The Christmas season is officially upon us as you will shortly find out by reading the rest of this column.  The first weekend in December is quite simply a Christmas-crazed extravaganza throughout Rideau-Goulbourn and beyond! Not only are there two Santa Claus parades Saturday, December 5th (Manotick at 1:00pm and Richmond at 5:00pm), there's a whole host of other fun activities for the entire family to enjoy.  Amidst all of the events below, I am likely forgetting about 16 various bazaars and bake sales that are also taking place this weekend.

Before I get to that, however, just another reminder that Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee is coming to the Manotick Arena on December 10th at 6:30pm to discuss and vote on the Manotick Secondary Plan update.  Between now and then, Council’s primary focus is the 2016 Budget.  As mentioned last week, the ARAC Budget was presented on Monday, November 23rd but you will have an opportunity to speak at various other Committee meetings on their respective budgets.  Those meetings are as follows:

• Audit Committee - Thursday, November 26th
• Environment Committee - Friday, November 27th
• Community & Protective Services - Monday, November 30th
• Finance & Economic Development - Tuesday, December 1st
• Transportation Committee - Wednesday, December 2nd
• Transit Commission - Thursday, December 3rd
• IT Sub-Committee - Friday, December 4th 

The Ottawa Police Services Board will meet to discuss their budget on Monday, November 30th at 5:00pm.  All meetings will be held in the Champlain Room at Ottawa City Hall.  The 2016 Budget goes to full Council on December 9th.

North Gower Farmers Market

The North Gower Farmers Market Christmas Market will be held on Saturday, December 5th from 9:00 until 3:00 at the Alfred Taylor Recreation Centre in North Gower.  All your favourite vendors will be there with their delicious homemade foods and fresh baked goods.  There is also a great selection of unique gifts.  As always, this market is a great place to get not only your Christmas gifts, but delicious treats as well.  Once again this year, we will be collecting donations of cash and non-perishable food for the North Gower Outreach program.  While there, don’t forget to enter the free draw for one of the lovely Gift Basket put together by Market vendors.  Visit ngfarmersmarket.com or Facebook page for more information.

Christmas at Dickinson House

The Rideau Township Historical Society invites you to visit Dickinson House this weekend, which is decorated for a Victorian Christmas.  They have a special selection of local books for sale, including the recently released Dickinson Men of Manotick by Bill & Georgie Tupper, along with the companion book, The Women of Dickinson House by Maureen McPhee.  The package would make an excellent Christmas gift.  On December 5th and 6th a Victorian Ornament workshop will be featured.  The young, and not so young, can try their hand at making a unique Christmas decoration.  The workshop and admission to the House is free.  The House is open on weekends from 11:00am until 4:00pm December 6th when we will be closing for the season.

West Ottawa Ladies Chorus

The West Ottawa Ladies Chorus in concert with the West Ottawa Chorale performs "Christmas Around the World” with performances set for Saturday, December 5th at 7:00pm and Sunday, December 6th at 2:30pm at St. Paul's Anglican Church, 20 Young Road in Kanata.  Tickets are available for $20 at the door, free admission for children 12 and under.  The facility is wheel chair accessible.

Mayor’s Annual Christmas Celebration

The Mayor’s 15th Annual Christmas Celebration will be held at Ottawa City Hall on December 5th. This fun-filled party will include ice skating on the Sens Rink of Dreams, hot chocolate and BeaverTails, roasting marshmallows, and horse-drawn wagon rides on Marion Dewar Plaza.

Inside City Hall, meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, make a craft in Santa’s Workshop, enjoy live performances in Santa’s Theatre and indulge in special treats from Farm Boy, Lindt, and the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.

To help those in need and to share in the spirit of the holiday season, admission to this sponsored event is a non-perishable food donation to the Ottawa Food Bank.

It’s time to write your letter to Santa

Enjoy a family outing on Saturday, December 5th at the City of Ottawa Archives and create your letter to Santa. Participants will also get to make crafts, decorate cookies and hear traditional holiday stories. It is going to be a jolly good time!

Admission is free from 9:00am to 3:00pm and no pre-registration is required. The City’s Central Archives is located at the James Bartleman Centre, 100 Tallwood Drive (corner of Woodroffe Avenue). For more information call 613-580-2857 or visit ottawa.ca.

*****

If you have any comments, questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at [email protected] or contact me by phone at 613-580-2491.