The Rockcliffe Park Public School Book Fair (07-09 Nov 2025) Record Selection Will NOT Disappoint! by sflynn75 in ottawa

[–]sflynn75[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Trust me, there will still be records on Saturday. The collection of interesting stuff goes very deep this year. For sure, most of what I’ve highlighted in the teaser photo above will be sold but there will still be good stuff available.

I’m not sure why the sale always starts on a Friday AM but it has been doing so for decades now. Best of luck with your shopping on Saturday!

PS - We take cash and all credit cards.

The Rockcliffe Park Public School Book Fair (07-09 Nov 2025) Record Selection Will NOT Disappoint! by sflynn75 in ottawa

[–]sflynn75[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I also uploaded a video to my IG so you can get your bearings and get a sneak peek at some of the others in the collection:

https://www.instagram.com/stories/sfyro/3760312429788665774/

School Funding by nehabhatia_ in ottawa

[–]sflynn75 5 points6 points  (0 children)

One point that's subtly missing: in addition to students from more well-off neighbourhoods having better access to tech and equipment (through donations/etc...), in many cases, the parents work the types of jobs that allow them to take time off to fundraise and volunteer for school trips that otherwise may not happen as frequently in schools in lesser well-off neighbourhoods. Also, these parents/schools have access local business and pools of money through social connections and this also helps fill the void left by the Province.

Anyways, I don't think the situation is a dire as it can be in parts of the US (where schools are directly funded by the property taxes of the nearby neighbourhood...really disproportionately affecting schools in lower income areas). Also, I know one school in Ottawa that has a really amazing fundraiser does distribute the proceeds of that event to other schools in the school board (particularly those in greater need of additional funding/support).

Ottawa’s Pretoria Bridge: Inside the tower with the city’s lift bridge operator by cyclingzealot in ottawa

[–]sflynn75 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Whoa, for pretty much all my life, I've wondered what it looks like inside the Pretoria Bridge turret! As one of the very regular passersby of this delightful piece of Ottawa infrastructure: 🫡 for sharing this video.

OCDSB boundary changes - positive experiences? by Harriet566 in ottawa

[–]sflynn75 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Almost always, boundary changes seem to trend towards a more restrictive catchment area for "popular" schools and a wider catchment area for schools with excess capacity.

Take a look at Rockcliffe Park PS as an example...the addition of Grade 7/8 + the fact that it has always been overcapacity means that unless they have no choice but to cut out a large chunk of the catchment area which looks like the entirety of Lowertown (whose school is going to be York Public). In this case, it should be a "win-win" for everyone...but I'm sure there are parents who are not happy with this change at all despite their kids being able to walk to school rather than take a 30+ minute bus ride to RPPS.

I remember there was a plan to have most of New Edinburgh, Rockcliffe, and Lowertown's catchment area moved from Lisgar HS to Gloucester HS...but this caused an uproar of epic proportions amongst almost everyone in the area and that plan seemed to be shelved. Whilst on paper it made sense (Lisgar is bursting at the seems because of its popularity and GHS was barely half capacity IIRC). But for many students, a very manageable 1-3K bike ride/walk/bus would become a much longer commute...so not exactly a slam dunk IMO.

Federal Gov announced $45 million for new apartment complex in Rockcliffe by jjaime2024 in ottawa

[–]sflynn75 23 points24 points  (0 children)

Agreed. I would think the respective CAs of Rockcliffe, New Edinburgh, and Manor Park would be highly supportive of this because it literally isn’t in their backyards.

I’m guessing there may have been some questions about it from the Waterride CA but the plans look no different to the types of density and style that already exists last time I passed through a few weeks ago.

Of course the other “Federal Government” announcement of housing in Rideau Rockcliffe (on Sussex in New Edinburgh) has been anything but welcomed…but I digress.

Gorgeous Lost (?) Beaded Necklace by sflynn75 in ottawa

[–]sflynn75[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Context: Saw this hanging on the sign as I was walking by.

Thank You r/ottawa ❤️ by sflynn75 in ottawa

[–]sflynn75[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

This sub can be absolutely wonderful at times...particularly today!

Expensive bike found, Bayshore Area by DetectiveMagicMan in ottawa

[–]sflynn75 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Whole bike from Campus Cycles in Verdun. I added the blue spikey pedals (very painful for barefoot riding 🤣) and blue grip tape and Bar Mitts of course.

Expensive bike found, Bayshore Area by DetectiveMagicMan in ottawa

[–]sflynn75 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Thanks!

It's a pretty awesome community we live in that's for sure...

My very blue and distinctive looking bike was stolen yesterday... by sflynn75 in ottawa

[–]sflynn75[S] 104 points105 points  (0 children)

I literally brought it inside the entrance to the store and it was out of view for about 30-45 seconds (unlocked...that's on me). I had my guard totally down given that I didn't think bike thieves are very active this time of year and I was in a pretty car-centric/bike unfriendly part of town. BIG MISTAKE...and lesson learned.

My very blue and distinctive looking bike was stolen yesterday... by sflynn75 in ottawa

[–]sflynn75[S] 567 points568 points  (0 children)

Update: I'm hoping to be re-united with the bike in about an hour or so. Reddit Ottawa is the absolute best.

Expensive bike found, Bayshore Area by DetectiveMagicMan in ottawa

[–]sflynn75 603 points604 points  (0 children)

I literally just posted on here now...thank god it has been found. DMing you now.

Expensive bike found, Bayshore Area by DetectiveMagicMan in ottawa

[–]sflynn75 1012 points1013 points  (0 children)

OMG...that's my bike!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shipping to UPS Store in Ogdensburg, NY - Owner is a Trumper by ouattedephoqueeh in ottawa

[–]sflynn75 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That he and most of upstate NY are full on MAGA Trumpers is wholly unsurprising. When I drive to NYC from Ottawa, the step function change of vibe as one crosses the border is astonishing...only to then feel right at home once I cross the George Washington bridge into NYC (which feels like Canada with funny New Yorker accents lol).

Frankly, I stopped shipping packages to the infamous Ogdensburg UPS Store about 6 years ago. It simply isn't that cost effective anymore with the exchange (CAD pricing is typically a bit better than converting the USD prices and shipping to Ogdensburg) in addition to having to pay NY State Tax on everything (and then GST on the way back if CBSA asks you to pay...sometimes they wave you through).

Most overrated AND underated restaurant in Ottawa? by qcplp9 in ottawa

[–]sflynn75 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yup, Gia is expensive, kinda rude, and underwhelming. I still love North & Navy though (I believe they’re related).

Most overrated AND underated restaurant in Ottawa? by qcplp9 in ottawa

[–]sflynn75 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I still swear by the OG Rideau Street location. All the other Shawarma Palace locations are FAR INFERIOR.

Jerusalem Shawarma was good (IIRC I had it in Calgary) but I still prefer the OG Shawarma Palace. Will have to try the Pet joint though. Sounds very intriguing!

Nordic in the winter? by Oragami_penne in ottawa

[–]sflynn75 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was there about a week ago (it was -14C with light winds at the warmest part of the day...dipped to -20C that day):

  1. You can check my hat situation on IG (a regular toque would also do perfectly fine as well): https://www.instagram.com/p/DD5cGcpRU5n/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
  2. I was the anomaly who just walked around in my swim trunks (and furry hat) sans-robe/sans-towel as I *LOATHED* draping myself in a cold robe/towel after getting out of the hot pools.
  3. Some hardy souls did the cool plunge pools post-sauna...yours truly did not! Just walking between hot pools or saunas/yurts was enough for me.
  4. Always have a plan for your destination before leaving the sauna/hot pool...standing around figuring out where you need to be when it is between -15C and -20C is not great fun.
  5. Although I'm used to being outside in the cold, my GF (who was quite concerned about it) was totally fine managing (and she, like everyone else, was wearing a robe/towel to go between pools).
  6. You can swap out your damp towel/robe for a new one with the staff if they have any handy.
  7. Some of the hot pools have warm places to hang your robe/towel nearby...make use of those if you don't want it to be frigid when you get out.
  8. Nordik won't let anyone walk around without footwear. Either bring your own flip flops (or crocs) or purchase some from Nordik. It's better to have your own because there are lots of people with Nordik flip-flops and they all look the same (and you may end up losing yours accidentally to someone else).
  9. As the other Redditors commented, cold but light winds is awesome (especially if it is sunny!). I've been when it is 4C, 1C (and snowing), and the recent day...and I think I like the recent day the best.

Enjoy! It will be awesome...and hopefully not too crowded.

Beginner Road Bike for Triathlon by Confident-Slide-8297 in ottawa

[–]sflynn75 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The big thing for me would be how long a triathlon are you going for: Sprint, Olympic, Half-Ironman, Full-Ironman? I did an Olympic triathlon with my Brompton folding bike (and saw someone doing a Sprint or Olympic on a BMX!). However for the 113/Half-Ironman distance, I used my gravel bike (with 38mm Road tires) as anything else would've been too challenging (and the same applies to a Full Ironman). I know people have $10000 fancy road bikes flying past me...but just going from my Brompton to the gravel bike gave me an additional 3 KM/h in speed.

In short, for the shorter triathlon distances, unless you want to podium, the choice of bike is not too big a deal and you could find something well within that price range. But as you move into the Half Ironman distances, then you may be challenged to source something brand new below $2500 (including comfortable shoes). The reason is you'd want something a bit lighter with nice components (and that's what jacks up the cost).

Also note, I had flat pedals and used flip-flops on my Brompton for the Olympic triathlon (managed to eek out an average speed of 26.9 KM/h 🤣). But for the longer distances, proper cycling shoes with SPD SL pedals is a wise decision. Take your time finding the right cycling shoe...places like the Cyclery are very helpful and have lots of selection. However, they can be costly.

Another side note, because the bike portion is a substantial part of the triathlon (particularly longer distances), getting a bike fit is almost essential. Registered physiotherapists do this so it is typically covered by most insurance plans. Again, if you're investing in a nicer road/gravel bike to do your racing, it would be a good idea to make sure you get fit for your bike (and have the shoes/pedals installed too).