_ (press release) _ ** OTTAWA (June 16, 2016) ** —The City of Ottawa’s strength as a leader in showing hospitality to newcomers is celebrated with the launch of the 2016 Welcoming Ottawa Week (WOW) . Coinciding with World Refugee Day on June 20 this year—and at a time of an unprecedented movement of refugees worldwide—the WOW launch is an opportunity for all citizens of Ottawa to express our genuine welcome to newcomers, take part in dialogues, and simply have fun while learning new things. ...

_ (press release) _ On ** June 23 rd ** , opening day at the ** TD Ottawa Jazz Festival ** ’s Main Stage goes blue, featuring Blues Hall of Famers ** Elvin Bishop ** ** & Charlie Musselwhite ** performing together, along with master country blues guitarist and roots rocker ** Alvin “Youngblood” Hart’s Muscle Theory ** , plus New Orleans-style brass sextet ** The Boxcar Boys ** and Zappa-esque jazz big band ** The Flat Earth Society ** . ...

_ (press release) _ ** Ottawa ** – Motorists and cyclists are advised that construction of the O’Connor Street Bikeway will begin on June 20 and will result in lane reductions during off-peak hours along O’Connor Street, between Laurier Avenue and Fifth Avenue. ...

_ All photos by Peter J. Tremblay. _ Glowfair is one of Ottawa’s festival success stories and is about celebrating music, light, art and diversity in our community. The festival presents urban street activities which, this year, ran from 6pm to 11:30pm on Friday, June 17 and from 10am to 11:30pm on Saturday, June 18th from Slater to James Street. ...

_ (press release) _ ** Ottawa ** – It’s all about Dad this Sunday. If you’re going to spend the day with your Dad, or even someone else’s Dad, then don’t make any plans until you check out some of these fun Father’s Day activities. ...

_ (press release) _ The last significant rainfall in the Rideau River watershed on June 5 caused streamflows to increase and helped crop growth, but the effect has worn off and the lack of rain since has once again left flows dropping and crops in need of more water. ...

_ (press release via NAC) _ The NAC Presents all-Canadian music series, in partnership with BMO Financial Group, is pleased to announce the return of the successful ** CROSSROADS Jazz Series ** curated by NAC Presents producer ** Simone Deneau ** and directed by Ottawa Jazz Festival programming manager ** Petr Cancura ** . ...

_ (press release) _ ** Ottawa ** – Mayor Jim Watson and Rideau-Vanier Ward Councillor Mathieu Fleury invited residents to come to the downtown and support the many local businesses that are open and eager to serve. https://twitter.com/JimWatsonOttawa/status/743868566051622912 “Downtown is open for business. ...

_ (press release) _ ** Ottawa ** – Shovels are in the ground and construction has begun on dedicated cycling lanes on Mackenzie Avenue. This new cycling and streetscaping project is the result of a collaborative effort by the City of Ottawa, National Capital Commission, the Embassy of the United States, and the Province of Ontario to improve mobility on Confederation Boulevard. ...

_ (press release) _ June 16, 2016 – Ottawa – Department of Canadian Heritage The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, today announced funding of $5 million to Ottawa 2017 (Celebrations Ottawa Inc.). Minister Joly was accompanied by Jim Watson, Mayor of Ottawa, and Guy Laflamme, Executive Director of the Ottawa 2017 Bureau. ...