Koyman Galleries was a picture-perfect venue for the Jewish Federation of Ottawa to host its top donor reception, featuring Ronald Lauder, an international philanthropist and president of the World Jewish Congress.

From left, Jewish-American businessman and philanthropist Ronald Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress, with Jewish Federation of Ottawa board chair Linda Kerzner and campaign co-chairs Sharon Appotive and Michael Polowin at the federation’s top donor reception, held at Koyman Galleries on Thursday, October 6, 2016.

The American billionaire businessman of Estée Lauder cosmetics fame and former ambassador is also an art collector. In 2006, he bought Gustav Klimt’s Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer (also called The Lady in Gold or The Woman in Gold) for a record US$135 million. It had been part of the massive theft of art in Europe by the Nazis.

The reception, held at the loft-style commercial art gallery on St. Laurent Boulevard, was attended by some 150 of the largest donors to the federation’s annual campaign to build community, assist the vulnerable, boost Jewish education, and support Israel. Among the JFO’s partner agencies are local Jewish schools and preschools, youth groups and summer camps, social service organizations and the Hillel Lodge long-term care facility.

Michael Polowin, a law partner at Gowling WLG, is co-chairing this year’s campaign with Sharon Appotive from Howard Fine Jewellers. They’re hoping to exceed the $4.5 million raised last year.

From left, Melanie Polowin with her husband, Michael Polowin and his Jewish Federation of Ottawa campaign co-chair Sharon Appotive, and her husband, David Appotive, at the federation’s top donor reception, held at Koyman Galleries on Thursday, October 6, 2016.

The Ottawa Jewish community, which has a population of around 14,000, is already very generous, said Polowin. “Our job is to encourage them to be even more generous.

“At the end of the day, if we want a strong community to continue, then the people who are here are those who understand extremely well the need for all of us to contribute to the best of our ability.”

carolyn001@sympatico.ca

Not only did philanthropist and mental health advocate Barbara Crook deliver the keynote address at Thursday’s Upstream Ottawa gala but she also brought along an influential group of friends, all of whom have a keen interest in promoting mental health issues.

From left, Upstream Mental Health Support Gala co-chairs Ruth Maxwell and Sylvia Cuhaci with keynote speaker Barbara Crook at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club in Gatineau on Thursday, October 6, 2016.

With her were Do It For Daron (DIFD)’s Luke and Stephanie Richardson, who recently got to discuss mental health with Prince William and his wife, Kate, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau; Danielle Robinson, president of the Ottawa Senators Foundation, which supports health and wellness amongst youth; and Patrick Dion, who’s served since 2007 on the board of the Mental Health Commission of Canada.

From left, Tomlinson Group of Companies president Kevin Cinq-Mars with his wife, Sara, and Stephanie Richardson and her husband, Luke Richardson, at the Upstream Mental Health Support Gala held at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club on Thursday, October 6, 2016.

Her dinner table at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club included not one but two rabbis — Robert Morais and Reuven Bulka — along with Tomlinson president Kevin Cinq-Mars and his wife, Sara, both boosters of the mental health fundraising campaign at the Queensway Carleton Hospital. Before the night was over, Cinq-Mars successfully bid on an Erik Karlsson-signed hockey jersey that he then gifted to Anthony Millson.

From left, former youth client Anthony Millson with Bo Turpin, director of clinical services and programming, at the Upstream Mental Health Support Gala held at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club on Thursday, October 6, 2016.

The crowd of 160 had listened earlier to Millson share his story of struggle to stability, accompanied by this powerful message: never give up. His difficulties began at age 16, when he was diagnosed with severe depression, anxiety and OCD. He thought about dying. Then, Upstream came into his life. He lived from ages 21 to 28 in their Flora Street group home, where he got the support, compassion and encouragement he needed to return to school. He graduated last year from Carleton University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. He’s currently working as a dish washer but is thinking of returning to school for marketing.

“Upstream was a lifeline for me,” said Millson, who expressed his gratitude to the Upstream staff, in particular its director, Bo Turpin. “It guided me and gave me hope and security through my darkest days.”

Upstream Ottawa provides housing and other services to those in the community struggling with mental health issues. Funds raised at the gala benefit Upstream’s youth program, which offers services to young people and their families in an effort to help them in the early stages of their mental illness and in their transition to adult mental health services. The program began as a pilot project in 2008 but has been in full operation since 2012.

Back to lend her support as MC was well-known face Catherine Clark while Carrie Cuhaci served as live auctioneer. The gala was co-chaired by her mother-in-law, Sylvia Cuhaci, and Ruth Maxwell, both of whom have been publicly recognized for their volunteer advocacy and fundraising work.

From left, gala emcee Catherine Clark with her friends, Mark Cuhaci and Carrie Cuhaci, who volunteered as live auctioneer for the Upstream Mental Health Support Gala held at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club on Thursday, October 6, 2016.

Also on hand were Upstream board president Janet Helmer and Coun. Eli El-Chantiry, chair of the Ottawa Police Services board. As well, Dr. Raj Bhatla, chief psychiatrist with the Royal Ottawa Health Care Group, was out supporting the cause.

Kerry Ferland from presenting sponsor Scotiabank with Dr. Raj Bhatla, psychiatrist-in-chief and chief of staff of the Royal Ottawa Health Care Group, at the Upstream Mental Health Support Gala held at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club on Thursday, October 6, 2016.

The evening included a cheque presentation from the Bell Let’s Talk awareness campaign. Its $20,000-grant will help Upstream develop a volunteer infrastructure.

carolyn001@sympatico.ca

Lesley Holmes and her late husband, former NHLer Bill Kitchen, built their dream Dow’s Lake home to be an inviting space for friends and family, and to host parties that could help out worthy causes.

Lesley Holmes, with her friend Mark Fowler, at the official residence of the British high commissioner on Wednesday, October 12, 2016, for the Savour Every Moment launch party for Hospice Care Ottawa’s Homes for the Holidays fundraiser.

Next month, she’ll have as many as 2,000 curious folks stroll through her place as part of Hospice Care Ottawa’s signature fundraiser, Homes for the Holidays. And she’s totally cool with it.

“I love opening the doors,” said the Tim Hortons franchisee, while acknowledging she has a beautiful home. “I love having people come in and enjoy it with me.”

She and other supporters of the community-based charitable organization gathered Wednesday at the Savour Every Moment launch event held at Earnscliffe, official residence of British High Commissioner Howard Drake and his wife, Gill.

British High Commissioner Howard Drake with Nancy Pyper, president of the May Court Club of Ottawa, at the official residence of the British high commissioner on Wednesday, October 12, 2016, for the Savour Every Moment launch party for Hospice Care Ottawa’s Homes for the Holidays fundraiser.

The diplomat did a nice job of welcoming some 80 guests and making them feel comfortable inside the Victorian manor, famous for being where our Glasgow-born first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, lived and died.

Guests included Cuckoo Kochar, president and founder of Phoenix Homes, with his family. Their magnificent abode along the Rideau River is also among the eight homes that the public will see festively decked out during this year’s tour.

Madhu Kochar and her husband, Cuckoo Kochar, president of Phoenix Homes, at the official residence of the British high commissioner on Wednesday, October 12, 2016, for the Savour Every Moment launch party for Hospice Care Ottawa’s Homes for the Holidays fundraiser.

Last year’s honorary chairs Dennis Laurin, of the Laurin Group, and his wife, Andrea, attended. In 2014, they opened up their Rockcliffe Park home for the tour, with pleasing results. Said Laurin: “We went to the cottage that weekend and when we got back we couldn’t tell that a soul had gone through it. The volunteers were unbelievable.”

Dennis Laurin, owner of the Laurin Group, and his wife, Andrea, on Wednesday, October 12, 2016, for the Savour Every Moment launch party for Hospice Care Ottawa’s Homes for the Holidays fundraiser.

Sharon Lalonde, a sales representative with Coldwell Banker Rhodes & Company, is chairing this year’s event (the honorary chairs are Ned and Liz Rhodes).

Coldwell Banker Rhodes & Company broker of record/partner Jim McKeown with his wife, Sharon Lalonde, 2016 chair for Homes for the Holidays, at the official residence of the British high commissioner on Wednesday, October 12, 2016, for the launch party for Hospice Care Ottawa’s Homes for the Holidays fundraiser.

Hospice Care Ottawa helps, at no charge, people in our community on their palliative and end-of-life journey through 24-hour, seven-days-a-week residential hospice care, in-home volunteer support and day hospice programs. It also provides bereavement support to families.

“Our philosophy really is about helping people live until they die,” said Hospice Care Ottawa executive director Lisa Sullivan, borrowing a phrase coined by a Brit: Dame Cicely Saunders, founder of the modern hospice movement.

The sponsored reception was catered by Thyme & Again and featured Gingerbread Builder Bake-off champ Catherine Beddall giving a decorating demo near the silent auction items.

Pastry artist and gingerbread house competition champ Catherine Beddall showed off her talents at the official residence of the British high commissioner on Wednesday, October 12, 2016, during the Savour Every Moment launch party for Hospice Care Ottawa’s Homes for the Holidays fundraiser.

As well, sweet treats awaited guests on their way out the door with home-shaped cookies from Cinfully Delicious, each one iced with a brick, stone or wood pattern.

The Homes for the Holidays tour takes place from November 18 to 20. Tickets are now on sale for $50.

carolyn001@sympatico.ca

It’s never been trendier to be the son of a former prime minister. Nobody was photographed as much as Ben Mulroney during Thursday’s exclusive grand opening gala for the $20 million-Infinity Convention Centre.

Ben Mulroney, co-host of CTV’s Your Morning, was in Ottawa to host the grand opening gala for the new Infinity Convention Centre, held on Thursday, October 13, 2016.

(Second place probably goes to the glamorous mermaid-looking model who posed all night by the oyster bar).

Mulroney is co-host of CTV’s new Your Morning show and eldest son of former PM Brian Mulroney, to whom he’s similar both in looks and good humour.

“Up until a couple of years ago I was referred to as the successful son of a Canadian prime minister,” said Mulroney, before joking that the bar’s now been raised by the son of another former PM. “And now I’m just a talk show host.”

It was a massive party, with a 700-person guest list that included Mayor Jim Watson, Ottawa Senators president Cyril Leeder, such successful business folks as Bill Malhotra and Jim Taggart, and Catherine Bélanger, window of the late Mauril Bélanger, the long-time Liberal MP for Ottawa-Vanier who died of ALS in August.

From left, Peter O’Leary, chief marketing officer and vice president of ticketing for the Ottawa Senators, with Lydia Leeder and Cyril Leeder, president of the Ottawa Senators, at the grand opening gala for the new Infinity Convention Centre, held on Thursday, October 13, 2016.

Bill Malhotra, president of Claridge Homes, with Catherine Bélanger and his wife, Romina Malhotra, at the grand opening gala for the new Infinity Convention Centre, held on Thursday, October 13, 2016.

Jim Taggart, chair of the Taggart Group of Companies, with Diana Moore and Semiha Cantas, owner of Cantas Fashion on Sussex Drive, at the grand opening gala for the new Infinity Convention Centre, held Thursday, October 13, 2016.

On hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony were the convention centre’s owners: brothers Harry, Sonny and T.J. Sohal, along with Anand Aggarwal and his son Lalit. It should be noted, the last time Around Town attended a party hosted by Aggarwal it featured a live elephant (it was eight years ago, at his son’s traditional Hindu wedding). There was no pachyderm this time, but maybe a few party animals.

From left, key business partners Harry Sohal, Anand Aggarwal and Sonny Sohal at the new Infinity Convention Centre for the grand opening gala of the new venue, held on Thursday, October 13, 2016.

Guests could also check out the beautiful new 15,000-square-foot venue, located near the Ottawa airport. That is, when they’re weren’t busy mingling over drinks, food, live music and Les Oiseaux du Paradis acrobatic performances.

carolyn001@sympatico.ca

It was at one time a summer exhibition hall and winter curling rink, but on Saturday the historic Horticulture Building at Lansdowne was looking resplendent as a part-art gallery, part-concert hall and part-ballroom for the first-ever Mayor’s Gala for the Arts.

A sold-out crowd of 250 filed into the beautiful century-old building in support of the Ottawa Arts Council and Ottawa Art Gallery. The $75,000 raised, as announced that night by Mayor Jim Watson, is being directed toward the Ottawa Art Gallery Expansion and Arts Court Redevelopment Project.

The $250-a-ticket evening featured Ottawa-born, world-famous pianist Angela Hewitt, whose floor-length silver sequin gown twinkled under the lights as she worked her magic on her piano. Everyone was seamlessly swept up in her playing.

Guests dined on hors d’oeuvres and a four-course gourmet meal prepared by chefs from Atelier, Beckta and Thyme & Again Creative Catering, with Wellington Gastropub and The Whalesbone. Live performances from local artists continued throughout the night.

Out showing their support were Ottawa city manager Steve Kanellakos and a whole slew of city councillors. Ottawa Liberal MP Catherine McKenna was seen chatting with Ottawa Art Gallery board chair Lawson Hunter from Stikeman Elliott LLP (she previously worked there as a lawyer) while Ottawa Liberal MPP Yasir Naqvi and his wife Christine McMillan were dinner guests of Roseann O’Reilly Runte, president of Carleton University. Watson was joined by his sister, Jayne Watson, chief executive of the National Arts Centre Foundation.

Algonquin College president Sheryl Jensen and such arts community supporters as Brian Toller and Glenn McInnes and his wife Barbara attended. Czech Ambassador Pavel Hrncir and his artist wife, Veronika Holcová, were hosted by Star Motors owner Jeff Mierins. Also seen was OAG board member and treasurer Vic Duret, a partner with KPMG. The major accounting firm recently announced its $50,000 donation to the art gallery’s $3.5-million Art Now – L’art ici capital campaign.

The new and improved arts building — part of a greater effort to revitalize the downtown — will be ready by next fall, the year of Canada’s 150th anniversary.

Getting a bigger and better space for the arts community has been a sweet victory, particularly since it took years of hard slogging and dead ends to make the project happen. In fact, the mayor has often ribbed Peter Honeywell, executive director of the Ottawa Arts Council, for being one of the most patient men in Ottawa.

“I may have been patient but I’m also proud of the results of 35 years of waiting,” said Honeywell while speaking on stage with Ottawa Art Gallery director and chief executive Alexandra Badzak.
“Both Alexandra and I are proud of the volunteers and the board members who’ve kept this project alive. … We’re also very proud of the mayor of this city and our city council for believing in our community.”

Ottawa Art Gallery board chair Lawson Hunter from Stikeman Elliott LLP with Ottawa MP and Environment Minister Catherine McKenna (who previously practiced at Stikeman Elliott) at the inaugural Mayor’s Gala for the Arts, held Saturday, October 15, 2016, at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne.

Mayor Jim Watson welcomed a sold-out crowd of 250 to the inaugural Mayor’s Gala for the Arts, held Saturday, October 15, 2016, at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne in support the Ottawa Art Gallery Expansion and Arts Court Redevelopment Project.

From left, Atelier owner and chef Marc Lepine, Beckta executive chef and co-owner Michael Moffatt, Thyme & Again executive chef Justin Faubert, Beckta chef Katie Ardington and Thyme & Again pastry chef Kylie Anglesey worked hard all night to prepare and serve hors d’oeuvres and a four-course gourmet meal for the inaugural Mayor’s Gala for the Arts, held Saturday, October 15, 2016, at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne.

Ottawa visual artist Katerina Mertikas and her daughter, Loukia Zigoumis, at the inaugural Mayor’s Gala for the Arts, held Saturday, October 15, 2016, at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne in support the Ottawa Art Gallery Expansion and Arts Court Redevelopment Project.

The inaugural Mayor’s Gala for the Arts, held Saturday, October 15, 2016, at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne, was packed with live performances from groups such as Ottawa Dance Directive.

From left, Danny Kingsbury, national format director for Rock Radio Rogers Media, with guests Danielle McGee and her husband, David Gourlay, president of the Ottawa Champions Baseball Club, at the inaugural Mayor’s Gala for the Arts, held at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne on Saturday, October 15, 2016.

Armin Badzak with Victoria Steele (AOE Arts Council) and Ottawa Art Gallery board members Leslie McKay and Lilly Koltun at the inaugural Mayor’s Gala for the Arts, held Saturday, October 15, 2016, at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne in support the Ottawa Art Gallery Expansion and Arts Court Redevelopment Project.

The inaugural Mayor’s Gala for the Arts, held Saturday, October 15, 2016, at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne, was packed with live music, dance and theatrical performances, including theatre reator and performer Will Somers from Fresh Meat.

A sold-out crowd of 250 attended the inaugural Mayor’s Gala for the Arts, held Saturday, October 15, 2016, at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne in support the Ottawa Art Gallery Expansion and Arts Court Redevelopment Project.

Ottawa-born world-renowned concert pianist Angela Hewitt performed at the inaugural Mayor’s Gala for the Arts held at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne on Saturday, October 15, 2016, in support of the Ottawa Art Gallery Expansion and Arts Court Redevelopment Project.

Ontario Attorney General Yasir Naqvi, MPP for Ottawa Centre, with his wife, Christine McMillan, and their dinner table host, Roseann OíReilly Runte, president and vice-chancellor of Carleton University, at The Mayor’s Gala for the Arts held Saturday, October 15, 2016, at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne.

Chris Kincaid, vice president and COO of Mediaplus Advertising, with Ottawa city manager Steve Kanellakos at the inaugural Mayor’s Gala for the Arts, held Saturday, October 15, 2016, at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne in support the Ottawa Art Gallery Expansion and Arts Court Redevelopment Project.

Janet Yale, president and CEO of The Arthritis Society, with her fellow Ottawa Art Gallery board member Vic Duret, partner with KPMG, at the inaugural Mayor’s Gala, held Saturday, October 15, 2016, at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne in support the Ottawa Art Gallery Expansion and Arts Court Redevelopment Project.

From left, dinner table host Brian Toller of Tolcor Investments with his guests, businesswoman Susan St. Amand, Hugh Neilson, managing director of the GCTC and Eric Coates, artistic director of the GCTC, at The Mayor’s Gala for the Arts held Saturday, October 15, 2016, at the Horticulture Building in support the Ottawa Art Gallery Expansion and Arts Court Redevelopment Project.

Guests mingle over cocktails alongside works of arts from the Ottawa Art Gallery collection during the inaugural Mayor’s Gala for the Arts, held at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne on Saturday, October 15, 2016.

Cheryl Jensen, president of Algonquin College, with Scott Anderson, the college’s ?executive director of communications, marketing and external relations, at the inaugural Mayor’s Gala for the Arts, held Saturday, October 15, 2016, at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne in support the Ottawa Art Gallery Expansion and Arts Court Redevelopment Project.

Ron Caza from CazaSaikaley with law partner Anne Tardif and lawyer Lyndee Therrien at the inaugural Mayor’s Gala for the Arts, held Saturday, October 15, 2016, at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne in support the Ottawa Art Gallery Expansion and Arts Court Redevelopment Project.

Peter Honeywell, executive director of the Ottawa Arts Council, and Alexandra Badzak, director and CEO of the Ottawa Art Gallery, at the inaugural Mayor’s Gala for the Arts, held at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne on Saturday, October 15, 2016 in support the Ottawa Art Gallery Expansion and Arts Court Redevelopment Project.

Guests of the inaugural Mayor’s Gala for the Arts arrived to Horticulture Building on Saturday, October 15, 2016, to the sounds of live music being played by Ottawa Symphony Orchestra musicians.

carolyn001@sympatico.ca

Culinary students at Algonquin College got to rub shoulders and kitchen utensils with some of the best in the biz – Marc Doiron (Town), Marc Lepine (Atelier), Mike Moffatt (Beckta, Gezellig and Play) and businesswoman Sheila Whyte (Thyme and Again Creative Catering) – at the sold-out Celebrity Chefs Night held Wednesday at the college’s Restaurant International.

From left, Algonquin College culinary students Sabina Bagde, Lilian Spraggs and Jessica Elderbroom prepare dessert for the Celebrity Chefs Night event held at the college’s Restaurant International on Wednesday, October 19, 2016, in support of the RiverGreen Family Foundation.

Chef Daniel Halden from Algonquin College’s Culinary Management Program and Cathy Dewar from the college’s Restaurant International at the Celebrity Chefs Night held at the college on Wednesday, October 19, 2016, in support of the RiverGreen Family Foundation.

Dale Hill, a law partner with Gowling WLG and owner of Lago Bar and Grill, with his wife, Sonja, at Algonquin College’s Restaurant International on Wednesday, October 19, 2016, for the Celebrity Chefs Night held in support of the RiverGreen Family Foundation.

Also headlining the benefit dinner was pastry artist Catherine Beddall, who’s just come out with a new book, The Magic of Gingerbread.

A crowd of 100 mingled over cocktails and canapés in the lobby before filing into the restaurant for a four-course gourmet meal, paired with wines. The talented but humble chefs came out from the kitchen to introduce their fancy dishes, which included roasted cauliflower soup, a chicken liver mousse appetizer and a main course of duck confit with creamed corn polenta, Brussels sprouts boulangère and roasted King Eryngii mushrooms.

The evening, sponsored by the college’s School of Hospitality and Tourism, was held in support of the RiverGreen Foundation set up by well-known Ottawa trial lawyer Lawrence Greenspon and his wife, Angela Lariviere, creative services manager at Halogen Software.

The couple, as part of its July 2015 wedding vows, decided to form a family foundation. The fund’s focus is on seniors, people with physical and mental disabilities, and those suffering from mental health issues.

The $125-a-ticket dinner raised more than $25,000. The live auction, led by Greenspon, saw a Guy Lafleur-signed hockey stick go for $710 to Scotiabank district V-P Frank Bilodeau. An in-home gourmet dinner for 20, to be prepared by the celebrity chefs, sold for $5,000. It was bought by a group that included Perry Mody, David Feldberg and Mike Gelineau.

From left, David Warren and Lauryn Santini, owner of Santini Gallery, with her parents, Leslie Santini and Pat Santini, a litigation partner with Kelly Santini LLP, at the Celebrity Chefs Dinner held at Algonquin College’s Restaurant International on Wednesday, October 19, 2016, in support of the RiverGreen Family Foundation.

Pat Flesher with her business partner Stewart Chadnick, from Pat Flesher Furs, at the Celebrity Chefs Night held at Algonquin College’s Restaurant International on Wednesday, October 19, 2016, in support of the RiverGreen Family Foundation.

Rupal Mody and Perry Mody at Algonquin College’s Restaurant International on Wednesday, October 19, 2016, for the Celebrity Chefs Night held in support of the RiverGreen Family Foundation.

Prominent litigation lawyer Pat Santini attended, as did Pat Flesher and Stewart Chadnick from Pat Flesher Furs (it donated a jacket to the auction). Algonquin College president Cheryl Jensen and Jim Kyte, dean of the college’s fast-growing School of Hospitality and Tourism, arrived after the fall convocation ceremony.

The evening was a positive and motivational experience for the culinary students who helped with the meal preparation and service. The aspiring cooks got to work alongside the pros, who remained congenial and cucumber-cool in the kitchen. “They insist on perfection but they have a really nice way of insisting on perfection,” Chef Scott Warrick, the college’s culinary management coordinator, said of the evening’s star chefs.

From left, Chef Scott Warrick, culinary management coordinator at Algonquin College, with Angela Lariviere and her husband, Ottawa lawyer Lawrence Greenspon, at the Celebrity Chefs Night held at the college’s Restaurant International on Wednesday, October 19, 2016, in support of the RiverGreen Family Foundation.

Frank Bilodeau, district vice president of Scotiabank, and his wife, Steffanie, at Algonquin College’s Restaurant International on Wednesday, October 19, 2016, for the Celebrity Chefs Night held in support of the RiverGreen Family Foundation.

From left, pastry artist and Algonquin College instructor Catherine Beddall with Atelier chef/owner Marc Lepine, Town chef/owner Marc Doiron (crouching), Thyme & Again Creative Catering and Take Home Food Shop owner Sheila Whyte and Mike Moffatt, chef/co-owner of Beckta, Play and Gezellig restaurants at the Celebrity Chefs Night held at Algonquin College’s Restaurant International for the RiverGreen Family Foundation on Wednesday, October 19, 2016.

Atelier Chef Marc Lepine’s dish — chicken liver mousse rocks — was the appetizer for the Celebrity Chefs Night dinner at Algonquin College, held Wednesday, October 19, 2016, in support of the RiverGreen Family Foundation.

carolyn001@sympatico.ca

Hard hats were not required for Saturday night’s 20th annual National Arts Centre Gala but NAC Foundation chief executive Jayne Watson pulled the look off when she came out on stage wearing one, just for fun.

“Welcome to the NAC, which, in case you didn’t know, stands for Neverending Annoying Construction,” she joked of the massive renovation that will transform Canada’s performing arts building by summer. “Next year it’s going to be New Awesome Centre.”

The gala concert featured Canadian jazz musician Diana Krall with the NAC Orchestra, led by maestro Alexander Shelley. Afterward, top gala sponsors enjoyed a gourmet meal together on the Southam Hall stage.

Canadian jazz musician Diana Krall performed at this year’s concert during the National Arts Centre Gala held at the NAC on Saturday, October 22, 2016.

Sophie Grégoire Trudeau continued the tradition of prime ministerial spouses serving in an honourary role. She appeared on stage in a floral-inspired beauty of a dress by Toronto-based fashion designer Lucian Matis. She announced the evening’s net total for the National Youth and Education Trust, in support of the NAC’s arts education programs across Canada. It ended up being $724,500, after more money was raised at the late-night live auction at dinner.

She spoke about her appreciation for the performing arts, and of growing up with music, culture, theatre and film.

“Want to hear me sing? Not tonight,” she knowingly quipped. She shared a cute story about wanting to play piano as a girl. Her parents – who were in attendance with her that night — did finally buy a piano, only to realize it wouldn’t fit through the door of their old home. “So, I played the flute,” she said, upbeat.

Gala committee chair and EY managing partner Gary Zed, in a tuxedo jacket to match the NAC’s purple logo, with Jayne Watson, chief executive of the NAC Foundation, at the National Arts Centre on Saturday, October 22, 2016, for the 20th annual NAC Gala for the National Youth and Education Trust in support of the NAC’s arts education programs across Canada.

Also to take the stage was Victor Dodig, president and chief executive of presenting sponsor CIBC. He took a moment to remember the late Jim Prentice, former politician and vice-chairman of CIBC. Prentice, along with his wife Karen, was very supportive of the NAC Gala cause.

Seen that night were Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly, Supreme Court Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin and such colleagues as Justice Suzanne Côté and Justice Michael Moldaver, Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz, Environment Minister Catherine McKenna and Chief Government Whip Andrew Leslie, Treasury Board President Scott Brison, and Liberal Party of Canada president Anna Gainey. Attendees also included U.S. Ambassador Bruce Heyman and British High Commissioner Howard Drake.

Returning to chair the gala committee was Gary Zed.

Carolyn001@sympatico.ca

Standing in the Mayor’s boardroom at Ottawa City Hall on Monday kind of felt like being in a starting-line corral just before a large running race: packed.

More than 200 friends and supporters of Mark Sutcliffe turned out for a VIP reception held there to celebrate his latest marathon-running book, Long Road to Boston. It was hosted by Mayor Jim Watson. He said the strong showing is a testament to the admiration and respect everyone has for Sutcliffe, a local writer, broadcaster, entrepreneur and community builder.

From left, Dick Brown and community leader Jim Durrell crack up over a joke by Mayor Jim Watson (not seen) while posing for a photo with tourism consultant Pat Kelly and Brendan McGuinty at a VIP reception held in the Mayor’s boardroom at Ottawa City Hall on Monday, October 24, 2016, for Mark Sutcliffe’s latest book, Long Road to Boston.

The evening was catered by one of Sutcliffe’s business heroes, Sheila Whyte from Thyme & Again.

Among the recognizable faces in the crowd were Police Chief Charles Bordeleau (along with his marathon-running wife, Lynda) and former Ottawa mayor Jim Durrell, chair of Ottawa’s 2017 Grey Cup Festival.

Ottawa Police Chief Charles Bordeleau and his wife, marathon-running lawyer Lynda Bordeleau, wait in line to get their copies of Long Road to Boston signed by Mark Sutcliffe at a VIP reception held by the author in the Mayor’s boardroom at Ottawa City Hall on Monday, October 24, 2016.

Also present were his mom Florence and his wife Ginny. She was on the receiving end of a touching thank you for being at Sutcliffe’s side and supporting him, literally, every step of the way.

Writer, broadcaster and entrepreneur Mark Sutcliffe in the Mayor’s boardroom at Ottawa City Hall on Monday, October 24, 2016, with his mother, Florence Sutcliffe, and wife, Ginny Sutcliffe, during a VIP reception to celebrate his latest marathon-runnning book, Long Road to Boston.

Long Road to Boston has been a labour of love and the most satisfying writing experience to date for Sutcliffe. He made it his mission to qualify for Boston after running his first marathon in 2004. “It was only this year that I realized why I wasn’t getting in; it was because it was rigged,” he joked, drawing huge laughs at U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump’s expense.

Seriously, though. Long Road to Boston “is about chasing down a dream,” Sutcliffe told the room while acknowledging how lucky he’s been to have such a First World kind of goal. “You know, when I think about the people who come to this country, and their dream is to live in safety and security … and my dream is just to run some marathon in Boston.”

Friends and supporters waited patiently to get their hard-cover copies signed by the author. Those who contributed to his Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign — like Ottawa resident and marathon runner Jane Spiteri — previously received an e-book copy. “I loved it, I loved it,” she told Around Town in the book signing lineup. “I laughed. I cried.

From left, lawyer Chris Spiteri and his marathon-running wife, Jane Spiteri, with author Mark Sutcliffe at a VIP reception held Monday, October 24, 2016, in the Mayor’s boardroom of Ottawa City Hall to celebrate Sutcliffe’s latest book, Long Road to Boston.

“He’s such a great writer. You just felt like you were there with him. You felt his pain and you felt his happiness. I wanted to cheer when he was [spoiler alert!] crossing the line at Boston.”

The mayor shared a little history with guests about the boardroom, which is decorated with artwork, including an A.Y. Jackson and Lawren Harris, from the Firestone Collection of Canadian Art. Also hanging on the walls is a Katerina Mertikas painting that the Ottawa artist reproduced to raise money for an education trust fund for the son of slain soldier Nathan Cirillo.

In thanking the mayor for playing host, Sutcliffe revealed himself to be the true volunteer fundraiser that he is. “I’m really grateful for having this wonderful setting for the event tonight, and also for your offer to auction off some of this art at the end of the evening with proceeds going to United Way,” he said with his usual dry wit.

Our first snowy taste of winter couldn’t stop a crowd of nearly 600 from arriving to the EY Centre on Thursday to honour celebrated businesswoman Barbara Farber at the National Jewish Fund of Ottawa’s annual Negev Dinner.

Farber, president of commercial real estate company Leikin Group, was recognized for her excellence in community leadership and dedication to Israel. “Truly, she’s a remarkable volunteer,” dinner chair Stephen Greenberg, president of Osgoode Properties, told Around Town at the cocktail reception. “She has assumed senior leadership positions in the Ottawa Jewish community, in the Canadian Jewish community and in the general community in Ottawa for close to 40 years.

“It’s one organization after another, and one different task after another, and she’s always done it with tremendous passion, tremendous commitment and distinction.”

From left, Israeli Ambassador Rafael Barak with Rabbi Reuven Bulka and Gillie Vered from Arnon Corporation at the Jewish National Fund of Ottawa’s Negev Dinner held at the EY Centre on Thursday, October 27, 2016 in support of the Barbara and Len Farber Family Science & Sports Centre in Israel’s northern Galilee region.

The sold-out dinner attracted folks from both the Jewish community and beyond. Attendees included Israeli Ambassador Rafael Barak, Rabbi Reuven Bulka, Sen. Linda Frum, Ottawa West-Nepean MPP Bob Chiarelli and JNF Ottawa’s board president, Dan Mader. Also sighted were Algonquin College president Cheryl Jensen, Carleton University president Roseann O’Reilly Runte, Ottawa Airport Authority board chair Susan St. Amand, University of Ottawa Heart Insitute board chair Lawrence Soloway and Jewish community leader Stephen Victor.

From left, Infrastructure Minister and Ottawa West-Nepean MPP Bob Chiarelli with Steve Gordon, president and CEO of The Regional Group, at the Jewish National Fund of Ottawa’s Negev Dinner, held Thursday, October 27, 2016, in support of the Barbara and Len Farber Family Science & Sports Centre in Israel’s northern Galilee region.

The dinner involved familiar names, from its honourary chair David Scott, a well-known lawyer and co-chair of Borden Ladner Gervais (BLG), to its keynote spoker, former Conservative senior cabinet minister John Baird (looking slimmer since he resigned from politics last year). He now sits on a number of advisory boards and is a senior business advisor with Canadian law firm Bennett Jones.
Baird first met Farber when he was a young man running for provincial politics (he served as Nepean’s representative at Queen’s Park for 10 years). He considers her not only a friend but also like family. “She’s a great lady,” said Baird, who recalled getting a call from her during the Great Ice Storm of 1998. She desperately needed an emergency generator – which she managed to track down on her own – in order to milk the large number of cows at her grandfather’s old dairy farm. Her grandfather was Harry Leikin, a legendary Nepean businessman and founder of Leikin Group.

From left, dinner chair Stephen Greenberg, honouree Barbara Farber and keynote speaker John Baird at the Jewish National Fund of Ottawa’s annual Negev Dinner held Thursday, October 27, 2016, at the EY Centre in support of the Barbara and Len Farber Family Science & Sports Centre in Israel’s northern Galilee region.

Farber serves as chair of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation board. She was also the founding board chair of both the Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation and the Algonquin College Foundation. She’s former national president of the United Israel Appeal Federations Canada.

She was joined at the dinner by her family, including her husband, Len Farber, and their two sons, Michael Farber and Steven Farber (he was one-time senior policy advisor to Baird).

Dinner proceeds, which were not disclosed by JNF Canada, are going toward the Barbara and Len Farber Family Science & Sports Centre located in Israel’s northern Galilee region. “I’m very excited about the project that we’ve chosen because I see a huge potential for it to be a life-changing experience for the young Arab and Jewish Israelis who will enjoy the facility,” she told Around Town.

Prominent businesswoman Barbara Farber, 2016 honouree at the Jewish National Fund of Ottawa’s Negev Dinner, was joined by, from left, son Michael Farber, husband Len Farber, and son Steven Farber, at the EY Centre on Thursday, October 27, 2016.

The centre will provide children and youth with first-class sports facilities and science labs, giving students access to science, physics, aeronautics and robotic workshops and international competitions. “When children and teenagers are able to study all the latest sciences together and work on projects together and compete together against other schools, they begin to rely on one another, to trust one another and even get to like one another,” Farber told Around Town. “The athletic facility will carry with it all of the same advantages; there is nothing like team work. Trust, reliability and discipline are all wonderful traits to learn.

“Len and our children are excited about the possibilities of positively influencing generations of Jewish and Arab Israeli citizens.”

Carolyn001@sympatico.ca

The best way to get Canadians to better appreciate this country’s film industry is to gather them up in one big room and show them a great flick. That was the good old-fashioned advice shared by Canadian actor, writer and filmmaker Don McKellar at Tuesday’s massive screening in Ottawa of the Iqaluit-shot Arctic drama Two Lovers and a Bear.

French Canadian actress Karine Vanasse and Canadian actor, writer and filmmaker Don McKellar were on hand for the launch of Movie Nights Across Canada at the National Arts Centre on Tuesday, November 1, 2016.

“I know that sounds barbaric but, believe it or not, before people were watching movies on their phones and their computers it was a very common social experience,” he told his amused audience in the National Arts Centre’s Southam Hall, while on stage with French Canadian actress Karine Vanasse. “People would go on dates to the movies.

“When people see a good Canadian film – despite what they’ve read in the press – they enjoy it and want to see more.”

The award-winning celebs were at the screening to, as McKellar humourously put it, “introduce the people who are going to introduce the film.

“That’s the way they do it here in Ottawa; they love introductions.”

Event organizer Susan Smith, principal at Bluesky Strategy Group, with Orléans MP and Chief Government Whip Andrew Leslie at the National Arts Centre on Tuesday, November 1, 2016, for the launch of Movie Nights Across Canada, featuring the Canadian film Two Lovers and a Bear.

The evening helped to launch Movie Nights Across Canada, a year-long event that will bring premiere screenings of homegrown feature films on a cross-country tour. It’s being held in conjunction with the Canada 150 celebrations.

Seen arriving on the red carpet were Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly, with her movie star-good looks, and the film’s director, Kim Nguyen, and producer, Roger Frappier. Attendees included Parliamentarians, sponsors, film industry types and members of Canada’s culturati.

From left, seen on the red carpet were producer Roger Frappier, Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly, director Kim Nguyen and Jonathan Bronfman of JoBro Productions and Film Finance, for the screening of the Canadian movie Two Lovers and a Bear, shown at the National Arts Centre on Tuesday, November 1, 2016, as part of the launch of Movie Nights Across Canada.

Two Lovers and a Bear stars Canadian actress Tatiana Maslany and American actor Dane DeHaan, as well as legendary thespian Gordon Pinsent as the voice of the talking polar bear.

The screening was the latest in a popular series of Movie Nights on the Hill aimed at showcasing Canadian cinema. Past films have included Monsieur Lazhar, Barney’s Version, The Grand Seduction and Room.

After the show, everyone headed into the lobby for a reception, with live music from the Ottawa-based band 20th Century Boys.

carolyn001@sympatico.ca

One of the biggest findings involving local medical research has yet to come, and that’s the discovery by the general public of the innovative work happening in its community.

But it’s events like The Ottawa Hospital Gala that are working to shine a vibrant light on the remarkable research that has our local hospital ranked among the top research hospitals in the country.

From left, Dr. Duncan Stewart (Grimes Research Career Achievement Award), Dr. Zhaohong (Tina) Qin (Worton Researcher in Training Award) and Dr. Harold Atkins (Chrétien Researcher of the Year Award).

The beautiful black-tie evening of dinner and dancing was held Saturday at The Westin hotel, drawing a sold-out crowd of 600 to celebrate three outstanding researchers:
– Dr. Zhaohong (Tina) Qin earned herself the Worton Researcher in Training Award for her work in neuroscience, including her discovery that a drug that controls appetite could also fight anxiety.
– Dr. Harold Atkins landed the Chrétien Researcher of the Year Award for his groundbreaking clinical trial which showed that a chemo and blood stem cell combination therapy can halt aggressive multiple sclerosis and allow repair.
– Dr. Duncan Stewart was presented the Grimes Research Career Achievement Award by EY for his leadership and research, including his pioneering role in several world-first stem cell therapy trials.

Stewart is executive vice president of research at The Ottawa Hospital and CEO and scientific director of The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. One of the goals of the annual gala, he said, is to spread the word on how medical breakthroughs in Ottawa are improving health care.

“I think most of Ottawa don’t really know what’s been happening in the last five or 10 years, or maybe even a little longer,” Stewart told Around Town. “Ottawa has become a major powerhouse of research. We’re a major academic centre.”

The gala was co-chaired by Greg Kane, counsel at Dentons Canada, with Whitney Fox, both of whom are on The Ottawa Hospital Foundation board. Attendees included the head of the hospital, Dr. Jack Kitts; Dr. Phil Wells, chair and chief of the department of medicine; and Ian Downie, general manager of gamma technologies for presenting sponsor Nordion.

Also spotted were: Supreme Court Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin, Ottawa MPPs Yasir Naqvi and John Fraser, the prime minister’s senior political advisor, Gerald Butts, and emeritus senior scientist Dr. Michel Chrétien. You might have heard of his brother, former prime minister Jean Chrétien. He’s honourary chair of the hospital foundation’s $50-million Tender Loving Research Campaign.

Carolyn001@sympatico.ca

With this year’s theme of Old Hollywood, the dress code was heavy on the stilettos and light on the steel toes at Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa’s 11th annual signature gala.

The non-profit organization was back at the Canadian War Museum on Saturday night with a crowd of 330, hoping to raise between $75,000 and $80,000. The evening was also a celebration of the group’s 23 years of building homes for families living in need in the greater Ottawa area, with help from its volunteers, supporters, suppliers and tradespeople.

Seen at the Steel Toes and Stilettos Gala were such co-presenting sponsors as Dennis Laurin of Laurin General Contractor and the folks from BMO. Also present was Habitat for Humanity’s board chair, Bob Ridley, president of the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association.

Back to emcee the night was Lianne Laing, host of CTV Morning Live.

From left, Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa board chair Bob Ridley with its interim CEO, Kristin Harold, and Ernie Schroeder from co-presenting sponsor BMO Financial, at the non-profit charitable organization’s signature gala, Steel Toes and Stilettos, held at the Canadian War Museum on Saturday, November 5, 2016.

Phoenix Homes vice president Rahul Kochar and his wife, Simran, at the Canadian War Museum on Saturday, November 5, 2016, for the Steel Toes & Stilettos Gala in support of Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa.

Dennis Laurin, owner of co-presenting sponsor Laurin General Contractor, with his wife, Andrea, at the Steel Toes and Stilettos Gala for Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa, held at the Canadian War Museum on Saturday, November 5, 2016.

From left, Algonquin College’s Christopher Hahn, dean of its Perth campus, with Allan Brown, chair of the Perth chapter of Habitat for Humanity, at the Canadian War Museum on Saturday, November 5, 2016, for the Steel Toes and Stilettos Gala.

From left, development manager Julie Trewartha from Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa with gala committee chair Jackie Moore, from Moore Investment and Insurance Group, at this year’s Steel Toes & Stilettos Gala held at the Canadian War Museum on Saturday, November 5, 2016.

Kevin Cinq-Mars, president of Tomlinson Group, and his wife, Sara, with gala committee member Dorothy Laflamme of MacDonald-Cartier Development at the Steel Toes and Stilettos Gala for the non-profit housing organization Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa, held at the Canadian War Museum on Saturday, November 5, 2016.

More than 300 attendees dined in the LeBreton Gallery of the Canadian War Museum as part of Habitat for Humanity’s Steel Toes and Stilettos Gala held Saturday, November 5, 2016.

As the United States faced its most historic election of modern times, up here in Ottawa an entirely different legacy was being created: helping children in developing countries gain access to education.

Some 300 supporters of Project Jenga gathered at the Canadian Museum of History on Tuesday to support an initiative started by an extraordinary young man, Mitch Kurylowicz.

From left, Ashbury College head Norman Southward with one of the private school’s former head boys, Mitch Kurylowicz, at a gala dinner held Tuesday, November 8, 2016, at the Canadian Museum of History in support of the Project Jenga non-profit founded by Kurylowicz to build a boys’ secondary school in rural Kenya.

He’s the driving force behind the building of an all-boys secondary school in Kenya. Its grand opening is just around the corner, and Kurylowicz plans to be there, with other local families, to talk about the Ottawa residents and businesses who stood behind Project Jenga (it’s a Swahili word meaning “to build”).

“And one thing’s for sure: I will be telling everyone I meet, everyone I see … about the community that we have built here in Ottawa,” Kurylowicz told his audience. “When I started Project Jenga I wanted to build a school. But we have built a community; we have built a community of kind and caring people willing to help others half way across the world for kids you have never met.”

The past four dinners, combined with corporate sponsorship and silent auction proceeds, have raised more than $750,000. Kurylowicz challenged everyone to reach the $150,000 mark that night in honour of Canada’s sesquicentennial in 2017, and to bring Project Jenga to the $1 million milestone.

The 18-year-old graduate and former head boy at Ashbury College private school is now in his second year in political science at the University of Toronto and has amassed a collection of prestigious awards and medals (“He’s a future prime minister,” Mayor Jim Watson opined during the cocktail reception).

Kurylowicz’s dream of building a school began during a trip he made to Kenya with the Canadian-based international charity WE (formerly known as Free the Children) for the opening of the first all-girls’ secondary school. He felt the boys in that community deserved the same kind of education.

Kurylowicz called his efforts “a drop in the bucket” compared to what’s been accomplished by WE Movement founders, humanitarians and brothers Craig and Marc Kielburger, both of whom were part of the evening. “They are not finished doing and, frankly, neither am I,” said Kurylowicz.

Craig Kielburger, co-founder of the WE Movement, with Tina Sarellas, regional president of RBC and one of the co-chairs of We Day Ottawa, at the Canadian Museum of History on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, for a gala dinner in support of Project Jenga.

The dinner was held on the eve of WE Day in Ottawa. Present were WE Day Ottawa co-chairs Jeff York (Farm Boy), Patrick Mullins (Silver Maple Developments) and Tina Sarellas (RBC). Many of the headliners for WE Day, from Paula Abdul to Rick Hansen to Jully Black to Spencer West, were at the dinner. Margaret Trudeau attended as honoured guest while Canadian pop singer Tyler Shaw was to perform later in the evening. Also seen was producer Mike Downie, brother of Tragically Hip singer Gord Downie.

Farm Boy co-CEO Jeff York, one of the co-chairs of WE Day Ottawa, with his wife, Joanne, and their daughter Jodi at the Project Jenga Gala Dinner held at the Canadian Museum of History on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, to raise funds for the construction and operation of a boys’ secondary school in rural Kenya.

Among the attendees of the Project Jenga Gala Dinner held at the Canadian Museum of History on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, was American pop singer, dancer, choreographer, actress and television personality Paula Abdul.

Rick Hansen with Marc Seaman, vice president with Microsoft Canada, at the Project Jenga Gala Dinner held at the Canadian Museum of History on Tuesday, November 8, 2016.

Project Jenga founder Mitch Kurylowicz with Juno Award-winning and soul singer-songwriter Jully Black at a gala dinner held at the Canadian Museum of History on Tuesday, November 8, 2016.

Among the supporters thanked by Kurylowicz were his parents, Stan and Lynda Kurylowicz, volunteers Marci Groper, Katie Faught and the rest of the organizing committee, and such sponsors as Bill and Tonia Damianakos from Adelphia Floor Surfaces.

Marc Kielburger, co-founder of the WE Movement, with Marci Groper, who was part of the volunteer organizing committee for the Project Jenga Gala Dinner held at the Canadian Museum of History on Tuesday, November 8, 2016.

Bill Damianakos, president of gold sponsor Adelphia Floor Surfaces, with special guest Jackson, and Tonia Damianakos at the Project Jenga Gala Dinner held at the Canadian Museum of History on Tuesday, November 8, 2016 in support of the construction and operation of a boys’ secondary school in rural Kenya.

Carolyn001@sympatico.ca

Trying to beat the odds at a charity blackjack table is one thing but facing cancer due to a bad roll of the genetic dice is quite another, as was made clear at The Grand Casino: Betting Against Cancer for the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.

The inaugural event, presented by Ottawa-based accounting firm Welch LLP, was held Wednesday at the Canadian War Museum. It raised an estimated $30,000.

Hundreds gathered at the Canadian War Museum on Wednesday, November 9, 2016, for a casino-themed fundraiser for The Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation, presented by Welch LLP.

The evening offered a fun party atmosphere, with food and drinks flowing, music playing and guests gambling with play money for the chance to win deluxe date nights, Ottawa Senators tickets, a signed Erik Karlsson jersey and other prizes. For the record: the prime minister was not in attendance but WelchGroup Consulting managing director Stephan May, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Justin Trudeau, was.

From left, Randy Marusyk, co-managing partner of MBM Intellectual Property Law, with unofficial Justin Trudeau look-alike Stephan May from presenting sponsor Welch LLP, and Patrick Shanahan, V-P at ProCorp Group, at The Grand Casino: Betting Against Cancer for The Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation, held at the Canadian War Museum on Wednesday, November 9, 2016.

Welch managing partner Micheal Burch got the lively crowd to simmer down long enough for it to learn about a back-to-work program that’s helping cancer survivors deal with the physical and mental challenges of returning to work, after their treatment is done.

From left, Dr. Chris Morash, a surgical oncologist, with Micheal Burch, managing partner at Welch LLP, at The Grand Casino: Betting Against Cancer for The Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation, held at the Canadian War Museum on Wednesday, November 9, 2016.

It helped cancer survivor Lisa Yull transition back to her full-time job. She also benefitted from the unique cancer coaching service offered at the foundation’s Maplesoft Centre.

John Ouellette and Linda Eagen from the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation with guest speaker Lisa Yull at The Grand Casino: Betting Against Cancer for The Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation, held at the Canadian War Museum on Wednesday, November 9, 2016.

Now, Yull is getting the word out by sharing her personal story and by encouraging cancer survivors to take advantage of the resources and support available to them. “There is an opportunity to say, ‘I may think I have everything that I need to beat this but even if I think I do, why not get whatever I can get from others who have been there’,” she told the crowd. “Why not get your tool kit filled with everything that’s possible to make you successful.”

On hand were surgical oncologist Chris Morash (sporting early signs of a Movember ‘stache in support of men’s health) and Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation president and CEO Linda Eagen. She shared with gamblers some scary odds of her own: more than one in three of us will get diagnosed with cancer.

Carolyn001@sympatico.ca

The Bollywood theme for this year’s Canadian Tire Snowsuit Fund Gala was as sensational as the plot lines typically featured in the Hindi film industry.

Fabulous fabrics and a curtain of carnations welcomed some 300 guests, many adorned with bangles and bindis, as they arrived Saturday to the Fairmont Chateau Laurier. There were henna artists painting exotic designs on gala-goers’ hands, Bollywood dancing in the ballroom and an elaborate dinner prepared by hotel executive chef Louis Simard and his team, featuring palak paneer, butter chicken and cauliflower and potato curry.

The $250-a-ticket gala was co-chaired by Snowsuit Fund board members Valerie Hammell from Canadian Tire with Acting Supt. Mark Ford from the Ottawa Police Service. Organizers were hoping to net $75,000 for the local charity and its efforts to provide snowsuits to more than 16,000 needy children and youth this winter.

Ottawa Senators general manager Pierre Dorion was among the attendees of the gala, which was MCed by Snowsuit Fund past board chair and TV host Lianne Laing. Radio personalities Carter Brown and Sandra Plagakis dressed in their Bollywood best as the live auctioneers.

New board chair Taryn Gunnlaugson from BMO Private Banking spoke about her own experience of volunteering at the Snowsuit Fund depot last November, and the joy she felt as she helped the children of a new family to Canada — fresh from a refugee camp — get ready for their first winter in Ottawa. They didn’t know what they were in for, she told her audience as it knowingly chuckled along (you could almost feel the Arctic air moving in, at that point).

“The family left the depot that day with big smiles on their faces and they were so appreciative, so thankful,” said Gunnlaugson. “The father had to have thanked me at least 20 times.”

Carolyn001@sympatico.ca

Openly gay Liberal MPs Randy Boissonnault, Scott Brison and Seamus O’Regan turned out to lend their support to a successful benefit night for the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research, held Wednesday at the Schad upscale clothing and footwear boutique on Sussex Drive.

From left, Jason Sordi, Kyle Winters, Treasury Board President Scott Brison, Liberal MP Randy Boissonnault, Michael Gennis and Shawn Hewson at the ByWard Social for CANFAR, held at Schad boutique on Sussex Drive on Wednesday, November 16, 2016.

Organizers of the ByWard Social were delighted to see ticket sales gain last-minute momentum, leading to a packed store of supporters, including Sheila O’Gorman and Tara Shields, organizers of the annual spring luncheon for CANFAR.

CANFAR supporter Sheila O’Gorman with Liberal MP Randy Boissonnault, special advisor to the prime minister on LGBTQ2 issues, at the ByWard Social fundraiser held at Schad boutique on Sussex Drive on Wednesday, November 16, 2016.

On hand was store co-owner Chantal Biro-Schad. She and Ottawa visual artist Heidi Conrod were a walking art gallery that night as they donned dresses designed by Montreal-based Art-A-Porter, showcasing Conrod’s artwork.

From left, Chantal Biro-Schad of Schad boutique and Ottawa visual artist Heidi Conrod, both in dresses featuring Conrod’s art, by Montreal-based Art-A-Porter, at the ByWard Social for CANFAR (Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research) held Wednesday, November 16, 2016.

The evening was co-chaired by real estate agent Michael Gennis and RBC branch manager Jason Sordi, who presented a $5,000 cheque on behalf of the bank.

Seamus O’Regan, Liberal MP from Newfoundland and Labrador, is flanked by event co-chairs Michael Gennis, left, and Jason Sordi at the ByWard Social for CANFAR (Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research) held Wednesday, November 16, 2016, at Schad boutique on Sussex Drive.

Toronto-based Bustle Clothing, represented by its dapper creative director, Shawn Hewson, sold limited-edition pairs of patterned and colourful men’s socks, called Safe Sox, with all proceeds going to CANFAR.

Currently, there are 75,000 people in Canada living with HIV, with affected people now living longer but having to struggle with the complications associated with the virus, according to CANFAR vice-president and COO Kyle Winters.

From left, Kyle Winters from CANFAR, Shawn Hewson of Bustle Clothing and Liberal MP Seamus O’Regan show off their Safe Sox socks by Bustle Clothing in support of CANFAR, during a fundraiser held at Schad boutique on Sussex Drive on Wednesday, November 16, 2016.

Over the past 30 years, the charitable foundation has invested $20 million in research initiatives. Yet, its mission is also to educate the public and to raise awareness over HIV prevention. Young gay men run a higher risk for becoming infected due to unsafe sex.

As he slipped on a pair of Safe Sox, the metaphorical meaning wasn’t lost on Boissonnault, the brand new special advisor to the prime minister on LGBTQ2 issues. “If it’s a simple as putting on a sock, then we need to make sure that message gets to every young person in this country,” the MP for Edmonton Centre told the room.

Brison, president of the Treasury Board, was among the speakers to express his pride in how far Canada has come on LGBTQ issues. Homosexuality wasn’t decriminalized until 1968, one year after he was born. “To put it in perspective, I lived a year as a criminal,” said Brison as laughter nearly drowned out his follow-up joke: “I was non-practising.”

Carolyn001@sympatico.ca

It’s amazing what some people can accomplish while the rest of us are binge-watching all our favourite TV shows.

Individuals, groups and businesses that have given so much of themselves to make our community a better, more caring place were saluted Thursday at the Ottawa chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professional’s 22nd annual Philanthropy Awards, better known as The Phils.

Attendance was up considerably this year as a sold-out crowd of nearly 400 gathered at the Shaw Centre for the event.

Gary Zed, described as one of our city’s most masterful and tireless networkers, was named this year’s Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser for helping to raise big bucks for a wide range of non-profits, including the National Arts Centre Foundation and Boys and Girls Club.

Gary Zed, upon accepting his Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser award, gave a special shout out to Michelle Vallier from his Ernst & Young office at the 22nd Annual AFP Ottawa Philanthropy Awards Dinner, held at the Shaw Centre on Thursday, November 17, 2016.

The room heard how his Lebanese-immigrant grandparents, who established themselves as landlords and grocers, were all about sharing. Zed inherited their philanthropic gene and has passed it on to his own children.

“When a store opened up next door … [my grandmother] would lend them her groceries so that they could be as equally successful,” recalled Zed, EY’s managing partner for Ottawa and tax market leader for Canada. “She realized it was all about a rising tide [lifts all boats], and that everyone in the community was better off.”

Echoing this belief that we function better as a team was public policy advocate David Sweanor, recipient of the Outstanding Individual Philanthropist Award for his efforts to create global change. “We’re on this little rock hurtling through space,” he said. “When is it going to occur to us that we’re really in this together.”

David Sweanor, recipient of the Outstanding Individual Philanthropist Award, November 17, 2016

Scotiabank was recognized for its corporate philanthropy while Partners Investing in Parkinson Research (PIPR) was singled out for its philanthropic group contributions.

Alyssa Chow, 14, accepted the youth award on behalf of herself and her university-attending brother Jonathan for their community leadership role, such as fundraising to send more than 30 underprivileged kids to Y summer camp.

Alyssa Chow, who was named this year’s Outstanding Youth with her brother Jonathan, attended the AFP Ottawa Philanthropy Awards Dinner with her father, Ottawa cardiologist Ben Chow, mother Nancy Chow, and grandmother Carol Ann Waterman on Thursday, November 17, 2016.

During his thank-you speech, real estate broker Patrick Morris took a moment to recognize all his fellow small business owners for their selfless, unheralded contributions. He was honoured with the Outstanding Small Business Philanthropist Award for his support of the Dovercourt Recreation Centre and other causes.

Real estate broker Patrick Morris, recipient of Outstanding Small Business Philanthropist Award, seen with his son-in-law and business partner Rob Kearns at the 22nd Annual AFP Ottawa Philanthropy Awards Dinner, held at the Shaw Centre on Thursday, November 17, 2016.

This year’s guest speaker was popular news anchor Lucy van Oldenbarneveld, who recently returned to work at CBC Ottawa following her treatment for breast cancer. The gifted storyteller vividly described some of her challenges of growing up in a low-income broken home in the 1970s, in Hamilton. She was fortunate enough to have a “force field” of community protection that gave her access to great opportunities and guidance.

Lucy van Oldenbarneveld from CBC Ottawa News was the guest speaker at this year’s 22nd Annual Ottawa Philanthropy Awards Dinner, held at the Shaw Centre on Thursday, November 17, 2016.

“I think it was my ‘Steeltown’ background that uniquely prepared me for perhaps the biggest challenge in my life,” said van Oldenbarneveld of her July 2015 diagnosis. “Having to be resilient and optimistic and a bit of a dreamer when I was young, I knew what to do when the s**t hit the fan, I think.”

She spoke of the “emotional philanthropy” she got from friends, colleagues, breast cancer survivors and complete strangers. Their comfort and kind words helped to lift her spirits and make her feel less alone. “Don’t underestimate the power of reaching out,” she told her audience.

The awards dinner, MCed by Anna-Karina Tabuñar, was chaired by Paula Street, manager of philanthropy with the CHEO Foundation.

Filmmaker and veteran journalist Anna-Karina Tabuñar was the host of this year’s 22nd Annual AFP Ottawa Philanthropy Awards, held at the Shaw Centre on Thursday, November 17, 2016.

From left, Peter Nicholson, president and founder of WCPD (Wealth Creation Preservation & Donation) Foundation with CHEO Foundation fundraiser Paula Street, chair of the AFP Ottawa Philanthropy Awards, and Derek Rumboldt-deLouchÈ, president of the AFP Ottawa Chapter, at this year’s awards dinner held at the Shaw Centre on Thursday, November 17, 2016.

Carolyn001@sympatico.ca

From humble beginnings to high academic achievement, Ashbury College had much to cheer about as its parents and alumni came together Saturday, during the school’s 125th anniversary year, to raise money for its priority projects and to help deserving students get a private school education through its bursary and scholarship program.

The annual Ashbury Ball saw a black-tie crowd of 335 gather in the lavishly decorated school gym for a Thyme & Again-catered dinner, with donated auction items galore and late-night dancing to the Montreal band Electrik (it really knows how to get a party started). The evening raised an estimated $200,000.
Ashbury parents and guild members Jill Dickinson and Wanda Peters co-chaired this year’s ball while luxury home seller Sezlik.com served as co-presenting sponsor with Mercedes-Benz dealerships Ogilvie Motors Ltd. and Star Motors of Ottawa.

Dr. Sanjay Acharya, president of the medical staff at the Queensway Carleton Hospital, with his wife, Colleen, at The Ashbury Ball: 125th Celebration held at Ashbury College on Saturday, November 19, 2016.

The striking backdrops of giant antique clock faces, surrounding gala-goers that night, were meant to symbolize the passage of time and all those who have helped advance the school over the years. When it opened in 1891, Ashbury College was a one-room schoolhouse for 17 boys on Wellington Street, just across from Parliament Hill. Today, it’s 700 boys and girls strong and situated on a 12-acre property in upscale Rockcliffe Park.

Attendees took in an inspiring video message from CBC broadcaster and Ashbury alumnus Adrian Harewood, who benefitted from the school’s financial assistance program. A call-out for bursary support raised a quick $75,000 at the event.

Micheline and Bob McElligott, both with Brickland Timberlay Corporation, at The Ashbury Ball: 125th Celebration held at Ashbury College in Rockcliffe Park on Saturday, November 19, 2016.

Ottawa artist Gordon Harrison donated one of his oil paintings for auction and also completed a painting through the course of the night. It sold for $7,500 to Scott Parkes and Tracy Rait-Parkes of Tamarack Homes.

The live auction, consisting of $75,000-worth of donations, also included: $3,275-worth of multi-dining experiences (plus meats from Muckleston & Brockwell butchery) courtesy of restaurateur Ion Aimers and Shallowbrook Group, a $15,000-fly fishing trip in Miramichi from Gary Zed, diamond earrings from Howard Fine Jewellers, an Ottawa Senators box, embassy dinners with the Norwegian and Slovenian ambassadors, and luxury accommodations in Turks and Caicos and in Bali.

A dinner for eight with headmaster Norman Southward sold twice, for $5,000 each.

The school gymnasium at Ashbury College, a private school located in Rockcliffe Park, was transformed into a ballroom for this year’s Ashbury Ball: 125th Celebration, held Saturday, November 19, 2016.

Luxury realtors Charles Sezlik and Dominique Laframboise of Sezlik.com at The Ashbury Ball: 125th Celebration held at Ashbury College private school on Saturday, November 19, 2016.

Grade 12 student Lauren Peters with her mom, event co-chair Wanda Peters, and her dad, Gary Peters, at The Ashbury Ball: 125th Celebration held Saturday, November 19, 2016, at the private school, located in Rockcliffe Park.

Ottawa artist Gordon Harrison, who donated an oil painting to the live auction, also created a work of art to be sold off later that night at The Ashbury Ball: 125th Celebration, held at Ashbury College on Saturday, November 19, 2016.

From left, Janice McDonald, a member of the Ashbury College board of governors, with BMO chief operating officer Sandra Henderson, U.S. wealth management, and McDonald’s husband, Stephen Bleeker, at the private school’s Ashbury Ball, held Saturday, November 19, 2016.

From left, Dr. Allan Wilson with luxury realtor Marilyn Wilson and Carol Devenny, managing partner at PwC Ottawa and a past president of the Ashbury College Guild and her husband, Grant McDonald, regional managing partner of KPMG, at The Ashbury Ball: 125th Celebration, held at the private school in Rockcliffe Park on Saturday, Novembe 19, 2016.

From left, Monika Bell and her husband Brendan Bell, a former Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman, with Anil Mital and Monica Mital at Ashbury College on Saturday, November 19, 2016, for the Ashbury Ball: 125th Celebration.

From left, Arlie Koyman with gala co-chair Jill Dickinson and Jamilah Murray and Nadine Sabine at The Ashbury Ball: 125th Celebration held at Ashbury College on Saturday, November 19, 2016.

TV and radio journalist Evan Solomon, with his wife, Tammy Quinn, at Ashbury College on Saturday, November 19, 2016, as part of the The Ashbury Ball: 125th Celebration held at the prestigious private school on Saturday, November 19, 2016.

From left, Micheline Saikaley with Brenda Clunie and Hugo Ortega at The Ashbury Ball: 125th Celebration held at Ashbury College in Rockcliffe Park on Saturday, November 19, 2016.

From left, Dave Dickinson with his wife, Jill Dickinson, who co-chaired this year’s Ashbury Ball with Wanda Peters, seen with her husband, Gary Peters, inside the beautifully decorated gymnasium for the big night on Saturday, November 19, 2016.

Ashbury College head Norman Southward with Jill Dickinson, left, and Wanda Peters, the co-chairs of The Ashbury Ball: 125th Celebration held at the prestigious private school in Rockcliffe Park on Saturday, November 19, 2016.

From left, Ashbury College Guild member Lisa Zed with Tara Dentinger and Guild member Sue Thorne at The Ashbury Ball: 125th Celebration held at the private school in Rockcliffe Park on Saturday, November 19, 2016.

From left, Dr. Adnan Hadziomerovic with fellow medical doctors Judy Shiau and Derek So at The Ashbury Ball: 125th Celebration held at Ashbury College in Rockcliffe Park on Saturday, November 19, 2016.

From left, Whitney Fox with Meredithe Rechan and Michael Waters, CEO of The Minto Group, and his wife, Sarah, at The Ashbury Ball: 125th Celebration, held at Ashbury College in Rockcliffe Park on Saturday, November 19, 2016.

Vicky Wilgress with her 125th anniversary co-chair Albert Lightstone, a former president of the Ashbury College Guild, at The Ashbury Ball, held at the private school on Saturday, November 19, 2016, to celebrate the school’s milestone anniversary and to raise funds for the school and its student financial assistance program.

From left, Arnie Mierins from Ogilvie Motors Ltd. and his wife Vicki Mierins with Tara-Leigh Cancino Brouillette and her spouse, Jeff Mierins, from Star Motors of Ottawa, at The Ashbury Ball: 125th Celebration held at Ashbury College on Saturday, November 19, 2016.

Carolyn001@sympatico.ca

Supporters of the Hopewell Eating Disorder Support Centre gathered at the Shenkman Arts Centre on Wednesday for a Folk ‘n’ Fashion fundraiser with Juno Award-winning singer and songwriter Lynn Miles.

The crowd also took in a fashion show featuring Wear Your Label, a Fredericton-based clothing line that uses fashion to create conversations about mental health. It showcased role models from the community, all of whom had a connection to the cause.

Juno Award-winning singer and songwriter Lynn Miles was part of the Folk ‘n’ Fashion fundraiser for the Hopewell Eating Disorder Support Centre, held Wednesday, November 23, 2016, at the Shenkman Arts Centre.

Each model was asked beforehand to conjure up single-word descriptions of their personal journey. “Struggle” was one response while “resilience” was another. Also heard were: enlightening, roller coaster, rewarding, warrior, humbling and wearying.

The models included Hopewell co-founder Lucyna Neville, Hopewell board chair Charlie Carter with the Ontario Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health, MC Katherine Dines from Majic 100 , and health and wellness expert Kathy Smart.

From left, Tanya Novo-Verde with Folk ‘n’ Fashion emcee Katherine Dines from Majic 100 at the fundraiser for the Hopewell Eating Disorder Support Centre, held Wednesday, November 23, 2016, at the Shenkman Arts Centre.

In attendance was Tracy Rait-Parkes from the Taggart Parkes Foundation. The non-profit, family-run foundation is backing Hopewell’s new education and prevention initiative, called Celebrate EveryBody, to promote positive body image among local youth.

carolyn001@sympatico.ca

They say that their hearts grew two sizes that day (while their wallets shrank considerably) as participants of the 5th annual Grinch Dinner, held Wednesday at Table 40 at Fraser Café, raised a net total of $30,000 for the homeless men and women who rely on the programs and services offered by the Shepherds of Good Hope.

The dinner crowd consisted of 40 guests, all of whom paid a generous $750 a plate (including Shepherds of Good Hope CEO Deirdre Freiheit and its foundation’s director of philanthropy, Neil Leslie).
The meal, along with food costs, was taken care of by chefs Robert Bourassa (of former Café Henry Burger), Ross and Simon Fraser (Fraser Café), Charlie Part (Les Fougères), Michael Radford (The Whalesbone) and Warren Sutherland (Sutherland Restaurant). The venue, located in New Edinburgh, is a private hospitality dining room connected to Fraser Café.

From left, Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation board chair Ryan Kilger, an associate with Vincent Dagenais Gibson LLP, with board vice chair Melissa Shabinsky, and Neil Leslie, the foundation’s director of philanthropy and resource development, at the Grinch Dinner held at Table 40 at Fraser Café in New Edinburgh on Wednesday, November 23, 2016.

The dinner was hosted by good friends Paul Turner of Jaimac Risk Management and Export Development Canada lawyer John Peters, the latter of whom is past board chair of both the Shepherds of Good Hope and its foundation, and whose volunteer involvement stretches back almost 24 years.

The men, who also host a separate cocktail party benefit, started the high-end dinner to up the fundraising ante. It was Turner’s suggestion and, originally, Peters scoffed at the idea that his friends could come up with that kind of money. Yet they did, and continue to do so. “They don’t wait for me to send them invites; they ask me when is the Grinch Dinner,” said Peters, while noting that every penny raised goes to the cause.

The evening also serves to bump up awareness over the work that the Shepherds does as the largest non-profit organization dedicated to serving the poor and the homeless in Ottawa. It has eight buildings across the city and also runs its internationally recognized Managed Alcohol Program. It helps homeless people with chronic alcoholism by stabilizing their alcohol intake while reducing both the number of visits they make to emergency departments and their encounters with police.

From left, Paul Turner, Shepherds of Good Hope president and CEO Deirdre Freiheit, retired chef Robert Bourassa and John Peters at the Grinch Dinner held at Table 40 at Fraser Café in New Edinburgh on Wednesday, November 23, 2016.

carolyn001@sympatico.ca