NJT-Ottawa is getting noticed!

Spring along the Ottawa River. Count those babies!

June already and just when you think things will slow down, they heat up. But it is the right season!



Maclean's magazine, dear!

Had two very interesting calls today. First, a reporter from Maclean's called to interview me for a possible story about Cuba. It was an interesting call. The reporter was very focused on the Cuban cash economy and whether Cubans have enough money to live on. I told her a bit about the very active trade and barter economy.

Then she wanted to know about Cubans working for foreign hotels. Explained that the Cuban government retains a controlling interest in each hotel and the workers are therefore employed by the state and paid in Cuban currency.

We covered a number of other related topics before I referred her to someone who actually lived and worked there for a time. He'll have a much better grasp of the realities of the Cuban economy than I ever will. Nothing substitutes for on-the-ground experience.

Community Care Access Centre wants to list NJT-Ottawa

The second call was from a manager with the Champlain Community Care Access Centre. The Champlain region is huge and covers Renfrew, Ottawa, Prescott/Russell, Stormont/Dundas/Glengarry and North Lanark/North Grenville. My new BFF Robin Lowry invited NJT-Ottawa to be listed under Programs and Services for Ottawa. Well, I was all over that one in a big hurry!

No more missions for awhile until our stock is replenished

We've been too successful at giving away supplies and medicines. So, for the foreseeable future, we have had to stop giving away carload after carload of supplies and medicines. Although that may well change again as the CCAC connection kicks into a higher gear.

Remote warehouse management and pick ups

As some are aware, Jacques has been hospitalized twice in the past month with atrial fibrillation (erratic heartbeat). He is on a range of medications to get his heart and blood within a safe range to undergo defibrillation. Until then, he will not be coming to Ottawa each week. We'll be looking for a volunteer to coordinate warehouse sorting days.

That's NJT's latest updates. If you'd like to add something to this blog to share with the world, just send it to us!

Cheers!

Mary and Jacques