On a community rather than a housing note may I suggest we end the week with a little Beethoven!

In our second instalment of “A view of the neighbourhood” we present Moffat Farm. Welcome to Moffat Farm. It’s like country living in the heart of the city. Formally NCC land, when the 100 acres was sold for development, the city kept half for public use. That means residents have easy access to four season walking and snowshoe trails around the perimeter of the community. There are soccer fields and a popular playground safely away from traffic. There is a small beach and boat access to the Rideau River. No need for a cottage when you’ve got it all right in your back yard. The community takes an active interest in its safety and security. A neighbourhood watch program means neighbours are vigilant to suspicious behaviour. There’s a mixture of household configurations; retirees and young families keep the area dynamic. The greater neighbourhood offers much more. One of Ottawa’s popular family-owned Italian grocers, Farmers Pick, is an easy stroll. Links to the city’s bike path network takes minutes. Hogs Back Falls and Mooney’s Bay beach are just up the way. The annual Folkfest and Dragon Boat festivals take place in the neighbourhood.

I love the sponge in the bottom of a planter to protect from root root and to allow you to forget your plant a day or two.

OPEN HOUSE – 661 Kochar Drive

A view of the Neighbourhood The following is the reply to the question “What would you like to tell me about the neighbourhood” posed to the current vendor. Hi Claude, here is how I see the small neighbourhood of Opeongo Road: It’s a friendly, hospitable neighbourhood. No conflicts, good relations, helpful when needed, but not intrusive. We have needed assistance from neighbours on many occasions, for large and small needs, and they have never disappointed. At different times, different neighbours have helped with dog care, boat problems, construction projects, stuck/broken vehicles, driveway clearing, childcare, lawn care, etc…. all the day to day tasks that needed more than just us. Many times we have paid for help (and happy to do so), other times it was neighbourly mutual assistance, depending on the task and circumstances (for example, if it is a regular and continuing job vs. a minor emergency; or something for which we could reciprocate). We — and all the other close-by neighbours — were invited every year to one neighbour’s Christmas party, where we could all meet and socialize. Lots of neighbourhood socializing also happens during walks (dog walking, exercising, checking the mailbox…) when we regularly stop to chat and catch up. The neighbours will let you alone if you want, or become friends if that works, always without expectation or pressure. We have never experienced any kind of neighbourly sniping or nasty gossip, neither as victims or recipients. Never had a break-in or vandalism, neither of home or boat or car. The kids in the neighbourhood (teens included) have always been civil and polite to us, or sometimes distant and quiet but without rancour, and we have always made efforts to be the same (without forgetting Halloween treats!). I always felt safe, even when staying there alone or walking alone, and we even felt safe in allowing our teenage daughter (in her last year of high school) to stay there alone for three months when we were overseas. And I always knew that if I ever felt unsafe, there were people near-by I could call on. And they supported our daughter when she was alone that time, for example by providing transportation to town to buy groceries because she didn’t yet have her drivers license. I guess I would characterize the neighbourhood as civil and respectful, with all that this implies (including the expectation of respect in turn). Like the best of a small town atmosphere, without small town pettiness. I liked it there. When moving, I always worry about getting bad neighbours — not a worry here. A good neighbourhood is such a blessing! Lisa

Well this is good to know!