President’s Corner 160 George Street Ottawa, On K1N 9M2 The St. George Newsletter Members of the Board Gordon Diamond 613-562-2487 Ross Hynes 613-408-7678 George Hack 613-729-1164 Sarah Hurman 613-850-2525 Lorne Richardson Krystyna Miedzybrodska 613-241-1580 Axia Property Management [email protected]Security Office: 613-241-7664 Editor: Irene Diamond Translation: Diane de Varennes-Mann Webmaster: Tahirah Shadforth tahirah@shadforth,com St. George website www.thestgeorge.net Sept 2017 Despite record rainfall, cooler temperatures, high winds and numerous construction disruptions , this year brought a number of ST. GEORGE GOOD NEWS STORIES. Three that stand out were not initiated by the St. George and occurred beyond our property but I think you’ll agree they made for an eventful year. First was the announcement of the Salvation Army’s Plan For a New Multi-Program Facility & Community Hub in Vanier. The purpose-built complex is designed for clients and community to comfortably interact, with a working men life skills residence, a Stabilization & Anchorage special residence, a day program and emergency accommodations. Inviting & secure pedestrian friendly spaces plus bright, private and secure client-centered outdoor spaces and an internal courtyard, with a landscape buffer around the perimeter are the key features. Co-located with the Community & Family Services, Thrift Store and Coffee Shop, it will encourage community interaction and development of a traditional street scape. As Co-Chair of the ByWard Safety & Security Committee, I will be signing a letter of support for the Salvation Army to use when presenting to the City Planning Committee . Second was the establishment by Shield Security Services of a Co- operative Community Security Patrol plus closing the Waller Mall. Stakeholder support for the patrol has already doubled to ten businesses and organizations, including the St. George. I’m sure you’ve noticed the significant impact the patrol has already had on street activity and safety. The other Good News story was the unique opportunity to witness the many Canada 150 and Ottawa 2017 Events and Celebrations; some virtually on our doorstep. St. George has always facilitated front row seats for Canada Day and alike but how exciting to wake up to find a Large Dragon sleeping in the Giant Tiger parking lot. Many of you followed Kumo and Long Ma, along with thousands of others throughout the market as they stalked each other. With the spectacular Mosaic Canada 150 Floral Display, Kontinum, the RCAF fly past, the Snowbirds, the Northern Lights show, National Gallery and ByWard Market art displays, the festivals and more, it was certainly a memorable summer. St. George and the Dragon President’s Corner 1 Ducks Unending 2 Volunteer Call 2 Green Bin Update 3 Renovations 3 Photos 4
Transcript
President’s Corner
160 George Street Ottawa, On K1N 9M2
The St. George Newsletter
Members of the Board
Gordon Diamond 613-562-2487 Ross Hynes 613-408-7678
Despite record rainfall, cooler temperatures, high winds and numerous
construction disruptions , this year brought a number of ST. GEORGE
GOOD NEWS STORIES. Three that stand out were not initiated by the
St. George and occurred beyond our property but I think you’ll agree they
made for an eventful year.
First was the announcement of the Salvation Army’s Plan For a New
Multi-Program Facility & Community Hub in Vanier. The purpose-built
complex is designed for clients and community to comfortably interact,
with a working men life skills residence, a Stabilization & Anchorage
special residence, a day program and emergency accommodations.
Inviting & secure pedestrian friendly spaces plus bright, private and
secure client-centered outdoor spaces and an internal courtyard, with a
landscape buffer around the perimeter are the key features. Co-located
with the Community & Family Services, Thrift Store and Coffee Shop, it
will encourage community interaction and development of a traditional
street scape. As Co-Chair of the ByWard Safety & Security Committee,
I will be signing a letter of support for the Salvation Army to use when
presenting to the City Planning Committee .
Second was the establishment by Shield Security Services of a Co-
operative Community Security Patrol plus closing the Waller Mall.
Stakeholder support for the patrol has already doubled to ten businesses
and organizations, including the St. George. I’m sure you’ve noticed the
significant impact the patrol has already had on street activity and safety.
The other Good News story was the unique opportunity to witness the
many Canada 150 and Ottawa 2017 Events and Celebrations; some
virtually on our doorstep. St. George has always facilitated front row seats
for Canada Day and alike but how exciting to wake up to find a Large
Dragon sleeping in the Giant Tiger parking lot. Many of you followed
Kumo and Long Ma, along with thousands of others throughout the
market as they stalked each other. With the spectacular Mosaic Canada
150 Floral Display, Kontinum, the RCAF fly past, the Snowbirds, the
Northern Lights show, National Gallery and ByWard Market art displays,
the festivals and more, it was certainly a memorable summer.
St. George and the Dragon
President’s Corner 1
Ducks Unending 2
Volunteer Call 2
Green Bin Update 3
Renovations 3
Photos 4
Ducks Unending by Irene Diamond
Our Mother Mallard laid another clutch of eggs this summer, again in the 3rd floor deck grasses. No one was aware of this until a resident spotted a duckling in the pond. The remaining ducklings had fallen on-to the 2nd floor deck. They were reunited and a company booked to remove them after the weekend. The Wild Bird Care Center was con-sulted on food requirements and the little family was fed on lettuce, bloodworms, fish flakes, hard boiled eggs and seed for Mom.
Unfortunately on Sunday, Mom decided to march to the river. On the way down the stairs, 5 ducklings fell into the pond and 4 fell into a 10ft. deep overflow tank. Because the water was too low, ducklings could not exit the pond, so Carrol Anne MacGregor and myself waded into the pool and caught the 5 ducklings. Mom joined the 4 in the tank. Nobody could produce a 10 ft. ladder and so a non-emergency call was made to 911. After some complicated explanations, the supervisor sent out a firetruck. We were still in the pool when this collection of very fit, handsome young men arrived, somewhat amused at the predicament.
They brought out a folding metal ladder and one of them went into the pit while others held flashlights to help him see. It was quite a chase - they are fast and sneaky critters.
Once rescued, we put them back on the 2nd floor deck and blocked the exit. On Monday the company came but were unable to net the Momma duck, so the chicks were taken to a rescue center. Sadly, Mom returned for several days, looking for her babies.
On a positive note, the first batch of ducklings were raised and did fledge. A letter of thanks was sent to Station #13 on King Edward. Next year the greenery on the 3rd floor will be changed to make it less invit-ing to nesting ducks.
We encourage all residents to report a sighting of ducks, or nesting activity. Carrol Ann and I are getting too old for this!
HAVE YOU CONSIDERED BEING A ST. GEORGE VOLUNTEER ?
One of the positive aspects of the St. George, which make it a great place to live is because of the significant contribution of our VOLUNTEERS. Many things you enjoy only happen because of their efforts.
If you are new here or haven’t volunteered before, please consider helping make the St. George even better. Whether your interests best suit the Social Committee, News-letter, Website, Recycling/Hazardous Waste, Maintenance Committee or other aspects of our community life, we are always looking for additional helping hands and in-creased resident participation.
In the spring, the St. George started a limited scope trial participation tin the City of Ottawa Green Bin program. Now, along with the traditional recycling programs, St. George residents can further reduce their ecologic footprint by joining in the efforts of the original 20 participants. They received their kitchen bins and have been throwing away their organic waste (mostly kitchen residue, but also floor sweepings, vacuum bags, dryer lint etc.) in a green bin located in the loading dock area. We are now ready to expand the program to all units.
To participate, please:
A. Check out the City website for more info on the program and pointers on cleanliness.
B. Pick up your kitchen container at Security. You will also receive a pamphlet describing the Green Bin Program.
C. Start collecting your organic waste and disposing of it in the larger green bins in the loading dock.
Here are a few requests to help keep the program on track.
1. Waste collection is every TUESDAY. Please refrain from putting waste in the bins that day to five time to clean them after being emptied by the city crew.
2. NO PLASTIC BAGS! Not even compostable ones. This is due to the composting process used by the City.
3. Use a paper liner such as ‘Bag to Earth’, available at Home Hardware and Metro, or use old newspaper to help keep your container clean.
4. Be considerate of your neighbours! If you dispose of something smelly i.e. fish, wrap it in old newspaper before putting it in the large green bin. Good practices prevent unpleasant experiences.
5. If there are any issues about cleanliness or use of bins, please notify build-ing management so that any problems can be addressed promptly. Kyle Bridges from the City of Ottawa will speak briefly at the Annual General Meeting on Sept. 28th and will answer any questions you may have.
Renovating a unit could have costly side effects by Storm MacGregor
It is smart to make sure it meets code but it may limit your creativity.
Our building has been in use for 30 years and with the interior of the units your responsibil-ity, many have already been updated with a personal touch or a special need. Our units are larger than most new condominiums and can provide great opportunities, but if a renovation is done without the necessary permits or without the correct materials, you could be in for an expensive surprise.
Some plumbing materials, for example, that are accepted for single family dwellings may not meet code in a high rise like ours.
You should also pay attention to the common elements. Most ducts and plumbing stacks are common elements and belong to the condominium. Management can clarify this for you, but they and the Board do not need to get involved in most situations, unless you are planning structural changes, i.e would like to move a sink or the stove to a different location. Then you also need to contact the city’s Building and Inspection Department.
Moving a stove could affect the ventilation. Installing a sink in a new location may require ventilation of the trap to avoid sewer gasses and using the correct material is important to avoid a surprise water leak.
If you plan to change the flooring, check rules about the need for a sound absorbing membrane, and on and on it goes. Renovating a unit could have costly side effects if not done right.
Photo credits: Colin Churcher, Lorne Richardson, Bill Campbell, Gordon Diamond, Storm MacGregor, CBC.
