Cost of Living

Wellington Village house prices range from $350,000 to $850,000, while current prices for available Wellington Village condos range from $139,000 to $859,000.

Places to Eat in Wellington Village

Less than a five minute drive from the Burnside Terrace condominiums are plenty of great restaurants on Holland Avenue and Wellington Street. Check out the quirky Foolish Chicken for barbecue as well as cheesecake.  The Siam Bistro serves authentic Thai cuisine, while The Table Vegetarian Restaurant offers a wide variety of organic, vegetarian and gluten-free options. And if you’re in the mood for something sweet, you’ll probably want to stop by 3 Bakers and a Bike Bakery and Café.

Things to Do and See

The Arts

Within easy walking distance of The Currents on Wellington Street, The Great Canadian Theatre Company presents plays throughout the year.

Five minutes down the street, Gallery 3 offers a wide range of art work from Canadian artists.

Places to Shop

With prime access to downtown, residents of this Ottawa community can head over to Wellington Street West for a wide array of shops, from clothing boutiques to The World of Maps, which specializes in globes, atlases and – you guessed it – maps.

Outdoor Activities

If you prefer the outdoors, Wellington Village is only five minutes from Parkdale Park off of Parkdale Avenue.

Be sure to check out available real estate in Ottawa’s stunning Wellington Village.

However, there’s no reason this chore-filled day has to be treated like a total chore. Here are a few ideas to help you get started.

Finding the Motivation

When to Start

You’ll have to accept the fact that the weekend (or any day you don’t have to work) is the best time for spring cleaning.  A rainy Saturday creates the perfect atmosphere for getting down to business – you won’t feel nearly as bad that you can’t go outside and enjoy your day off.  Of course, sacrificing part of your hard-earned weekend shouldn’t be something you have to do alone.

Divide and Conquer

Doling out the Work

Get the family involved by planning out what they need to do. Catching your family off guard with ways they should help won’t be very effective (although this can limit their ability to make themselves scarce.) Make it clear who’s in charge of what area. Working in pairs is a good way to make major projects seem less intimidating (like tackling the garage.)

Make the Kids Help

Inevitably, the kids are one of the main reasons you have to clean the house in the first place. Tricking your kids into helping will certainly speed up the process. Be creative – make a contest out of who can clean the most thoroughly.

Opening Up a Room

Clear off the Counter Tops

Whether it’s the bathroom sink or the kitchen counter, there’s probably clutter that doesn’t belong. Wiping down these surfaces and putting stuff in its proper place can provide a feeling of temporary spaciousness.

Don’t Be Afraid to Let it Go

It might be tempting to hold onto that ten-year-old magazine. But don’t be a baby about it: if you never use it, get rid of it.

Donate Used Clothes

Go through your closets and see what you actually like. Excess clothing shouldn’t take up your closet space. You’ll feel better knowing your closets are cleaner and your neglected clothes will go to good use.  And if you live in The Glebe community, you might just want to set them aside for The Great Glebe Garage sale in May.

Have a spring cleaning story you’d like to share? Tell us.

Green Living in LeBreton Flats

To ensure sustainable living, residential buildings and town homes are within walking distance of many offices. Environmentally-friendly technologies are utilized around the city.

For instance the Canadian War Museum, which opened in 2005, has used “green” roofing to reduce energy use and help insulate the building. The museum has both adult and family programs. Many exhibits have examined Canada’s role in past and recent wars through photography and art.

Fun Festivals in LeBreton Flats

LeBreton Flats is often recognized for holding various festivals and concerts throughout the year. The Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest, a twelve day long festival just started July 5. The Reggae Festival and Children’s Festival have also been held at the Flats, along with events for VE Day and Remembrance Day.

Things To Do in the Area

Booth Street and Somerset Street are not far from most housing. Just a ten minute walk from the Canadian War Museum, these streets offer great restaurants and places to shop. Close by is the Dominican College of Philosophy and Theology.

The Rideau Centre and Byward Market are also a short drive from LeBreton Flats, with a plethora of shopping and businesses to check out.

Whether you’re seeking a more eco-friendly lifestyle or want to stay close to Ottawa’s latest events, LeBreton Flats has plenty to offer you and your family.

Want to Know More?

Contact me now for more information about LeBreton Flats or to take a tour of the area.

Catch A Senators Hockey Game

Hockey fans shouldn’t miss out on this match. The Senators will face off against the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 17 at 7 p.m. at Kanata’s Scotiabank Place. Don’t forget to buy your tickets if you want to be a part of this exciting game.

Hear Some Music

Toronto’s country-rock group The Sadies are coming to The National Arts Centre, located just five minutes from the Lower Town community on March 23 at 8 p.m. The band has released a total of twelve albums, the most recent being 2010’s Darker Circles. If you’re looking forward to an evening of great music, be sure to get your tickets before it’s too late.

Learn About Maple Syrup

You can’t call yourself a Canadian if you pass this one up. Take the kids to see the Maple Sugar Fest in Vanier’s Richeleu Park, starting March 26 through the first of April.

Visitors can tour Richeleu’s Sugar Shack and listen to volunteers explain the production of turning sap into syrup. From tapping the right variety of maple trees to boiling the sap in an evaporator, you’ll discover the rather labor intensive process that leads to the creation of maple syrup.

The festival presents many tasty samples and plates for you to try.  Last year the festival offered your standard breakfast foods – of course pancakes and syrup. However, there were a few unusual maple-enthused plates on the menu, including maple salad dressing, maple-glazed meats and maple soup.

What Are You Most Looking Forward To This Month?

If you have any thoughts on these upcoming March events or know of interesting things to do around Ottawa, we’d love to hear from you!

Parks and Recreation Near Bayshore

Lakeview, Bayshore, Winfield and Andrew Haydon are a few of the parks close to many family homes and apartments. The Valleystream Tennis Club and Park is just to the south, below the Trans-Canada Highway.

Britannia Park is only five kilometers east of Bayshore. The site of past music festivals, Britannia is a good place to spend the weekend with the kids. There’s also a beach open for swimming during the summer.

Bayshore, Ottawa Shopping

The Bayshore Shopping Centre, less than five minutes from Marina Bay is right in the middle of the community. There’s a wide range of retailers including Banana Republic, Zellers and the GAP, as well as several great places to eat. You can also stop by for a movie at the Coliseum Ottawa Cinemas, just a short drive away.

Dining Around Bayshore

Bayshore has a great variety of restaurants, many of which are found on Carling Avenue. Check out Tai Ping for delicious Chinese, just a few minutes walk from attractive Carling Avenue condominiums. Grab a pizza or burger at Lorenzo’s Pizzeria or head over to Ralph and Sons Diner for breakfast. Just off Carling on Kempster Avenue, Pookie’s serves amazing Thai food. And if you’re looking for something a little different, check out Ceylonta for authentic Sri Lankan and South Indian food.

Think you’d like to know more about this community? Don’t hesitate, see what Bayshore real estate is available!

OUTDOOR

Winterlude begins the first weekend on February 3 and takes place each weekend until February 20. You’ll want to bring your skates over to the Rideau Canal Skateway, as part of the festival’s tradition. Be sure to visit Confederation Park, where talented artists will display beautiful ice sculptures. It’s recommended to visit at night, when the sculptures are lit up by coloured lights. The kids will enjoy the Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom at Jacques Cartier Park. The Ice Hog family, Winterlude’s mascots, will be there along with obstacle courses, horse drawn sleighs and snow slides.

As part of the Winterlude festival, the 2012 Winterman races start on February 19 at the Canadian War Museum in Lebreton Flats. Medals will be awarded to all those who cross the finish line. Races vary in intensity, from 3K to marathon. Registration for regular entry fee closes on February 6, so be sure to sign up soon.

MUSIC

Canada’s own indie-rock group, the Sam Roberts Band is coming to the National Arts Centre on February 11.  Be sure to get your tickets before it’s too late.

FAMILY FUN

The Funatorium Explorium by the Hunt Club community is holding a Family Extravaganza from February 18 through February 20, just in time for Family Day. Parents are encouraged to play with their kids through multiple fun activities including rock climbing and obstacle course runs. Events focus on both physical exercise, through programs like family yoga and martial arts, as well as educational activities that include learning to create animation, creative writing and more. Tickets are available online.

Know of any upcoming events this February? Feel free to share.

Overbrook Starlight Children’s Foundation

Starlight Children’s Foundation, located in the Overbrook area, is a great way to help seriously ill children and their families. Volunteers can lend their support in many different ways by creating or developing recreational events that benefit families, or helping with fundraising and administration. All volunteers must fill out a form and attend orientation. If you would like to work directly with the children, a background check and training is required. See the online application to learn more about these special programs.

Volunteer to Help Animals in Ottawa

If you’re an animal lover you’ll definitely want to check out Hopeful Hearts Dog Rescue. This organization focuses on foster care, especially for elderly dogs and special needs dogs. Volunteers can help out by working with the dogs, assisting with fundraising events and advertising.  Fill out the online form if you would like to find out more.

Kanata Food Cupboard

If you live out in west Ottawa, you may consider volunteering for The Kanata Food Cupboard. Help with donation pick up and transport, sorting and packing food, and cleaning out the facilities on the last Saturday of each month. Be sure to call ahead of time to find out what help is needed on which days of the week.

Assist the Elderly

The Glebe Centre is a non-profit long-term care home located in Ottawa’s Walking District. Volunteers can assist with meals and fun activities for the residents, among other things. Make sure to fill out the online form if this sounds like something you may be interested in.

If you know of a place in need of volunteers be sure to tell us!

• Food

• Treats

• Fun

Valentine’s Day Dining in The ByWard Market

The restaurants in The ByWard Market are offering all kinds of dinner specials for this exciting day. From an enchilada dinner for two at Mexicali Rosa’s for only $34.99 to an exquisite four course meal at Luxe Bistro for $85 per person, you will be able to find a delicious meal suited to your evening. Try Sweetgrass Aboriginal Bistro’s themed dinner, Mambo’s rabbit and white wine chorizo or The Courtyard’s Jerusalem artichoke soup.

Black Cactus, five course $55      Fat Tuesday’s, three course $55
Steak, three course $55      Cornerstone, three course $35
Courtyard, four course $65      Stella Osteria, four course $75
Luxe Bistro, four course $85      Mangia, three course $50
Mexicali Rosa’s, for two $35      Mambo, Table d’hote $55/$75
Kinki, Table d’hote $55/$75      Must, Table d’hote $56
Empire Grill, Table d’hote $65      Sweetgrass, themed menu TBA

Treats

Skate on the Rideau Canal with a loved one

There is no need to leave The ByWard Market when searching for the perfect Valentine’s gift.
Lush is having a “PS I love you” party on February 12th, Victoire is offering 20% from February 1st to 14th with this coupon, and Argosy books has a half off sale from February 11th to 14th.
Take a staycation at the ByWard Blue Inn, offering 20% off a room on February 13th or 14th. A hot chocolate body wrap from Daya Spa is the perfect way to heat things up before your stay. Also enjoy the beauty and bustle of The ByWard Market by walking through the courtyards and nearby parks. Finally, cool off by taking a skate on the canal – easily accessible beside the Rideau Centre, and a lovely walk from the locks.

Fun

If the dinner options are not the fun night you and your friends are looking for, check out the Honest Lawyer. With a bachelor and bachelorette auction, and proceeds from $19 buckets of Molson going to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, this Heartbreak Hotel Party may be just what you are looking for.
Finally, Empire Theatres in the Rideau Centre will have the new romantic film “The Vow”, and certainly a more platonic film or two to see.

What are your plans for Valentine’s Day? Comment below with more great recommendations!

Winter blues got you down? Are you wanting something to look forward to in the warmer months once spring hits? Mark your calendars for this year’s The Great Glebe Garage Sale of 2012!  The GGGS is an annual community event that happens every year n iMay that attracts thousands of people each year. 

In this post:

• Who are the vendors?
• What is the garage sale like?
• When is it happening?
• Will you go?

Who are the vendors?

The Great Glebe Garage sale is organized and put on by the Glebe Community Association and gets a lot of its help through volunteers in the neighbourhood.  These aren’t the only people helping out, the homeowners from the neighbourhood are the backbone of this event.  Members of the community do their best to help out by putting vendor tables on their front lawns and porches with filled items from their homes that they’re looking to sell to a new owner.

What is the GGGS like?

The Glebe is one of those neighbourhoods with a lot of culture, you’ll instantly pick up on it when you visit there, and the Great Glebe Garage Sale is just one of those events that is an example of how great this area is.  The Great Glebe Garage Sale is put on by the Glebe Community Association and it has strong ties with the Ottawa Food Bank.  At the end of a successful sale day, vendors are encouraged to donate 10 percent of their earnings to the Ottawa Food Bank.  It’s a perfect way to spend a warm spring day with iced teas in hand and browsing through all of the kitschy and eclectic items that vendors are selling. Who knew that scoring a one of a kind cat table lamp could benefit your living room and the Ottawa Food Bank?

When is it happening?

 The Great Glebe Garage Sale is taking place this year on May 26^th 2012 from 9:00am to 3:00pm. The garage sale will be taking place in the heart of the Glebe along Bank St. south of highway 417. You won’t have a problem finding it! Visitors are encouraged to walk, bike or take the bus there.

Will you go?

 Have you ever gone to the Great Glebe Garage Sale? Did you love it? What kinds of crazy items did you see? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Maybe when you go to the GGGS this year, you’ll end up eyeing some of the gorgeous houses that this neighbourhood has!

 Curious about what housing opportunities are in the Glebe? Check out the Glebe Neighbourhood page and contact Chris to get you started on your house hunt!

Ottawa’s Chinatown– particularly Somerset Street– is home to many cultural festivals and events throughout the year. Much like Little Italy’s events, Chinatown runs annual festivals and events with a multicultural flavour, and these celebrations are not to be missed! Here is an overview of the current festivals and other events which have been announced for 2012 so far:

- Lion Dance – January 28, 2012
The Ottawa Chinatown’s New Year celebrations to ring in the Year of the Dragon

- Chinatown REMIXED – Summer 2012
A month-long celebration of artists, art and murals in Chinatown

- Six-Month Lucky Draw
Enter to win a gift certificate from participating Chinatown businesses until July 15, 2012

The unique mix of Asian nationalities and history in Ottawa’s Chinatown make these– and the other events which will be announced later this year– absolute must-sees!

Ottawa Chinatown’s Lion Dance – January 28, 2012

Chinatown REMIXED

2012 Ottawa Chinatown Lucky Draw