[ ](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/snow.jpg) _ Ottawa _ The recent large accumulation of snow across the region has created giant snowbanks on city streets forcing all traffic to drive in a single file down most streets. Sidewalks are also becoming narrower due to the snowbank infringement, resulting in parents having to push strollers single file in the Wellington West area of Ottawa. ...

[  ](http://www.flickr.com/photos/xiaozhuli/8320083280/) December Snowstorm. Photo by [ Zhu ](http://www.flickr.com/photos/xiaozhuli/8320083280/in/pool-ottawastart) , from the OttawaStart Flickr Group. Here are our contributors' picks for the best local events in Ottawa this week. ...

This video was shot yesterday over the noon hour on Parliament Hill. Dr. Andrea McCrady, the Peace Tower Carilloneur played a selection of Elvis Presley hits to mark the anniversary of his birth. Thanks to John MacNab for sending in this video link! ...

Last Thursday, @GirlCrafted mentioned us in a tweet about where to find macarons in Ottawa. https://twitter.com/GirlCrafted/status/286871808702038017 We were amazed at how many (and how quickly) people responded. Here are some suggestions: https://twitter.com/peterhum/status/287207917059465216  https://twitter.com/foodiePrints/status/286898191994089473 https://twitter.com/foodiePrints/status/286898463042572288 https://twitter.com/PaolaSt_Georges/status/286900195336257537 https://twitter.com/PaolaSt_Georges/status/286905451055026176 https://twitter.com/AnatheaT/status/286976881478209536 https://twitter.com/SavingOttawa/status/286977237637554176 ...

[ ](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/snowbank.jpg) ** ** _ Ottawa - _ The recent heavy snowfall throughout the Ottawa region has left large snowbanks on many city streets, causing numerous traffic complications. The Bridgehead coffee company has embraced the abundant snow however, and has opened their 437th location in a tall snowbank just off Somerset. ...

[  ](http://www.flickr.com/photos/25575174@N08/8330915470/) Sleigh Ride. Photo by [ Dan Gamache ](http://www.flickr.com/photos/25575174@N08/8330915470/in/pool-ottawastart) , from the [ OttawaStart Flickr Group ](http://www.flickr.com/groups/ottawastart/pool/with/8330915470/) . Here are our contributors' picks for the best local events in Ottawa this week. ...

Batman at yesterday’s Sears Great Canadian Chill (New Year’s Day Polar Bear Dip) at Britannia Beach in Ottawa. Photographer Mr. Casual says: “Fingers were frozen just taking the photo”. (Does anyone know the identity of this masked ice crusader? ...

Every year we publish a blog post with rumours and speculation about the line-up for this year’s Bluesfest. Who do you want to see perform? Post your informed guesses and hopeful wishes in the comments below. This year’s Bluesfest runs from July 4-14, 2013. ...

This is amazing. Earlier today Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield tweeted this photo taken from space, showing a snow-covered Ottawa. Full size photo here. ** ** [ ](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/ottawa-snow-from-space.jpg) ** ** ** ** ** See also: ** Ottawa Nature & Science Guide ...

This note came in the other day from Ottawa sports historian Jim McAuley: _ Hi Folks, _ _ _ _ Our friend Glen Richardson is in a bit of a dilemma. _ _ You may know that Glen has a hobby of making mini chairs out of wooden hockey sticks. ...