Ottawa Geek Market Spends $200,000 on Anti-Bullying Security Measures

By: Keegan On

This Saturday and Sunday, the fourth semiannual Ottawa Geek Market will descend upon the Nepean Sportsplex. The popular event features comic books, videogames, cosplayers, and other “geeky” endeavours. This year, organizers have added something else to the agenda: a heavy boost to security.

“The safety of our fans is paramount to us” says Jane Westcliffe, Geek Market’s organizer. “This event is a safe haven for geeks, dorks, and people who play Yu-gi-oh!. We decided to allocate a significant portion of our budget this year to ensure that everyone has a great time.”

Included in the Geek Market’s security budget this year is a variety of state-of-the-art anti-bullying technology. Patrons with gym bags, iPhone armbands, or protein shakers will. be thoroughly screened. Recording devices will identify individuals who utilize suspicious buzzwords, such as “bro” or “lift”. Participants will be asked to answer questions at certain checkpoints, such as “Who played the 8th Doctor Who?” (Paul McGann) or “What is the heaviest Pokemon?” (Groudon).

Hopefully, these precautions will be enough to ward off any persons who harbour ill-will towards the geeks of Ottawa.

Note: Ottawhat will be sending a team to cover the Ottawa Geek Market, so if you see us there, be sure to come over and say hi!

Sun Kil Moon Releases New Album "Ottawa and Other Cities That Hurt My Feelings and are Stupidheads"

By: Keegan On

Indie rocker Sun Kil Moon made headlines last week after he cancelled his performance at CityFolk and then put out a single titled Ottawa Bluesfest is Run by Inbreds. Yesterday, he released the rest of the album, Ottawa and Other Cities that Hurt my Feelings and are Stupidheads.

The record features 14 songs that chronicle his journey through various Canadian cities from his latest tour. Judging by the song titles, such as Toronto Smells Like Garbage, it would appear that Sun Kil Moon had problems in many of the places he travelled. Other notable tracks on the album include Halifax is a Wasteland, Why Can't I Read the Stop Signs in Quebec City, and the ballad I'll Never Go Back to Vancouver, even for a Bajillion Dollars.

Westboro To Rebrand as "Hintonburg West"

By: Keegan On

A decade ago, Westboro Village enjoyed the title of “Ottawa’s Trendiest Neighborhood”. The brief stretch of Richmond Road boasted hip restaurants, quirky stores, and independent coffee shops. More recently, hipsters have set their sights further east. Hintonburg is the new hot spot for Ottawa trendsetters, where citizens enjoy a variety of expensive, niche stores. 

"Desperate times call for desperate measures" says Rachel Howkus, president of the Westboro Business Association, "We have seen a significant drop in foot traffic in our neighborhood in the last two years, and businesses are starting to suffer. There are rumours that Mountain Equipment Coop and Bridgehead are going to relocate in Hintonburg, which is unacceptable".

Last week, the Westboro Business Association held a vote to determine a new name for their area. "New Hintonburg", "Hintonberg", and even "Los Angeles" were contenders, but "Hintonburg West" won out in the end. The move is a bold one, and only time will tell if Hintonburg West will reclaim its hip vibe, or decay into a bland, suburban wasteland.

#71 - Matt Tanner

This week on the podcast, we sat down with Matt Tanner. He's a producer at Iversoft Solutions, a mobile software company. We discuss home improvement projects, the changing technology landscape in Ontario, and the pursuit of happiness.

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Sponsor -
This episode is also brought to you in part by Audible.com. Visit audibletrial.com/ottawhat today and get a free audiobook and free 30-day trial, and feel good in helping support the show.

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Links:
@mtanner613

iversoft.ca
firestarterdigital.com

Beer:

Hops and Robbers Extra Delicious IPA - Double Trouble Brewing Co.

Ottawa Senators to Change Name Amidst Senate Scandal

By: Keegan On

Yesterday morning, the Ottawa Senators held a press conference at Canadian Tire Centre. Speculation leading up to the event suggested that the team would announce a new player acquisition or the dismissal of a management member. As it turns out, members of the press were very surprised at what Brian Murphy had to say.

“Due to the recent political controversy, the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club has decided that it will search for a new team name for the 2016-2017 season. In Roman times, Senators were respectable men who stood for justice and honour. In light of recent problems in the senate, our organization no longer wishes to be associated with them."

Fans have already begun suggesting new names for Ottawa's hockey team. Twitter has exploded with ideas, with the front runners such as "the Ottawa Francophones", "the Ottawa Drones", or "the Ottawa Rough Riders”.

Public Transit Poll: OC Transpo Voted "Best" and "Worst"

By: Keegan On

Last week, the results from Ottawa's first ever Public Transit Poll were released. The poll was conducted over the span of two months, and reached approximately 25 000 people.

OC Transpo was featured heavily in the poll, and was voted "Best Public Transport Provider". Unfortunately, it also claimed the title of "Worst Public Transport Provider".

"We are obviously honoured that the citizens of Ottawa voted us "Best Public Transport Provider" said Don Henley, Public Outreach Officer for OC Transpo, "I think the results of this poll reflect the hard work that we have been doing in the community. We have the most routes, widest service, and best rates of any other bus company in Ottawa, and people appreciate that". Mr Henley refused to comment on some of the other findings of the poll, such as OC Transpo being voted "least reliable" and "rudest".

It is unclear if OC Transpo will act on any of the findings of the Public Transit Poll, but many experts predict that Ottawans will continue to use OC Transpo as their primary public transportation carrier.

Deer Shot in Greenbelt, Refuses to Cooperate with Police

By: Keegan On

Ottawa Police’s Guns and Gangs Unit were called to Crystal Beach early yesterday morning after a deer was found shot in the leg. The animal was taken to a vet with non-life threatening injuries, but would not provide police details with the attack, his injury, or even his identity.

“We see these cases a lot during this season” says Detective Annie Baron, who leads the Guns and Gangs Unit, “Deer, usually young males, fight for territory in the Greenbelt, and occasionally it boils over into a shooting. The most frustrating part is that they refuse to communicate with us. It’s one of the rules on the streets: If you’re a deer, you don’t talk to cops.”

This has been the ninth shooting of this nature of 2015, and police expect this number to go up in the coming months. “It’s a different world in there” Detective Baron sighs, “Respect and violence are king, and the best we can do is find a way to reach these young males before they fall into these crowds. It’s an ongoing process, but it’s one we are committed to.”

We've been working hard on...Ottawhat News!

The Ottawhat? hosts just getting started, along with our ever-present, but mostly silent producer, Zach.

Keegan, Amaan and I started Ottawhat? last spring as a way to get to know people around Ottawa. For 70 straight weeks, we've interviewed somebody with something interesting to say about our beloved city. Many of our episodes feature a segment called Classic Ottawa, a fun look at some of the Ottawa-est stories we come across in the week leading up to the show.

Now, we really love these stories, because so many crazy things go on every day in Ottawa. As we find these stories, we typically also end up discussing what big news story will hit our city next. With that in mind, I'm excited to introduce a new part of Ottawhat that we're just so happy to share with you, Ottawhat News! We will still post a new episode of the podcast every week, but from time to time we'll also be bringing you local news, hot off the presses.

Unlike your typical news, though, these stories are ones you could imagine happening, even if they haven't taken place yet. We really hope you like it!

You can check out the latest episode of the podcast right here, and check out the first news story, by our own Keegan On, below:

Deer Shot in Greenbelt, Refuses to Cooperate with Police

#70 - Jessica Huether (Ottawa Geek Market)

This week on the show, we spoke to Jessica Huether from Ottawa Geek Market. She told us all about the event, going on during October 3rd and 4th at the Nepean Sportsplex. Jessica also works with Carnival Diablo, Canada's only* carnival sideshow. Listen as we discuss all things geek, and get a taste of Jessica's unpublished Star Wars fan fiction.

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Sponsor -
This episode is also brought to you in part by Audible.com. Visit audibletrial.com/ottawhat today and get a free audiobook and free 30-day trial, and feel good in helping support the show.

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Links:
Jessica on Instagram
geekmarket.ca
Ottawa Geek Market on Facebook
www.carnivaldiablo.com

Beer:

Prison Break Pilsner - Double Trouble Brewing Co.

#69 - Mrigank Shail

On this episode, we chatted with Mrigank Shail. He's a doctor fresh out of med school who's been all over the world studying and trying to better the world. We discuss the residency application process, his weird collection, and talk a little politics in light of the upcoming election.

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Sponsor -
This episode is also brought to you in part by Audible.com. Visit audibletrial.com/ottawhat today and get a free audiobook and free 30-day trial, and feel good in helping support the show.

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Links:
www.physiciansofoath.org
Vote Compass

Beer:

Big Mouth Pale Ale - Hop City Brewing Co.

#68 - Mayfair Theatre (Josh Stafford & Mel Boyer)

This week on the show, we met with Josh and Mel from the Mayfair Theatre. These diehard movie buffs told us all about the origins of the theatre, why they can't screen Star Wars (as much as they might want to), and why Michael Bay movies aren't welcome at the theatre (but they'll play The Room every month).

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Sponsor -
This episode is also brought to you in part by Audible.com. Visit audibletrial.com/ottawhat today and get a free audiobook and free 30-day trial, and feel good in helping support the show.

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Links:
mayfairtheatre.ca
@MayfairTheatre on Twitter

Beer:

Farm Table: Helles - Beau's Brewery