Hello ORLÉANS!

Welcome to the 53rd edition of Orléans Connect. As always, welcome new subscribers! 👋

The population of Orléans continues to grow. And while newly announced residential developments 🏗️ like these and these, keep popping up, the Orléans BIA says that our suburb needs an “anchor employer” along with other infrastructure in order to reduce the need for residents to commute downtown or westward for work. It’s a complex picture of return-to-office mandates, a long-delayed O-Train Line 1 east extension, poor bus reliability, and federal worker layoffs. Come what may, the next few years should prove to be interesting in how the Orléans community develops. 👀

🍕 Before we get to this week’s news and events, make sure to check out our review of one of the most popular pizza spots in Orléans in this week’s Food Spot Review.

Don’t forget to check out this week’s poll below ⬇️ - today we’re asking: Where’s the best place to have a STEAK 🥩 in Orléans?

Here’s everything happening in Orléans over the next 7 days…

Here’s our roundup of upcoming events:

🧒 March 20th - Active Pediatrics invites you to their Open House, from 1-3 PM. Explore the Occupational Therapy and Speech-Language Pathology services, meet the team and learn about the collaborative vision for supporting children’s development. Event is open to families, students, educators and professionals!
📍101-560 Lacolle Way
🎵 March 20th - SDBC Taproom Concerts presents: C.A.& Sonny, an Ottawa-based duo focused on preserving the tradition of Folk music. Their musicality is expertly balanced with their laid back performance, showcasing an enormous repertoire of antique melodies and stories, as well as some songs of their own. Show starts at 8 PM. 🎟️ Tickets $20/each.
📍501 Lacolle Way, Unit 4
🎶 March 20th - It’s 80s and 90s Musical Bingo on at Taproom260, from 8:30-10 PM. Put your ears to the test!
📍260 Centrum Blvd
🛍️ March 21st - It’s the Artisan Legion Market, from 9 AM - 3 PM, to support their Building Maintenance Fund. Breakfast is on in the upstairs hall from 8 AM - 1 PM (cash only).
📍800 Taylor Creek Dr
👨‍🌾 March 21st - The Cumberland Farmers Market presents their final Winter Market of the season, from 9 AM - 1 PM. Farmers, food vendors and artisans!
📍RJ Kennedy Arena, 1115 Dunning Road, Cumberland
🌀 March 21st - Hypnotist Mai Ego will be putting on a Stage Hypnosis Show at Stray Dog Brewing Company, from 5-6 PM. Free admission, no tickets required.
📍501 Lacolle Way, Unit 4
🎤 March 22nd - Live Music Sunday at Broadhead Brewery, with Silver Lining Band, on from 1:30-5 PM.
📍1680 Vimont Crt, Unit 106
🎨 March 24th - In partnership with It Takes a Village Dog Rescue, the Orléans Legion is hosting Paint Night Bar Series #2, starts at 6 PM. $40/person, includes all materials. The theme is Peach Mimosa - dress the theme, paint the moment, sip the feature cocktail!
📍800 Taylor Creek Dr
🫜 March 24th - Learn everything you need to know to make your community garden a reality in the Ottawa Region at this upcoming virtual workshop: “How to Start a Community Garden Workshop”, from 6:30-8:30 PM. Hosted by JustFood Ottawa.
👣 March 25th - Seniors Walk and Talk in the neighbourhood from 1 - 2 PM - 2 km and 3 km circuits available. Everyone welcome, including pets, kids and families. Hosted by the Blackburn Community Association.
📍41 Bearbrook Rd (meet Bearbrook entrance to Isaiah Scarfe Park)
🐰 March 25th - Bloom & Bunny Easter Cookie Decorating Class with Capital Cookie Company - a sweet spring workshop where you’ll learn step-by-step how to decorate the cutest cookies! No experience needed. Hosted at Broadhead Brewery, from 6-8 PM. Reserve your spot.
📍1680 Vimont Crt, Unit 106
🧠 March 26th - Blackburn Community Association is hosting another Discovery Café, from 7-8:30 PM. Dr Christopher Skinner will be returning, this time to tackle the vitally important topic of SLEEP.
📍190 Glen Park Dr
🎵 March 26th - Boston Pizza After Dark is hosting a 90s and 2000s Music Trivia Night at 8:30 PM. There’ll be pizza, pints and a whole lot of nostalgia!
📍3884 Innes Rd

🗓️ SAVE THE DATES! 🗓️

🎶 It’s another Down East Kitchen Party at the Orléans Legion on Fri, March 27th from 5-11 PM.
💃 Boston Pizza After Dark is hosting a DJ Party with music from the 90s and 2000s at 9 PM, on Fri, March 27th.
🎵🫖 Orléans United Church is hosing a Musical Tea on Sun, March 29th from 3-4:30 PM. On the menu solo, duo and choir performances, desserts, coffee, tea and herbal teas - a real treat for your ears and taste buds! Proceeds will be donated to young musicians in the region. 🎟️ Tickets $15. Limited seating - tickets will not be sold at the door. Email [email protected] to obtain tickets.
🐰 Head over to Café Amore for an Easter Cookie Decorating Workshop on Thur, April 2nd, from 2-4 PM. Cost $45, RSVP by March 30th at [email protected].
🐣 Hop Into Spring at the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum on Sat, April 4th from 9 AM - 3 PM. Advanced registration required.
🍷 Atlier l’ABC du vin avec RAFO: Le jeudi 9 avril, à 18h30, participez à un atelier interactif et éducatif accompagné d’une dégustation avec la sommelière Michelle Varin. Découvrez les étapes de fabrication du vin, les grandes régions viticoles et leurs cépages, et apprenez les bases de la dégustation pour développer votre palais dans une ambiance conviviale et divertissante. Coût: $75/membre, $85/non-membre - Inscription en linge.
👠 Drag Bingo Brunch is on at Broadhead Brewery, on Sun, April 12th from 1-4 PM, featuring Queens from Canada’s Drag Race Season 6! Get your tickets now, before they sell out. 🎟️Tickets $30/person. Event is 19+.

Do you have an event you want to see featured here? Let us know!

🗞️ NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT: 🗞️

✊ Ottawa high school students walk out to protest proposed OSAP changes - including several Orléans high schools. (CTV News)

🚰 Ontario given failing grade for high levels of lead in drinking water, including Ottawa-Carleton District School Board schools in Orléans. (University of Toronto)

🚉 Transit woes continue: 2nd LRT problem Tuesday closes east end of Line 1. (CBC News)

🍺 Ontario expanding BYOB rules to cultural, outdoor events. (CBC News)

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🗓️ GET ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY: 🗓️

🌷🇫🇷 RAFO: Programmation printemps / Spring Program 🇫🇷🌷

La programmation du printemps au RAFO est arrivée!

Retrouvez vos activités favorites, en plus de quelques nouveautés qui viendront pimenter la saison. Que vous ayez envie de bouger, d’apprendre ou simplement de passer un bon moment en bonne compagnie, il y en a pour tous les goûtes!

Looking to get active in a francophone environment in Orléans? The Spring Program at the Rendez-vous des aînés francophones d’Ottawa is here!

You’ll find all your favourite activities, plus a few new ones to spice up the season. Wehther you’re looking to get active, learn something new, or just have a good time with friends, there’s something for everyone!

💪 New to Orléans: Women’s Training Studio 💪

Femme Fit Pro Women’s Strength Studio is a women-owned personal training studio dedicated to helping women build strength, improve movement, and feel confident in the gym. The studio focuses on personalized coaching, proper technique, and sustainable training that supports long-term health and performance. Programs are designed for all levels - from beginners looking to start their fitness journey to experienced lifted and athletes.

🏃🏾‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️NEW Coached Women’s Run Club 🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏾‍♀️

Femme Fit Pro is also launching a Women’s Run Club in Avalon - a welcoming community for women who want to move, connect, and enjoy running together. Whether you’re brand new to running or already love getting out for a few kilometers, the goal is to create a supportive, low-pressure environment where women can stay active and meet others in the community. Run Club gets started on Thursdays, beginning April 2nd at 6PM, at Millennium Park. Beginner and Intermediate - all paces welcome! Register here.

Photo credit: ACE Arte Studio

This week’s Orléans business spotlight is… 🥁 … River Pizza located at 4042 Innes Road.📍

🍕 River Pizza has been operating as a family owned business since 1980! Currently located next to an Esso gas station, River Pizza is consistently cited as one of the very best pizza spots in Orléans, including in a polling of Orléans Connect readers last year.

Featuring a pretty wide variety of food offerings on its menu, River Pizza has stood the test of time by sticking to two principles of business: never sacrificing quality, and treating their customers like family. Check out our full review of this Orléans staple, here.

As always, if you wind up visiting them, make sure to tell them Orléans Connect sent you.