Blackburn Community Association

March 2024 News

BCA Annual General Meeting

The BCA AGM will be held in-person at the Community Hall (190 Glen Park Drive) on Thursday, March 21, 2023 at 7pm. Participation is open to all residents of Blackburn Hamlet, however, only residents who have renewed their BCA membership at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting are eligible to vote (https://blackburnhamlet.ca/about/bca-membership/).

In addition to the review of the BCA Budget and 2023 activities and the election of the board, there will also be a vote on changes to our articles of incorporation and a meet and greet/social activity that will be announced in early March.

The motion is for BCA Members to approve the following addition to our articles of incorporation in order to comply with the new Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (ONCA).

Blackburn Community Association has two types of memberships: Regular and Associate

Regular members reside within the boundaries of Blackburn Hamlet. Membership gives them the right to vote on motions raised at Members' Meetings and to vote on the election of the Directors.

Associate members reside outside the boundaries of Blackburn Hamlet. Membership gives them the right to vote motions raised at Members' Meetings. Associate members are not eligible to vote on the election of the Directors.

You will find all documents for this AGM on website at:

https://blackburnhamlet.ca/event/bca-annual-general-meeting-3/

Board Elections

Voting Members must be present at the Members’ meeting
Members must have paid for membership at least 7 days prior to the AGM
Voting is restricted to two adults (18 years or older) per household
Associate Members are not entitled to vote on the election of the Directors
Candidates must be BCA Members or Associate members and nominated and seconded by BCA Members
If there is only one candidate for President, Vice-President, Treasurer or Secretary, the candidate will be elected without a vote unless there is an objection raised
If there are 11 or fewer candidates for Director, the candidates will be elected without a vote unless there is an objection raised
If a written vote is required, the President shall appoint a Member of the BCA to conduct the voting
Portfolio Chairs / Co-Chairs will be determined at a board meeting after the AGM.

We look forward to your active participation in this year’s AGM!

Blackburn Community Association

Blackburn Seniors Breakfast Get-together

BCA Seniors Breakfast

When: Wednesday, March 6, 2024, 9:00 AM

Where: Broadway Bar & Grill, 1615 Orleans Blvd.

Calling all Blackburn Hamlet seniors aged 55+!

Please join us as we mark the first anniversary of our Seniors Breakfast Get-togethers. Come and share the laughter and exchange a story or two.

Ample parking is available.

Please RSVP to Shirley at 613-841-7691 by March 1, 2024.

Hope to see you there.

Questions? Please email seniors@blackburnhamlet.ca.

Neighbourhood Watch

On Thursday, March 7, the BCA, in collaboration with the Ottawa Police, will be a holding a Neighborhood Watch (NW) Seminar at the Community Hall (190 Glen Park Drive). The event will start at 7pm.

The event will look at the planned expansionary role of the NW in Blackburn Hamlet, including its role within the Emergency Preparedness Plan, recently introduced to the community. There will be a review of the 25 streets where the NW Program is now in effect and the plans to expand the program. In addition, the Ottawa Police will highlight their new Crime App, that is now accessible to the Public. The app allows you to see crime information on your street, in your neighborhood, and across the City.

Remember, when a community works together, we can combat crime in a most effective manner – before it starts. So, join us on March 7 and learn how you can be part of this valuable community resource. If possible, please advise Don Kelly at safety@blackburnhamlet.ca if you are attending, for planning purposes.

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH - NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS!

Seniors Walk and Talk Outings for March

Seniors Walk and Talk

When: Wednesday, March 13 and Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at 1:00 PM

Where: Walks begin at the end of Tauvette Street, where Greenbelt Pathway E begins.

Please join us on March 13 and 27 as we gather for two more seniors walk-and-talk outings along the trails and around the community.

Water bottles and traction aids (crampons) for boots are recommended.

Should we have inclement weather on a scheduled walk day, check the BCA public Facebook page at https://facebook.com/blackburnhamlet/ for updates. Note that you do not need to have a Facebook account to view the public page.

Looking forward to walking with you!

Questions? Please email seniors@blackburnhamlet.ca.

Blackburn Seniors Winter Social

Join us on Saturday, March 16, 2024, from 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM, at the Blackburn Community Centre, 190 Glen Park Drive, for our 2024 Seniors Winter Social. No registration is necessary.

Bring your favourite dish (appetizer, salad, main or dessert) for our potluck lunch. We ask that you also bring your own serving utensils and, if you wish, a copy of your recipe…just in case people ask you for it.

The Community Centre kitchen is equipped with an oven, a microwave, a fridge and kettles. Cutlery, napkins, plates and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided.

Lunch will be followed by an afternoon of card games and board games. We will have a few games available, but if you have one you really like to play, please bring it along.

Oh…and if you’re feeling a little bit Irish on this day before St. Patrick`s Day, why not wear a green outfit or a fun green accessory!?

Hope to see you there!

Questions? Please send an email to seniors@blackburnhamlet.ca

March Discovery Café

Discovery Care All Ages Welcome

Tap Dancing, Rhythm and Flow

When: Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 7:00 PM

Where: Blackburn Community Centre, 190 Glen Park Drive

Have you ever become so totally immersed in an activity that you were “in the zone”, where your only thought was on the activity at hand and where hours may have passed without you realizing it? Then you have experienced “flow”.

Join tap dancer, choreographer, author and award-winning dance teacher Carolyn Hébert as she talks about the history of tap dancing and her research on the concept of flow. She will also provide us with a demonstration of her amazing tap-dancing skills. You never know…you might even be inspired to try a few steps yourself!

Carolyn completed her PhD in Education at the University of Ottawa, focusing her research on the phenomenon of flow as experienced in improvisational tap dancing. She has been a dance educator for over 15 years, teaching recreational and competitive dance students in studios and community programs. She is a member of the Ottawa Rhythm Initiative Ensemble and was recently awarded an Ontario Arts Council grant to continue work with the YOW Tap collective. Additionally, Carolyn works in policy in the federal public service and is a mom of two.

Admission is free and no registration is required. Refreshments will be served.

People of all ages are welcome.

Looking forward to seeing you!

Questions or Suggestions? Please email barbara@blackburnhamlet.ca.

We're looking for a new President!

Mark Lister has been the BCA President for the past 4 years and has done an amazing job leading us through some challenging times. Unfortunately, Mark has decided that we're ready to fly without his steady hand guiding us along the way and will not be running for President at the upcoming AGM.

This is a key role to the success of the BCA and we need your help to find a suitable candidate to lead us into the future. The main duties include:

Providing leadership to the Board and represents the Board to outside parties;
Establishing agendas aligned with the Board goals and preside over Board meetings;
Liaising with the City of Ottawa, our Elected Representatives, other Community Associations and Community Groups in order to address issues and concerns that extend beyond the boundaries of Blackburn Hamlet.

If you are interested in learning more about the role, please reach out to Mark Lister at president@blackburnhamlet.ca.

Renaud and Innes Road Agreement

The National Capital Commission and the City of Ottawa signed an agreement this week that will result in the realignment of Renaud Road. This project is long over-due, and will see the northern portion of Renaud Road, extended along the hydro corridor, connecting to the roundabout at Brian Coburn Boulevard and Navan Road.

This realignment project will also see the entire southern portion of Renaud Road completely closed; the decommissioning of the dangerous S-curve with its two 90-degree turns, which required two crossings of the Prescott-Russell Trail; and permanently eliminating cut-through traffic from the residential community of Bradley Estates.

In addition to the realignment of Renaud Road, the announcement also moves forward various interim measures supporting active transportation and carpooling/bus transit. Innes Road, west of the Blackburn Bypass, will be widened, with the addition of a HOV lane. As well, a new multi-use pathway will be installed, removing active transportation from Innes Road along this stretch, and instead providing a safe, new connection at Pepin Court in Blackburn Hamlet.

While the Bypass vehicle lanes themselves will remain unchanged, the Navan/Innes intersection will be reconfigured to support an HOV lane, as well as the installation of a new active transportation connection into Blackburn Hamlet via Cléroux Cres.

UPTick Project Seeking Community Participation

UPTick Research Project The UPTick Project is looking to identify one or two Blackburn Hamlet residents who have an interest in environmental and/or community health topics and in participating in the project Community Advisory Committee as the community association representative. The members would report to the BCA Enviro Chair and will be able to provide input into community engagement and outreach activities that are carried out in the neighbourhood. More information on the UPTick project can be found at uptickproject.ca. If you are interested, please contact enviro@blackburnhamlet.ca and president@blackburnhamlet.ca.

Sensory Quilt Sewing Event

Sensory Quilt

Date: Second Wednesday of each month

Time: 7:00pm-9:00pm

Location: Lifecentre Food Bank 2675 Innes Rd.

Come and have fun with others that have the same interest. Do what you love and get to know other quilters. While having a fun time, you will be making an item to help those we serve.

Anyone who can sew or wants to learn is welcome to come. Just bring your sewing machine, thread and scissors, all other supplies will be provided. Sensory quilts are fun and easy to create.

Sensory quilts are lap quilts that provide comfort for the restless. Sensory stimulation derived from different fabrics, patterns, and gadgets that are built within a lap quilt help those with dementia-like conditions (i.e., Alzheimer’s Disease), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Down’s Syndrome, or the developmentally challenged can feel happiness, enjoyment, and comfort with these quilts.

You can RSVP at changecoalition.ca