A crowd of clumsy eaters would have gone over well with some of the four-legged friends spotted at a benefit dinner Ottawa Senators captain Erik Karlsson hosted Monday night at Salt restaurant in Little Italy.

However, there was little, if any, evidence of canapés dropping on the floor, much to the presumed disappointment of the tail-waggers from Sit With Me, a dog rescue and dog adoption organization.

Ottawa Senators captain Erik Karlsson toted around this pup, a Boston Terrier-Pug mix named Dweeble, at a benefit he hosted for the Sit With Me shelter dog rescue, held at Salt restaurant in Little Italy on Monday, October 26, 2015.

It’s only because Karlsson is on the road so much that he doesn’t own a pooch. The Swede grew up with everything from dogs, cats, horses and goats and said he’s always been able to easily relate to animals. Judging by way he cradled a placid 11-week-old foster pup at the event, dog ownership appears to be in his future.

“I like big dogs but I think I’d have to get a smaller dog, for the convenience,” he told Around Town at the cocktail reception.

Ottawa Senators captain Erik Karlsson, joined by his girlfriend Melinda Currey, cuddled this pup, a Boston Terrier/Pug mix named Dweeble, at a benefit dinner for the Sit With Me shelter dog rescue, held at Salt restaurant in Little Italy on Monday, October 26, 2015.

The hockey star, who attended with his girlfriend, Melinda Currey, said he was happy to host the dinner to help raise money and awareness for a small, volunteer-run organization that helps rescued dogs. Teammates Zack Smith, Kyle Turris and Milan Michálek attended. So did Graham Macmillan, chair of the board for the Ottawa Senators Foundation, and Bibbi Alfredsson (her other half, Daniel Alfredsson, was home looking after the kids).

Kris Bulmer in conversation with Bibbi Alfredsson, wife of former Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson, at a benefit dinner for the local Sit With Me shelter dog rescue, held at Salt restaurant in Little Italy on Monday, October 26, 2015.

From left, Ottawa Senators teammates Kyle Turris and Zack Smith at a benefit dinner hosted by team captain Erik Karlsson on Monday, October 26, 2015, at Salt restaurant in Little Italy for the shelter dog rescue organization, Sit With Me.

Brittany Brodziak, girlfriend of Ottawa Senators player Zack Smith, was seen snuggling with this young chihuahua, named Pickles, at a benefit dinner held at Salt restaurant on Monday, October 26, 215, for the Sit With Me shelter dog rescue.

Also sighted in the crowd of about 80 were such veterinarians as husband and wife Dr. Brad and Dara Gottlieb, and Dr. Graham Thatcher with his wife, Andi White. They’ve been in the headlines recently over their efforts to treat a Nicaraguan beagle-mix who lost part of his snout in a machete accident.

From left, Dr. Dara Gottlieb, a veterinarian, with Melinda Currey, Erik Karlsson, and Gottlieb’s husband, Dr. Brad Gottlieb, also a vet, at a benefit dinner for the shelter dog rescue organization, Sit With Me, held Monday, October 26, 2015, at Salt restaurant in Little Italy.

Maureen Martin was seen cuddling with a rescued pup at a benefit held at Salt restaurant on Monday, October 26, 2015, for the Ottawa shelter dog rescue Sit With Me.

From left, former Cognos CEO Rob Ashe, in conversation with James Maxwell, at a benefit dinner for the Sit With Me shelter dog rescue, hosted by Ottawa Senators captain Erik Karlsson, at Salt restaurant on Monday, October 26, 2015.

Ottawa veterinarian Dr. Graham Thatcher and his wife Andi White arrive to a benefit dinner, held at Salt restaurant in Little Italy on Monday, October 26, 2015, for Sit With Me shelter dog rescue.

Nicole Lewis, a volunteer with the Sit With Me shelter dog rescue organization, gives a loving hug to one of the rescued dogs at a benefit dinner held at Salt restaurant on Monday, October 26, 2015.

From left, Ottawa Senators player Milan Michalek with Graham Macmillan, chair of the Ottawa Senators Foundation board, at a benefit dinner for the shelter dog rescue Sit With Me, held at Salt restaurant on Monday, October 26, 2015.

Ottawa Senators player Zack Smith and his girlfriend Brittany Brodziak with one of the dogs from the Sit With Me shelter dog rescue at a benefit dinner held for the volunteer-run organization on Monday, October 26, 2015, at Salt restaurant in Little Italy.

From left, lawyers Gordon Cudney and Bill Johnston at a benefit dinner held at Salt restaurant in Little Italy on Monday, October 26, 2015, for the Sit With Me shelter dog rescue.

Carolyn001@sympatico.ca

Women were being slapped with violation tickets left, right and centre upon their arrival to a special reception hosted Wednesday for The Match International Women’s Fund and its trailblazing philanthropic patron, Shirley Greenberg.

From left, Claire Greenberg with Shirley Greenberg, patron of The Match International Women’s Fund, and Susan Tanner at a reception held Wednesday, October 28, 2015, to honour Greenberg.

It’s not that the women were illegally parked or trespassing. What got them in hot water were things like wearing pants in public, driving a vehicle or speaking out for women’s rights. The awareness-raising gimmick proved effective in showing how these actions, along with suffering a miscarriage, running away from an abusive husband or forced marriage, watching a live sporting event, and reporting a rape can land a woman in jail in some parts of the world.

From left, Barbara McInnes, a board member with The Match International Women’s Fund, with guest Grete Hale at a reception McInnes hosted at her home on Wednesday, October 28, 2015, for the organization.

The reception was held at the Island Park-area home of community leader Barbara McInnes. She sits on the board of Match, an Ottawa-based grassroots group that funds women’s rights organizations around the world. It’s currently working in 25 countries.

From left, Barbara McInnes with Claudia Chowaniec at an event McInnes hosted at her home on Wednesday, October 28, 2015, to honour well-known philanthropist Shirley Greenberg for her support of The Women’s International Match Fund.

The crowd was mostly women, although there were a few guys, such as advisory council member Vinod Rajasekaran. He brought his baby daughter, Simi, who was born on International Women’s Day.

The room heard how Match has been around for 40 years and, despite getting its funding cut in 2010, has survived and flourished. “That’s because we have built this movement around our work, and we have worked so bloody hard, and because people – especially Shirley – have invested in us and believed in us…,” executive director Jess Tomlin told the room.

Greenberg’s involvement in the local women’s movement goes back to the 1970s. She started the first all-female law practice and helped to create services for abused women. “I love that Shirley is our patron because she is an activist in her soul and in her heart,” said Tomlin.

Jess Tomlin, executive director of The Match International Women’s Fund, with one of its advisory council members, Vinod Rajasekaran, and his seven-month-old daughter, Simi, at a private event held Wednesday, October 28, 2015, to celebrate the organization’s patron, Shirley Greenberg.

The octogenarian reflected back on her early days in the movement, and what she and her cohorts were able to accomplish with little money but tremendous effort.

In an ideal world, Greenberg opined, all women should be given the opportunity to pursue their talents and skills. As for her generosity, the retired lawyer and widow of Minto co-founder Irving Greenberg sees it as a way of supporting women who really need it. “I feel that if you can do something, you should, and I just enjoy making things possible,” said Greenberg.

Carolyn001@sympatico.ca

It may seem like Tait and Aislinn Gofton have been dealt a pretty poor hand in life, but don’t tell them that.

The brother and sister have a genetic mutation so rare it doesn’t even have a name. Theirs are two of only about 14 known cases worldwide of the incurable degenerative condition that has rendered them both quadriplegic.

“Our children have lots of challenges before them but you would never know it to look at them,” says their mother, Emma.

“They’re happy and they love life. They still, to this day, have never expressed disappointment at their physical state.

“I just find them truly amazing. If any of us, as adults, found ourselves suddenly confined to a power wheelchair we’d probably be pretty miserable, if not clinically depressed. But my kids are happy and they look forward to adventures.”

Their latest adventure is slated for Dec. 4-6 in Tremblant, Que., where the two siblings will be ambassadors for Roger’s House and its sponsor, the Ottawa Senators Foundation, at a fundraising relay event known as 24h Tremblant.

The event, now in its 15th year, involves more than 2,500 participants from Quebec and Ontario grouped in almost 300 teams of six to 12. They ski, run or walk to raise funds for two Quebec children’s charities and the Sens Foundation.

24h Tremblant has raised $18 million since it was first adapted from a similar event in Switzerland by auto-racing legend Jacques Villeneuve and executive producer Simon St. Arnaud in 2001. This year’s goal: $2.5 million.

For many, the fundraising goes on year-round — last year’s top team raised $132,000. St. Arnaud says it’s not too late to join this year’s event and contribute to a great cause, meet new challenges and soak up the ambience.

“It’s a casual and dynamic team-building activity,” says St. Arnaud. “Those days of banquets and golf tournaments have peaked. People are looking for more modern and engaging activities. We were very early in that trend.”

Each year, a select few kids are chosen to be ambassadors on behalf of the charities involved in the event. 24h Tremblant is their moment in the sun, an opportunity to bask in its warmth and the celebrity of representing a cause.

Local CTV personality and Tremblant-area native Lianne Laing has been involved in many charity events over the years, but she says 24h Tremblant captivated her right from the first time she attended as a very-expectant mom eight years ago.

“The event has absolutely everything you could imagine,” says Laing. “It’s got the charity, the inspiration, the kids, the feel-good aspect. And, then, it’s just a ton of fun. It makes wintertime seem like a warm time.”

Aislinn, 13, and Tait, 9, have been benefactors of the Sens Foundation for years, specifically Roger’s House, an eight-bed pediatric residential hospice for families with children and youth living with a life-limiting illness.

Named for the late Senators assistant coach Roger Neilson and located on the grounds of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Roger’s House provides a homelike environment and access to respite, acute end-of-life care, pain and symptom management, transitional care, grief and bereavement support and perinatal hospice care.

For Emma Gofton and her husband Wade — both Ottawa doctors — and their children, Roger’s House has been “invaluable” as the relentless progression of Tait and Aislinn’s neurological condition takes its ever-mounting toll.

They’ve been clients for almost six years. Roger’s House has provided the kids with pain and symptom management as well as a parental support group and respite for Emma and Wade, giving them “complete peace of mind” as they take periodic breaks from the 24/7 care their children require.

“It’s a wonderful place,” says Emma. “They are looked after physically by the personal support workers, medically by the nurses, and they actually have recreational therapists to make sure that the children are having a good time.”

The kids also benefit from spending time with their peers at Roger’s House. It’s like a sleepover with their buddies, she says, and it provides her children with “a real sense of community.”

“I am really so grateful that they are involved in our lives,” says Emma. “And we’re very happy to give back.”

Aislinn, a music lover and adrenalin junkie with a memory like a steel trap, and Tait, a “mischief monkey” who loves languages even though he can’t speak, are both recreational sit-skiers. “They are uber-excited to be part of this relay.”

Roger’s House can be a heavy experience when you’re in it, admits Emma, so “to be involved in something uplifting and energizing really feels good.”

This will be the fourth 24h Tremblant event for Ottawa radio host and Sens PA announcer Stu Schwartz, for whom charity work is pretty much a way of life.

“It’s right up there with the biggest charity events in our community,” says Schwartz. “It’s so well run, it makes it easy for somebody like me to be a part of it because they have figured it out. It’s a perfect winter event.”

He says he and Laing are uniquely positioned to do good works through their celebrity and broadcast access, promoting events such as 24h Tremblant to the benefit of worthwhile causes like the Sens Foundation.

Besides Roger’s House, the foundation invests in social recreation and education programs that promote both physical and mental wellness, including erecting community hockey rinks throughout the National Capital Region.

Among its aims is to increase access to sports, after-school programs and activities.

Along with the Senators hockey club, its alumni association, corporate partners and fans, it has raised more than $100 million for thousands of causes. Last season alone, it provided more than $1 million to more than 50 charities.

For Schwartz, 24h Tremblant is an event not to be missed, both for its benefit to the foundation he loves and the sheer joy of participation.

“It’s the type of event you can talk about until the cows come home, but once you’ve experienced it, you’re hooked. It’s a very emotional weekend when you’re up there, but it’s a lot of fun.”

This story was produced by Postmedia Works on behalf of the Ottawa Senators Foundation for commercial purposes. Postmedia’s editorial departments had no involvement in the creation of this content.

It was a night of flying bats, dancing zombies, creepy cocktail concoctions and scary-good food as the AOE Arts Council threw the best Halloween party in town Thursday with its annual ARTinis benefit soirée.

More than 300 partygoers poured into the elaborately decorated lower lobby of the Shenkman Arts Centre in the mood to celebrate the ominous occasion. On display were local artists carving creative and unique pumpkins, painting eerie live art and adding gory or glittery makeup effects to the faces of costumed guests.

The Richcraft Theatre at the Shenkman Arts Centre was transformed into a cemetery, with live music from the Miguel De Armas Latin Jazz Quartet, at the Halloween-themed ARTinis, an annual benefit soirée for the AOE Arts Council, held at the Shenkman Arts Centre on Thursday, October 29, 2015.

The Richcraft Theatre was transformed into a musical crypt as the Miguel de Armas Latin Jazz Quartet performed in a graveyard of spooky fog and handmade papier-mâché tombstones and archways (requiring more than 30 pounds of flour for the paste). At the witching hour, a zombie flash mob surprised the crowd with a dance number to Thriller.

Andrew Leslie, newly elected Liberal MP for Orléans, was there with his wife, Karen. Mayor Jim Watson came as himself, or, as he put it, the “Night-Mayor” (a pun on “nightmare”). City Coun. Tim Tierney was curiously dressed as a Disco-era pilot, joined by his stewardess-costumed wife, Jenny.

From left, entrepreneurial networker Jarrod Goldsmith with Orléans Liberal MP-elect Andrew Leslie and veterinarian Dr. Ariane Finsten (dressed in honour of her dog Zora) at the Halloween-themed ARTinis benefit soirée for the AOE Arts Council, held at the Shenkman Arts Centre on Thursday, October 29, 2015.

The $75-a-ticket evening included a silent auction, mystery balloon prizes and a raffle for a pair of tickets from Porter Airlines. Organizers were hoping to raise $40,000 for the AOE Arts Council, a non-profit organization that works with the community to develop partnerships, audiences and visibility for the arts. “Really what the Arts Council is here for is to help build a stronger sector and to help our local artists survive, succeed, thrive and share their work with the community,” said executive director Victoria Steele.

Fans of the Arts Council include visual artist Mark Stephenson. “They seem to have their act together in terms of being involved in the arts community and helping artists out,” said Stephenson, who, by the way, dressed as hockey-masked serial killer Jason, from the Friday the 13th slasher flicks, for his live painting performance of a human skull on canvas.

Retired broadcaster Denis St-Jules, board vice president of the AOE Arts Council, with its executive director, Victoria Steele, at the Halloween-themed ARTinis, an annual benefit soirée for the AOE Arts Council, held at the Shenkman Arts Centre on Thursday, October 29, 2015.

Carolyn001@sympatico.ca

Gone was the red carpet parade of evening gowns and tuxes, the world-class music and the giant concert hall. In their place was an intimate gathering held in the warm and welcoming home belonging to Jayne Watson, chief executive of the National Arts Centre Foundation, to thank local supporters of this year’s record-breaking gala for the NAC’s National Youth and Education Trust.

Serge Sasseville, a senior vice president with Quebecor Media, with Liz Vered and her mother-in-law, Sara Vered, and Jayne Watson, chief executive of the NAC Foundation, at a reception Watson hosted at her home on Monday, November 2, 2015, for supporters of the recent NAC Gala.

“We just wanted to say a really deep and profound thank you for all of your support,” Watson said from her elevated position on the stairs, speaking to dozens of volunteers, sponsors and donors at her Brantwood Park-area home Monday night.

NAC president and CEO Peter Herrndorf and NAC Orchestra managing director Christopher Deacon attended the party. So did the orchestra’s new artistic director, maestro Alexander Shelley, who was a big draw for the gala, held September 19. Also from the orchestra were concertmaster Yosuke Kawasaki and his wife, associate concertmaster Jessica Linnebach.

From left, British High Commissioner Howard Drake with Christopher Deacon, managing director of the National Arts Centre Orchestra, and Peter Herrndorf, chief executive of the National Arts Centre, at a private reception held Monday, November 2, 2015, to thank supporters of the recent NAC Gala that raised more than $1 million for the NAC’s National Youth and Education Trust.

From left, Alexander Shelley, music director of the NAC Orchestra, with Mayor Jim Watson and businessman Dennis Laurin, owner of Laurin General Contractor, at a private reception held Monday, November 2, 2015, to thank supporters of the National Arts Centre’s recent record-breaking gala held in support of Canada’s next generation of performing artists.

Concertmaster Yosuke Kawasaki of the National Arts Centre Orchestra with his wife, associate concertmaster Jessica Linnebach, and Karine Mayers, development officer with the NAC Foundation, at a reception held Monday, November 2, 2015, to thanks supporters of a recent NAC Gala.

Special guests included British High Commissioner Howard Drake, who served as live auctioneer at the gala, during the exclusive dinner held on Southam Hall stage.

Also in the mix were members of the philanthropic Vered family, including matriarch Sara Vered (her late son, Arnie Vered, was head of the NAC Gala committee for a couple of years), community volunteer and philanthropist Barbara Crook, and current NAC Gala chair Gary Zed, who’s being inducted into the Order of Ottawa next week for his contributions to the city.

Gary Zed, chair of the NAC Gala committee, with Ottawa philanthropist Barbara Crook, at a private reception held Monday, November 2, 2015, to thank supporters of this year’s record-breaking benefit gala for the National Arts Centre and Canada’s next generation of performing artists.

“About a year ago we stood here and Gary Zed freaked me out a little bit as our gala chair by saying we’re going to set a record, we’re going to raise a million dollars,” Watson told the crowd, holding her hands to her face and shaking her head as she recalled her initial reaction to his ambitious goal.

Well, they did it. The evening broke records, raising just over $1 million in net proceeds. Money from the gala helps to fund things like the NAC’s Summer Music Institute and Young Artists Program. On a local level, it allowed more than 25,000 students and teachers to attend NAC student matinees last year, brought musical training to another 10,000 kids in their schools, and provided a variety of free activities to thousands of NAC visitors on Family Day.

Missing in action was Michel Liboiron from the gala’s presenting sponsor, CIBC. Watson remarked that he was probably stuck in heavy traffic, caused by the nearby reconstruction of Main Street. It was a good thing her brother, Mayor Jim Watson, was there.

“Jim, can you fix that?” she jokingly asked him.

Carolyn001@sympatico.ca

You know your event is growing when even the Irish ambassador’s official residence, a sprawling mansion in Rockcliffe Park, just doesn’t feel roomy enough anymore.

Organizers of an annual fundraiser for Crohn’s and colitis moved this year’s sold-out Embassy Chef Challenge from the ambassador’s residence to the John G. Diefenbaker Building, also known as Old City Hall, with the hope of providing more elbow room for its food, wine and beer-tasting guests.

Some 300 attendees of the $100-a-ticket event spent the evening Thursday sampling exotic and delicious dishes created by chefs with the British, Hungarian, Moldova, Philippines, Trinidad & Tobago, Spain and Thai diplomatic missions. The People’s Choice Award went to Chef Jil Aranas from the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines while the winner of the Embassy Chef Challenge was Chef Resa Solomon-St. Lewis, from the High Commission of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.

From left, embassy chefs Nata Albot (Moldova), Jil Aranas (Philippines), Carlos Uxio Lens Lopez (Spain), Jiraporn Bunlert (Thai) and Resa Solmon-St. Lewis (Trinidad & Tobago) on stage as the chefs are introduced to the audience during the second annual Embassy Chef Challenge.

In the crowd were former Liberal foreign affairs minister John Manley, now head of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives, and his wife, Judith, chatting with retired diplomat Larry Dickenson. His wife, cookbook author Margaret Dickenson, was on the event’s judging panel with Ottawa chefs Matthew Carmichael, Cory Haskins and Kent Van Dyk.

From left, John Manley with his wife, Judith, and Larry Dickenson at the second annual Embassy Chef Challenge.

Dr. David Mack, head of gastroenterology at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario and director of the CHEO Inflammatory Bowel Disease Centre, attended. Later, he helped to accept a $100,000 cheque from the IBD Foundation, represented by its president, Michele Hepburn. The money — raised from this and last year’s fundraiser — will go toward purchasing equipment for a IBD procedure room at CHEO.

From left, Dr. David Mack, chief of gastroenterology at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario and director of the CHEO Inflammatory Bowel Disease Centre, with Michele Hepburn, president of the IBD Foundation, and Sgt. Patrick Alden with the Governor General’s Foot Guards.

Among the hottest items sold by charity auctioneer Kent Browne was a signed Sidney Crosby hockey jersey (it got scooped up for a grand) and an embassy dinner for 10 that fetched $8,000. It will be hosted by British High Commissioner Howard Drake and his wife, Gill, at their official residence, the historic Earnscliffe. No bangers and mash here. 2014 Embassy Chef Challenge winner and 2015 competitor Mathieu DesJardins will give guests a fine dining experience.

Carolyn001@sympatico.ca

Ashbury College tipped its hat to pop art legend Andy Warhol by offering a wonderful world of bold colours, fleeting fame and, yes, lots of Campbell’s soup cans on display at this year’s Ashbury Ball, held Saturday night at the elite private school in Rockcliffe Park.

The sold-out, black-tie gala saw a crowd of 340 dine on beef tenderloin, bid on an endless array of luxury items and later hit the dance floor with Montreal’s Electrik band. “This is not your typical high school dance in a gymnasium,” Ashbury College head Norman Southward casually remarked.

No kidding. With its stunning decor, table settings and lighting, the place resembled a party palace of epic awesomeness.

From left, lawyer Ryan Keon with his wife, Cindy Tomlinson-Keon, who co-chaired this year’s Ashbury Ball with Kristine McGinn, seen with her husband, Walt McGinn, president at Allegra Print & Imaging, at Ashbury College in Rockcliffe Park on November 7, 2015.

Co-chairing the $275-a-ticket gala were Kristine McGinn and Cindy Tomlinson-Keon. Her family-owned companies, Tomlinson Group and the Centurion Conference and Event Center, were big sponsors in the long list of sponsors backing the event. Organizers hoped to raise more than $150,000, with a portion of the gala proceeds going toward student bursaries and scholarships at the school.

This year’s Fifteen Minutes of Fame gala, named after the popular expression credited to Warhol, showcased a record number of live auction items. The Ottawa Senators hockey club offered the chance to play a two-team game on Canadian Tire Centre ice with Sens alumni as guest coaches, plus refs, announcers, loaner jerseys and party suites.

Looking for 15 minutes of flying? There was all that and more in the acrobatic flight experience aboard an Extra 330LT aircraft, donated by Vintage Wings Canada founder Michael Potter.

Costa Rican Ambassador Roberto Dormond and his wife, Gabriela Carazo, offered a week-long stay at a beachfront villa in their home country. For the ultimate kids’ birthday bash, forget the teeny Tonka toys; parents could buy an afternoon at a Tomlinson sand pit with actual trucks and excavators.

Carolyn001@sympatico.ca

Former Olympic cyclist Curt Harnett wasn’t afraid to break out his Brazilian samba moves at this year’s Gold Medal Plates gala benefitting Canadian athletes headed to Rio de Janeiro this summer.

The three-time Olympic medalist, joined by his famous curly blond locks, hosted the sold-out event Monday night at the Shaw Centre, giving some 600 attendees a tiny taste of his dancing prowess while on stage with costumed dancers. He told everyone how excited he was “to dust off the old shirt”, referring to his multi-coloured poofy blouse with sleeves covered in Seinfeld-esque frills.

Sylvie Bigras, senior communications specialist with the Canadian Olympic Committee, on stage with former Olympian Kurt Harnett, in a Brazilian samba costume, at this year’s Gold Medal Plates Ottawa event held at the Shaw Centre on Monday, November 9, 2015.

For the past 10 years, Gold Medal Plates has been showcasing the best Canada has to offer in food, wine, sport and entertainment. The gala, held in 12 cities across the country, raises money for the Canadian Olympic Foundation, which directly funds the Own The Podium initiatives to help those athletes with a good shot at winning a medal. To date, more than $9.5 million has been raised.

Among the 19 Olympic athletes in attendance were celebrated skier Jean-Luc Brassard, who will be Canada’s chef de mission for the Rio Olympics, retired powerhouse rower Marnie McBean and ice dancing champ Tessa Virtue, who was turning heads in her red lace dress.

From left, former Olympic skiers Jean-Luc Brassard and Laurie Graham with two-time medalist rower Laryssa Biesenthal and Olympic medalist rower Iain Brambell at this year’s Gold Medal Plates culinary competition and fundraiser for Canadian Olympic athletes, held at the Shaw Centre on Monday, November 9, 2015.

From left, four-time Olympic medalist rower Marnie McBean was seen tasting some of the dishes, along with Jason Shelly and Natalia Karplus, at this year’s Gold Medal Plates Ottawa culinary competition, held at the Shaw Centre on Monday, November 9, 2015, as part of a fundraiser for Canadian Olympic athletes.

Also seen were Brazilian Ambassador Pedro Fernando Brêta Bastos and his colleagues. They were hosted by Ottawa resident Sandra Assaly, who was born and raised in São Paulo. Many members of the business community turned out, including popular man-about-town Harley Finkelstein from Shopify, Otto’s BMW owner Sonia Koller, Scott Parkes from Tamarack Developments and Michael Runia, Ontario managing partner of national sponsor Deloitte.

Ottawa resident Sandra Assaly, who was born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil, hosted Brazilian Ambassador Pedro Fernando BrÍtas Bastos and members of the embassy at the Gold Medal Plates Ottawa benefit, held Monday, November 9, 2015, at the Shaw Centre, for Olympic athletes heading to Brazil this summer to compete.

From left, James Jefferson from Blackbook Style with Raden Raun and Sonia Koller, from Otto’s BMW, and Daniel Mackinnon, also from Blackbook, at this year’s Gold Medal Plates culinary competition and fundraiser for Olympic athletes, held at the Shaw Centre on Monday, November 9, 2015.

From left, Cyril Leeder, president of the Ottawa Senators hockey team, with man-about-town Harley Finkelstein from Shopify, and Michael Runia from Deloitte at this year’s Gold Medal Plates Ottawa culinary competition and fundraiser for Canadian Olympic athletes, held at the Shaw Centre on Monday, November 9, 2015.

A big part of the gala is the culinary championship. This year, the gold went to Marc Lepine from Atelier restaurant. He won in 2012, as well, and went on to become national champ.

The 10 participating chefs in this year’s Gold Medal Plates Ottawa culinary competition were formally introduced to a ballroom full of guests during the gala evening, held at the Shaw Centre on Monday, November 9, 2015. Third from the right is Atelier restaurant’s smiling Marc Lepine, who was announced the winner later in the evening.

Also unique to Gold Medal Plates are the live auction adventures that deep-pocketed guests can bid on. They involve visiting places like Tuscany, Scotland, South Africa and Portugal with famous Canadian athletes and musicians as their travel buddies.

Returning as event co-chair was Ottawa entrepreneur Chris Klotz, who hails from a family of wickedly good skiers. He was quick to remind everyone how well Canada did at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, scooping up 25 medals. He also shone the spotlight on local ski star Dustin Cook, who, unfortunately, suffered a knee injury last month.

Chris Klotz, co-chair of Gold Medal Plates Ottawa, welcomes some 600 attendees to this year’s fundraiser for Canadian Olympic athletes, held at the Shaw Centre on Monday, November 9, 2015.

Related

• Atelier's Marc Lepine wins Ottawa's Gold Medal Plates competition for the second time

“Tonight is a night of dreams,” Klotz said in his uplifting speech. “It’s a dream to win Gold Medal Plates and to be recognized as the finest chef in the city. It’s also a dream, possibly, to win the national culinary championships in February. It’s also a dream to make the Canadian Olympic team but, more so, to win a medal for oneself and one’s country.”

Headlining the entertainment was quintessential Canadian singer Jim Cuddy, with Colin Cripps, Anne Lindsay, Devin Cuddy and Sam Polley.

Carolyn001@sympatico.ca

Unlikely pairings can sometimes yield surprising results.

Take the Christie Lake Kids’ signature gala, for example. Its name sounds like a novel: An Unlikely Pairing: Adventures in Food Trucks & Fine Wines.

Yet, the annual event drew another sold-out crowd and broke a new record, raising $101,000 for the local non-profit organization that changes lives by providing free recreational and skill-building programs to economically disadvantaged children and youth.

The successful concept is based on the coupling of wine with street food. It’s not ordinary street food but, rather, gourmet dishes from some of the best food trucks in town.

On Thursday, the chefs prepared fancy Vietnamese spring rolls, snow crab claws, Creole-blackened chicken tacos, bacon-braised beef brisket and ginger pear cream pops for 325 attendees of the dinner held at Ashbury College in Rockcliffe Park. The private school once again offered up the free venue space.

The participating mobile restaurants were: Angry Dragonz, Ad Mare, Urban Cowboy, Ottawa Street Gourmet and Merry Dairy.

“They do a great job,” said event chair Scott Parkes, vice president with Tamarack Developments and a member of Ottawa’s prominent Taggart and Parkes clan (their family foundation is title sponsor). “They’re used to dealing with a lunch crowd where hundreds of people show up on the sidewalk and want to eat. So, they’re perfect for an event like this where you need 300 meals in a short period of time.”

From left, Tracy Rait-Parkes and her husband, event chair Scott Parkes, from title sponsor, the Taggart Parkes Foundation, with Suzanne Farhat and Paul McCarney, with the McCarney Family Foundation, at An Unlikely Pairing: Adventures in Food Trucks and Fine Wines, held in support of Christie Lake Kids on Thursday, November 12, 2015, at Ashbury College in Rockcliffe Park.

Now into its fourth year, the $200-a-ticket gala keeps growing, both with sponsorship and with donated auction items, added Parkes, who also sits on the board with Christie Lake Kids.

Faces in the crowd included Paul McCarney, past chair of the Ottawa Construction Association, Christie Lake Kids board president Chris Hughes, and popular building supplier Robert Merkley. He, coincidentally, was seen with insurance broker Brian Scott, who’s receiving Thursday at an Association of Fundraising Professionals dinner the Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Award won by Merkley last year.

From left, Brian Scott, president of Smith Petrie Carr & Scott, with Cheryl Casey, Katie Scott (visiting from Mount Allison University), Doug Casey and Robert Merkley, president of Merkley Supply, at An Unlikely Pairing: Adventures in Food Trucks and Fine Wines, held in support of Christie Lake Kids on Thursday, November 12, 2015, at Ashbury College in Rockcliffe Park.

Guests had a chance to win a pair of Air Canada tickets while live auction items included generous golf packages, a $10,000 gift card to Muskoka custom kitchen cabinetry, a 100-level suite to a Senators game, a ride in a World War Two fighter jet from Vintage Wings and a painting by artist Katherine Jeans.

Also sold off: a priceless work of art created by children from Christie Lake Kids’ junior art program in the Caldwell community and a dinner for 10 cooked and served by youth from the organization’s senior cooking program at the Dempsey Community Centre.

Carolyn001@sympatico.ca

A party doesn’t get much classier than vodka martinis, live jazz and fine art. Although, it’s never a bad idea to throw in a photo booth for when the Ottawa Redblacks want to pile in for some goofy fun.

Six of the football team’s players, Greg Ellingson, Matt Albright, Justin Phillips, Moton Hopkins, Nigel Romick and Alex Pierzchalski, attended the 10th anniversary of the Martini Madness benefit for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada on Friday night, as did Ottawa Senators defenceman Marc Methot as honourary chair.

Methot came bearing gifts of a team-signed jersey and an Erik Karlsson-autographed hockey stick (it went to highest auction bidder Frank Bilodeau, district vice president at Scotiabank.)

The $105-a-ticket benefit was held at Lago Bar/Grill/View at Dow’s Lake Pavilion and attracted several hundred partygoers. Co-chairing the organizing committee were Octagon hockey agent Andy Scott and Jon Beckman from CIBC Woody Gundy.

It’s a cause that hits home for Scott, who underwent the surgical removal of his colon in his 20s, while in law school, due to ulcerative colitis, a form of inflammatory bowel disease. It wasn’t a cure-all procedure. Colitis remains a chronic health problem that he tries to manage by watching what he eats and avoiding too much stress.

“I think everybody in the room has some sort of connection to Crohn’s and colitis,” said Scott of the diseases that affect one in 150 Canadians — a rate that ranks in the highest, worldwide.

Scott led everyone in a toast to celebrate the 10-year anniversary and the $300,000-plus the event has raised over the years for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, a national volunteer-based charity focused on finding better treatments and cures. Local researchers and physicians in the room included CHEO docs Eric Benchimol and David Mack.

The evening showcased more than $8,000 worth of donated works by artists represented by Santini Gallery on Preston Street. Its dealer, Lauryn Santini, is on the organizing committee while law firm Kelly Santini, of which her father, Pat Santini, is a partner, was a returning sponsor. Later in the evening, the party continued upstairs with a live DJ and charity gaming.

Carolyn001@sympatico.ca

RedBlacks players, from left, Justin Phillips, Matt Albright (green sunglasses), Nigel Romick (blue sunglasses), Alex Pierzchalski (feathered boa) and Greg Ellingson (pirate hook) ham it up with props in the photo booth at the Martini Madness benefit for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, held at Lago Bar/Grill/View on Friday, November 13, 2015.

Mina Mawani, president and CEO of Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, attended the Martini Madness benefit held at Lago Bar/Grill/View at Dow’s Lake Pavilion on Friday, November 13, 2015.

From left, Nik Topolovec, managing partner at WaterBridge Media, with Ottawa RedBlacks lineman Moton Hopkins at the Martini Madness benefit for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, held at Lago Bar/Grill/View on Friday, November 13, 2015.

From left, Martini Madness committee member Andrea Hopkins with her friends and supporters, Laura Lauzon, sister Tara Hopkins, Lezlie Thompson and Jessica Gordon, holding an Ottawa Senators jersey donated for auction, at the fundraiser for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, held at Lago Bar/Grill/View on Friday, November 13, 2015.

Ottawa artist David Casey paints a landscape from scratch during the Martini Madness fundraiser for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, held at Lago Bar/Grill/View on Friday, November 13, 2015.

Ottawa Senators player Marc Methot, honourary chair of the Martini Madness fundraiser for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, with the organization’s development coordinator, Sherry Pang, at Lago Bar/Grill/View on Friday, November 13, 2015.

From left, Ruth Mack with Dr. Eric Benchimol, a pediatric gastroenterologist and clinical researcher in IBD, and his wife, Danielle, and Dr. David Mack, head of gastroenterology at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, at the Martini Madness fundraiser for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, held at Lago Bar/Grill/View on Friday, November 13, 2015.

From left, prominent insurance defence lawyer Pat Santini, partner at Kelly Santini, with one of his firm’s new lawyers, Brent Craswell, at the Martini Madness benefit for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, held at Lago Bar/Grill/View on Friday, November 13, 2015.

Ottawa RedBlacks wide receiver Greg Ellingson, seen with Ottawa lawyers Joanie Roy, left, and Madelaine Thurston, at the Martini Madness fundraiser for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, held at Lago Bar/Grill/View on Friday, November 13, 2015.

From left, Ottawa RedBlacks players Greg Ellingson, Matt Albright, Justin Phillips, Moton Hopkins, Nigel Romick and Alex Pierzchalski were out at Martini Madness to support Crohn’s and Colitis Canada at its 10th anniversary benefit, held Friday, November 13, 2015.

From left, Frank Bilodeau, district vice president for Scotiabank, with his wife, Stephanie, and newlyweds Angela Lariviere and lawyer Lawrence Greenspon at the Martini Madness benefit for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, held at Lago Bar/Grill/View on Friday, November 13, 2015.

From left, Martini Madness co-chair Andy Scott with committee members Andrea Hopkins and Lauryn Santini and co-chair Jon Beckman at the event’s 10th anniversary benefit for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, held at Lago Bar/Grill/View at Dows Lake Pavilion on Friday, November 13, 2015.

Jon Beckman, with CIBC Wood Gundy, seen standing alongside his co-chair, Andy Scott, welcomes attendees to the Martini Madness benefit for Crohn’s and Colitis, held at Lago Bar/Grill/View on Friday, November 13, 2015.

From left, Sherry Pang with Debra Power at the Martini Madness benefit for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, held at Lago Bar/Grill/View on Friday, November 13, 2015.

Professional auctioneer Jason Hands sells off an Erik Karlsson-signed hockey stick, held by committee member Lauryn Santini, at the Martini Madness benefit for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, held at Lago Bar/Grill/View on Friday, November 13, 2015.

From left, honorary chair and Ottawa Senators player Marc Methot with Octagon hockey agent Andy Scott, co-chair of the Martini Madness fundraiser for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, held at Lago Bar/Grill/View on Friday, November 13, 2015.

What’s black and red, and green all over? The Spanish-themed “Viva la pasion!” Canadian Tire Snowsuit Fund Gala, and anybody who missed it Saturday night.

This year’s $250-a-ticket gala drew a crowd of about 350 to the historic Fairmont Château Laurier, where red roses not only adorned the hotel ballroom but also the elegant updos worn by ladies in black lace gowns. The purpose of the evening was to raise money for the Snowsuit Fund, an Ottawa-based charity that provides snowsuits to underprivileged children and youth.

Attendees included Ottawa Senators defenceman Chris Phillips and his wife, Erin Phillips, as honourary co-chairs. Dressed as a cloak-flinging matador was Carter Brown, but there was no bull when it came to his KISS FM morning show co-host, Sandra Plagakis, as they helped to MC the gala with Snowsuit Fund board chair Lianne Laing from CTV Morning Live.

The evening featured a Flamenco dance and guitar performance, a gourmet dinner prepared by the Château Laurier’s executive chef, Louis Simard, live and silent auction items, and late-night dancing to the Sway Band.

The purchase of raffle tickets for a pair of free WestJet flights came with a Spanish-styled hand fan. How convenient, should the winner faint with excitement.

From left, Snowsuit Fund board chair Lianne Laing from CTV Morning Live with board vice chair, Taryn Gunnlaugson, BMO Private Banking, at this year’s Spanish-themed Canadian Tire Snowsuit Fund Gala held at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier on Saturday, November 14, 2015.

From left, Jason Markwick and his wife, Trina Fraser, a board member with the Snowsuit Fund and a law partner at BrazeauSeller, with Stacey Seller and Fred Seller, a founding partner of the firm, at the Canadian Tire Snowsuit Fund Gala held at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier on Saturday, November 14, 2015.

From left, Ottawa Police Supt. Scott Nystedt with his wife, Lorena-Del, and Snowsuit Fund board member Lee Knowles, Paragon Marketing Network, with her husband, Ottawa Police Insp. Murray Knowles, at this year’s Canadian Tire Snowsuit Fund Gala held at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier on Saturday, November 14, 2015, to provide outdoor winter clothing to children in need.

From left, the Snowsuit Fund’s new director of fund development, Gayle McGibbon, with her cousin, Jayne Watson, head of the fundraising arm for the National Arts Centre, at this year’s Canadian Tire Snowsuit Fund Gala held at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier on Saturday, November 14, 2015.

From left, Pamela Miles, seen with Snowsuit Fund board member Andrea Gaunt, wore a red rose in her hair especially for the Spanish-themed Canadian Tire Snowsuit Fund Gala held at the Fairmon Chateau Laurier on Saturday, November 14, 2015.

From left, Bernice Rachkowski with Lee-Ann Lacroix at this year’s Canadian Tire Snowsuit Fund Gala held at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier on Saturday, November 14, 2015.

Sara Pelizer of Flamenco Studio Ottawa performed, with James O’Halloran on guitar, at the Spanish-themed Canadian Tire Snowsuit Fund Gala held at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier on Saturday, November 14, 2015.

Sara Pelizer of Flamenco Studio Ottawa performed at the Spanish-themed Canadian Tire Snowsuit Fund Gala held at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier on Saturday, November 14, 2015.

Ottawa Senators defenceman Chris Phillips (doing the Movember campaign proud) and his wife, Erin Phillips, attended this year’s Snowsuit Fund Gala, held at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier on Saturday, November 14, 2015, as the charity’s honourary co-chairs.

105.3 KISS FM’s Carter Brown and Sandra Plagakis helped host this year’s Spanish-themed Canadian Tire Snowsuit Fund Gala held at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier on Saturday, November 14, 2015.

Snowsuit Fund board member Don Masters, president of Mediaplus Advertising, with his wife, Lynn Buffone, at this year’s Spanish-themed Canadian Tire Snowsuit Fund Gala held at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier on Saturday, November 14, 2015.

From left, Patrick Kennedy, director of government relations at CF Industries, with Omar Ismail and Lindsay Doyle, a consultant at Summa Strategies Canada, and Jane Kennedy, executive director at Partnership for Resource Trade, at this year’s Canadian Tire Snowsuit Fund Gala held at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier on Saturday, November 14, 2015.

From left, Tanya Proulx, Pamela Dilawri, Joanne Mews and Rhiannon Andrews scored their own flamenco fans after buying raffle tickets during the Canadian Tire Snowsuit Fund Gala held at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier on Saturday, November 14, 2015.

Tim Hortons franchisee Joey Murphy and his wife, Mona, at the Canadian Tire Snowsuit Fund Gala held at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier on Saturday, November 14, 2015.

Valerie Hammell from Canadian Tire and Peter O’Leary, chief marketing officer and vice president of ticketing for the Ottawa Senators, were back to co-chair this year’s Spanish-themed Canadian Tire Snowsuit Fund Gala, held at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier on Saturday, November 14, 2015.

carolyn001@sympatico.ca

The best way to avoid a bad case of the Novembers is by attending the always-uplifting Ottawa Philanthropy Awards. That’s when regular folks of all ages and backgrounds get up on stage to thank their family, friends and the dedicated professional fundraisers that nominated them, while reflecting in a meaningful way on what has motivated and inspired them to be as generous as they are.

From CASCO to Costco, this year’s recipients offered stories worth hearing at the AFP (Association of Fundraising Professionals) local Philanthropy Awards dinner, held at the Shaw Centre on Thursday night.

Jonathan Pitre spoke about philanthropy, November 19, 2015.

You could feel the love and admiration in the crowd of 300 for guest speaker Jonathan Pitre, 15, of Russell. The “true local hero”, as he was introduced by philanthropic businessman Dan Greenberg, suffers from but is bringing greater awareness to a rare and painful skin disorder called epidermolysis bullosa (EB). The Sens fan, who worries more about whether he’ll live to see another day than if he’s hanging with the cool kids or wearing the right designer labels, shared an important life lesson: “No matter how tough you think your life is, no matter how tough you think it is, someone else is living it tougher than you are. Always keep that mind when you are in difficult times. It may help you through it.”

First to be honoured at the event was insurance broker Brian Scott as Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser. His message: volunteer fundraising is nothing to be afraid of. “There are lots of generous people in our community who are prepared to be engaged.”

Most notably, Scott has been involved with the local YMCA-YWCA fundraising initiatives, except for the dangerous one that involves rappelling down a 16-storey building. “As Brian is president of Smith Petrie Carr & Scott Insurance Brokers, I may understand his hesitation when it comes to that event,” joked the Y’s vice president of financial development, Jack Silverstein.

Costco Wholesale was named this year’s Outstanding Corporate Philanthropist for the millions of dollars that it’s helped raise for the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). The children’s hospital also successfully nominated CASCO as Outstanding Philanthropic Group. The student-run charity organization at the University of Ottawa has raised more than $400,000 for CHEO and seen 16 generations of students get involved.

From left, CASCO co-founder Alexandre St-Jean with CHEO Foundation president and CEO Kevin Keohane and CASCO co-founder Tuan Nguyen.

The group was founded by Tuan Nguyen and Alexandre St-Jean to raise funds in honour of their friend, Eric Danis, a former CHEO patient who lost his life to leukemia in 1998. Each year, CASCO hosts a choreographed benefit show.

Nguyen dedicated the award to the late Peter Koppel, a retired professor from the university’s Telfer School of Management, and CHEO’s greatest champion, Max Keeping, who passed away last month. “This is for you,” Nguyen said, lifting the award above his head and looking upward.

Luxury car dealership Mark Motors drove away with the Outstanding Small Business award after being nominated by the National Arts Centre Foundation. The family-run business was started by the Slovenian-born, self-made Louis Mrak, who passed away three years ago. He had nothing but a suitcase and a few dollars when he immigrated to Canada in 1956.

His wife, Margaret, attended with their four children, Andreas, Michael, Vincent,and Liza. In their speech, the children paid tribute to their parents for teaching them to give back to the community and to push themselves above and beyond expectations.
“What they would always say is: There are people in this world who make things happen, there are people who watch things happen and there are people who say ‘What happened?’,” said Liza at the podium with her brother, Michael.

“They may have said that as they handed us a broom to sweep the garage floors but the lesson was learned.”

From left, St. Patrick’s High School teacher Linda LoFaro with Holly Gillis and Patrick Rapley (parents of youth award winner Maxwell Rapley), and Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation board chair, Ottawa lawyer Gregory Sanders, and president and CEO Linda Eagen.

This year’s Outstanding Youth Award went to St. Patrick’s High School graduate Maxwell Rapley for his involvement in the school’s Breakfast for Cancer fundraiser in support of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation. Rapley is currently studying at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, N.S. but his parents accepted the award on his behalf.

The final award of the night went to Subhas (Sam) Bhargava and his wife Uttra. The couple was awarded Outstanding Individual Philanthropist for its financial support of brain and spinal cord research at The Ottawa Hospital.

“We are a combined 150 years old and are supposed to be over the hill but AFP put us on top of the mountain, and the view is excellent,” said an appreciative Bhargava.

The Bhargavas’ philanthropy stems from personal tragedy that resulted in them creating a legacy of hope so that other families don’t have to suffer as they have. The couple cared for and watched as Bhargava’s parents wasted away from Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Their eldest daughter, now deceased, was left a quadriplegic after being hit by a drunk driver.

The Bhargavas, who came to Canada in 1983, spoke about the support extended to them from friends, neighbours and Kiwanians (singling out former mayor Jackie Holzman). “No wonder the Canadian passport is the best passport in the world,” said Bhargava.

Carolyn001@sympatico.ca

Former prime minister Jean Chrétien has been named honourary chair of an ambitious campaign to raise $50 million for innovative medical research right here in our community, it was announced at The Ottawa Hospital’s signature gala held Saturday night at The Westin hotel.

The Tender Loving Research Campaign is being led by Greg Kane, counsel at Dentons Canada LPP. He’s past board chair of The Ottawa Hospital Foundation and co-chair of the hospital gala committee, along with Whitney Fox.

The evening, which sold out months ago, drew a who’s who of doctors, business leaders and politicians for a lustrous night of dinner, dancing and celebration of modern advances in local medical research. The 650 attendees included Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin, Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz and local Liberal MPPs Bob Chiarelli, John Fraser and Yasir Naqvi, the latter of whom may see the inside of a hospital soon; his wife Christine McMillan is expecting again this winter.

Also among the special guests was popular news anchor Lucy van Oldenbarneveld from CBC Ottawa. She’s been off air while fighting breast cancer but has joined the campaign as an ambassador.

For sure, it helps to recruit household names, like Chrétien and Lucy van O, to the cause but what some may not know is that Chrétien has a brother, Dr. Michel Chrétien, who’s famous in his own right as a medical research scientist. It’s in his name that the hospital’s Researcher of the Year Award was handed out at the gala, to Dr. Marc Carrier for leading a clinical trial that will save countless patients with blood clots from unnecessary and potentially harmful tests.

Dr. David Moher received the Grimes Research Career Achievement Award for his pioneering work in combining the results of many different studies to solve medical controversies, and for creating guidelines to improve health research reporting. The Worton Researcher in Training Award went to Dr. Carolina Ilkow for her outstanding work in developing cancer-fighting viruses with Dr. John Bell, including a novel virus targeted against pancreatic cancer.

The black-tie dinner raised $410,000. Nordion was back as long-time title sponsor, joined by dozens of other corporate sponsors. Fetching models wore Sukhoo Sukhoo Couture and the ballroom was decorated with stunning style. You’d be hard pressed to find anything cold and sterile about this hospital event.

Carolyn001@sympatico.ca

The bright lights of the football stadium will be shining on the Redblacks at this Sunday’s CFL Grey Cup game but, on Monday night, the spotlight went to Nicole Burris, wife of star quarterback Henry Burris.

Burris was one of several women to participate in a fashion show during a Fashion FUNraiser held at Marlene Shepherd’s high-end women’s clothing and accessories store, located in the Ottawa Train Yards shopping district. Shepherd’s regularly holds private shopping and fashion nights for charity.

Nicole Burris, wife of Redblacks quarterback Henry Burris, was a volunteer model at the Shepherd’s Fashion FUNraiser held at the women’s boutique in the Train Yards shopping district on Monday, November 23, 215.

From left, Nicole Burris, wife of Redblacks quarterblack Henry Burris, seen at Shepherd’s on Monday, November 23, 2015, with her good friend, Peggy Taillon, president of the Bruyère Foundation, shortly before she strutted her stuff on stage in support of Bruyère.

From left, Marlene Shepherd, president of Shepherd’s Fashions, with its general manager, Samantha Poole, at a Fashion FUNraiser the store hosted for the Bruyère Foundation on Monday, November 23, 2015.

The evening, sponsored by Omega Laser Therapy, raised funds for Bruyère, an Ottawa health care organization that provides complex continuing care, rehabilitation, palliative care, family medicine services, specialized services and long-term care.

Joining Burris on the catwalk were Bruyère Foundation board members Fiona Gilfillan (chair), Sheila Brady and Barb Perrin, Bruyère patient Kathryn Stagg and Sarah Freemark from CTV Morning Live.

Bruyère Foundation board member and retired Ottawa Citizen editor Sheila Brady was a volunteer model at the Fashion FUNraiser for Bruyère, held at Shepherd’s in the Train Yards shopping district on Monday, November 23, 2015.

The experience was exhilarating for Burris, who’s friends with Bruyère Foundation’s new president, Peggy Taillon. “When you’re up on stage and all the lights are on you and all eyes are on you, it’s intense,” she said, comparing it to how her husband might feel during a game.

Bruyère Foundation’s new president, Peggy Taillon, welcomes guests to the Fashion FUNraiser held at Shepherd’s on Monday, November 23, 2015, in support of Bruyère and its rehabilitation, long-term and palliative care facilities.

Shepherd’s general manager and style guru Samantha Poole was a hoot as she curated the show, spicing it up with some girly talk about bras and bums, and giving away fabulous prizes. Brady gets full credit, though, for her slapstick. She had a minor runway fall, à la Carrie Bradshaw, but carried on good-humouredly.

There were handsome gentlemen on hand to help escort the models to and from the catwalk. Dubbed “the Bruyère Boys”, they included retiring CEO Bernie Blais, incoming CEO Daniel Levac and Dr. Frank Knoefel.

From left, PhD student Dan McEwen, Bruyère clinical manager Mario DaPonte, Dr. Frank Knoefel and Bernie Forestall, a vice president with the Bruyère Foundation, helped out at the Fashion FUNraiser benefit held at Shepherd’s store on Monday, November 23, 2015, in support of Bruyère.

The 130 attendees of the $50-a-ticket event sipped wine from Three Dog Winery and nibbled on hors d’oeuvres from Epicuria while browsing and shopping in the boutique, which was elegantly decorated for the holiday season. For those needing an excuse to spend, 15 per cent of all sales that night were directed to patient care and research at Bruyère, namely Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Carolyn001@sympatico.ca

The 31st edition of Christmas Lights Across Canada is ready to light up Canada’s Capital Region — and every provincial and territorial capital from coast to coast to coast!

“In December, as the nights grow longer and colder, Canadians can come together in capital cities across the country for this annual celebration and let the festive atmosphere brighten their spirits,” said the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage. “In Canada’s Capital Region, the winter landscape glows with hundreds of thousands of multicoloured lights throughout the holiday season.”

For the 2015-16 season, which runs from Dec. 2 to Jan. 7, Christmas Lights Across Canada has become bigger and better than ever. An additional 100,000 lights will brighten up the Capital, including at a new location on MacKenzie Avenue. The Peace Tower and Centre Block on Parliament Hill will be the backdrop for a brand new multimedia projection show presented in loop from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. every evening during the entire Christmas Lights period.

The Capital’s residents and visitors are all invited to the official Illumination Ceremony on Parliament Hill on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. Those taking part can enjoy free BeaverTails pastry, hot chocolate, a live performance by Measha Brueggergosman and an amazing pyrotechnic show that is sure to launch the season with a bang.

Canadian Heritage is happy to present this program in cooperation with exclusive sponsor Manulife. “Manulife is proud to sponsor this great Canadian tradition,” said Peter Wilkinson, senior vice-president. “Christmas Lights Across Canada has delighted countless Canadians for many years and helped start each New Year on a bright note.”

Christmas Lights Across Canada was launched more than 30 years ago to kick off the holiday season in the National Capital and to highlight landmarks along Confederation Boulevard — including Parliament Hill, national museums, monuments and other prominent institutions.

The program brings together Canadians across the country by linking the Capital with Canada’s provinces and territories. In December, most provincial and territorial capital cities take part in the magic by holding an illumination ceremony or a celebration of the season.

“We invite everyone to come out to enjoy the lights and share in the spirit of togetherness that links us as Canadians from coast to coast to coast,” said Minister Joly. “As we look toward the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017, the lights are a powerful symbol of the Canadian values of peace, respect, inclusiveness and hope for the future.”

For more information, visit christmaslights.gc.ca.

This story was provided by Canadian Heritage for commercial purposes. Postmedia had no involvement in the creation of this content.

With football fever in the air, what better time than now to announce that Jesse Palmer will serve as celebrity ambassador for the fifth and final Bust A Move fundraiser for breast cancer health, taking place this Saturday, March 5th at the Ottawa Athletic Club (OAC).

The big reveal was announced at a recent luncheon hosted for about 60 women by Revolution Organics co-founder Melissa Shabinsky at her Island Park Drive-area home, which is every bit as lovely as she is. She’s chairing the event with Krista Kealey, vice president of communications and public affairs for the Ottawa International Airport Authority, and Trina Fraser, a law partner at BrazeauSeller.

Bust A Move, which is presented by Morguard and St. Laurent Centre, is an action-packed fitness fundraiser that brings together more than 200 women for a sweaty team-building day full of friendship, empowerment and inspiration.

Organizers dropped hints about this year’s celebrity guest, describing Palmer as a local boy with a penchant for roses. The former NFL quarterback and one-time star of The Bachelor is an ESPN college football analyst who recently joined Good Morning America as a special contributor.

Gratuitous photograph of Jesse Palmer, at the Calgary Stampede, July 4, 2013.

If that’s not enough to get you into your lululemon leggings, how about this: he’s also really hot.

To date, Bust A Move has raised more than $1.2 million for breast health through the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation. The room heard, from Ottawa medical oncologist Dr. Susan Dent, how past funds have helped with clinical studies done on the impact that breast cancer treatment has on women’s heart health. It also learned how money raised this year will go toward the foundation’s After the Bell cancer coaching program, named for when patients have finished treatment – and rang the survivor bell – and must now begin the next phase of their lives.

“That’s something I can support, 100 per cent,” said breast cancer survivor and guest speaker Andrea Douglas. “I truly believe that helping women who are having trouble adapting to their own breast cancer post-treatment issues is desperately needed and something worth exercising for.”

Among the attendees was special guest Nicole Burris, wife of Redblacks quarterback Henry Burris, as well as Ottawa women thinking of organizing their own team and current supporters of Bust A Move, including Shabinsky’s Team BFF. It flexes its money-making muscles each year by raising the most dough, although it helps that the team is 15 members strong.

Carolyn001@sympatico.ca

It was the second worst day of his life, but it would get better.

Bill awoke on Christmas morning — Dec. 25, 2013 — in The Ottawa Mission. It was two years to the day since his son had been killed in a car accident, five months since he’d lost his job, 15 days since he was evicted from his apartment.

He was jobless, penniless, homeless and lonely.

“It was the worst day of my life, next to the day he actually died,” recalls Bill, whose last name has been withheld to protect his identity. “I woke up in a homeless shelter, broke and a mess. It was not pretty.”

He looked around at all the sad faces: Men lost in memories. Lonely. Destitute. Just like him.

And then, there, on the bed, he noticed a backpack. He figured someone had put it down and forgotten it. But, no, it was for him. It had been left there by Mission staff overnight. Inside were toiletries, socks, gift cards, candies and cookies.

All of it had been donated by people he didn’t know.

“Everybody got one,” he said. “The entire — entire — place. Two hundred guys, plus. It touched my heart, I’ll tell you.”

And it sparked that small flame of hope that has burned ever since, seeing him through high times and low as the 56-year-old former warehouse supervisor with a chronic back injury makes his way back up life’s ladder, one rung at a time.

Christmas can be a trying, emotional season at the best of times. For the destitute and homeless, many of them estranged from family and children, it’s particularly so.

During 14 years as executive director of the Ottawa Food Bank, Peter Tilley worked closely with The Ottawa Mission and he saw it every year. Now as executive director of The Mission, he sees it through new eyes, more closely.

“You can clearly see how distraught and troubled most of the people who come to a shelter are,” says Tilley. “It’s not really the choice of many, especially at Christmas.

“I think Christmas is always a reminder of the family problems they might have had, the chaos that they saw.”

There is more than a tinge of regret among many, and a bittersweet longing for the better times that has resonated among Mission clients every year since its first Christmas in 1906.

“It’s an overwhelming feeling of loneliness for many, even when they’re in a dorm room upstairs with seven other men,” says Tilley.

“Even though we treat them well and do many things with them to make them feel at home, at the end of the day they’re in a downtown shelter at Christmas, they’re not with their family; they’re not with their friends. And there are many reminders of why they’re alone and what went wrong.”

Some buddy up. Some will pick up the phone and reconnect with children or siblings. Some do it on their deathbed at the Mission hospice. Most don’t.

Mission staff and volunteers do their best to lift spirits with movie nights, game nights, hot chocolate and care packages. There is a Christmas concert and, of course, Christmas dinner — this year on Sunday, Dec. 20.

Between 2,500 and 3,000 meals will be served — that’s on top of the 1,300 served on average every other day at The Mission.

Christmas dinner will include 2,500 pounds of oven-roasted turkey, 24 pans of savoury stuffing, 450 tourtière pies, 600 pounds of mashed potatoes, 400 pounds of glazed baby carrots, 400 pounds of green beans, 50 gallons of giblet gravy and 3,000 sensational cupcakes rounded up from bakers across Ottawa by local volunteer Josée Cowley.

The dining room is decorated, the round tables festooned with seasonal adornment, the guests seated and served.

“Not only is it a great meal, it’s a sense of belonging,” says Tilley.

Throughout the year, The Mission provides services like addiction counseling and housing outreach and support – critical elements to getting people out of the shelter.

“If we can get to the root of some of those issues,” says Tilley, “then we can help them get back on track and continue on their journey.”
For now, with the onset of winter, the little things present some of the greatest challenges for many. Men’s socks, gloves, hats, “gently used” coats and, hardest of all to acquire, proper winter boots suitable for long days walking cold streets.

All need donations.

The weather becomes critical, not only to their mood but their survival. Proper outerwear on a cold day can make all the difference.
The Mission also provides access to medical and dental care.

The ultimate goal is to get people working and into affordable housing; last year the Mission helped 175 people find a place to call home. For some, it’s a long road, one that can only be taken when they’re ready to take those critical first steps.

“We’re doing our best to enhance our addiction treatment and mental-health supports to try to get to the root causes, with the aim of getting people into housing in the community and then ensuring they are supported for a while so they don’t have to come back to a shelter,” says Tilley.

In 2014, 75 clients completed the Mission’s 30-day stabilization program and another 22 graduated from its five-week residential addiction program.

Bill is back in his own place and he can’t say enough good things about the folks at The Ottawa Mission who helped him get there. Christmas still haunts him, so he stays away from the malls and the seasonal music. But The Mission and the people who work there hold a place in his heart.

“Christmas is a hard time for a lot of the guys, but there’s hope in The Mission. All a guy’s gotta do is say, ‘can you help me?’”
You can help others by linking to www.ottawamission.com and finding out what you can do or donate.

This story was produced by Postmedia Works on behalf of The Ottawa Mission Foundation for commercial purposes. Postmedia’s editorial departments had no involvement in the creation of this content.

Long-time executive director Brian Tardif originally planned to let his 30 years with Citizen Advocacy of Ottawa slip by quietly, without celebration.

But then something happened that changed his mind; he attended a wedding anniversary for past board president Allan Dolenko and his wife, Marilyn. He realized they were good friends with another past president, Leslie Wake, and her husband, David, yet neither knew of each other’s involvement with the non-profit organization, which for more than 40 years has been helping people with disabilities connect with the greater community.

A reception for Citizen Advocacy of Ottawa, held Friday, November 27, 2015, at the law office of BLG drew, from left, past board member Anna Bilsky and past board presidents Allan Dolenko and Leslie Wake.

That’s when Tardif decided to host an Appetites for Advocacy benefit to bring together people with a history with the charity. The reception was held Friday night in the lofty law offices of Borden Ladner Gervais (BLG). There, some 50 guests – including Senator Jim Munson, current board president Mike Giunta and Barry McKenna, who leads the organization’s signature gala, Evening in the Maritimes — could look down on Parliament Hill over a glass of wine and canapés.

Present was family discount store Giant Tiger senior vice president Julia Knox to make a ceremonial cheque presentation of $75,000.

Citizen Advocacy has seen much growth in Tardif’s 30 years there. It’s gone from a staff of four to 24, from running one program to a long list of them, from serving just Ottawa to now Eastern Ontario and from watching its impact grow from 200 people a month to 1,400. It used to raise less than $1,000 a year. Today, it’s more like $700,000, annually.

“But that all happened because of people like you in this room,” said Tardiff. “So, for me, I wanted to celebrate that with you because it isn’t about me; it’s about us.”

Appetites for Advocacy is an initiative started by the organization in 2014. It recruits volunteer hosts to invite friends, neighbours and colleagues over, usually to their homes, to socialize, learn a bit about the organization and, hopefully, make a donation. The drinks are provided and Epicuria Catering takes care of the food.

Carolyn001@sympatico.ca

It was (hard) hats off to Lawson Hunter on Friday as supporters of the Ottawa Art Gallery paid tribute to a man who’s shown exemplary leadership in the creation of a cultural meeting place that this city can be proud of.

The long-time head of the OAG board and avid collector of Canadian art has “put his money where his mouth is” and donated $100,000 toward the expansion of the public art gallery. Work has begun and construction is scheduled to be finished by 2017.

“Simply put, we would not be having a new Ottawa Art Gallery without Lawson,” Tom Houston, a long-time volunteer with the gallery and a partner at Dentons Canada LLP, said in his remarks at the annual Hats Off appreciation party. “Absolutely, he is the tenacious force that has caused it to happen.”

Similarly put by Barbara Uteck, another long-time supporter: “When he puts his mind to something, there’s absolutely no stopping him.”

Lawson’s gift toward the gallery’s $3.5 million Art Now – L’art ici capital campaign will be used to establish the Lawson A.W. Hunter Permanent Collection Gallery, to be located on the 3rd floor of the new and improved building at 2 Daly Ave. The fundraising campaign is also being led by Hunter, who, when not giving of his time, talent and money to the gallery, is counsel at Stikeman Elliott LLP.

At the podium, Hunter named close to a dozen contributors who have helped make his “labour of love” happen. “I’m very appreciative of the time I’ve spent here,” he told the room. “I’m not quite done yet.”
The OAG is more than halfway toward achieving its campaign goal, having topped $2 million in donations.

The evening drew local artists, collectors and supporters of the gallery, located in the Arts Court building at 2 Daly Ave. Guests were encouraged to wear hats (rarely is the hard hat more flattering than when worn by OAG director and CEO Alexandra Badzak).

The event included an award ceremony recognizing the many volunteers, members, donors and organizations who have supported the OAG throughout the year. Among the recipients were Amy Jenkins and Leslie McKay for heading up the organizing committee for the le pARTy art auction fundraiser. Accepting on their behalf was Ottawa artist and OAG board member Danny Hussey. He’s co-chairing this year’s annual event, slated for Thursday, June 9.

Carolyn001@sympatico.ca

Alexandra Badzak, CEO and director of the Ottawa Art Gallery, welcomes guests to the OAG’s annual Hats Off appreciation party, held Friday, November 27, 2015, at the Arts Court building at 2 Daly Avenue.

Ottawa Art Gallery board member Danny Hussey was good humoured as he stepped in to accept, from OAG special events coordinator Meredith Berriman, a pair of girly-looking gifts at the OAG’s annual Hats Off appreciation party, held at Arts Court on Friday, November 27, 2015.

Stephanie Germano, manager of the Ottawa Art Gallery’s ART Rental & Sales, is flanked by, from left, Emily Putnam and Jaime Douglas, who received a recognition award from the OAG, along with Eva Fiedler, at the art gallery’s annual appreciation event, held Friday, November 27, 2015.

From left, Jennifer Johnson and Heather Tasseron wore their best hats, as suggested, for the Ottawa Art Gallery’s annual Hats Off event, held Friday, November 27, 2015, in recognition of the volunteers, members and donors who have supported the OAG throughout the year.

From left, Ottawa artists Tim desClouds and Jaya Krishnan at the Ottawa Art Gallery on Friday, November 27, 2015, for its annual Hats Off event in recognition of volunteers, members and donors who have supported the gallery throughout the year.

Ottawa Art Gallery board member Lilly Koltun, retired director general of the Portrait Gallery of Canada, with board chair Lawson Hunter, whose $100,000 gift was announced at the OAG’s annual Hats Off appreciation party, held Friday, November 27, 2015 at the Arts Court building.

From left, Tom Houston, a law partner at Dentons, with Vic Duret, an Ottawa Art Gallery board member and partner with KPMG, Claudia Chowaniec, an OAG board member and president of Precept Inc. and Duret’s wife, Hilary McCormack, newly appointed chair of the Military Police Complaints Commission of Canada, at the OAG’s Hats Off appreciation party, held Friday, November 27, 2015.

Local artist Nicolas Grégoire and his wife, Janet, were a fine-looking hat-wearing pair at the Ottawa Art Gallery’s Hats Off event, held at the OAG on Friday, November 27, 2015.

Ottawa Art Gallery board chair Lawson Hunter addresses the room after it was announced at the Hats Off appreciation party, on Friday, November 27, 2015, that he had donated $100,000 to the OAG’s capital campaign.

Barbara Uteck, a long-time supporter of the Ottawa Art Gallery and a former Secretary to the Governor General, was among the speakers at the OAG’s annual Hats Off appreciation event held at Arts Court on Friday, November 27, 2015.

Ottawa lawyer Tom Houston, a long-time supporter of the Ottawa Art Gallery, spoke at the OAG’s annual Hats Off appreciation party, held Friday, November 27, 2015.

Bridget Thompson and Danny Hussey, who’s on the board of the Ottawa Art Gallery, got into the headwear spirit of the OAG’s annual Hats Off appreciation party held at the gallery on Friday, November 27, 2015.

From left, Heba Abakar was presented the volunteer of the year award from Ottawa Art Gallery curator Stephanie Nadeau at the OAG’s annual Hats Off appreciation event, held Friday, November 27, 2015.

All that was missing was the sight of softly falling snow outside the Fairmont Château Laurier on Monday night as the historic landmark hotel was practically Santa central, playing host again to the 18th annual Trees of Hope for CHEO (Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario.)

“If this can’t get you in the Christmas spirit, nothing will,” CHEO president and CEO Alex Munter casually remarked inside the French Renaissance-style ballroom that bustled with live music, twinkling trees, and darling children with one eye on all the holiday magic in the room and the other on the tempting treats.

Alex Munter, president and CEO of CHEO at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier’s Trees of Hope for CHEO, on Monday, November 30, 2015, with clinical coordinator Pamela Baker, occupational therapist Julianne Noseworthy and registered nurses Claire Bahati and Sarah Hendry from BRiDGES-Passerelle, a collaborative service that provides interventions for youth with complex mental health needs. Their tree, sponsored by Bell “Let’s Talk”, was the winner of the Royal-Tree category.

The tree-topping star of the show is Deneen Perrin, director of public relations for the Château Laurier and a board member with the CHEO Foundation. She leads a volunteer committee of organizers in creating this city’s most popular kick-off-to-Christmas event, benefiting sick children and youth.

Fairmont Chateau Laurier general manager Claude Sauvé with his director of public relations, event organizer Deneen Perrin, and his wife, Deborah Sauvé, at the 18th Annual Trees of Hope for CHEO, held at the hotel on Monday, November 30, 2015.

The evening drew hundreds of invited guests to bid on some 370 silent auction items and buy raffle tickets from friendly firefighters to win a prize of two tickets to any Air Canada destination in North America or a $1,000 Jubilee Fine Jewellers gift card.

Organizers were hoping to top last year’s total of $89,000. “What’s really interesting is that when we started this event 18 years ago, we actually raised $3,000 and only had three trees, so it definitely has taken shape,” said Perrin.

In the festive crowd were CHEO pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Michael Vassilyadi and the CHEO Research Institute’s CEO and scientific director, Dr. Martin Osmond. Also seen were hotel general manager Claude Sauvé and his wife, Deborah. She was a volunteer judge with Munter, Michelle Taggart from star sponsor Tamarack, wedding and event planner Nancy Tremblay from WEDECOR, and Majic 100 morning show hosts Angie Poirier and “Stuntman” Stu Schwartz.

From left, Dr. Michael Vassilyadi, a pediatric neurosurgeon at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, with Penny Reklitis and Jim Reklitis, vice president and general manager of GDI Integrated Facility Services, one of 33 companies and organizations to sponsor a tree at the Trees of Hope for CHEO, held Monday, November 30, 2015, at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier.

From left, Michelle Taggart from Tamarack, Nancy Tremblay from WEDECOR and “Stuntman” Stu Schwartz from MAjic 100 helped to judge this year’s 33 decorated trees for the 18th annual Trees of Hope for CHEO benefit, held at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier on Monday, November 30, 2015.

Dr. Martin Osmond, CEO and scientific director of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute (CHEO RI), with his wife, Dr. Janet Nuth from The Ottawa Hospital, at the Trees of Hope for CHEO, an annual benefit hosted by and held at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier on Monday, November 30, 2015.

They faced a daunting task: to choose from a selection of Christmas trees decorated with tremendous creativity and thoughtfulness. This year’s themes were The Nutcracker and Royal-Tree (a clever pun on royalty.) There were 33 trees in all, sponsored at a cost of $1,100 each by local companies and organizations.

Sezlik.com and Royal LePage Team Realty brought their own live Sugar Plum Fairy to daintily tiptoe around their Nutcracker tree while the Bayshore Centre had former fashion designer-turned image maker James Jefferson from Blackbook on its team. He gave new meaning to the traditional Christmas tree skirt, the fabric that covers the stand, with the shopping centre’s holiday mannequin tree. “Our tree is a Size 2,” he quipped.

In the end, the judges chose the entries from Sicotte Guilbault LLP and the Bell “Let’s Talk”-sponsored tree decorated by a team from BRiDGES-Passerelles. It’s a collaborative service between the Youth Services Bureau, CHEO, The Royal and Ottawa Public Health to provide interventions to youth with complex mental health needs. The tree is filled with messages of hope created by youth and woven into their homemade decorations.

All the trees will remain on display in the hotel during the holiday season. The public is encouraged to come see them, vote on their favourite and make a donation to CHEO.

carolyn001@sympatico.ca