First day of the Rideau Canal skating season (2015). Photo by James Peltzer via the OttawaStart Flickr pool. As of Thursday, February 25, 2021, the Rideau Canal is closed for the season. “Following a temporary closure on February 22, 2021, along with three subsequent warmer days of weather, in addition to a snowstorm and warmer temperatures in the forecast for early next week, continued maintenance efforts would unfortunately not return the Skateway to safe conditions,” the NCC says in a statement on their website. ...

Alea de Castro is the recipient of Awesome Ottawa’s February grant for basketball-and-plants project for kids struggling during pandemic. February’s Awesome Ottawa award goes to Alea de Castro to support a creative project for kids who are struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. ...

(Via Ottawa Public Library) Starting Monday, February 22, twenty-five of the 28 open Ottawa Public Library branches will welcome customers inside for returns and holds pick up, with additional services,such as browsing and use of public computers. Due to provincial regulations, branch capacity will be limited, and masks must be worn both inside the branches and in lineups outside. ...

Photo: Stittsville’s Bradley-Craig barn in February 2021 with front doors removed in preparation for foundation restoration work being completed by Richcraft Homes. Photo via Kerry Reimer. The fine folks over at StittsvilleCentral.ca have an interesting piece up for anyone interested in Ottawa history/heritage buildings. ...

OC Transpo is launching a customer trial this afternoon for a new touchless way to pay fares using credit cards and smartphones at O-Train Line 1’s Rideau Station. One gate on the west side of the station has been set up to accept Visa and Mastercard, as well as smart phones and watches that use Apple Pay or Google Pay loaded with Visa or Mastercard. ...

Photo: An artistic representation of the Pinecrest Station design. (Ottawa.ca) The on-ramp from Pinecrest Road northbound to Highway 417 westbound will close for Stage 2 LRT work starting at midnight on Monday, March 1. It will remain closed until November. Signed detours will be in place through the duration of construction. ...

Ottawa on Tuesday transitioned from the provincial shutdown order imposed in early January, to a new status of “Orange-Restricted”. That means nonessential business, such as in-person retail and dining at restaurants, may re-open. Examples of other services that may re-open include gyms, museums, and cinemas. ...

Rendering of the latest design for the Château Laurier addition, which was approved at the city’s planning committee on Feb. 5, 2021. Five years since “CHÂTEAU L’HORREUR”, the proposed modern addition to the classic hotel has finally gained approval at the City of Ottawa’s planning committee. ...

Christmas toboggan on a steep hill, 1959. Via Ross Dunn/OttawaStart Flickr Pool Toboggans, sledding, tubing, sliding … whatever you want to call it, we have it covered on our map of Ottawa and Gatineau’s best hills. It’s one of winter’s most fun and inexpensive sports. ...

Rendered view of the proposed development at 33 Maple Grove Rd. in Kanata. (Via Lara McKendrick Architecture Inc.) I was glad to see general support from city councillors for a proposed pair of apartment buildings in Kanata, at 33 Maple Grove Rd. ...