Happy New Year!
Wishing health and happiness to all!
We are beginning the year with our Annual General Meeting â reviewing 2018 and discussing what the plan is for 2019. Already, we have committed to putting Westboro on the map in new and exciting ways!
This year, Westboro Village will be sponsoring the Sir John A. Macdonald (SJAM) Winter Trail, a groomed multi-use winter trail along the SJAM multi-use pathway that promotes active living along the Ottawa River Shoreline, and welcomes a diversity of users, whether they are walking, on skis, snowshoes or a snow bike. Westboro Village will sponsor the Kitchissippi Woods segment of the trail where âWinterlude on the SJAMâ a ski the loop activation, is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 2 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Bring out the family for a great evening, and experience Winterlude right here in Westboro! Donât forget to stop into the many places in Westboro Village to warm yourself up from the inside out.
This year, we will also be welcoming a new Westboro Village BIA board of management. This will be ultimately voted on at the annual general meeting, January 9, and ratified by the city of Ottawa in February/March. The candidates are volunteers that represent the businesses in the area: Molly Van der Schee, The Village Quire (re-elect); Steve Harding, Xactly Design (re-elect); Darren Prashad, Merit Travel (re-elect); Richard Bown, Urban Turf (re-elect); Rick Eisert, Royal LePage; Sheba Schmidt, West End Kids, Alan Whitten, Huntington Properties.
Weâd like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dan Hwang, chairman, Bill Bourk, vice-chairman, and Rick Morris, treasurer as they officially end their tenure from the board after many, many years of volunteer service to this business community. Thank you!
Dave Adams is the head groomer of the SJAM Winter Trail. Photo by Ellen Bond
Winter in Westboro
The snow arrived early this year, which means we’ve had even more time to enjoy the SJAM Winter Trail (wintertrail.ca) located in the heart of Westboro! This groomed multi-use winter trail along the Sir John A. Macdonald (SJAM) multi-use pathway (MUP) provides access to the Ottawa River shoreline and welcomes a diversity of users, whether you are walking, on skis, snowshoes or a snow bike. The salt-free trail will respect environmental sensitivities unique to the river shoreline.
Westboro Village BIA is a proud sponsor of the SJAM trail. They not only manage and groom the trail but offer some great events as well! Mark your calendars for the Ski Festival at Remic Rapids Park on Sunday, January 20. It will feature a ski loop for kids and adults as well as a fat bike competition. Then, on the first Saturday night of Winterlude, the BIA is hosting a bonfire and hot chocolate at Kitchissippi Woods. The event starts at 6:30 p.m.
If youâre just learning to ski or want to learn more about where to ski locally, sign up for the Nordic Skiing 101 event hosted by Bushtukah (203 Richmond Rd.) on the evening of January 29. You will learn about the best places to ski, about the different types of skis and which are right for you. They also have a learning clinic about winter camping on January 22. Their resident camping expert, Georges, will be on hand to share tips for extending your camping season and how to stay warm and dry during the colder months. The clinics are free, but spaces are limited so make sure to reserve your spot.
If youâre looking for the newest products to keep you warm this winter, head to Great Escape Outfitters (369 Richmond Rd.). They feature Indygena womenâs wear, which is designed to stand up to seriously cold temperatures as well as other cold-weather brand favourites for men and women such as Fjällräven and Kuhl. They also have snowshoes, hiking and walking poles and other gear that will get you outside and enjoying winter in Westboro!
New Year, new you
If getting strong is your goal for 2019, Anna Barone of Victory Strength and Boxing will help you get there. Photo by Ellen Bond
New Year’s resolutions can be hard to keep, but when the support and resources are in your backyard, chances are those resolutions will quickly become habits.
If youâre looking for a sustainable approach to fitness this year, visit Victory Strength & Boxing (294 Picton Ave.). They will assess you to determine imbalances brought about by ageing, lifestyle, injury, repetitive movement, or illness, and work to develop strong movement patterns and refocus on sustainable health. Victory offers a 20-day meal program to determine clientsâ inflammatory response to food.
Owner Anna Barone is clear about her prescription for total health, âItâs simple, actually chew your food, lift, push and pull weight properly to reinforce proper movement patterns, and actually feel your body!â Start getting into shape with the Victory Strength & Boxing series, which combines both a strength and mobility component as well as boxing in a one-hour session two times a week for eight weeks.
The reform method⢠available at Reform Health & Fitness (300-317 McRae Ave.) was designed as a complete body workout to improve strength, flexibility, co-ordination, endurance, and balance. It is intense on the muscles, but low impact and safe on the joints, spine, and connective tissues. Reform yourself with their innovative 25-minute workouts designed to strengthen your bodyâs biomechanics safely and effectively. The reform method challenges people of all ages and abilities regardless of their fitness level. They also offer a low-impact workout that helps people of all ages and abilities to start leading active lifestyles. And at just 25 minutes, the workouts are the perfect length to get in over the lunch break!
If your body needs an energy boost after a workout, drop by Raw Pulp + Grind (307A Richmond Rd.) and grab a cold-pressed juice, smoothie or superfood salad. If youâre looking to detox after indulging throughout the holiday season, take a look at their one-day, three-day or âJuice til Dinnerâ cleanses. Available for pick up or delivery, the cleanses are designed to cleanse and nurture while supplying your body with a full range of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. The ingredients also promote detoxification of the liver, kidney and bowels for a complete system reboot.
