_ (press release) _ This year’s event, which runs from September 21-25, 2016 , will be a mixture of past, present and future. To start things off, the release of the OIAF 16 poster. Fittingly, organizers turned to a dynamic local artist, Michael Zavacky (responsible for numerous popular campaign ads for the OIAF during the last few years) to come up with something bold and fresh that would honour our past. ...

_ (press release) _ Ottawa’s favourite open-air Literary Festival and Book Fair, Prose in the Park, will take place on June 4, 2016 , from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Parkdale Park. Sixty-seven moderators and panelists and more than 100 authors and a dozen small presses will be presenting and selling their latest works of fiction, non-fiction and poetry. ...

_ “I would like to commend the OCF for its commitment to stimulating the innate creativity and imagination of children. I would also like to thank the many volunteers whose enthusiasm and hard work are vital to the success of this outstanding event. ...

A large number of visitors are expected near Commissioners Park to see the tulips in bloom over the next three weekends. Traffic management activities will be in place near Commissioners Park on May 6-7, May 14-15 and May 21-22-23. Depending on pedestrian traffic flow, between 10 am and 5 pm, National Capital Commission (NCC) conservation officers may close the following: ...

_ (press release) _ Community Foundations of Canada is pleased to announce a $450,000 contribution from the Welcome Fund for Syrian Refugees (Welcome Fund) to the Community Foundation of Ottawa in support of local settlement efforts. The Community Foundation of Ottawa will direct these funds to the Catholic Centre for Immigrants, Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization and World Skills to support their crucial work with refugees. ...

_ (press release) _ The City of Ottawa is seeking artists to paint murals on two underpass walls located at the Laurier Avenue underpasses at Colonel By Drive and the Queen Elizabeth Parkway.  The City chose to enhance these underpasses as they are key gateways to downtown Ottawa and their proximity to the Rideau Canal. ...

_ (press release) _ The new Ottawa Central Walmart Supercentre , a former Target store , located in Billings Bridge Plaza at 2277 Riverside Drive, will officially grand open to the community on Thursday, May 5. The 101,000 square foot store features an impressive assortment of fresh groceries, general merchandise, and convenient services available at Walmart’s low prices every day. ...

The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) and the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre (The Royal) are launching a new model for outpatient mental health services that is designed to reduce wait times and improve access to mental health care for our region’s children and youth. ...

_ (press release) _ Construction work currently underway on Highway 417 from Anderson Road to Limoges Road will require closing the Leitrim Road underpass in both directions from May 2 until October.  A signed detour will be in place during the underpass closure. ...

_ (press release) _ Motorists should expect evening lane reductions on Scott Street, between Holland Avenue and Parkdale Avenue beginning Sunday, May 1. The reductions will allow for sewer rehabilitation work, which is expected to be completed by Tuesday, May 3, weather permitting. ...