Friday cool-down before the weekend kicks in

It's a fair bit cooler this morning—12°C—so grab a layer if you're heading out early. The sun's staying high though (we've got nearly 14 hours of daylight), and it's mainly clear, so your UV's running at 7—that's high, worth the sunscreen if you're going to be outside all day. Sunset's at 8:00 PM, which gives you a solid evening to work with.

Nothing major on the transit front to trip you up this morning, but one thing worth flagging for your weekend plans: Para Transpo's extending late-night service to 2 a.m. on weekends starting September 4th. If you take Para, that's a real change coming.

On the local front, a couple things settling in: the courts dismissed a union leaders' challenge to some suspensions earlier this week, and that case is heading to the labour board now. Separately, Ottawa police wrapped a week-long push on retail theft along Rideau Street and made 17 arrests—the retail corridor's been under pressure, so that's the city responding. Also, two new public schools are opening this fall with $50.9 million in provincial funding backing them.

Food-wise, there's some movement. Kozhi just opened on Somerset West—it's fine-dining fried chicken from chef Teegavarapu Sarath Mohan, which is a pretty specific lane and worth checking out if that's calling you. On the other side, Brassica in Westboro is closing after less than three years. That spot had real affection (banoffee pie was a thing there), so if you've been meaning to go, now's the time. If you want something that's drawing crowds right now, Little Bones in Westboro's doing upscale tacos and tequila cocktails and people are showing up. And if you're thinking Little Italy for dinner, the strip's got real momentum—16 standout spots to choose from these days. Fresh Ontario watermelon's also in if you want something light.

Tonight, Classic Albums Live is on at the National Arts Centre at 6:00 PM. It's live rock without the overthinking—solid Friday energy if you want to get out and hear something real. The weather's clear enough for it, and you've got time before sunset if you're making an evening of it.

Weekend's building—you've got soccer, music, and a lot of reasons to be out. Ease into it.

Have a good one.