Des 40 photos gagnantes, trois photographes ont reçu de l’équipement de photographie, offert par Henry’s Canada :

Choix du jury Vineeth Sampathkumar (Ottawa, Ont.)
Choix du public Amanda Hrabi (Calgary, Alb.)
Choix de Henry’s Austin Jean (Gatineau, Qc)

« Je suis ravi de voir ma photo choisie ainsi. C’est formidable que de jeunes photographes passionnés et compétents aient la chance de montrer leurs photos à un endroit aussi emblématique, » a déclaré Vineeth Sampathkumar, gagnant du prix Choix du jury.

Présentée dans le cadre des programmes jeunesses de la CCN, la Galerie Dows est un espace extérieur dans la capitale du Canada où les jeunes peuvent montrer leurs talents artistiques. D’ici la fin de la saison de patinage, des centaines de milliers de patineurs sur le canal Rideau, ainsi que les visiteurs virtuels à une galerie en ligne, pourront admirer les œuvres Art Éco.

« La CCN met tout en œuvre pour trouver des façons nouvelles et novatrices de donner une voix aux jeunes dans leur capitale, a déclaré Guy Laflamme, vice-président principal, direction de l’Expérience de la capitale, communications et marketing de la CCN. Ces images, de jeunes artistes de partout au pays, sont une source d’inspiration, et nous sommes ravis de présenter leurs interprétations visuelles et artistiques, sous le thème de l’environnement, pour le plaisir de tous. »La CCN a officiellement ouvert la 42^e saison de patinage sur la patinoire du canal Rideau le 15 janvier 2012. Reconnue comme étant la plus grande patinoire du monde par la société Guinness World Records™ en 2005, la patinoire du canal Rideau reçoit, en moyenne, un million de visites chaque année. La célèbre surface glacée est l’un des sites officiels du Bal de Neige, qui a lieu du 3 au 20 février 2012.

Pour plus de renseignements sur les programmes jeunesse de la CCN, la patinoire du canal Rideau, Bal de Neige ou tout autre programme, les gens du public peuvent communiquer avec la CCN au 613-239-5000, au 1-800-465-1867 (sans frais), au

613-239-5090 (ATS) ou au 1 800 661-3530 (ATS sans frais), ou visiter le site Web de la CCN au www.capitaleducanada.gc.ca.

Of the 40 winning photographs, three artists have been awarded a prize package of photography equipment, courtesy of Henry’s Canada:

Jury’s Choice Award, Vineeth Sampathkumar (Ottawa, Ont.)
People’s Choice Award, Amanda Hrabi (Calgary, Alta.)
Henry’s Choice Award, Austin Jean (Gatineau, Qué.)

“I’m elated that my photograph was chosen. I think it’s great that young photographers, who have such a strong passion and skill for the art, are given the chance to showcase their photos at such an iconic venue,” said Vineeth Sampathkumar, winner of the Jury’s Choice Award.

Part of the NCC’s youth programming, Dows Gallery is an outdoor space in Canada’s Capital where youth can express themselves through art. From now until the end of the skating season, Eco Art will display the winning works of art to hundreds of thousands of skaters on the Rideau Canal Skateway, as well as to virtual visitors in an online gallery.

“The NCC continually strives to find new and innovative ways to give youth a voice in their Capital,” said Guy Laflamme, Senior Vice-President, Capital Experience, Communications and Marketing, NCC. “These works by young artists from across the country are an inspiration, and we’re delighted to present their artistic and visual interpretations of the environmental theme for all to enjoy.”

The NCC officially opened the 42^nd skating season of the Rideau Canal Skateway on January 15, 2012. Recognized by the Guinness World Records™ in 2005 as the world’s largest skating rink, the Rideau Canal Skateway receives, on average, one million visits each year. The world-famous ice surface becomes one of the official sites for Winterlude, which takes place from February 3 to 20, 2012.

For more information about the NCC’s youth programs, the Rideau Canal Skateway, Winterlude or other NCC programs, the public can contact the NCC at 613-239-5000, 1-800-465-1867 (toll-free), 613-239-5090 (TTY) or 1-866-661-3530 (toll-free TTY), or visit the NCC’s website at www.canadascapital.gc.ca.

Grants Ontario supports elements of the 2011 Partnership Project report where non-profit organizations asked the Ontario Government to ‘… institute standardized application forms, timelines accountability and reporting requirements across ministries by moving as much as possible online.

Benefits of Grants Ontario

Simplified application process

By replacing antiquated software Grants Ontario now allows you to locate, draft and submit grant applications, check application status and manage reports – all online!

Grants Ontario’s automated features relieve the burden of repeated manual input of information which reduces the amount of time spent on submitting applications. Once you have registered, the system will automatically record your contact details such as name, address and title, and uses common application questions to simplify online submissions.

The addition of online report filing in April 2012 will further reduce workload and demonstrates a commitment to a cleaner environment. Payment processes to successful applicants will also be streamlined.

Secure information

Grants Ontario is a secure system that can only be accessed via the Government of Ontario’s encrypted ONE key log-in system. Until data is submitted to the ministry only the applicant will see it.

Get Ready for Grants Ontario

While program application material is not yet available, grant recipients and prospective applicants are encouraged to register on the Grants Ontario system to obtain their One-Key ID and password as soon as possible.

Applicants must complete the enrolment process on the new Grants Ontario before applying to any of the Ministry’s funding programs.

Find out more about Grants Ontario

Visit Grants Ontario ( www.grants.gov.on.ca)  to access the online training material and a Frequently Asked Questions section. Technical support will be available during regular business hours.

Organizers of the Beaver Cup Pond Hockey Festival will attempt to set a Guinness World Record on the Rideau Canal skateway next weekend for the longest breakaway goal.

The attempt will start at 7:15 a.m. on Feb. 11 on the ice near Chateau Laurier, and six skaters will pass the puck to each other in a relay-style trek across the 7.8-kilometre skateway.

The Beaver Cup Festival is a weekend-long four-on- four pond-hockey tournament. Participants in the tournament will include Ottawa Senators alumni and media personalities.

Read full story: He skates and skates and skates … and scores

Jean Levac, The Ottawa Citizen

A proposed smoking ban on municipal properties such as City Hall could hurt attendance at the Capital Pride festival, say organizers who are calling for a grace period this summer if the new rules are approved.

Proposed bylaw amendments would see smoking prohibited on city properties such as parks, beaches, sports fields and areas outside municipal facilities, as well as bar and restaurant patios.

Events on city properties would also be smoke-free under the regulations, something that would affect the 2012 Capital Pride festival planned for Marion Dewar Plaza outside City Hall, organizers said.

Read more: Capital Pride organizers want grace period on outdoor smoking ban

Photograph by: Wayne Cuddington, Ottawa Citizen

Traditional favourites such as ice sculptures at Confederation Park are now joined by new events such as the Ottawa Winter Jazz Festival.

Winterlude runs for three weeks until February 20.

“We wanted to put in place a program that is even less vulnerable to fluctuating weather conditions,” said Guy Laflamme, senior vice-president, capital experience, communications and marketing at the National Capital Commission. “I think we’ve done extremely well.”

Read more: Winterlude bigger, more weatherproof than ever, NCC says

Photograph courtesy of The Ottawa Citizen, by: Bruno Schlumberger

If you’re trying to interest your young children in contemporary art, then Confederation Park is the place for you. Winterlude has brought 10 installations to the park, and while the pieces are hit-and-miss artistically, most are sure to fire a kid’s imagination.

Blizzart is a part of the National Capital Commission’s plan to weatherproof the annual festival. A warm snap can make short work of the ice sculptures that are ingeniously carved by international teams in the park each year, so the NCC has chosen 10 artists from across Canada to make less-vulnerable installations on the theme of “northern passion.” They were in various stages of installation when I visited on Thursday, and a crazy variety of materials were being put to use, from old mittens and hockey sticks to coloured glass and even ice – though not as it’s used in the familiar sculptures nearby.

Read more @ Ottawa Citizen online: Blizzart adds some northern passion

The Ottawa area is synonymous with winter sports and Winterlude certainly lives up to that reputation.

The three weeks of festivities are replete with events that range from deadly serious to the downright goofy.

This year’s highlight is Hockey Day in Canada, Feb 11 at 7 a.m. It features the Guinness World Record attempt for the longest hockey breakaway on the Rideau Canal at the Chateau Laurier.

Full story: Get your body movin’ at Winterlude

If you plan to take in some of the exciting sights of Winterlude this month, don’t be surprised to skate upon an art exhibit of a different kind — Portraits on the Ice. This refreshing outdoor gallery returns to the Rideau Canal Feb. 3, this time to mark the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812.

The exhibit showcases 10 portrait reproductions that represent some of the French- and English-speaking militia and colonists, British officers and First Nations allies who were a part of, or were affected by, the War of 1812. The original works of art were created in a variety of media — paintings, prints and photography.

Read the rest of the story on Metro Ottawa online: Skate back in history with Portraits on Ice

Photo courtesy of Ottawa Jazz Festival

Known for ice sculpture and skating on the canal, Winterlude hasn’t necessarily always been a key destination for the musically oriented. The JazzFest’s Petr Cancura is hoping to change that with this year’s Winter Jazzfest. We got some answers from Petr on what you can expect at the festival and why he thought jazz might be just what the Ottawa winter needs.

The Winter Jazzfest starts this evening and runs until Saturday. Shows take place in venues throughout the city. For a full schedule and information on tickets, visit the Jazz Festival Website.

For the full interview, please visit Apt 613: Ottawa’s Winterlude presents Jazzfest for music lovers