Eighteen and mostly clear—Canada Day's on the horizon.

It's a proper summer day out there—18°C, mostly cloudy, and you've got a solid 15-and-a-half hours of daylight to work with. The UV's sitting at 6, which is high, so if you're spending the afternoon outside, don't sleep on sunscreen. Sunset's at 8:55 tonight, so there's plenty of time to catch something after work.

Commute should be straightforward—no word of anything snarling the usual routes, so you're good to head in as normal.

A couple things worth your attention today. Women's flag football's blowing up in Ottawa, and it's opening a real pathway for local athletes into the university game. Worth keeping an eye on if you've got kids or just care about what's growing in the city. On a heavier note, there's a murder charge in connection with a woman who went missing back in January—the story's moving through the courts, and it's the kind of thing that lands hard in a place like this.

If you're thinking lunch, Vanier's got something new: Chiqui Bakery just opened with Mexico City–style pan dulce. The kind of thing that's worth a detour if you're in that neighbourhood. Over in the ByWard Market, Le Mien Craft Noodle is doing hand-pulled bowls if you want something warming for the day. And if you're planning a longer dinner, the Château Laurier's reimagined its waterfront spot with Émilie's Terrace—probably worth booking if you're thinking about the Canada Day long weekend.

Tonight's where it gets good. You've got Mei Semones and Jahmeema over at Club SAW in a couple hours if you want smooth R&B pop to ease into the evening. That's the low-key option. If you want something bigger, 54.40's at the Hard Rock Casino Ottawa at 7 with Sass Jordan on the bill—that's tomorrow night technically (Canada Day eve), so you could be kicking off the long weekend right there. Either way, it's live music weather, and the city's got that buzz before the long weekend proper.

If you're catching anything tonight outdoors, you're golden for it. The clouds won't stop you, and you'll have light well into the evening.

Have a good Tuesday. See you at the shows.