Thursday in the 613: soft rain, mild air, and a busy evening ahead

Morning, Ottawa. Grab that coffee, because it's a grey, damp Thursday out there, with light rain hanging around and the mercury sitting at a mild 15°C. That's a lot warmer than we've been getting lately, so you can leave the parka in the closet and reach for a light jacket instead, just keep the umbrella in your bag. UV is practically nonexistent at 1.0, so sunscreen can stay home. The thing to remember is the clock: the sun sets at 4:45 this afternoon, so anything you want to do after work is going to be a night outing, and it's worth dressing for that once the dark rolls in.

For getting around, nothing in today's reports is flagging a major closure or disruption, so the usual commute should hold. Give yourself a little extra cushion on the rain-slick roads and the bus shelters that get busy in the wet, and you'll be fine.

A few local stories are worth a look over lunch. Ontario's education unions have set strike votes running from November 4 to 18 over a funding dispute, so if you've got kids in the system or work in education, that's one to keep an ear on. Across town, a nine-storey tower has been proposed for the former CJOH site on Baseline Road, which is the sort of thing that changes the feel of a stretch you drive past every week. And if you were up on the Senators last night, Stützle set up Amadio's winner in a 2-1 comeback over the Sabres, which is a pleasant way to start a Thursday.

For lunch, the Glebe's Chahaya Malaysia is closing for good this Sunday after 41 years, so if you've been meaning to stop in for one last bowl, this week is the time. Zen Bowl has brought Shanghai soup dumplings and pan-fried buns to Centretown, which is a good call on a rainy afternoon. If you're in the mood to splurge, Goldie's and Bakery Burger both ask $25 for a sandwich, and the places that charge that much usually have a reason, so it's worth knowing what you're paying for.

Tonight the evening is shaping up as a choice between folk and comedy. Kyla Cobbler is at the Algonquin Commons Theatre at 7:00 PM, and The East Pointers play Rum Runners at 8:00 PM as part of their Schoonertown Tour. Both are indoor shows, so the weather won't factor in, and with the sun gone by 4:45 it's a good night to be inside somewhere warm. The weekend looks busy too, with comedy and live music packed into Friday and Saturday, and a soccer match plus a 50-year reunion show on Sunday, so if you want a seat for anything, book ahead.

Have a good one, and take care out there in the wet.