesday, May 30 at 7:00 p.m. at the McNabb Community Centre to examine the draft Community Design Plan (CDP) for Centretown. The CDP will be considered by the City’s Planning Committee and City Council as early as June this year. This article focuses on the draft CDP recommendations related to tall buildings and touches on issues that have been raised locally, as well as some recent writings by an Ottawa developer and two internationally respected architects on the subject of tall buildings. The comments and views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the CCCA. The Draft CDP Recommendations on High Buildings Location: The highest buildings would be restricted to two zones: the Catherine Street corridor and what is called the Apartment Neighbourhood, generally north of Cooper but as far south as MacLaren in the area between Elgin and the Canal. How High: The highest buildings in the Catherine Street corridor and the Apartment Neighbourhood would be 25 and 27 storeys respectively. In the Apartment Neighbourhood, the recommended heights gradually transition down to lower heights in mid-rise zones [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.centretownbuzz.com/2012/05/18/the-draft-community-design-plan-and-tall-buildings/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>More tall buildings in our future</title>
		<link>http://www.centretownbuzz.com/2012/05/18/more-tall-buildings-in-our-future/</link>
		<comments>http://www.centretownbuzz.com/2012/05/18/more-tall-buildings-in-our-future/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 May 2012 01:51:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[May 2012]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.centretownbuzz.com/?p=269</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[by Dan Mullaly The chairman of the Ottawa Planning Committee, Councillor Peter Hume, has been an ardent supporter of tall buildings for more than 10 years. He believes Ottawa cannot continue to grow out and that the only alternative is to go up. He confirmed the City’s growth strategy at the City’s Planning Summit, held at the newly built one-storey Expo Centre, located at the end of the Airport Parkway. To an audience of over 200 invited guests, Councillor Hume admonished those who opposed this strategy, saying there is no alternative! It should not be a surprise therefore that the growth strategy for Centretown has but one option. It must build up. We have all come to accept the new high-rise condos on Nepean, Gloucester and McLeod Streets. Other candidate locations are Metcalfe and Cooper Streets, and higher buildings are also expected for Argyle and Flora Streets. Catherine Street has recently been redefined as residential and it is positioned for the highest of the new condominiums, with over 600 units approved in the past few months and the possibility of another 800 in the next year. The height of these buildings could be as much as 27 storeys, with the [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.centretownbuzz.com/2012/05/18/more-tall-buildings-in-our-future/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Trees and greenspaces in the draft CDP: upgrades and new parks</title>
		<link>http://www.centretownbuzz.com/2012/05/18/trees-and-greenspaces-in-the-draft-cdp-upgrades-and-new-parks/</link>
		<comments>http://www.centretownbuzz.com/2012/05/18/trees-and-greenspaces-in-the-draft-cdp-upgrades-and-new-parks/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 May 2012 01:50:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[May 2012]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.centretownbuzz.com/?p=265</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[by Bonnie Mabee Chair of CCCA Trees and Greenspace Committee The CCCA welcomes the “strength in the vision for enhancing and increasing greenspace” contained in the draft CDP. At the same time, it calls on the City to ensure that the CDP include a long-term greenspace plan for the community, with implementation deadlines and dedicated funding for its recommendations. The CCCA suggests that this long-term plan be tied to the cash-in-lieu fund paid by developers. Further, it proposes that a priority list be established for greenspace–related capital spending, drawing on Section 37 funding. Recommendations related to reclaiming Centretown streets include: plant trees wherever possible; where street tree planting is not possible such as on Elgin Street, consider planting vertically (i.e., hang flowers;) don’t allow garbage to be stored adjacent to the sidewalk; and buffer parking lots from the sidewalks with planting. These proposals require more political will than money. A culture of greening these small but significant areas should be accepted as the norm by City Council. The greening of Centretown is an excellent idea that will have economic and environmental benefits, but the social benefits that it will provide should be highlighted in more detail. For example, studies suggest that [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.centretownbuzz.com/2012/05/18/trees-and-greenspaces-in-the-draft-cdp-upgrades-and-new-parks/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Boulevard of Blooms: Elgin Street blossoms</title>
		<link>http://www.centretownbuzz.com/2012/05/18/boulevard-of-blooms-elgin-street-blossoms/</link>
		<comments>http://www.centretownbuzz.com/2012/05/18/boulevard-of-blooms-elgin-street-blossoms/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 May 2012 01:47:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[May 2012]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.centretownbuzz.com/?p=248</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[by David Gladstone and Kathryn Hunt Chris Blais, owner of Woody&#8217;s, poses with his favourite tulip. Thanks to Keith Loiselle, owner of Woody’s Urban Pub, and his fellow Elgin Street business owners, this year’s Tulip Festival includes flowering and man-made tulips along Elgin Street: The Boulevard of Blooms/Boulevard des Fleurs. The display is the result of a partnership between the Elgin Street BIA Steering Committee and the Canadian Tulip Festival. In less than two weeks, Elgin has gone from being “Sens Mile.” to being a showcase for tulips, although the Sens are not completely absent from the street; the Steering Committee unveiled the “Senators Tulip” on April 26. “This is the kind of community business spirit that will ensure that the Tulip Festival continues to grow and delight residents and visitors alike,” said David E. Luxton, Volunteer Chair of the Canadian Tulip Festival. The painted statues and planters full of purple tulips will be on display from May 4 to 21. Visitors will also find designated business locations with clues to the Great Canadian Tulip Treasure Hunt. Some of Elgin Street’s restaurants and nightspots will be featured locations as part of “Embrace the Night” celebrations throughout the festival. Next step, [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.centretownbuzz.com/2012/05/18/boulevard-of-blooms-elgin-street-blossoms/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Enriching the cultural scene: Doors Open Ottawa allows a look inside Enriched Bread Artists</title>
		<link>http://www.centretownbuzz.com/2012/05/18/enriching-the-cultural-scene-doors-open-ottawa-allows-a-look-inside-enriched-bread-artists/</link>
		<comments>http://www.centretownbuzz.com/2012/05/18/enriching-the-cultural-scene-doors-open-ottawa-allows-a-look-inside-enriched-bread-artists/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 May 2012 01:17:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[May 2012]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.centretownbuzz.com/?p=246</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[by Vanessa Burguete Put on your walking shoes or ride the free shuttle bus* and explore several architecturally, historically, and functionally interesting buildings at this year’s Doors Open Ottawa event! Over 125 locations across the city will be inviting you to take a sneak-peek into some of Ottawa’s finest spaces, many of which are not normally open to the public. This year’s event will take place on June 2 and 3 and will showcase some architectural classics as well as some modern designs. Embassies, places of worship, museums, architectural firms, green buildings, artist’s studios, and science labs are open for discovery. The Enriched Bread Artists (EBA) have participated in Doors Open Ottawa annually for the past eight years and they’re back on the roster. Perched on the hill above Little Italy on the edge of Hintonburg, the home of EBA has been recognized in the community for its historic significance and design. But it’s what happens inside today that keeps people interested in the space. “We wouldn’t be here if there hadn’t been the bread factory,” says Karen Jordon, vice-president and artist at Enriched Bread Artists. In 1992, the space was converted into what now houses more than 20 artists’ [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.centretownbuzz.com/2012/05/18/enriching-the-cultural-scene-doors-open-ottawa-allows-a-look-inside-enriched-bread-artists/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Ground up: the Basement Artists</title>
		<link>http://www.centretownbuzz.com/2012/05/18/ground-up-the-basement-artists/</link>
		<comments>http://www.centretownbuzz.com/2012/05/18/ground-up-the-basement-artists/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 May 2012 01:16:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[May 2012]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.centretownbuzz.com/?p=240</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[by Nicholas Ruest Basement Artists is a collective of artists from a wide variety of genres—argely music and visual art—that produces high quality local art that is displayed in Centretown galleries and bars. Marcus Lamoureux is the director of Basement Artists, who gather regularly in Centretown on Bell Street. Lamoureux has been involved in music and art promotion and production in Centretown for nearly seven years. He is known for his style of art, which often involves recycled materials coordinated with broken skateboards. His art is environmentally friendly and in demand among a local group of followers. As the director of Basement Artists, he is also responsible for promoting shows and exhibitions. On May 12, they held a successful event at Babylon Nightclub in Centretown to gain more exposure and support from Centretown residents. Carolyne Brodeur is one of the major contributors to the Basement Artists organization. Brodeur became interested in doing art at about the same age most children begin to read. She specializes in acrylic and mixed media art. Some of Brodeur’s art can be found on the walls of local venues like Oh So Good, The Buzz Restaurant and Pilates Patio. When asked what keeps her artistic [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.centretownbuzz.com/2012/05/18/ground-up-the-basement-artists/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Solar panels flourishing in Ottawa</title>
		<link>http://www.centretownbuzz.com/2012/05/18/solar-panels-flourishing-in-ottawa/</link>
		<comments>http://www.centretownbuzz.com/2012/05/18/solar-panels-flourishing-in-ottawa/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 May 2012 01:12:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.centretownbuzz.com/?p=237</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[by Ian Mallov Generating renewable energy at home is steadily gaining popularity in Ottawa. Since Ontario’s introduction in 2008 of the Feed-In-Tariff (FIT) program paying homeowners for green power, home solar power installations in particular have quickly caught on. “It all started (for me) when I went to the Green Ottawa show in April 2010 when I was looking to put in a new roof,” says resident Dennis Jackson. Jackson began installing solar panels that fall and was selling power back to the grid by December. Now he volunteers to share his experience at information sessions hosted by Ecology Ottawa for those interested in installing their own solar panels. “The way I looked at it was that it was much smarter to invest the money in my roof than in the market,” Jackson says. He is on track to recoup his original investment eight-and-a-half years from installation, leaving the revenues for the remaining 11 and a half years of his contract as profit. Should he choose to sell, the value will be in his house. His story is not atypical. Many see room for much more growth as people begin to view home solar panels as not only lucrative, but [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.centretownbuzz.com/2012/05/18/solar-panels-flourishing-in-ottawa/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>

