10 Beautiful Walks in Ottawa

As the weather starts to get a bit warmer and spring is in the air. Here is a list of my favourite walks to take in the city.

1.  Jack Pine- Be sure to bring some bird seed to feed the Chickadees.

2. Old Quarry Trail

3. Rideau Canal Walkway

4. Mer Bleu

5. Baxter Conservation Area

6. Gatineau Park

7.  Hog's Back Trail

8. Beryl Gaffney Park

9. Pinhey's Forest Trails

10. Lime Kiln Trail

Exercising for Moms

I spoke with Heidi from of AIM Fitness Ottawa and asked her to share a some information with me regarding their pre and post natal programs for busy moms. Here is what she had to share;

Exercising after having a baby can be a challenge. The time and energy that used to be so abundant are now being poured into caring for your new little person. At AIM Fitness we understand that these changes can make it difficult to fit exercise into your new lifestyle.

    That’s why we strive to make exercise interactive, enjoyable and adaptable for Mom and Baby. We offer a variety of fitness classes for Moms and Moms-to-be, these classes are designed to be safe, effective and fun. Our Certified Trainers have specialized training in Pre and Post Natal Fitness so that you can be confident in the instruction you receive.

Here is a summary of the classes we offer:

Pre Natal Fitness

Exercising while pregnant has been connected to less complicated labour, reduced fat deposition and retention and reduced side effects of pregnancy (such as back aches and constipation).  Our Pre Natal Fitness Classes help you to feel your best during your pregnancy as well as prepare you for the demands of labour and motherhood. It’s also a great way to connect with other Moms-to-be!

Baby & Me Fitness

If you’re not one for leaving your baby in the care of others while you go to the gym, or simply don’t have that kind of support and time, a Baby & Me Fitness class is a great option. Learn how to exercise with your baby and incorporate him or her into the majority of the exercises we do together. The class puts a big emphasis on strengthening your body, bonding with your baby and connecting with other moms.

Strollercise

If getting outside and enjoying the fresh air is important to you, then our Strollercise Class is a great way to fit in exercise while spending time with your baby. This class is a great combination of cardio and strengthening exercises. It’s a wonderful opportunity to introduce your baby to the great outdoors and to meet other moms that enjoy being outside.

In-Home Personal Training

Sometimes our Moms prefer to participate in a more individualized exercise program. We offer In-Home Personal Training with an exercise program that is tailored to each person and their goals. Cut-down on the time required away from your family by allowing us to travel to you.

For more information on these services and others that we provide please check our website: www.ActivitiesInMotion.ca

To stay up to date with events, and free tips follow us on:

Facebook: AIM Fitness

Instagram: @aimfitness.activitiesinmotion

Pinterest: A.I.M. Fitness

Twitter: @A_I_M_fitness

50 Free Summer Ideas with the kids

Community Cup

Start Date: Sunday, 28 June 2015 
Time: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Brewer Park 
100 Brewer Way, Ottawa, ON K1S, Canada, Ottawa 
Free

http://www.communitycup.ca 
Phone:(613) 232-9634

Kick off your Canada Day celebrations with the 11th annual Community Cup. Free, family-friendly, and multicultural, the Community Cup connects newcomers through sport, entertainment, and kids’ activities. Centered around a recreational soccer tournament, this year’s event features a ‘Women in Sport’ zone, a youth soccer skills challenge, Pan-American Games-themed sports demonstrations, international dance, food and music, and plenty of great activities for kids! Learn, Play, Connect and Celebrate! Register to play! www.communitycup.ca Sunday June 28, 2015, Brewer Park, Ottawa Contact: Laurie Hinsperger, laurie@communitycup.ca, 

(613) 232-9634 x 345

Ottawa Swan's Women's Fast and Female Event

The Ottawa Swans Women’s Australian Rules Football Team (www.ottawaswans.com), winners of the 2014 Ontario provincial championship, will be hosting a Fast and Female event (https://www.fastandfemale.com) for girls aged 8-19.  Fast and Female is a non-profit organization that promotes fitness and participation in sports for young girls.

All the women on the Ottawa Swans Team have had their lives enriched through their involvement in sports and athletics (Many of whom were a part of Team Canada, winners of the International Cup in 2014). They are all motivated, outgoing women who have devoted lots of time and energy to growing the sport of Australian Rules Football in Canada and are eager to share their love for the sport with the next generation. The team hopes to use this event to help young girls gain all the benefits of participating in sports that they have experienced, notably self-confidence, fitness, leaderships skills, team-work and friendship.

The event will take place on Saturday, June 6^th at the Rideau Carleton Raceway, from 9:00AM to 1:00PM. It will include various fun and fitness related activities, introduction to Australian Rules Football skills, a snack, a short talk from a member of Team Canada, and an opportunity to watch the Ottawa Swans Women’s team take on the Montreal Angels in their home opener. Registration is $15 (plus small processing fee) and can be done online at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/fast-female-power-hour-australian-rules-football-ottawa-swans-tickets-16924155605.

This event will be fun and beneficial for any girls interested in sports. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, you can also contact the event organizer, Lauren Stoot at 613-857-7245 or ljstoot@gmail.com.

Mom & Child Yoga

Re-gain your strength, improve your posture, and raise your energy through breathing, gentle movements and yoga therapy.

A perfect opportunity to connect more deeply with your baby in a positive environment with other new mothers!

Meet the Instructor: Gabrielle Archer

Being a mother herself, Gabrielle has found her niche in teaching children's, prenatal, and various types of family based yoga for over 3 years. Having a deep empathy for new mothers in the stresses they go through physically and emotionally. She has brought together her wealth of knowledge in the areas of parenting, anataomy and yoga to create a unique yoga experience for yoga and children alike.




Classes will be run at UMTBC Lifestyle Center.
Thursday @9:30am-10:30am

For more information:
http://momandbabyyogaottawa.instapage.com/
www.umtbc.com

20 Superbowl Party Ideas for the Kids

Superbowl Sunday

Superbowl is usually known for beer, nuts and football, but when you have kids how do you incorporate them into the fun?

Well first things first you must be prepared to cheer on your team

Homemade Pom Poms

You will need:

• 8-10 large tissue paper pieces in your favorite team colours
• scissors
• stapler
• toilet paper roll
• Construction paper, markers, glitter etc.

Steps:

1. Decorate your toilet paper roll with construction paper, glitter and markers etc.
2. Next fold your tissue paper in half, begin to cut long strips from the fold out
3. Once you have long pieces of shredded tissue paper, stuff them in the center of the roll and staple it together in the center and Voila! you have your very own POM POMS.

Face Paint

Try painting your face like your teams favorite mascot. 

Homemade face paint materials list

• Lotion 
• Corn Starch
• Food coloring 

Add small amount of lotion to small containers, one container for each color of paint you want to make. Add a few drops of food coloring to each container and then slowly add corn starch to the containers until you reach the desired consistency.  

Gambling

Once you are ready to cheer for your team it's time to place some bets. That's right no football game would be the same without some friendly gambling. This year try incorporating some new bets into your poll to include the kids. Ex...

• Length of national anthem
• # of touchdowns in game
• Longest Pass
• # of timeouts
• And of course... the winner

Instead of gambling for money try gambling for a reward (ex. the closest bet does not have to do the dishes that night, or candy bars etc. )

Bingo 

Alright it's time for the game to start and it's hard to keep the kids interested, try Superbowl Commercial Bingo. Download and print sheets for free at http://buzzbuzzbingo.com/Sports/Superbowl_Commercials_Images/

You Can't Say That

Before the game starts, hand out little footballs for everyone to pin on their shirts. Tell everyone that they can't say the word football during the game. If you catch someone saying the word you can take their football. The person at the end with the most footballs wins.

And Finally... No football party would be complete without some great snacks for the game. Check out these football themed snacks http://www.cutefoodforkids.com/2012/01/26-football-shaped-food-ideas.html

Check out these other fun links

Football Ice Cream Sandwiches

Rice Krispy Footballs

Football Pizza

Footbll Toss Game

Football Field 7 Layer Dip

Football Paper Chain

Football Party Table

Football Photobooth

Superbowl Popcorn Bowls

Tailgating Ring Toss

Paper Stuffed Footballs

Salt Dough Footballs

Football Banner

Cereal Box Puppets

Football Face Cookies

Military Appreciation Day Camp Fortune

MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY

Friday February 13th Serving (and retired) Regular (and Reserve) Force personnel will be able to ski or snowboard for free. Their immediate families will be welcome to join them for half price and equipment rentals at the hills will be half price to the Military personnel and their immediate families on these days. Unaccompanied spouses and children are included but should have their family ID cards which are available from the Family Resource Centre. Military personnel will require their CF ID.

Kilt Skate Day

January 31 is Kilt Skate Day

Across Canada, skaters to celebrate Sir John A’s Birthday with Bare Knees and Skates

“Some of us have been marking Sir John A’s birthday for years by getting out on the Rideau Canal Skateway in our kilts,” says Don Cummer of the Scottish Society of Ottawa. “For the bicentennial, we wanted to turn this into a bigger, public event. The next thing we knew, other cities wanted to join in.”

Macdonald was born in Glasgow in January, 1815, and came to Canada as a boy with his family. The Department of Canadian Heritage has supported the kilt skates as a way to celebrate his bicentennial.

In Ottawa, the kilt skate will be held in partnership with Winterlude, and will take place on the Rideau Canal Skateway with a concert of Scottish music at Confederation Park.

Further information:

Ottawa and NationalTracy Cook
Scottish Society of Ottawa
613-692-8368
hogmanay@thescottishsocietyofottawa.com

Riverside South Pond Hockey Tournament

2015 Pond Hockey Tournaments

In the continued spirit of community, wellness, sport and supporting one another in this wonderful place we call Riverside South, the RSCA is proud to present this year's annual Pond Hockey Tournaments for charity. Again this year we will be hosting an adult tournament and a kid's tournament. Be sure to register early as spaces are limited and we anticipate these events to sell-out. Each year we have chosen a different area of need and this year we will be supporting a local family whose son suffered a major head injury in an accident in 2013. The family is raising funds to help their son/brother access the best possible treatment to deal with his resulting brain injuries.  For more information about our cause this year please click on the following link:  youcaring.com Kid's tournament details:The Riverside South Community Association will be hosting a pond hockey fundraiser tournament for children ages 7-12 on Saturday, February 7th at the Spratt Rink.  Kids will play 3 games throughout the day and receive a pizza & hot chocolate as a part of the event registration! All skill levels are welcome. Where: Spratt Park Ice Rink When: February 7th Time: 8:30am to 4:00pm Fee: Individual entry fee of $15 per player The tournament will be limited to 80 players on a first come first served basis. Please complete registration form HERE  Adult's tournament details:It's time to sign up for the 7th Annual Riverside South Adult "POND" Hockey Tournament on January 31stand February 1st at the Spratt Rink. A Where: Spratt Park Ice Rink When: Jan 31st & Feb 1st Time (approx.): 11:00am - 4:00pm Saturday, 10:00am - 1:00pm Sunday Fee: Individual entry fee of $20 per player The tournament will be limited to 64 players (first come first served basis) The format will be as follows: - 8 players/team/game - 4 on 4 format (no goalies) - Teams to be comprised of individuals from the Riverside South Community (19 years and older) - guaranteed a minimum of 4 games - each game will consist of 2 x 10 minute periods - Saturday round robin - Sunday playoff to determine winner Please complete registration form HERE

Westboro Beach Winter Fun Day

Winter Carnival - Westboro Beach 

Sat, January 24, 12pm – 4pm

The event will feature snow block colouring, snow fort building, a bonfire, and cookies, hot chocolate, tobogganing and winter Olympics. 

 

Lansdowne Park Skating Court

Lansdowne Park, east of Aberdeen Pavilion
450 Queen Elizabeth Drive
 Ottawa

Skating Court at Lansdowne Park open for its first season

Weather permitting, the Lansdowne Skating Court is open daily from 6 am to 11 pm.  The heated changing facility is open daily from 8 am to 11 pm. Bring your own skates - no skate rental services available. 

Parking: A commercial parking lot is available on site, accessible from both the Bank Street and Queen Elizabeth Drive entrances. On-street parking available nearby.

Make a visit to BeaverTails® part of your skate.

BeaverTails® offer seven delicious pastry flavours as well as hot chocolate, apple cider, coffee, and soft drinks.

Concession hours of operations

Friday 4 to 9 pm

Saturday Noon to 9 pm

Sunday Noon to 6 pm

Rideau Hall Skating Rink

Skating Rink

The skating rink at Rideau Hall was originally built in 1872, during the mandate of the Earl of Dufferin, Canada’s third governor general. Along with his wife, Lady Dufferin—who quickly became a keen skater herself—he organized many skating parties during his stay at Rideau Hall. Today, you can step back in time and go for a skate on this historic rink.

Schedule

• The skating rink is open from January 5 to March 15, 2015. As this is an outdoor facility, the schedule may vary according to weather conditions.
• Public skating: Saturdays and Sundays, from 12 noon to 5 p.m. No reservations necessary.

Group Reservations

Please submit the form.

Family Yoga

Workshop led by Tania Frechette
Fun for the whole family!

Enjoy a creative, interactive blend of yoga poses, meditation, relaxation and games. This class is for children ages 4 to 8 and their guardians.

January 10, 2015
March 21, 2015

1 – 1:45pm

Your Investment: $16+hst per family

Registration: In person, by phone 613-234-7974 or online.

Location Details: Sky room

City of Ottawa Skating Rinks

Public Skating

Age	Price
Children 0-2	Free
Children 3-4	$1.50
Children 5+, Youth,Students, Adults and Seniors	$2.50
Family (2 adults & dependant children)	$6.75

Free RBC Skate Weekends

*Starting Saturday, November 29, 2014 until Sunday, March 29, 2015, the Public Skating sessions held on Saturday and Sunday are free compliments of RBC Royal Bank.

Indoor Skate Arenas

Check your local arena for scheduled times (http://ottawa.ca/en/residents/parks-and-recreation/drop-activities/public-skating-schedules)

Barbara Ann Scott Arena (Pinecrest R.C.)
2250 Torquay, Nepean, ON
613-828-3118

Bell Centennial Arena50 Cassidy, Bells Corners, ON
613-828-9629

Belltown Dome2915 Haughton, Nepean, ON
613-828-3313

Bernard-Grandmaître Arena309 McArthur, Vanier, ON
613-744-8635

Blackburn Arena200 Glen Park, Blackburn Hamlet, ON
613-824-5197

Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex – Orléans
(Formerly Orléans Recreation Complex)
1490 Youville, Orléans, ON
613-824-0819

Brewer Arena
151 Brewer, Ottawa, ON
613-247-4917

Brian Kilrea Arena (Canterbuy R.C.)2185 Arch, Ottawa, ON
613-247-4863

Civic Centre
1015 Bank, Ottawa, ON
613-580-2429

Earl Armstrong Arena
2020 Ogilvie, Gloucester, ON
613-746-7109

Fred Barrett Arena
3280 Leitrim, Gloucester, ON
613-822-2175

Goulbourn Recreation Complex
1500 Shea, Stittsville, ON
613-831-1169

Howard Darwin Centennial Arena (formerly Merivale)
1765 Merivale, Nepean, ON
613-224-3168

J.A. Dulude Arena
941 Clyde, Ottawa, ON
613-798-1716

Jack Charron Arena10 McKitrick, Kanata, ON
613-580-2424 ext 33254

J.B. Potvin Arena813 Shefford, Goucester, ON
613-741-1537

Jim Durrell Complex
1265 Walkley, Ottawa, ON
613-247-4811

John G. Mlacak Centre
2500 Campeau, Kanata, ON
613-580-2424 ext. 33251

Johnny Leroux Stittsville Community Arena
10 Warner-Colpitts, Stittsville, ON
613-836-5941

Kanata Recreation Complex
100 Walter Baker, Kanata, ON
613-836-3121

Larry Robinson Arena
2785 8th Line, Metcalfe, ON
613-821-1237

Manotick Arena
5572 Doctor Leach, Manotick, ON
613-692-4772

McNabb Arena180 Percy, Ottawa, ON
613-564-1070

Navan Memorial Centre
1295 Colonial, Navan, ON
613-835-2066

Nepean Sportsplex
1701 Woodroffe, Nepean, ON
613-580-2828

Ray Friel Recreation Complex
1585 Tenth Line, Orléans, ON
613-830-2747

R.J. Kennedy Arena1115 Dunning, Cumberland, ON
613-833-2375

Richmond Arena6095 Perth, Richmond, ON
613-838-5423

Sandy Hill Arena
60 Mann, Ottawa. ON
613-564-1062/613-564-1006

St-Laurent Complex
525 Côté, Ottawa, ON
613-742-6767

Stuart Holmes Arena5660 Osgoode Main, Osgoode, ON
613-826-2264

Tom Brown Arena
141 Bayview, Ottawa, ON
613-798-8885

W. Erskine Johnston Arena
3832 Carp, Carp, ON
613-839-3000

Walter Baker Sports Centre
100 Malvern, Barrhaven, ON
613-580-2788

Outdoor Skating

There are over 250 outdoor public skating areas in the City of Ottawa. All locations are free and open 5 am to 11pm. 

http://ottawa.ca/en/residents/parks-and-recreation/parks-and-sports-fields/locations. Visit their site to see the location nearest to you.

Momma and Baby Fitness Classes

FREE

Boomerang Kids Strollercise

Dancing Mommas - Salsa Baby

Boomerang Kids Westboro - Baby wearing yoga

Fitness with Jules- Mommy and Baby Classes


PAID CLASSES

Little Lotus Mommy Baby Yoga and More

Esther America Baby Wearing Dance

Dancing Mommas - Salsa Baby

Fab Baby Gear -Mom and Baby Yoga

Dovercourt Mom and Baby Programs

City of Ottawa Family Programs and Mommy and Me

Fitness with Jules- Mommy and Baby Classes

Fit 4 Two- Mommy Baby Classes

PranaShanti- Mom and Baby Yoga

Fitmom Ottawa- Mommy and Baby Classes

Kangaroo Fitness- Restorative Classes

Glebe Community Centre- Mom and Baby Classes

2 for 1 Ski Nights at Camp Fortune

2 FOR 1 TUESDAY NIGHTS

Lift tickets are 2 for 1 after 4 pm on Tuesdays:  

Dec 30, 

Jan 6,13,20,27 

Feb 3,10,17,24 

March 3,10,17

2 FOR 1 SATURDAY NIGHTS

2 for  1 lift tickets and ski rentals from 4 pm to 10 pm Saturdays:  

Dec 27th, 

Jan3,10,17,24,31 

Feb 7,14,21,28, 

March 7, 14, 21

kick IT
a dance club for kids

Presented by: Centrepointe Theatres
Saturday, January 17, 2015 at 2:00 p.m.

Why should grown-ups get to have all the fun? Kids wanna dance too.

Back by popular demand! Centrepointe Theatres Presents kick IT- a dance club for kids.

What started as two kick IT events during our 2013/14 season quickly became three. All sold out so fast that we made sure to add one more this season for a grand total of four kick IT events in our 2014/15 season!

The Centrepointe Studio Theatre will once again be converted into a hoppin’ afternoon dance club for four to ten year olds – a place where kids can let loose and show off their moves or even learn new ones from our enthusiastic in-house dance crew, The Dance Xperience.
Kids are free to get creative on the dance floor with the best top 40 bangin’ beats from Dynamix Productions and get crazy in the Flashpoint Photobooth. And don’t forget to stop by the  Ottawa Capital Region Macaroni Kidbooth too.

Don’t worry adults, we haven’t forgotten you! While your kids are bustin’ their moves, feel free to visit the Big Kids Coffee Bar where there are tasty treats for all ages. Or better yet – join them on the dance floor and show ‘em what you’ve got!

Tickets are available only at the Centrepointe Theatres Box Office or by calling 613-580-2700.

Please note all children must be accompanied by an adult. Both adults and children require tickets for admittance. If you have anyquestions, please contact our box office at ctboxoffice@ottawa.ca. 

Tickets: $5 | Tickets are available at the box office or by phone only.

Road to World Juniors at the CT Centre

RBC ROAD TO THE WORLD JUNIORS

Dec. 21, 2014 at 7:00 PM

Canadian Tire Centre

---

Senators Sports and Entertainment announced today that, as part of the RBC Road to the World Juniors, Canada's National Junior Team will face Sweden in a pre-tournament game at Canadian Tire Centre on Sunday, Dec. 21.

The game is part of Canada's pre-tournament schedule ahead of the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship scheduled for Dec. 26, 2014, to Jan. 5, 2015, in Toronto and Montreal.

Canada's National Junior Team pre-tournament schedule

Dec. 19, 2014	Canada vs. Russia	Air Canada Centre	Toronto
Dec. 21, 2014	Canada vs. Sweden	Canadian Tire Centre	Ottawa
Dec. 23, 2014	Canada vs. Switzerland	Bell Centre	Montreal

The game in the nation's capital will be the first for Canada's National Junior Team since it beat Sweden 5-1 on Jan. 5, 2009, to win its fifth consecutive gold medal at the IIHF World Junior Championship.

Tickets for the Dec. 21 game at Canadian Tire Centre go on sale on Friday, Oct. 24, at 10 a.m. and can be purchased by visiting www.CapitalTickets.ca, by phone at 613-599-FANS (3267) or 1-877-788-FANS (3267); in person at each of the 10 participating Canadian Tire stores in Ottawa as well as the store in Perth, The Sens Store at Carlingwood Mall and Place d'Orléans, any Ottawa Sports Experts location, Les Galeries de Hull, Ottawa Festivals and at the Canadian Tire Centre box office. Tickets are $18, $20, $24, $26, $32 and $35 (plus CRF and service charges).

Tickets for the pre-tournament games in Toronto and Montreal are only available as part of a full-tournament package for the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship, which can be purchased by visitingwww.hockeycanada.ca/2015juniors.

For more information on Hockey Canada, Canada's National Junior Team and the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship, please visitwww.hockeycanada.ca, www.hockeycanada.ca/2015juniors, or follow on social media at www.facebook.com/worldjuniors,www.twitter.com/hc_wjc and www.twitter.com/hc_men.