Hope everyone is okay. Here is a list of who to call to report downed trees and flooded basements. Check in on your neighbours. Fingers crossed that the worst of the storm is over now …

Saw about 30 seconds of a fantastic Canada Day drumming show and then got caught in the deluge and found refuge at Drip House (with Chinatown legend China Doll). Stay safe and take shelter, friends!

So much thunder. Tell your dog I told them it’s gonna be okay. (Our corgi is cowering.)

A heat warning has been issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada for the City of Ottawa beginning July 1st and extending until at least July 4th. More info and the latest updates at: https://weather.gc.ca/en/location/index.html?coords=45.403,-75.687

Some tips on how to get around on Canada Day in downtown Ottawa. Please share!

Spent the morning on my bike, with city staff from the public realm and active transportation teams, showing our friends from Bloomberg Associates the best cycling infrastructure that our city has to offer.

Today we unveiled the Canadiana Block on Sparks Street, a series of murals honouring all 13 Canadian provinces and territories. This is part of the Centretown revitalization and public realm plan, tying into the downtown Arts, Culture and Entertainment District.

With more hot weather on the way, here are a few tips to keep your home cool and beat the heat. If you can, help neighbours, family, and friends prepare and check on them during heat events. Visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca/BeatTheHeat to find places to cool off and more tips.

It was nice to drop by the Cornerstone Housing for Women craft sale and BBQ at 373 Princeton in Westboro today. Cornerstone residents from across the city (including Booth and Eccles) were selling their wares, including some beautiful beaded earrings

Let’s take care of each other on hot days — please share these resources and check in on your neighbours.

One week away! Hope to see you there.

I had so much fun talking to neighbours at the @och-lco.bsky.social BBQ on Rochester Street yesterday. Strong tenant engagement helps grow welcoming communities.

My kid woke up and asked me to put on a Sleater Kinney record, then we biked to the Anarchist Bookfair, so she could buy pins for her canvass surplus-style purse. The dream of the 90s never died.

The latest issue of the Somerset Ward newsletter is out, with reflections on how DIY events make our city awesome (plus an update on the renoviction bylaw and more). Read it and sign up here: www.arieltroster.com/swm_80

Going to the vegan food fest to see the queer choir sing Pink Pony Club seems like a cliche fever dream, but is really what happened tonight at Parkdale Market

I went to a community BBQ at the @och-lco.bsky.social building on Rochester and met Marc today, who has apparently been dressing like KISS for 40 years and wears this outfit to this BBQ every year. Never change, Centretown.

It was lovely to join friends at the Somerset West Community Health Centre yesterday, to officially re-name a room after Dick Stewart. Dick led the City of Ottawa’s community and social services department for years, and then in his retirement, led the Board of Directors at Somerset West CHC.

Breakfast observer

Tonight, I was able to attend the AGMs of two organizations I value so much — the Ottawa YMCA and the Centretown Community Health Centre. Grateful to all of the staff, volunteers and board members who provide essential services to our community.

Thank you to Community Navigation of Eastern Ontario or inviting me to your AGM. I am grateful to all of the 211 dispatchers who help people access ANCHOR, downtown Ottawa’s non-police crisis intervention service. With ANCHOR’s expansion into new neighbourhoods, the team at CNEO is as busy as ever.

Ford’s dystopia: refuse to raise social assistance rates, eliminate rent control, shut down supervised consumption sites, don’t build any affordable housing … then arrest people when they have nowhere else to go.

I am ready to keep fighting for Somerset Ward and for an Ottawa that leaves no one behind. Join me at FONO (473 Bronson) on Sunday, July 5th, from 1-4 pm, to launch my re-election campaign and help us build the city we want. Light snacks provided. Join us, and bring your neighbours!

Walked my dog and bumped into to the Superhero Pizza Party on McLeod Street. Never change, Centretown (please!).

The dream of the 90s is alive with my daughter‘s grade 8 graduation shoe choice

I had the best time talking to neighbours at the Centretown Garage Sale this morning!

Don’t let the weather hold you back from Italian Week — there is still so much to do, and most restaurants have tents. Go check out the classic cars, the vendor booths, and all of the great food. Preston Street is where it’s at this weekend!

It was great to celebrate two amazing local organizations with @catmckenney.bsky.social this afternoon. First, we joined Belong Ottawa for their summer BBQ at The Well (at St. John’s Church on Elgin). They offer meals and respite space to people experiencing poverty and homelessness.

Started the day in the best way possible, by joining the Centretown Bike Bus to Devonshire PS, led by the unstoppable @cassiesmith.bsky.social. Great to be there with @jleiper.bsky.social, @bikeottawa.bsky.social and @envirocentre.bsky.social.

Thanks to Ainsley and Nancy for organizing a great meeting at the Centretown Community Health Centre, to discuss how we can ensure safety for parents and babies attending EarlyON programming, while also ensuring that harm reduction clients get the support they need. Centretown is for families ❤️

Luckily the rain held off, so we could officially launch Ottawa’s Arts, Entertainment and Culture District in the Byward Market today. The ACE District will bring public art and live performances to Centretown and Downtown, as well the Byward Market.

Are you ready to meet your neighbours and score some great deals? Hope to see you on Saturday at the Somewhat Super Centretown Sale. I’ll be out on my bike, feel free to say hi!

For those of you who were disappointed by the cancellation of the Drag Story Time at Mutchmor, you will be pleased to know your friends at The Spaniel's Tale Bookstore and Octopus Books have pulled together a free event this Saturday at 10 am. All are welcome!

It was my pleasure to offer opening remarks at today’s community engagement session for Ottawa’s Stop Hate Together campaign.

Street Seats is back this summer, with outdoor pop-up event spaces on Waverly, Frank and MacLaren off of Bank in Centretown and a brand-new space on Cambridge Street in Chinatown. Drop by and scan the QR code to find out what’s coming. Streets are for people!

Happy (rainy) opening day to the Elgin Street Market — a weekly collaboration between Ottawa Street Markets and the Centretown Community Association. Drop by Boushey Square every Sunday from 9am-1pm, rain or shine for delicious food, live music and a rotating series of interesting vendors.

Yesterday, two amazing new outdoor gathering spaces opened in Somerset Ward. In Centretown, Snider Park (at Slater and Bank) offers lush gardens, comfortable seating, free WiFi, a stage for performances, local art and coffee/mocktails.

It’s officially 613 Day! Started by the incredible Apt613 and still going strong. Drop by Fono (473 Bronson) today until 6:13 pm, for a BBQ, DJs, a raffle for awesome prizes, and music by local DJs. Love celebrating our amazing city with these community culture-makers.

The latest issue of the Somerset Ward newsletter is out, with updates on safe supply advocacy, the renoviction bylaw, Dundonald Park, Italian Week, and more! Read it and sign up here: www.arieltroster.com/swm_74

It is dangerously hot out there today, especially for anyone experiencing homelessness. Here is a list of places to cool down from @ottawapublichealth.ca: www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/public-he... You can always call 311 to get a shelter placement for someone, including transportation.

We raised the flag at City Hall today, in honour of Italian Week! Festivities go on for 11 days, starting this weekend with the Preston Bike Races. June 20/21 is the Grande Finale Weekend, with Preston Street open to people. Check out the complete calendar of events at italianweekottawa.ca.

The renoviction bylaw is headed to Planning + Housing Committee on July 8, thanks to a motion I won at City Council today — a victory for transparency and tenants’ rights. If you have were unjustly evicted, we want to hear from you. Email [email protected], to find out how you can delegate.

Great news! Cooperative housing is a fantastic model that promotes affordability and community involvement.

What a gorgeous day to be in Dundonald Park with the Indigenous Circle today. This group is made up of eight organizations that come together every week to bring Indigenous ceremony and community resources to our neighbours.

Low campaign spending limits for municipal elections make it MORE accessible for people to run for office. In recent yrs, incumbents have been toppled by candidates who did the work — knocking on doors and talking to residents. Keep big $ out of local politics. ottawacitizen.com/news/municip...

My motion to get the renovictions bylaw released for debate goes to council tomorrow. Thank you to all of the tenants who came to committee to tell your stories of being unfairly evicted. I am fighting for you.

What a blast we had at the Minto Park Sale yesterday. Hundreds of people dropped by for garage sale finds, a BBQ and bake sale to support The Door Youth Centre and music by local bands. It was so lovely to chat with so many neighbours and pet so many dogs. I ❤️ Centretown.

Such a fun day!

The Minto Park Sale is in full swing! Come on down to Elgin and Gilmour for garage sale finds, a BBQ to support The Door Youth Centre and music by the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition — we will be here till 3pm.

Thanks to the city’s Public Works staff for going on a walk with me and residents of Chinatown and Little Italy, to identify parts of the neighbourhood that need more attention every spring as part of the city’s enhanced cleaning initiative.

Congrats to The Red Apron on 20 years in Centretown — feeding the community with your delicious food and through strong partnerships with food security organizations like the Centretown Community Food Centre and @parkdalefoodcentre.bsky.social This amazing business is co-owned by six strong women 💪