GIVE AWAY WEEKEND

Do you have items that you no longer need? Are you looking for items for your household? Then take part in this weekends Give Away Days. Started by the former City of Kanata and now City wide, this is a time to put unwanted but useable items at the end of your driveway with a sign FREE and then cruise the neighbourhood to see what items you could use. Anything safe goes from clothing to toys to gadgets and working appliances, to left-over drywall and other construction items. Just be certain to place items you want to keep away from the curb! If you have leftovers from a garage sale, put them out. Items will then be reused, the most effective way to recycle them. Good hunting!

PRESTO CARDS
Full deployment of Presto Cards for all transit users is now underway. Cards can be obtained from OC Transpo sales centres, the Kanata Client Centre, the Hazeldean Library, ordered online at www.prestocard.ca or obtained at special events. The first 200,000 cards are free, after which they will cost $6. The cost includes insurance for the value on the card if it is lost. Once obtained, you register and load it for use. If funded by a credit card online, it takes up to 48 hours to be activated. At the sales centres activation is immediate. To use your card you must tap the lower part of the reader found at each entry door on the bus or O-train. If you transfer & tap, it will tell you how much longer you have on that fare. Seniors, when registering should indicate their senior status to get the lower senior fares. Seniors in Kanata can get cards on June 13, 9:30-11:30 a.m. at SS#1 (for Chinese Seniors) and 1:30 3:30 p.m. at the Kanata Seniors Centre. Note: Seniors, to avoid payment when using transit on free Wednesdays, should not tap their cards on that day. Read the detailed information when you get your card and refer to information on the OC Transpo website or call Presto at 1-877-378-6123 for help.

NEW POOL & HOT TUB ENCLOSURE PERMIT REQUIREMENT

If you have an existing pool (including above ground pools) or hot tub or pond with a depth of 24 or more, you must now obtain a Pool Enclosure Permit at a cost of $200. This permit is required under a new bylaw designed particularly to protect young children. There are requirements for items such as fencing and keeping gates locked. Go to www.ottawa.ca for details. If you are building a new pool, pond or adding a backyard hot tub, you need a site plan to apply for a full permit. Ensure that your contractor obtains all the necessary permits prior to starting construction and be aware that you cannot change drainage features such as swales or catch basins or impact neighbouring properties.

DOORS OPEN OTTAWA

This weekend, June 1-2, you can explore one of 125 of the citys most interesting buildings. Buildings included this year are the Diefenbunker, several Embassies, including USA & Armenia, the new Wabano Centre and many others. Go to the City website for a complete listing and for information on accessibility, times open and those of most interest for kids. Admission to all buildings is free.

COMMUNITY NOTICES
MAYORS RURAL EXPO, May 31, 7 a.m. 2 p.m., City Hall, 110 Laurier Ave KANATA TOWN CENTRE LANDS MEETING, June 11, 7 p.m., All Saints Catholic High School, 5115 Kanata Ave JIM MALONE PARK dedication is on June 15 at the Park on Goldridge Dr KANATA NORTH COMMUNITY AWARDS CELEBRATION, June 18, 7 p.m., Mlacak Centre, 2500 Campeau Dr KANATA NORTH PICNIC, July 17, 4 p.m. 7p.m., Sandwell Green Park, 5 The Parkway