#87 - Pablo Juarez

On the show this week, we spoke with Pablo Juarez. He just returned from 15 months in Australia, where he had all kinds of cool adventures (like getting internet-famous for having his picture taken with Genie Bouchard). We talk about those adventures, and catch him up on what's changed in Ottawa since he left.

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Links:
@pabs613 - Twitter
Travelbeards.com

Beer:

Lake Effect IPA - Great Lakes Brewery

Snow Plower’s Deal With Devil Backfires

By: Keegan On

While many Canadians enjoyed the mild beginning of Winter, some were struggling with the lack of snow. Hau Tran has worked as independent snow plower in the Ottawa-Gatineau area for the last 10 years, and says that this season began particularly slowly for him. The lack of snow this season understandably drove him to desperation.

“There was just no snow. Even worse, not even close to snow. 16 degrees in December? It was outrageous,” explained Tran, “I could barely pay the insurance for my plow that month. On Boxing Day, I decided that enough was enough. I summoned the Dark Lord and told him I would do anything for Ottawa to receive a real winter. As you can see, I think I bit off more than I could chew.”

On December 29th, Ottawa was hit with 25 cm of snow, and has been barraged with precipitation and icy temperatures ever since. With more storms expected in the coming weeks, citizens can contact Mr. Tran for snow removal or to thank him for the weather by email at: haucanplow [at] demonfire [dot] org.

Rideau Canal to be Reburied

By: Amaan Bashir

The City of Ottawa and the National Capital Commission (NCC) have finalized plans to rebury the Rideau Canal in central Ottawa, between Mooney’s Bay and the Ottawa River.

The waterway is undergoing its annual transition into the world’s largest skating rink, and was designated a National Historic Site, which required countless hoops to jump through before finalizing its reburial.

“We’re excited that we could get this done in time for St. Patrick’s Day,” says NCC representative Janice McDowell, “it will mean the world to the descendants of the Irish labourers who were used and abused nearly two hundred years ago.” Some are less excited, including local business owners whose business rely on the tourist attraction, particularly during the winter.

McDowell isn’t concerned, “What’s the big deal here? It was meant in case of war with the States but we never used for that reason, so let’s build a road, a park, a rail, anything else really. We could even build a large skating rink and still save money. Besides, what else are we supposed to do with all the dirt we’re digging up from the LRT tunnel?”

As for the Irish descendants, are they as excited as McDowell? “Yeah, this really isn’t something we care about, but good for Ottawa...I guess,” said local resident Brian Finnegan.