Garden centres geared up for another pandemic planting surge
Garden centres saw a surge this time last year because of the pandemic. Since the Ontario government has declared garden centres will remain open during the stay-at-home order, they are seeing an increase in demand, again.
Hamilton area home prices soar during COVID-19 pandemic
Realtor Stacey Keric believes the effects of the pandemic will have a lasting effect on the market in the city
Pandemic pressures: “Thrifting” on the rise saving money and the environment
Thrift shopping has increased in popularity since the pandemic began, especially with young people.
Sweet success: Next chapter begins in Syrian family’s chocolate business
Peace by Chocolate, a successful Nova Scotian business — built by a Syrian refugee family — is officially expanding this week.
Start small, dream big is mantra for those looking to be urban homesteaders
During the pandemic, more and more people have been moving towards homesteading as a lifestyle. A lot of those people are living in cities, and looking for a way to live more sustainably.
Coping with COVID: Canadians are taking up hobbies to reduce stress during pandemic
As many Canadians are isolating at home, they have taken up some hobbies to deal with the added stress from the pandemic.
Road trip realities: Van dwellers adapt to the pandemic world
Some Canadians have taken to the road in homemade vans during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Canada’s updated zero-emission vehicle plan fails to go the extra mile, experts say
Although experts say that Canada's new clean transportation plan is a good step forward, it doesn't go far enough.
Local food banks adapting to meet the needs of our diverse city
Ottawa's changing population is pushing food banks to offer a variety of produce to satisfy the needs of diverse communities.
Lookahead ’21: Winter trail brings vital outdoor relief to Covid-challenged Britannia community
As Ottawa residents continue to weather the pandemic winter, volunteers with the Britannia Winter Trail Organization in the city’s west end have been working hard to provide a recreational outlet to help maintain the community’s mental and physical health. Dedicated to maintaining and improving six kilometres of natural trails in the Britannia Bay neighbourhood, BWTO officials say the outdoor amenity...
Small business adjusting while building community
Small businesses have had to adjust because of the COVID-19 pandemic. A local Ottawa business called Oat Couture had to adapt in many different ways because of lockdown measures. This photo essay was produced in the fall of 2020 and gives an in-depth look at the changes that the business had to make.
COVID-19 causing wedding woes for brides, grooms and guests
Soon-to-be brides are struggling to plan their special day as the pandemic continues to thrive in Canada.
COVID’s consequences: Photographs capture masking as part of the new normal
When the COVID-19 pandemic reached Ottawa, public health officials began enforcing face coverings indoors. People began to wear masks to try and reduce the spread of the virus. In this photo series, L. Manuel Baechlin looks at a “new normal” as experienced by some of Ottawa’s citizens.
Audio storytelling rides a wave of pandemic popularity
The pandemic has not slowed the interest in podcasting as a way to engage and interested audience.
Lookahead ’21: Museum links pandemic, wartime challenges in ‘Make Do and Mend’ workshop series
On Feb. 19, the Canadian War Museum will host the latest in its series of “Make Do and Mend” online events, which were inspired by an exhibition about everyday life during the Second World War and advocate for resourceful, self-sufficient living in 2021. During the LeBreton Flats-based museum’s closure during the COVID-19 pandemic, an online portal called Museum at Home...
Love in the time of COVID: Couples are finding ways to make Valentine’s Day special
Family therapist Miriam Baron hopes experiencing Valentine’s Day during the pandemic teaches people not to take each other for granted.
Lookahead ’21: An Ottawa organization is seeding change by helping farmers around the globe
SeedChange is continuing to help farmers grow crops and preserve farmland
Turning to TikTok: Parents of pandemic babies are finding creative ways to cope with the isolation
Nearly one year into the COVID-19 pandemic a new term is on the rise - pandemic babies.
COVID cash: Pandemic pressures may push more women to consider direct-selling opportunities
The pandemic may lead more women to participate in direct selling schemes.
The beauty business faces an ugly turn during COVID-19
Prestige beauty takes a hit worldwide as the coronavirus pandemic shows no signs of slowing down.
More than a few surprises on the long and winding road to my Zoom graduation
With online graduation approaching, Sarah-Marie Smith reflects on her time at Carleton's J-school.
Dream trip on hold: How pandemic travel restrictions grounded me and much of the world
Like many others, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected my life in some way. In my case, similarily to millions of people around the world, I was affected by travel restrictions.
Coping with COVID: Journaling could be useful self-help tool this winter, experts say
Journaling, a common therapy tool could prove useful to new demographics during the Covid-19 pandemic.
How the Harry Styles Cardigan Challenge inspired me to pick up a new hobby during the COVID-19 quarantine
Making a version of a cardigan sported by British entertainer Harry Styles inspired Capital Current's Kayla Christoffer to make one of her own.
Community gardens ready to adapt and grow in 2021
Ottawa's community gardens push to be labelled as essential in the spring saw an even greater turnout than usual, a demand leading to expansions in the 2021 season.
Mental health and ‘self-care’ likely to top New Year’s resolutions: expert
For most of 2020, people’s lives have been shaped by the pandemic. As the year comes to an end, these experiences can impact the types of New Year’s resolutions many set.
Cooking and COVID: What my tiny, dysfunctional kitchen taught me during the pandemic
For all of its many, many, short fallings, my teeny little kitchen has become my quarantine safe haven, a place for me to destress, be creative, and cultivate love and quality time.
Love in the age of COVID: How the pandemic has revolutionized online dating
It was a dull, grey afternoon in April when Jordyn McDonald, 20, finally took the plunge and joined Tinder. She wasn’t even really looking for a date. After eight long weeks in lockdown in her Northern Ontario home of 8,500 people, she just felt unbearably lonely. “The isolation in my hometown was a super lonely experience and personally, it was...
Meditation on the rise as pandemic stress intensifies
Meditation is an effective tool to mitigate pandemic stress and virtual Ottawa meditation classes are increasingly gaining popularity.
Little Italy has hopes of emerging from the food desert
Little Italy has hopes of emerging from the food desert with a new development on Rochester Street
Ottawa organizations turn food waste into meals for those in need
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to consume 2020, local organizations are trying to manage what appears to be an increasing amount of food waste.
Ottawa food stores balance low-waste mission with customer safety during COVID-19
Low waste grocery stores change protocols to try to produce less waste through single use plastic while containers are banned from some stores due to COVID-19.
While loop and tram schemes gain traction, Watson says expanding and finishing LRT remains Ottawa’s top transit priority
Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson has said that an interprovincial transit link between Ottawa and Gatineau is not a priority. Ottawa-based group Supporters of the Loop believe now is an opportune time to examine the many benefits of a rail link in the National Capital Region.
COVID-19 restrictions are causing a surge in cannabis sales and changing consumer habits in Ottawa
Learn how COVID-19 restrictions are causing a change in local cannabis retail sales and consumer habits.
Ottawa malls adapt to a new kind of holiday shopping
With current COVID-19 restrictions holiday shopping in Canada’s capital is going to look very different this year.
Blood donors needed over the holiday ‘season of giving’ despite pandemic
The holidays are the season for gift-giving but ironically many forget to give the gift of life by donating blood.
As COVID-19 drags on, traffic collisions are way down but dangerous driving may be up
Business closures and working from home during COVID-19 has reduced traffic across Ontario. How is this impacting road safety for Canadians?
Ottawa’s hard-hit tourism sector faces an uncertain future amid pandemic
Tourism spending in Canada is down, leaving Ottawa's tourism industry in crisis. The city is positioned to lose $1.4 billion in tourism spending in 2020.
Cooking for a Cause Ottawa shows what the power of good food can achieve
A food security initiative that was started due to COVID-19, hopes to continue operations into 2021.
Time to Fall Back
Before you go to bed Saturday night, remember to set your clock back one hour. Sunrise and sunset will be about an hour earlier on Sunday, but there will be more light in the morning. We are gonna need that sun as winter closes in, this year especially.
Paper bags just as environmentally damaging as plastic bags, experts say
With Canada getting ready to ban plastic bags by the end of 2021, experts are warning its most popular alternative has environmentally damaging consequences of its own.
Pandemic Pets: Consider the consequences when you adopt, experts say
Amid the pandemic the demand for pets has increased, but post-pandemic conditions may pose problems for these furry companions.
Ottawa pagans prepare to observe a physically distanced tradition on Oct. 31
Samhain, a Celtic holiday from which Halloween originates, normally involves witch balls, parties, and group rituals for Ottawa pagans. Pandemic restrictions mean community members must stay home.
Bored into beautiful: The pandemic has inspired people to embrace their creative side
Crystal D’Souza was scrolling through Tik Tok to pass the time under COVID-19 restrictions when she was struck with inspiration while watching tutorials on how to frame pressed flowers. She thought it was a cool idea. “I made the first one for my friend Katherine’s birthday and then other friends wanted one and I had a lot of spare time,...
Ottawa snowbirds prepare for a winter at home
Hundreds of thousands of Canadian snowbirds will find themselves snow-bound this winter due to COVID-19. For those staying in Ottawa, a harsh winter climate raises concerns.
Perfect weather driving massive crowds to apple orchards, forcing managers to tighten COVID rules
Apple picking season has successfully kicked off, but massive crowds and lack of masks pose problems.
Home for the High Holidays: Synagogues adapt services for pandemic times
The Jewish High Holiday season is here. But like most things in the times of coronavirus, holiday traditions and celebrations will look very different this year.
Here’s how we roll: E-scooters in Ottawa
With E-scooter fleets on Ottawa streets, here’s what you need to know about scootering.