_ (Press release) _ The City of Ottawa is holding public consultations about the proposed Backflow Prevention Program, which will require businesses, institutions and multi-residential buildings to install and maintain backflow prevention devices.  These devices will help prevent backflow incidents that can occur when low water pressure causes contaminants to flow from buildings into the drinking water system. ...

_ (press release) _ Skiers, snowshoers, walkers and snow bikers will soon enjoy a multi-use winter trail along the Ottawa River Pathway, right by the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway. One track will be set for skiers, the other for snowshoers, walkers and snow bikers. ...

_ (via City of Ottawa) _ Mayor Jim Watson and Kitchissippi Ward Councillor Jeff Leiper presented a Mayor’s City Builder Award to Elizabeth Dessureault at today’s City Council meeting. She was recognized for her contributions to lung cancer awareness, research, treatment and patient advocacy. ...

_ (via City of Ottawa) _ Ottawa City Council and the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 279 have ratified a four-year collective agreement.  City Council voted in favour of the ATU Local 279 contract, which represents over 2,200 employees of OC Transpo including bus operators, Fleet Maintenance staff, Facility Maintenance, and Transit Safety and Enforcement Services staff. ...

_ (press release) _ The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) is seeing unusually high volumes of visits to its Emergency Department, and encourages families whose children have less urgent symptoms to visit their child’s doctor or a community clinic. ...

_ (via City of Ottawa) _ City road crews are preparing to plow and salt roads and sidewalks at the onset of the snowfall and freezing rain forecast for Ottawa Wednesday and Thursday.  Residents are asked to exercise caution if driving, cycling or walking and to allow extra time for their morning and afternoon commutes during the snow and rainfall. ...

_ (via The Council on Aging Ottawa) _ The Council on Aging Ottawa (COA) and Ecology Ottawa will host a special event on February 25 to launch _ An Age-Friendly Walkability Report: Safe Streets for Seniors and Other Valuable People in Ottawa _ . ...

Roaring Penguin Software is proud to announce the launch of our redesigned web site. As a technology company, it is very important to us to provide our customers and partners with information on our activities, solutions, and services. Our web site is a key component in delivering this information. ...

_ (via Ecology Ottawa) _ ** Over 100 local businesses participate in pipeline protest: Tens of thousands of blackened loonies circulated in Ottawa to raise awareness about proposed Energy East pipeline ** Over 100 local businesses are working together to put tens of thousands of blackened loonies into circulation in Ottawa to raise awareness of the proposed Energy East pipeline. ...

_ (via The City for All Women Initiative) _ The City for All Women Initiative (CAWI), a local Ottawa organization committed to promoting inclusive communities, is co-sponsoring an event on February 25th to provide a space for city residents to learn more about the choices Muslim women make and the impact of those choices on their sense of well-being and safety. ...