Kindness

About

Who’s behind the kindness?

Ottawa’s Kindness Week Chair: Rabbi Reuven Bulka
Spiritual leader of the congregation Machzikei Hadas and a well-known community leader around Ottawa, Rabbi Bulka is often approached to lend his name, wisdom and support to many community causes. On more than one occasion, he has been asked to participate in activities against anti-Semitism and other initiatives aimed at fighting injustice and intolerance.
“All very important causes,” he said four years ago, “but I’d rather fight for something positive than be against something negative.”
The rabbi set about meeting with other community leaders all around the city and across all sectors. He wanted to know: what if we could make Ottawa a kinder community? Would we need to spend so much time on anti-bullying, anti-racism and issues of mistrust? Or is there an easier and more effective way to spread the kindness?
The rabbi’s questioning struck a chord in many. The Kind Ottawa Steering Committee was created shortly after and planning for Ottawa’s first annual Kindness Week celebration was under way. Since its beginning in 2008, the idea of encouraging the spread of kindness across the nation’s capital has attracted many like-minded community members — and the list of partners continues to grow. In 2010, Ottawa Centre MPP Yasir Naqvi sponsored a motion that passed unanimously at Queen’s Park to proclaim Kindness Week a province-wide initiative every third week in February.
For Kindness Week 2011, Rabbi Bulka aims to once again spread a kind message across the city: We each have the ability to create the community we want. Make a conscious choice to contribute to a kind Ottawa.

My wish is that this is an everyday event, but alas, it is only a wish.

Ahh Sah
Walk Good

Caverns or Potholes

Hey
Don't compare your city/location with my Ottawa.
The daily thaw/freeze cycle has left Ottawa streets littered with potholes the size of compact cars. Manhole covers (if that is not politically correct for you, call it Personhole ..jeez!!!) are like islands surrounded by moats, crack have opened up like crevasses, ridges rise up like concrete curbs. The streets are obstacle courses and Ottawans drive like slalom racers, weaving in and out of the asphalt pits and pylons. No wonder the emergency vehiles (EMS/Police/Fire) need so much of my taxes to fix them, as the potholes destroy the suspension of these vehicles on a daily basis. Drivers need to be alert and vigilant or risk loosing a wheel or bits of body to the road hazards.
The flaws in the road are not minor and test both your car's agility and the drivers reflexes. Hit one of those holes and you know it: you feel the jarring crash and feel for the pain that has been inflicted on the car. Broken suspensions and bent rims are but a few of the expensive repairs that are required. If you have a conscience you will stop, check all four wheels and caress a fender before cursing the city for leaving the roads in such awful conditions.
But the relentless winter weather just keeps on rolling.

Ahh Sah
Walk Good.

The Week That Was .......

You don't have to be a fantastic hero to do certain things -- to compete. You can be just an ordinary chap, sufficiently motivated to reach challenging goals.
Edmund Hilary

He came, He saw and He charmed
The shortest layover of the century.
The President of the USA came to Ottawa for a visit and all I was praying for, was for him to be safe and return home in one piece. (This world is full of some very sick people). The security was tight, but that is expected in this city with its array of embassies and visiting dignitaries, the RCMP and the Ottawa police know how to provide security. Last week, they stepped it up to another level, and it was a joy to see the military precision that the security was executed.
The building where I work is adjacent to the American embassy; and a 5 min. walk to Parliament Hill, needless to say we felt the effects of the security. We were given permission to join the crowds, but we all declined …. I detest crowds.
The day that he arrived was fresh, (-2C) not cold, however, the US media thought it was extremely cold. I wonder if they want me to invite them up when it is REALLY cold, like -45C ….. jeez, set of wimps. The American Media has no idea what, who or where Canada is located. Proof is in this article US Media Struggles with Obama Visit to Canada
There were busloads of people from Montreal and Toronto, who came here, just to see this inspiring President. This is remarkably different from when his predecessor (Dubya) came for his visit. We almost had riots with demonstrations saying that he should go home. President Obama’s visit was one of welcome and awe, with many ordinary people shaking his hand in the Byward Market and where he bought his BeaverTail pastry.
I wish him well (he will need it) and may God’s Blessing be with him (this is mandatory) during his tenure as President and during these troubling times.

Walk Good