The NCC’s Yumi Webster shares her secret (and how you can warm up at Winterlude)

Born and bred in Ottawa, Yumi Webster is passionate about Canada’s Capital Region, museums, photography and peanut M&Ms. Sometimes, she tweets. She works at the National Capital Commission as Coordinator of School Programs and Youth Engagement. All opinions here are her own.

I’m going to let you in on a little secret about me. But before I do, there is something you need to understand about where I work.

I work for the National Capital Commission, and we are champions of winter.

During that cold snap we had in mid-January when everyone else was suddenly Googling “last minute sun holiday cheap,” people at my workplace were high-fiving each other in the elevator and saying, “This is great canal weather!”

So, here’s my secret: I really, really dislike the cold. Oh, I get out on the Rideau Canal Skateway every year, and I’ve been snow shoeing in Gatineau Park. I enjoy the Winterlude ice sculptures and I’ll definitely be bringing my toddler to Snowflake Kingdom for the snow slides. But the truth is, after about 30 minutes outside in the cold, the novelty of having rosy cheeks wears off and I just want to go inside and drink hot cocoa.

She might work for the NCC, but Yumi secretly hates the cold…

“I think one of the events should take place indoors,” I told my boss, earnestly, hoping she couldn’t smell desperation. “Somewhere warm. Cozy, even. Maybe with hot cocoa.”

And that is how “Chill Out and Warm Up,” a showcase of heart-warming short films created by youth, came to be.

The evening, which is geared toward young adults, ages 16 to 24, is taking place at HUB Ottawa on Saturday, February 16, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. We’ll be screening nine short films, some of which have won fantastic awards and all of which are awesome and uplifting. Admission is free.

Not only did youth create the films, but we also had a group of youth help us select them. They did a fantastic job. Sarah and the Sock Puppet is goofy and quirky, and delivers a message about being true to yourself without getting hokey. I was both moved and impressed by a fantastic hip-hop video created by four girls in a youth detention centre in British Columbia. And I fell a little bit in love with Jérémie, a 12-year-old boy from Quebec who has a lot to teach us about turtles and a positive attitude.

 Oh, and there will be hot cocoa. And popcorn. And maybe even cookies.

(For the record, there are plenty of great outdoor youth events during Winterblast, if you’re one of those people. Check out the Winterlude website to plan your Winterblast Weekend. Or follow the NCC on Facebook or Twitter.)

Thanks Yumi! What’s your favourite part of Winterlude? 

The Bonsai People in Ottawa – Doc & Discuss on microcredits and social business Thursday at the Hub

Jane Porter is the Community Lead at Hub Ottawa and sustainability consultant at Stratos. After a three year stint in Finland studying and working with sustainable startups, she’s jumped into the Ottawa scene face first to see what’s shaking, vibrant and green. 

Not quite the same as having Muhammad Yunus (the Nobel Peace winner who kickstarted microcredit) in Ottawa but close!

Tomorrow night we’ll be hosting our first ‘Doc & Discuss’ at Hub Ottawa with the feature length documentary film, the Bonsai People.  This film explores the work of Muhammad Yunus and his vision from microcredit to social business. Holy Mosher (Director and Producer) will be there to lead us through the group discussion, comments, and plans for continuing community actions. Popcorn is included! 

Date: April 12, 2012

Time:  7pm-9pm (doors open at 6:45) 

Place: Hub Ottawa 

Cost: $8

Registration: http://docdiscussbonsai.eventbrite.com/

Wait a minute, what’s this Hub Ottawa place you ask? 

hubottawa.org

Great question! It’s Ottawa’s hottest new social innovation studio. If international development, sustainability, arts and culture, or just making social change happen is your thing – then the Hub is your place to work, meet interesting people and get your own ideas off the ground! 

hubottawa.org

Opened just last month at 71 Bank St. (between Sparks and Queen), we’re happy to say that we have more than 100 members in Ottawa, and 4,000 social entrepreneurs globally through the Hub World network.

Come to the Doc & Discuss to check us out or drop by any time!

Thanks Jane!

A year covering sustainable fashion: Ef Magazine’s editor-in-chief reviews 2011

Ef Magazine hosted its launch party at Flock Boutique just over one year ago on Jan. 14, 2011

Malorie Bertrand (Twitter) is Editor-in-Chief of Eco-Fashion Magazine. Growing up in Aylmer, Quebec, Malorie left the Capital region as a child before moving back after university. In addition to her passion for green fashion, she loves staying active, cooking for friends and staying up-to-date on all of Ottawa’s fun happenings.

I was talking to someone not too long ago about Ef’s launch party at Flock Boutique and I couldn’t remember if it had been a year or two years ago. I thought to myself: “It couldn’t have been just a year ago. So much has happened!” But it has been just one year since we introduced Ef to Ottawa’s vibrant community and what a year it has been. Goodness, I managed to say ‘year’ six times in one paragraph.

So being January and all — and with the magazine’s one year anniversary fast approaching (Jan. 14, 2012) — now is as good a time as ever to reflect on the magazine’s achievements in 2011 and goals for 2012.

The launch party on Jan. 14 of last year was hugely successful in many respects thanks to everyone who attended. We met future writers and stylists who would soon contribute to features and photo shoots. We met our new readers who shared their thoughts on sustainable fashion and what they would like to see in Ef. We forged partnerships with local eco-designers, bloggers and business owners. That night was the night we discovered that if you put yourself and your passions out there, the world will respond in great waves of support and enthusiasm.

Model Evie Marshall wears a piece by Samantha Nemiroff Jewellery for Ef's spring photo shoot

Since then, we’ve interviewed eco-model and entrepreneur Summer Rayne Oakes about the launch of Source4Style and we toured Noho’s eco-boutiques with The Green Shows producer Merwin Andrade. We’ve featured the designs of Nixxi, Sans Soucie, U.K.-based Colin Ball Eyewear, Italy-based Quagga and local designers Kania Couture, Sessiedress, Amber Watkins and Samantha Nemiroff, to name a few. Ef was blessed to have contributed articles from Ottawa’s Be Healthy, Be Beautiful and the U.K.’s Offset Warehouse. Ottawa’s passionate fashion bloggers, writers, stylists, models and photographers have been crucial to the success of the magazine so a huge thank you goes out to them – you know who you are!

Aside from the magazine’s editorial focus, we’ve established exciting partnerships with individuals, organizations and businesses. Ef helped promote Lilo Empire’s premier Ecolux Showcase in June. We were honoured to collaborate with Slow Fashion Forward to launch the annual Fashion on Display in October and I was asked to provide guidance on sustainable fashion for the production of a local documentary called Something More Comfortable by Heart Attack Films. Through these opportunities, we’ve witnessd Ottawa’s growing demand for eco-fashion and the market’s promising response.

Window display at Victoire Boutique's Dalhousie location for Fashion on Display

All of this is to say that Ottawa has so much to offer anyone with an idea and the willingness to ask for help. We’ve learned that Ef is not only an online magazine that promotes sustainable fashion; it is an incredible conduit to discover the culture and vibrant creativity of the city of Ottawa. The Hub Ottawa, a truly innovative concept to support social innovation, has been an amazing resource for us. Their unique networking events are inspirational and the best place to meet like-minded, enthusiastic go-getters in the city. Through the Hub Ottawa we’ve met many of our contributors and not mention, great friends.

Ef Magazine's Swapapalooza clothes swap at Bowich drew an eager crowd of sustainable fashionistas

Looking ahead, Ef’s goals for 2012 are to get to know our readers better and give them more ways to interact with us and contribute content. We want to spread our focus more from Ottawa to across Canada and abroad. There are so many talented designers and businesses around the world that we want to highlight this year.

We want to continue to grow our team of contributors so we can provide perspectives from all around and even from the elusive male perspective! And lastly, continue to participate in local/national events that promote sustainable fashion and lifestyle. Oh, we can’t forget – to have fun. This is after all, fashion.|

To mark the beginning of Ef’s second year, we’ve organized a Paper Bag one-year anniversary party at Fresco’s Guest Room for all to attend on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012 from 5-9 p.m. We invite all of our guests to create their own paper bag outfits for a chance to win a prize. We have a couple surprise announcements to make so don’t miss out! This event is a chance for Ef to personally thank all friends, contributors and supporters and to celebrate another year of sustainable style in Ottawa and abroad.

Wow, sounds like a big year of accomplishments, Mal! Here’s to many more. And continue to check out Ef Magazine for everything from the sustainable style field.

Are you a closet ‘ideas’ person? Join Hub Ottawa during its pop-up weekend!

Hub Ottawa's new home is at 71 Bank Street (6th Floor)

Jane Porter (blog/Twitter) is a the Community Lead at Hub Ottawa and sustainability consultant at Stratos. After a three year stint in Finland studying and working with sustainable startups, she’s jumped into the Ottawa scene face first to see what’s shaking, vibrant and green. 

Do you dream up ideas to change the world (but then quietly tuck them away and put on your business clothes to get back to your day job?)

I remember a few years ago while away at school, I used to dream up all of these wonderful ideas about stimulating youth to think big and take on jobs that had meaning. My theory went that if we had more people “making change their day job,” our world would be a better place. Fast forward: I’m now back in Ottawa and – and doing just that in setting up Hub Ottawa!

What exactly is Hub Ottawa? Well, it’s a concept that combines dynamic work/think spaces, collaborative community and an accelerator to enable people to kick-start, grow and launch socially driven initiatives and enterprises that address pressing challenges we face. It’s also a place to brainstorm, meet, work, connect and innovate. At a Hub, individuals and groups can find the inspiration they need to kick-start an idea, find the support they need, and reach their goals faster when surrounded by a community of social innovators that makes everyone smarter and more effective.

The Hub team hard at work

While we’ve been at work for months now — working with such great teams as VRTUCAR and EF Magazine —  Hub Ottawa finally has a studio space  downtown where people with ideas to ‘change the world’ can work, play, connect and create.  We’re very excited to be (sort of) opening this weekend at 71 Bank Street, 6^th Floor (by  Bank and Sparks) with a  Hub Pop Up Weekend. Even better, we’re inviting YOU to help design the future space, which will officially launch in early 2012.

Check out the details below for this coming weekend:  

Designing the Space with Future Members
Friday, Nov. 25 from 5:30 pm to 8 pm
Open for our future members to go design crazy in the 3100 sq. ft. open space and help us co-create the collaborative work studio.  Professional designers/architects & students will be joining! If you want to be a member, let us know at hubottawa2011@gmail.com. 

Pop in for Pop UP! (Open to the public)
Saturday, Nov. 26 from 10 am to 5 pm, and Sunday, Nov. 27 from 10 am to 1 pm
Everyone is invited to drop in throughout the day to check out the buzz of Hub Ottawa, when you’ll be able to learn what becoming a member is all about. Pop in and talk to us! We’ll also be holding a Design Charrette.

A design what?  Design Charrette (taken from Wikipedia): 

A charrette (pronounced [shuh-ret], often Anglicized to charette and sometimes called a design charrette) consists of an intense period of design activity.

Design and architecture students from Carleton U and Algonquin College, plus other young professionals, will be turning our future members’ ideas into reality during Hub Ottawa’s design charrette. Tell them what you’d like to see at the Hub throughout the weekend! Then, on Sunday from 10-12pm, we’ll be hearing their presentations.

YOU can help design the Hub Ottawa space this weekend by sharing your ideas

If you’re interested in joining the Hub, we’ll be having some crazy membership discounts available this weekend as well. Come to Pop Up to find out more! ALL TAKING PLACE AT 71 BANK ST. (6TH FLOOR) THIS WEEKEND.

Sorry to say that the elevator is currently out … but it’s a good workout.  

And just so you know, we’re not alone in doing this either. There are “Hubs” in over 30 cities around the world including: London, Helsinki, Johannesburg, Melbourne, Sao Paolo, Cairo, San Francisco and Halifax – and they’re all connected.  Very cool.  

Any questions? Register for the Pop Up Weekend here, and don’t hesitate to contact Jane or anyone on the Hub Ottawa team.