Okay…..I am one of those people that does not enjoy reading all of the fine print on museum walls and looking at butterflies impaled with straight pins under glass.  Our family was none that had family outings e very Sunday afternoon….rain or shine. I will also ‘fess up that the Museum of Nature was my least favourite. It reminded me of a tired amusement park….you know the type….  Well not any more.

  As of Saturday this week, we will meet our new Museum of Nature. I am not sure if I would want to be at the grand opening at noon (I HATE crowds!), but I will definitely be there before Sept 6th as that is when three temporary exhibits depart, one being the Canadian Wildlife photography competition.

   To check out more details go to www.Nature.ca

It is wonderful to be able to promote the work of both friend & local artist- Allison Fagan. She never stops amazing me!!! She is an award-winning pencil crayon artist, an incredible singer, and now author! Where does it stop Allison??

I envy those people that think of something and then actually do it. Allison shares her son Tim’s favourite childhood story with the world now, in her first children’s book- Timmy Meets the Dinosaurs

In the early eighty’s, Allison wrote Timmy Meets the Dinosaurs for her son, Tim, who was 4 years old and “dinosaur crazy”. In 2008, she dusted off her creation and published the book for her granddaughter, Ella, on her 4th birthday. The book is from the author and is available at Chapters – Kanata Centrum location – in the local author’s section.

Check it out on her website too at http://www.allisonfagan.com/

It seems like yesterday that I had my two boys home, and this time of year meant, besides the obligatory raking of lawns and buying seeds etc, the planning of “free-time” in the summer. What an oxymoron as the time they spent certainly was not FREE.

Planning & registration time is here though and one can get started by downloading the “Summer Camps” guide at: http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/pdf/oc_summer_camp08.pdf

Take note that the City of Ottawa may be forced to relocate your car in order to remove snow.  If your car is missing, call 311 and you will be directed to its location. No towing fees will be applied. (unless you have done a big no-no such as the fire hydrant thing).

For updated info on what parts of the city are out of bounds for parking, check the city’s site at : http://www.ottawa.ca/seasonal_items/snow_en.html

I still remember the thrill of blasting down Iron Ore Hill in Jacksonville, N.B. Toboggan racing. Face flush from excitement and winter chill. Wonderful memories.

For the child in all of us….and for your own children….you can enjoy the great winter blasts that we have been receiving by heading back to one of the many toboggan hills in Ottawa.  For a complete list: http://ottawa.ca/residents/parks_recreation/seasonal/fw/toboganning/sledding_hills_en.html

The NCC has also just reopened two of their hills in the Greenbelt: one at the Conroy Pit & the other at Bruce Pit. For details: http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/bins/ncc_web_content_page.asp?cid=16297-16299-9735-9736-31536&lang=1

I like my list of To-Do’s today (outside of the normal daily activities involved in operating a  business):

1.Get my allergy shot (ok…..so I really don’t look forward to this one!)

2. Catch a view of the total eclipse of the moon tonight at 10:26pm. (last chance for 2 years so DON”T MISS IT!)  The Canada Science and Technology Museumis hosting a free Eclipse of the Moon Star party. Don’t miss this opportunity to let Museum staff guide you through the night skies, otherwise you will have to wait almost two years – the next lunar eclipse will be December 21, 2010. When: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 7:30 p.m. Where: Canada Science and Technology Museum 1867 St. Laurent Blvd, Ottawa

3. Participating in Ottawa’s Kindness initiative. From Feb 15-24th it is Kindness Week in Ottawa, “celebrating the kindness that exists and encouraging the kindness that can be.” http://www.kindottawa.ca/ . I am watching for random acts of kindness today & then writing about them on the website (haven’t seen anything yet! Could be because my husband, who thinks that morning is the curse of being alive, is the only living being that I have as of yet seen)  AND more importantly, performing acts of kindness. My eyes are on you today!