Friends and family of the late Charles “Chuck” Dalfen packed the GCTC on Thursday for the much-anticipated premiere of a profound new piece of theatre.

The play, The Boy in the Moon, was developed and produced through a tribute fund created in memory of Dalfen, a former CRTC chairman, GCTC board member and all-around well-liked guy who passed away suddenly in May 2009. His widow, Susannah Dalfen, chaired a large volunteer committee that has raised more than $200,000 from 200-plus supportive donors.

She addressed the full house right before curtain time to speak about her “larger-than-life” husband and her family’s interest in honouring him through a new work of theatre about a family raising its disabled son.

Susannah Dalfen, centre, is surrounded by family members on Thursday.

“This play symbolizes for me a great deal what Chuck stood for: the value of creativity and the deep sensitivity to navigate the world through both our vulnerability and our strengths,” she told the audience, which included current CRTC chairman Jean-Pierre Blais.

CRTC chairman Jean-Pierre Blais, seen with Susannah Dalfen, at the premiere on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2014,.

Dalfen attended the opening night with her daughters, Deborah and Ariel, her grandchildren and fiancé, Jonathan Malino. The director, Eric Coates, who’s also the artistic director of the GCTC, was there. So was the playwright, Emil Sher, with his mother, holocaust survivor Olga Sher, and his brother, Julian Sher, senior producer of CBC’s The Fifth Estate.

From left, Canadian playwright Emil Sher with Susannah Dalfen and director Eric Coates on Thursday, September 18, 2014, at the GCTC’s premiere of The Boy in the Moon.

From right, Canadian playwright Emil Sher on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2014, at the opening night of his new play, The Boy in the Moon, with his mother, Olga, and brother, Julian Sher, a senior producer on CBC’s The Fifth Estate.

In attendance that night was author Ian Brown of the award-winning memoir on which the play is based. Seeing words from his book turned into a live production was “a completely visceral experience” for Brown, who liked how the playwright, director and actors took his work and “made it into their own thing”.

Ian Brown, author of The Boy in the Moon, and his wife, Johanna Schneller.

“I’m back for my second time, so I must have enjoyed it,” Brown joked at the pre-performance party. Brown, who’s a feature writer for the Globe and Mail, was joined by his wife, Johanna Schneller, who’s also with the Globe as its film columnist. She couldn’t help but get emotional her first time watching the play, which is very honest and moving. “I cried and cried through the whole thing,” she told Around Town.

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From left, Lola Rasminsky, Dr. Susan Denburg (sister of the late Charles Dalfen) and Ellen Wright on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2014.

From left, Ottawa architect Barry Padolsky and Jonathan Malino in conversation with Victor Rabinovitch at a pre-performance reception for the world premiere of the GCTC’s The Boy in the Moon.

For, like, the umpteenth time, Irish Ambassador Ray Bassett and his wife, Patricia, have opened up their official residence in Rockcliffe Park for charity.

The most recent cause was the 3C Foundation, an organization that offers support for people living with Crohn’s disease, colitis and colorectal cancer. Since 2010, the big-hearted diplomat has been welcoming the non-profit back each year to his dynamite digs for its annual fundraiser.

This year, organizers whipped up a new recipe for success with the Embassy Chef Challenge. The idea came from Embassy of Ireland Chef Mathieu Desjardins, who knew about a similar event in Washington, D.C.

Desjardins promised to recruit embassy chefs to participate if organizers could get local businesses to provide the food and drinks. The sponsors came through on all levels and the idea became a tasty reality.

“It’s Year One, so it’s a lot of work, but it is so much fun,” event planner Karen Morrison told Around Town at the inaugural chef challenge. “Everyone is having such a good time. They’ve never tasted food like this, and the chefs have been so excited.”

The evening netted almost $50,000 (and counting) for the IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) Centre at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO).

Close to 300 guests were seen mingling, drinking and wolfing down the half-dozen dishes prepared by embassy chefs from Ecuador, Japan, Kazakhstan, Spain, Thailand and, of course, Ireland.

“I’ve had my head down working but, from what I’ve heard from everybody, the comments are great,” Desjardins told Around Town. “People are really enjoying everything, including the format of us plating (the food) in front of them and the interaction they’re having with the chefs.”

Chris Knight, president and CEO of Gusto TV, served as a celebrity judge with well-known commercial real estate broker Aik Aliferis and Chef Cory Haskins from the culinary faculty at Algonquin College. There to MC were radio hosts Stuntman Stu and Trisha Owens from Majic 100.

Desjardins clinched the Embassy Chef Challenge Champion title. The People’s Choice Award went to the Ecuadorian embassy chef, Daniel Velez, for his shrimp coconut ceviche (among the guests to rave to me about this dish was top Palestinian diplomat Said Hamad).

On hand that night were 3C Foundation board president Michele Hepburn; Dr. David Mack, head of gastroenterology at CHEO; and honourary chair Colleen McBride-O’Brien with her other half, former mayor Larry O’Brien. Other attendees included prominent real estate broker Kent Browne and his family, and retired pro hockey player Jim Kyte, who recently became the new dean of Algonquin College’s school of hospitality and tourism.

Ottawa’s party season really did get started with a bang (and a boom and a pow) as the 12th annual Lumière Gala and its unforgettable fireworks show celebrated its most successful year to date.

A record-breaking 680-plus guests attended the sold-out charity event for local cancer survivorship, held in the heart of the high-tech community, at the Brookstreet Hotel in Kanata.

The four-diamond hotel is owned by Ottawa’s best-known serial entrepreneur, Sir Terry Mattews, a Welsh-born, Canadian-made tech legend. He came out to the gala and was seen socializing both at the main event and at the VIP reception for top sponsors. He encouraged everyone to “have a good time and let it all hang out”.

From left, Shelley Moorhead and Nicole d’Entremont in shades of red at the 12th Annual Lumière Gala.

Thursday’s gala, along with the Keltic Cup charity golf classic held that day at The Marshes golf course, raised roughly $145,000 for the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation (ORCF).

It was the third consecutive year that Brookstreet, in partnershp with Matthews’ Wesley Clover Foundation, has directed gala proceeds to the ORCF. That’s given time for organizers to build momentum. “All of the work from the previous years suddenly seems to have coalesced,” event committee member Don Smith, retired chief executive of sponsor Mitel, told Around Town. “Even the weather has cooperated.”

From left, Dave Ready with his son, Cory Ready, and Don Smith at the VIP reception hosted by Sir Terry Matthews as part of the 12th Annual Lumière Gala .

He was seen chumming with investment advisor Cory Ready, who’s on the gala committee and the cancer foundation board, and whose well-known dad, Dave Ready, played on the team that won the Keltic Cup that day.

Guests were asked to wear a splash or two of red to show their support for the ORCF and its theme colour. Kanata North councillor and cancer survivor Marianne Wilkinson wore red while Mayor Jim Watson had to improvise by sticking a red paper napkin in the breast pocket of his jacket.

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Kanata North Coun. Marianne Wilkinson, a cancer survivor, spoke at a VIP reception hosted by Sir Terry Matthews.

Guests flitted to and from 10 food stations that served such dishes as walnut and cracked mustard-crusted lamb, smoked candied salmon and pork belly cassoulet, prepared with cancer-fighting ingredients and paired with wines.

Among those present from the hotel were its general manager, Patrice S. Basille, and executive chef, Clifford Lyness, who said the menu reflected a culmination of days, weeks and months of preparation — not that he’s complaining. “I love this event,” said Lyness enthusiastically.

From left, Executive Chef John Morris from the National Arts Centre with Executive Chef Clifford Lyness from the Brookstreet Hotel, which hosted a sold-out night of food, drinks and entertainment.

From left, Patrice S. Basille, general manager and executive vice president of Brookstreet Hotel, on stage with Mayor Jim Watson.

The evening also offered live jazz, raffle prizes, more auction items than ever before and the usual grand finale of fireworks. “This is probably one of my favourite events,” said long-time sponsor Kent Browne, owner of Royal LePage Team Realty and Gale Real Estate. Not only does Browne make a night of it by booking a nice room at the hotel for him and his wife, Mary, but he invites a tonne of people to attend the gala.

This year’s sold-out Lumière Gala drew nearly 700 people to the Brookstreet Hotel.

Popular emcee and charity auctioneer Stuntman Stu sold off a trip to Jamaica, a getaway to New York City, a golf trip to Matthews’ Celtic Manor Resort in Wales, advertising space in the Ottawa Citizen, a 100-level suite to a Senators/Leafs game, and a six-course table for 10 in the private dining room of the hotel’s restaurant, Perspectives.

Deloitte partner Jeff Johnson and Jennifer Billyard at the 12th Annual Lumière Gala.

From left, Sir Terry Matthews, with Mark Nisbett and John Ouellette.

Deloitte partner Mark Noonan, with his wife, Jenny, at a VIP reception sponsored by Deloitte as part of the 12th Annual Lumière Gala.

Linda Eagen, president and CEO of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation, with colleague John Ouellette.

From left, Matthew Ferris is flanked by young ladies in red, Veronique Roy, left, and his sister, Stephanie.

Seen helping serve was prominent chef John Morris from the NAC.

Ottawa jazz singer Rebecca Noelle entertained guests at the 12th Annual Lumière Gala.

The circus came to town, and brought with it Serena Ryder to perform at the U of O Faculty of Medicine’s Abracadabra: A Night of Magic and Medicine.

The second annual gala, held Saturday at the Westin Hotel, saw the two-time Juno Award-winning artist work her own musical magic with a mix of hit songs and new material before a 300-person crowd that included University of Ottawa president Allan Rock, the faculty’s dean, Dr. Jacques Bradwejn, and Dr. David Park, director of the university’s Brain and Mind Research Institute (uOBMRI).

The gala’s creative theme of a travelling medicine and circus show brought everyone “under the Big Top” to highlight the institute, which is a world-class leader in neuroscience research and treatment of brain disorders, including stroke, depression/suicide, Parkinson’s and neuromuscular disease.

“This is something that is very near and dear to my heart,” Ryder said on stage while speaking about her struggles with depression and the healing power of music. “One thing I’ve learned lately is that your heart is a lot smarter than your brain.”

Park was joined at the gala by such fellow uOBMRI researchers as: Drs. Ruth Slack, Jocelyn Côté, Georg Northoff, Dar Dowlatshahi and Michael Schlossmacher — all in magician top hats.

The gala, with impressive decor by Event Design, featured circus performers, carnival culinary stations and its own signature cocktail, the Magic Elixir.

The celebration capped off an “extremely successful” week of events held during the institute’s inaugural Brain Health Awareness Week to promote the work it’s doing on the body’s most complex organ. Helping it get the word out were mental health patient advocates.

“It’s been amazing,” Park, who is also co-director of the Parkinson Research Consortium at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and a U of O professor, told Around Town. “It was really about coming out to the community and engaging the community because they’re central to the success of the institute.”

He later told the crowd that the number of people living with brain disorders is staggering and it’s only going to get worse. “But, there is hope,” Park added. The uOBMRI “is going to make a difference … We are doing research that helps patients today and will help those who develop brain disorders in the future.”

Nobody ignored the elephant in the room at the latest Movie Night on the Hill hosted Monday by Heritage Minister Shelly Glover at the National Arts Centre.

Rather, attendees mugged it up with the paper pachyderm following the Ottawa premiere of the Canadian flick, Elephant Song, in the NAC Theatre. The replica elephant was part of the whimsical decor, inspired by the film, that organizers set up throughout the lobby. That’s where guests headed afterward for food, drinks and some serious socializing.

Present for the screening were organizers, sponsors and filmmakers. The Quebec film director, Charles Binamé, attended, as did the board chair for Telefilm Canada, Michel Roy, and TV executive Colette Watson from Rogers.

None of the film stars, such as Quebec sensation Xavier Dolan, turned out but Canadian actor Mark Critch from the political satire show This Hour Has 22 Minutes was there conducting playful interviews with key people before and after the screening. His CBC microphone came apart briefly while he was speaking with Glover but she jumped in to fix it.

“This is why Canadian television needs more money,” Critch quipped of his mic malfunction.

In the 900-seat theatre, Glover delivered her usual upbeat speech to a good-sized audience consisting mostly of political types from Parliament Hill and supporters of the Canadian film industry. There was also a contingent of invited youth, including post-secondary students in TV and film.
New data shows that the arts, culture and heritage sector provides almost $50 billion to the Canadian economy and represents 647,000 jobs, Glover told the room. “We must continue to support this industry and ensure that not only the economy thrives but we, as Canadians, make our mark in this world and continue to punch above our weight.”

At the party, the Official Opposition’s heritage critic, Quebec NDP MP Pierre Nantel, was heard discussing the film, a psychological drama, with Telefilm director of public and government affairs, Jean-Claude Mahé. Nantel found the film “riveting, from the first scene to the last”.

Elephant Song, which is based on the Nicolas Billon play of the same name, also stars Bruce Greenwood, Catherine Keener and Colm Feore. It had its world premiere at TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) last month.

While at the screening, Around Town got an update from Heidi Bonnell, vice president of federal government affairs for Rogers Communications, about the wildly popular Hope Live charity benefit she organizes every year with her volunteer committee for Fertile Future.

It always sells out but tickets vanished faster than ever this year when word broke that hometown girl Alanis Morissette is going to be performing at the gala, hosted by Bonnell’s pal, Rick Mercer.

The event, which attracts a who’s who from politics, journalism and business, takes place Monday, Oct. 27th at the GCTC.

Too many cooks in the kitchen? Uh, uh. Not when it’s some of the biggest names on the local culinary scene raising thousands of dollars for folks fighting cancer.

The inaugural Taste & Walk Exclusive Chef’s Dinner on Tuesday brought together Sheila Whyte from Thyme & Again Catering, Chris Knight, president and CEO of Gusto TV, Chef Mike Moffatt from Beckta, Play and Gezellig, Chef Rene Rodriguez from Navarra and Chef Marc Doiron from Town to present a four-course dinner with canapés at the Algonquin College Restaurant International.

Oh, and the extraordinary kitchen talents also agreed to come over to the highest auction bidder’s home at a future date to wine and dine them and their friends.
The sold-out night promoted the fourth annual Scotiabank Nordic Walk for Cancer Survivorship happening on Oct. 19. It ended up raising $23,000, which will help with the cancer coaching program at the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation’s Maplesoft Centre.

Chef Scott Warrick brought the cohort of cooks together. He teaches at Algonquin in the culinary management program and is part of the Nordic Walk leadership committee. The 120 dinner guests included Algonquin College’s new president, Cheryl Jensen, and Jim Kyte, the new dean of its school of hospitality and tourism.

Juggling the roles of emcee, charity auctioneer and Nordic Walk leadership committee chair was Lawrence Greenspon. The prominent lawyer told the room how his involvement with the cause began after a growing number of his friends and family got cancer. He liked the idea of them having a place like the Maplesoft Centre in which to turn. It offers everything from free counselling to health and wellnesss programs to fitness classes for cancer survivors. “Here in Ottawa we are blessed with this centre,” he said.

The gourmet meal, which was paired with Barefoot wines, consisted of corn potato chowder, salmon prepared three ways, pig cheek confit and chocolate shortcake. Each chef came out to the dining room to introduce their dish before it was served (and devoured).

Rodriguez, who earlier this year won the fourth TV season of Top Chef Canada, told everyone how excited he was to be back at the college where he took culinary classes some 12 years earlier.

“For me to give back to the community and to all of you with a little bit of my food and to support a great cause, it’s an honour for me to be here,” he said. “So, I’m very happy that I get to feed you tonight.”

Sold off was a seven-night stay at Peter Nicholson‘s Grand Isle Resort & Spa in the Bahamas and the chance to whip around town for six months in a Beetle from Irene Thomson‘s Hunt Club Volkswagen. The dinner for 12 with the chefs sold for $3,600. It was bought by retired Scotiabank executive Dennis Jackson on behalf of him and his table, which also included Greenspon.

Thursday was the new Saturday as the 18th annual National Arts Centre Gala shifted to a weeknight this year and brought big names in business, politics and philanthropy together under the same roof to raise funds for Canada’s future performing artists.

This year’s NAC Gala netted $917,000 for the NAC’s National Youth and Education Trust. The amount was announced on stage to a full-capacity audience by Laureen Harper, wife of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the honorary chair of the gala. She was joined by Jayne Watson, CEO of the NAC Foundation.

“But I want to take the opportunity to remind you that this is not just about a dollar figure — although it kind of is,” Harper said, slipping in a touch of humour. “Behind that impressive figure are young Canadians with passion and talent. Boys and girls will now have the opportunity and resources to pursue their dreams.”

In the audience were Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin, pre-gala reception hosts U.S. Ambassador Bruce Heyman and Vicki Heyman, Opposition Leader Tom Mulcair, Conservative cabinet ministers and MPs from all parties, and a large number of corporate sponsors and donors. Back to chair the gala committee was Carol Devenny

The returning presenting sponsor, CIBC, was represented by Victor Dodig, who was recently elevated to president and CEO of the bank. “See what happens when you support the arts?” Watson joked in her remarks.

Also there in a promoted position was Barbara Williams. She’s the new president of Shaw Media, which was the gala’s associate sponsor.

NAC president and CEO Peter Herrndorf and acting board chair Adrian Burns were at the pre-concert reception greeting as many dignitaries as they could while gala-goers flooded into the lobby. The benefit was moved from Saturday to Thursday this year mostly due to artist availability.

The NAC Orchestra’s outgoing music director, Pinchas Zukerman, who’s also a respected violinist, violist and conductor, made a brief appearance on the red carpet with his gorgeous cellist-playing wife, Amanda Forsyth.

The gala concert, Pinchas, Itzhak & Friends, saw Zukerman perform with the legendary Itzhak Perlman and some of the brilliant young musicians he’s mentored over the years. The 2,200-person crowd reacted with thunderous applause and ovation.
For many, the gala concert was a particularly touching one because it marked the beginning of the end of Zukerman’s long career with the NACO. He’s leaving as music director in 2015 and will be succeeded by British conductor Alexander Shelley.

“It’s emotional,” Burns told Around Town. “As much as I’m thrilled we have Alexander Shelley coming, Pinchas is a close friend and someone we really love.”

Added Watson: “We’re going to miss him.”

After the concert, the Southam Hall stage was quickly switched around to allow 650-plus guests to return there to enjoy a gourmet dinner, with a main course of Alberta beef tenderloin, planned by NAC executive chef John Morris.

Former cabinet minister Stockwell Day was back to help as charity auctioneer. Items included State Box seating for four to the upcoming Sarah McLachlan concert, with dinner at the NAC’s Le Café, and a one-week stay at a staffed beachfront villa in Barbados.

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You only turn 50 once (unless you live in denial), so, rather suitably, supporters of the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra got together Monday to celebrate half a century of music making with a season-opening concert and fundraising reception at the National Arts Centre.

Maestro and music director David Currie led a champagne toast to the performing arts organization and its 50 years, but not before first recognizing the hard work and generous support of the community.

“We’ve had some difficult times trying to keep this thing afloat. We’re doing pretty well because of people like you,” said Currie, speaking to roughly 300 guests in the NAC Panorama Room.

Present at the reception was the OSO’s board president, Martha Hynna, along with her predecessors, Susan Annis and David Gardner.

Allison Dingle, who heads the OSO fundraising, was in the room, as was Snookie Lomow, chair of special events.

Also mingling was award-winning concert violinist Alexandre Da Costa, who performed with the 100-member community-based orchestra that night.

Guests heard from Yves Laberge, general manager of sponsor Star Motors.The luxury car dealership invited 170 customers as part of its client appreciation night.

It also supports the arts through the OSO’s Symphony for Schools program, which gives thousands of local kids the opportunity to attend a free symphony orchestra concert each year.

“Our association with Ottawa Symphony goes way back and we’re very proud of our partnership,” Laberge told the room.

Not to go unnoticed were Star Motors’ new 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA compact SUV and C-Class sedan, both on display in the lower lobby.

“Nice parking spots you’ve got down there,” teased MC Lucy van Oldenbarneveld from CBC Ottawa News. “It’s still going to cost you $11.”

The party wrapped up with guest Ann Kouimtzis winning the 50-50 draw.

“I’ve never won anything in my life,” said Kouimtzis as she collected her $1,400 in winnings.

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In a matter of days, the National Arts Centre Orchestra (NACO) will be making the giant leap across the pond for a five-city UK tour that will see its musicians perform and educate while also commemorate the 100 years since Canada’s entry into the First World War.

Dozens of supporters gathered Wednesday for a kickoff reception held in honour of the musical journey. It took place at Earnscliffe, the official residence of British High Commissioner Howard Drake and his wife, Gill.

From the NAC was the acting chair of its board of trustees, Adrian Burns; the CEO of its fundraising arm, Jayne Watson; and NACO’s managing director, Christopher Deacon.

Laureen Harper, who lives just down the road at 24 Sussex, was among the guests. So was Abigail Richardson, one of the Canadian composers whose commissioned work, Song of the Poets, will be part of the tour. It uses excerpts from poems written by soldiers who fought on both sides of the war.

The UK gig marks NACO’s 32nd international tour in its 45-year history and the final one for outgoing musical director Pinchas Zukerman. He’s moving on after this season.

Mayor Jim Watson, who’s been busy campaigning for re-election, showed up late and took some ribbing from his quick-witted sister, Jayne. “You should be knocking on doors,” she quipped.

Guests also included members of Ottawa’s prominent Murray family, including sponsor Chris Murray from the London, UK-based W1 Developments, and representatives from major sponsor RBC. Some 1,500 employees from the Royal Bank of Canada enlisted for service in the First World War and, of that number, more than 300 lost their lives, the room heard.

“We’re honoured to have the opportunity to be a part of this important initiative and use the powers of music to commemorate such a significant moment, when Canada came of age as a nation,” said Tina Sarellas, regional president of RBC.

In his welcome speech, Drake was quick to point out that London won’t be the only city in Great Britain getting a visit from the orchestra. The first stop is Edinburgh, “which is still part of the United Kingdom, I’m pleased to say,” said Drake, referring to the recent Scottish referendum.

One of the tour highlights will be the NACO concert in Salisbury Cathedral, a 13th-century Gothic masterpiece located near the site where Canadian troops trained (among those WWI soldiers was the Watson siblings’ grandfather, Lance Watson, with the 48th Highlanders, in 1914). The cathedral is also next to where Drake’s late father went to school and not far from where Drake grew up.

Unfortunately, the diplomat can’t attend the concert but he can always catch the broadcast on CBC later this fall.

The tour runs Oct. 23 to Oct. 30 and also includes stops in Bristol and Nottingham (of Robin Hood fame).

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Fiona Gilfillan adores fishing. You could even say she got “hooked” after her first time salmon fishing on the Gaspé Peninsula last year at Camp Bonaventure. The fly-fishing lodge is part-owned by Ottawa’s Dan Greenberg and his wife, Barbara Crook.

“I love it, I really do,” the retired high-tech executive said at the Atlantic Salmon Federation’s annual Fall Run Dinner, which raised $75,000 at the Canadian Museum of History on Wednesday.

“It’s the beauty, the peace and the fun of having a fish on the line and fighting it,” said Gilfillan while describing the waters there as “gin-clear” and clean enough to drink.

She’s a member of the dinner organizing committee, chaired by Dawson Hovey, and was among a group of fun-loving gals who got up on stage to perform as part of the musical Salmon Sisters. They were led by Crook, seen earlier with Greenberg and their Icelandic outfitter friend, Axel Oskarsson, in matching Viking-horned helmets and Ottawa Senators jerseys.

The ASF is a non-profit organization that advocates for the protection of wild Atlantic salmon, whose population is under constant threat. It also actively promotes the “catch and release” concept.

“Today, in 2014, every fish counts. The more fish we release, the better the chances of having more fish come back (to spawn),” said ASF program director Charles Cusson. “The Atlantic salmon are like the canary in the coal mine. If something’s wrong with the environment, they’ll tell us by struggling.”

The number of wild salmon has dropped and the ASF suspects it’s due to increased commercial fishing activities in Greenland. Each year, many salmon make the improbable journey to as far as Greenland’s coastal waters to feed before returning to North American rivers to spawn.

Other attendees of the dinner included local Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre (Nepean-Carleton) and Liberal Nova Scotia MP Mark Eyking (Sydney-Victoria). Irish Ambassador Ray Bassett and his wife, Patricia, who last year offered to host an embassy group dinner, were back as guests. They were seen mingling with Icelandic Ambassador Sturla Sigurjónsson and his wife, Elin Jonsdottir, who were among the diplomats to make the same dinner donation to this year’s live auction.

Also sold off for charity was a 200-level suite to a Sens game and fishing trips to the Gaspé and Iceland.

When Slyvia Cuhaci looks back, she feels like she twice lost her son, Hayg — first to mental illness in his early 20s and again with his tragic death, at age 29.

“He was a normal kid,” Cuhaci told Around Town of her middle child and eldest son. He was bright, caring and loved playing hockey (but hated bodychecking).

There were some signs of problems in his teens, said Cuhaci, but it wasn’t until Hayg had to return home from university and be hospitalized that the family became aware of his serious mental illness. He was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and suffered from such symptoms as hallucinations, delusions and paranoid thoughts.

“Once he had a diagnosis, we thought we would be able to help him,” said Cuhaci. “It was almost like, ‘He’s got a mental illness, now we can fix it.’ “

Only it wasn’t that easy. Hayg tried complying with doctors’ orders but he was on and off his medication, citing negative side effects. He got involved in street drugs, sometimes pawning his belongings in order to buy the drugs. He lived independently in an apartment, across from the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, and it was there that police showed up on Sept. 4, 1990, after he began trashing the place.

Police agreed to take Hayg to the hospital but Hayg, due to an irrational fear of being transported by ambulance, became upset and punched an officer. Police tried to arrest the mentally ill man and, in the officers’ physical attempts to restrain him, accidentally asphyxiated him. Recommendations made at a subsequent inquest called for better police training for dealing with mentally ill people in crisis situations.

At that time, Cuhaci had already been volunteering with a new grassroots organization, now called Upstream, created to address the lack of proper support services for mentally ill people.

Hayg’s friends and family have learned a lot since Hayg’s death about denial, loss, acceptance, crises, confusion, courage and sadness, said Cuhaci.

“I sincerely believe that my learnings can benefit others who suffer, if I reach out to them, accept and respect them, and become instrumental in helping them to discover strengths in an atmosphere conducive to wellness.

“Even if I can make a difference for a few, my son will not have died in vain,” said Cuhaci, who was awarded the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award in 2012 for her longtime involvement with Upstream.

On Thursday, Upstream held its biennial dinner to raise funds for the community-based services it’s been providing to mentally ill youth. Some 120 guests, including Ontario Court Justice Heather Perkins-McVey, Royal Ottawa chief psychiatrist Dr. Raj Bhatla, Cuhaci, her husband, Edward, and son, Mark, of Edward J. Cuhaci and Associates Architects, and daughter, Marianne, gathered in the Panorama Room of the National Arts Centre for the fundraiser.

“We’re happy to support the cause because we think it’s a very worthwhile endeavor and it doesn’t get enough attention,” investment adviser Chris Martin, speaking on behalf of sponsor TD Bank Group, told Around Town.

The evening was to feature award-winning CBC News journalist Neil Macdonald as keynote speaker but he regrettably had to cancel due to injuries suffered in a recent bicycle accident. Macdonald’s brother, Les, is a former Upstream client and board member. Macdonald remains “immensely grateful” to Upstream for the help it has given his brother.

“Had it not been for Upstream, his life (Les’s life) would have been quite different, perhaps even unendurable,” Macdonald stated in an email read at the dinner by CBC News Ottawa anchor Lucy van Oldenbarneveld. She shared MC duties that night with Catherine Clark, host of CPAC’s Beyond Politics.

In her first time public speaking, 22-year-old Karen Beach shared her story of struggling for years to find support in the community for her persistent mental illness, and finally getting it through Upstream. She also credited Upstream with giving her the courage to go back and finish high school.

“I’ve never been happier and never felt more cared about than I do now,” said Beach. “I’m very happy to have Upstream on my side, helping me to get through the ups and downs.”

Beach sang a short song that she wrote, to express her appreciation, and earned a rousing ovation for her beautiful performance.

carolyn001@sympatico.ca

Edward Cuhaci, board chairman of Edward J. Cuhaci and Associates Architects, with his wife, longtime mental health advocate Sylvia Cuhaci, at Upstream Ottawa’s Youth Matters Gala, held Thursday, October 16, 2014, at the National Arts Centre.

From left, Dr. Raj Bhatla with news anchor Lucy van Oldenbarneveld from CBC Ottawa and Upstream director Bo Turpin at the Youth Matters Gala, held Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014, at the National Arts Centre.

Dr. Raj Bhatla, chief psychiatrist at the Royal Ottawa, with Ontario Court Justice Heather Perkins-McVey at Upstream Ottawa’s Youth Matters Gala, held Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014, at the National Arts Centre.

From left, Upstream Ottawa board president Lynda Lennox with Laura Hope and Ruth Maxwell at Upstream Ottawa’s Youth Matters Gala, held Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014, at the National Arts Centre. (

Upstream youth community support worker Eb Amponsah with client Karen Beach and her mother, Theresa Beach, at Upstream’s Youth Matters Gala, held Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014, at the National Arts Centre.

Mark Cuhaci with his wife, Carrie, at Upstream Ottawa’s Youth Matters Gala held at the National Arts Centre on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014.

Vice president and investment adviser Christopher Martin from TD Waterhouse with his wife, Kimberley, at Upstream Ottawa’s Youth Matters Gala, held Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014, at the National Arts Centre.

Bill Helmer with his wife, board member Jan Helmer, and Laura Dimic at Upstream Ottawa’s Youth Matters Gala, held Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014, at the National Arts Centre.

From left, Donna Nixon, a partner with The Strategic Counsel, with Pamela Miles at Upstream’s Youth Matters Gala, in support of transitional services for youth, held Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014, at the National Arts Centre.

The Ottawa Redblacks scored extra points at TD Place Stadium on Wednesday and they weren’t even on the field.

Rather, the new CFL team co-hosted a charity gala in aid of widows and orphans devastated by disease and poverty in western Kenya.

The team’s charismatic quarterback, Henry Burris, attended with his wife, Nicole, and their two young boys. Head coach Rick Campbell came with his wife, Jeri. They live only a few blocks away in their new home in the Glebe. “We love it here and want to become part of this place,” said Campbell.

Team president Jeff Hunt was behind the idea to hold the fundraiser. It took place in the stadium’s Otto’s Club lounge and raised money for HERA Mission of Canada founded by Peggy Taillon with Wendy Muckle as its director.

Guests listened to TSN 1200’s Shawn Simpson lead a friendly football talk with Campbell and Burris, who’s optimistic the losing Redblacks will see better days ahead.

“Right now, a lot of guys are going through the whole cliché of baptism by fire,” said Burris. “We’re just as good as any other team in this league; we’re just a couple of plays away, here and there, but that will come. We’ll continue to focus and maintain that passion, and push toward the goals that the coaches have set up for us.”

Several well-known Kenyan-born Ottawa residents turned out, including Sarah Onyango, Denise Siele and young Devlin Taillon, who is “seven- and three-quarters” years old. Devlin, who was adopted as a baby by Peggy from his native village of Asembo Bay in western Kenya, spent the night playing with his buddies, the Burris boys.

The crowd learned about some of the charity work being done in Asembo Bay from Muckle, who travels there several times a year with HERA Mission. “There are always moments on every trip where I wish every one of you were there to share with me the things that have happened,” said Muckle.

She described the memorable experience of driving to a financial bank with a group of women in the process of starting a poultry business. They travelled in a cramped car on a long and windy road, in the rain, with many stops and much paperwork.

That’s probably not part of the experience she wanted donors to feel. It was more likely this part: “And the sight of the women coming out of the bank, having opened their very first business bank account, and the look on their faces,” recalled Muckle. “How proud they were when they got into the car and they said to me, ‘We’re real businesswomen now’.

“I want to thank you for making that moment possible.”

carolyn001@sympatico.ca

Hundreds of gala-goers came together Saturday under the magnificent roof of the Canadian War Museum, all with the common goal of ensuring other less-fortunate families also get a roof of their own.

Sponsors, volunteers and donors with Habitat for Humanity National Capital Region (NCR) were hoping to raise $85,000 at the annual Steel Toes and Stilettos Gala. The benefit was held in the museum’s impressive LeBreton Gallery, where massive tanks, military vehicles and fighter jets, all beautifully bathed in red light, were stationed just a few feet away from where everyone sat down together for dinner, catered by The Westin hotel.

First-time attendees included Alexis Ashworth, the new CEO of Habitat NCR. She joined the Ottawa organization in February, having previously been in charge of the Habitat affiliate in Halifax.

“We don’t receive any government funding, so events like this are very important for us, in terms of fundraising,” she told Around Town. “It’s also a nice opportunity for us to get together and celebrate what we do. We build community at our build sites but it’s nice to be able to build community at an event like this, as well.”

Giuseppe “Pep” Castrucci and Caroline Castrucci, of Laurysen Kitchens, with a pair of high heels on display at the NCR Steel Toes and Stilettos Gala held Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014, at the Canadian War Museum.

On hand were Habitat’s board chair, Ken Merkley, marketing manager at Merkley Supply, and the gala’s committee chair, interior designer Irene Langlois. Among the representatives from presenting sponsor BMO were regional vice president of commercial banking, Victor Pellegrino, and V-P Réjean Després from BMO Harris Private Banking. The evening was MCed by Lianne Laing from CTV Ottawa.

Painting the town red and black was the Redblacks’ quarterback, Henry Burris, with his wife, Nicole. Also part of the evening were such big names from the home building and construction industry as Dennis Laurin, owner of the Laurin general contracting firm, Habitat board member Roberto Campagna from Roca Homes, Rahul Kochar from Phoenix Homes and Giuseppe “Pep” and Caroline Castrucci from Laurysen Kitchens. As well, Ottawa Centre MPP Yasir Naqvi was spotted in the crowd.

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• Around Town: Redblacks team up to co-host fundraiser

Habitat works with its community partners and volunteers to build safe, decent and affordable homes for low-income families. The organization is currently completing four more homes in Orléans. That means another four families, with a combined 15 children, will achieve their dream of home ownership, with interest-free mortgages.

“Habitat for Humanity is a perpetual motion miracle,” Ashworth told the room in her opening remarks, quoting screenwriter Randy Wallace of Braveheart fame. “Everyone who gives, receives — and everyone who receives, gives.”

The evening featured a wide array of silent auction items to bid on, as well as such live auction donations as roundtrip flights from Porter Airlines; tickets to Redblacks, Fury and 67’s games; an Ottawa Senators package; a hand-carved stone mascaron by Smith and Barber Sculpture Atelier; and a five-course tasting menu from My Catering Group.

Ottawa Redblacks quarterback Henry Burris, with his wife, Nicole, attended Habitat for Humanity NCR’s Steel Toes & Stilettos Gala, held Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014, at the Canadian War Museum.

From left, gala chair Irene Langlois, board chair Ken Merkley and CEO Alexis Ashworth at NCR Habitat for Humanity’s Steel Toes & Stilettos Gala, held Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014, at the Canadian War Museum.

Victor Pellegrino, regional V-P of commercial banking, with presenting sponsor BMO, and his wife, Stefania Ianni, at NCR Habitat for Humanity’s Steel Toes & Stilettos Gala, held Saturday, October 18, 2014, at the Canadian War Museum.

Dennis Laurin, owner of Laurin Group, with his wife, Andrea, at NCR Habitat for Humanity’s Steel Toes & Stilettos Gala held Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014, at the Canadian War Museum.

From left, Lianne Laing, from CTV Morning Live Ottawa, with Taryn Gunnlaugson, BMO Harris Private Banking, at Habitat for Humanity’s Steel Toes and Stilettos Gala, held Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014, at the Canadian War Museum.

From left, Ann Rickenbacker, director of catering at The Westin Ottawa, with Peg Gallison from BOMA (Building Owners and Managers Association of Ottawa) and retailer Mandy Gosewich at Habitat for Humanity NCR’s Steel Toes and Stilettos Gala, held Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014, at the Canadian War Museum.

Vice admiral (retired) Paul Maddison, from the Royal Canadian Navy, with his wife, Fay, CEO and founder of Natasha’s Wood, at Habitat for Humanity NCR’s Steel Toes & Stilettos Gala, held Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014, at the Canadian War Museum.

Ottawa Centre MPP Yasir Naqvi with his wife, Christine McMillan, at Habitat for Humanity NCR’s Steel Toes and Stilettos Gala, held Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014, at the Canadian War Museum.

Valerie Newton, development and events manager for Habitat for Humanity, with gala committee member Richard Lauzon, BMO, at the Steel Toes and Stilettos Gala, held Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014, at the Canadian War Museum.

Rahul Kochar, V-P of operations at Phoenix Homes, with his fianc�e, Simran Narula, at the Habitat for Humanity NCR’s Steel Toes & Stilettos Gala, held Saturday, October 18, 2014, at the Canadian War Museum.

carolyn001@sympatico.ca

Artist Christopher Griffin, whose concrete turtle sculptures currently roam the grounds of the Ottawa Public Library’s Beaverbrook branch in Kanata, has been awarded the Lucille Broadbent Award for his artistic leadership and commitment.
The special ceremony took place Friday night as part of this weekend’s Ottawa Art Expo. Mayor Jim Watson was there to present the plaque to him.
Griffin, who’s a soft-spoken and humble man, told the crowd how honoured he was to receive the award. “In the year 2000, my wife and I decided to move to Ottawa,” Griffin recalled. “A lot of my artist friends in Toronto had the same sort of question: ‘Why?’
“The city of Ottawa has been so good to me as an artist,” continued Griffin, whose art can be seen on display in several neighbourhoods. One of his murals, Peregrine Falcons, adorns the underpass at Riverside Drive and Bronson Bridge as part of a new effort by the City of Ottawa to beautiful its ugly, drab spaces. Griffin has also been an enthusiastic participant of the annual Nuit Blanche festivals and has donated his time or work to local fundraisers.
“It’s such a great community, and it’s so encouraging. I’m so proud to call Ottawa home,” said Griffin, who attended the ceremony with his wife, Oresta Korbutiak, and their daughter, Kalyna, 10.
The ceremony handed out several more awards, including the Ottawa Humane Society Animal Art Award, plus $500 cash prize, to artist Russ Paquette for his painting of a man walking his dog, called Going Home. All of the entries are for sale at the art expo, with proceeds going to the OHS. The winning entry was chosen by Ottawa Citizen arts-editor-at-large Peter Simpson and renowned Ottawa painter Philip Craig.
The ceremony was MCed by Sandy Sharkey, an animal and wildlife photographer and radio personality with Boom 99.7. She picked up a new piece of art that night — an uplifting portrait of her musician husband, Rob Bennett, hugging their new dog, Ringo. It was painted by artist Ross Rheaume, who’s a co-founder of the Ottawa Art Expo with Judith and Michael Savic.
The art expo, which offers free admission and parking, continues until Sunday at 5 p.m. at the St. Elias Centre on Ridgewood Avenue near Mooney’s Bay. It features the work of 71 artists, including one bodypainted model who spent about 10 hours Friday being turned into an exotic-looking creature by Art Fashion Studio. She was half purr, half roar.

Ottawa art consultant Lauryn Santini with her parents, prominent Ottawa lawyer Pat Santini and Leslie Santini, at the Ottawa Art Expo awards ceremony held Friday, Oct. 24, 2014.

Lucille Broadbent Award for Artistic Achievement winner Christopher Griffith with his wife, Oresta Korbutiak, and their daughter, Kalyna, at the Ottawa Art Expo on Friday, Oct. 24, 2014, at the St. Elias Centre.

Visual artist Christopher Griffin received the Lucille Broadbent Award for Artistic Achievement from Mayor Jim Watson at a ceremony held Friday, Oct. 24, 2014, during the kickoff of the Ottawa Art Expo at the St. Elias Centre.

From left, Ottawa Art Expo co-founders Michael Savic, Judith Savic and Ross Rheaume were on hand for the awards ceremony at the St. Elias Centre on Friday, Oct. 24, 2014.

Sandy Sharkey and her husband, Rob Bennett, at the Ottawa Art Expo on Friday, Oct. 24, 2014, with the painting they bought of Bennett with their dog, Ringo, as part of a fundraiser for the Ottawa Humane Society.

Artist Russ Paquette, with his prize winning painting, Going Home, won the Ottawa Humane Society Animal Art Award on Friday, Oct. 24, 2014, at the Ottawa Art Expo held at the St. Elias Centre.

carolyn001@sympatico.ca

All you need is love, sang the Beatles, but all the Ottawa Singers need is money − about $175,000 of it − to bring Sir Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio to the National Arts Centre next fall.

Some 50 supporters of the new arts organization met at the Rideau Club on Saturday night for the group’s inaugural fundraising auction. Up for sale, under the gavel of volunteer live auctioneer Rob Clipperton, were stays in Mexico, Manhattan and Italy and a $15,000 Indo-Persian rug, along with dozens of donated silent auction items.

“This is our first auction, so it’s relatively small, but people paid a premium price to come and we’re absolutely delighted,” said Ottawa Singers chair Bill Caswell, who was joined by some of his fellow board members, including Alex Beraskow and Patti Blute.

Mingling in the crowd during the cocktail reception was artistic director Ty Paterson, who defines the Ottawa Singers as an inclusive organization that’s “all things vocal”. The group aims to bring together musicians and vocalists from local performing arts groups. The goal is to present music that is unique and different, and that also reaches out to new audiences.

From left, Ottawa Singers chair Bill Caswell with fellow board members Alex Beraskow and Patti Blute and artistic director Ty Paterson at a fundraising gala held for the new vocal ensemble group, on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014, at the Rideau Club.

“We’re going to be bringing works here that otherwise would not appear in Ottawa,” said Caswell. “You’re going to hear things from us − major works − that no other group is doing or attempting to do.”

Glimpsed in the crowd were Justice David Wake and former CRTC chairman Konrad von Finckenstein as well as married opera singers Christiane Riel and John Avey.

Young soprano Ania Hejnar, who was to perform later in the evening, is taking a lead role with Ottawa Singers, along with fellow vocalists Jeffery Boyd, Mark Wilkinson and Sonya Sweeney.

Other entertainment that night included Angelina Koldyk on guzheng, a traditional Chinese instrument.

From left, Diane Blander with Catherine Bell and Robert Bell at the Ottawa Singers’ Gala Auction, held Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014, at the Rideau Club.

From left, Judith Ginsburg with Mabelle Ladouceur and Rob Clipperton, the MC and auctioneer for the Ottawa Singers’ Gala Auction held at the Rideau Club on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014.

Justice David Wake with his wife, Leslie, and Konrad von Finckenstein, formerly the chairman of the CRTC, at a fundraising gala held at the Rideau Club on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014, in support of the Ottawa Singers.

Board member and sorpano Christiane Riel and her husband, baritone John Avey, attended the gala auction for the new vocal ensemble, Ottawa Singers, held Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014, at the Rideau Club.

Ottawa Singers board member Ian Boyd with his wife, Sharon Harris, at a fundraising gala held Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014, at the Rideau Club to raise funds for the group’s plan to have Sir Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio performed at the NAC in 2015.

From left, Patrick Griffith and George Garby with artistic director Ty Paterson at a fundraising gala for the new vocal ensemble, Ottawa Singers, held Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014, at the Rideau Club.

carolyn001@sympatico.ca

Bill Clinton, Larry King and Barbara Walters are just a few of the household names who’ve come to Ottawa in recent years to speak at the Jewish National Fund’s Negev Dinners.

The dinners are a big deal. They honour outstanding community leaders, attract accomplished keynote speakers and raise large sums of money for major projects in Israel, whether it’s planting trees, boosting water sources or funding research and development.

And this year’s JNF of Ottawa dinner had more heart than ever as it raised $1.317 million and saw a crowd of 560 come together to thank Ottawa-born and -raised resident Dorothy Nadolny for her more than 50 years of fundraising and philanthropy.

The $300-a-ticket event was held at the newly renamed Shaw Centre, formerly the Ottawa Convention Centre, and was chaired by Stephen Victor, a close friend of Nadolny and of her late husband, Urbandale home builder Herbert Nadolny, who passed away in 2005.

Dinner chair Stephen Victor with 2014 honouree Dorothy Nadolny at the Jewish National Fund of Ottawa’s annual Negev Dinner, held Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014, at the Shaw Centre.

Among those to get a nod were Lyon Sachs (he co-founded Urbandale with Herb and was his lifelong pal) and his wife, Dundi; lawyer Lawrence Weinstein; and the respected surgeons and physicians who played lifesaving roles in Herb’s life and Victor’s life, like retired heart surgeon Dr. Wilbert Keon, founder of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute; Dr. Thierry Mesana, current president and CEO; Dr. Donald Beanlands, founding chief of cardiology; and his son, Dr. Rob Beanlands, current chief of cardiology.

In his remarks, Victor shared a sweet story of how, when recovering from his first bypass surgery in July 1981, he received an unexpected visit from Herb. “Without notice or prearrangement and without any prior relationship between us, Herb came to my home to offer encouragement and solace and to comfort me. We discussed our mutual cardiac problems, and he provided me with his practical advice and wisdom,” recalled Victor, senior partner at Victor Ages Vallance law firm and a former Negev Dinner honouree.

And so began a long friendship that saw the two men regularly take walks together, to keep their hearts healthy, while Nadolny made the breakfast after each and every morning walk.

From left, lawyers Arthur Cogan, Sam Firestone and Norman Lieff at the Jewish National Fund of Ottawa’s annual Negev Dinner, held Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014, at the Shaw Centre.

Victor called Nadolny the woman “in the arena”, referring to a famous speech by Theodore Roosevelt about how we should praise those people who are willing to stick their necks out.

“Throughout her life, Dorothy has always been a woman in the arena,” said Victor. “She has always spent herself in worthy causes. She has been, together with her husband, Herb, a leading contributor and philanthropist to hospitals and medical institutions, including The Ottawa Hospital, CHEO, and our great Heart Institute, and to all of the organizations and institutions of our Jewish community.”

When the Six-Day War broke in 1967, Nadolny began what would become a lifelong commitment to the United Jewish Appeal and to Israel. “Dorothy has been a staunch and life-long supporter of the State of Israel and of the dream of the Jewish people to return to Jerusalem.”

The evening’s keynote speaker was the dashingly handsome and super smart Michael Oren. The former Israeli ambassador to the United States is reportedly one of the 10 most influential Jews in the world. He’s also a historian and New York Times best-selling author. Oren planned to talk about Israel and contemporary Middle East issues, such as the recent war in Gaza, the U.S.-Israel and Canada-Israel relationships, and some of the strategic and diplomatic challenges.

From left, Jane Shore with Bonnie Merovitz and lawyer Chuck Merovitz at the Jewish National Fund of Ottawa’s annual Negev Dinner, held Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014, at the Shaw Centre.

From the JNF were its Ottawa executive director, Lynda Taller-Wakter, and board president, Alan Blostein, of Blostein Beumer Investment Group, CIBC Wood Gundy, as well as the non-profit organization’s national CEO, Josh Cooper, and national president, Jerry Werger. The evening’s MC was Rabbi Reuven Bulka.

Part of the money raised that night is going to the Cardio Metabolic Diseases Research Hub at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, which is ranked among the top academic and research institutes in the world. Nadolny has a close and personal relationship with the university and chose her cause with careful thought to her husband’s battle with heart disease and the prevalence of diabetes in the family. Nadolny also requested part of the funds provide more shelters to protect people living in the Negev desert community of Ofakim, near the Gaza border, from rocket fire.

Dr. Doron Shmorgun and Dr. Elianna Saidenberg at the Jewish National Fund of Ottawa’s annual Negev Dinner held at the Shaw Centre on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014.

Developer Bill Malhotra from Claridge with Urbandale co-founder and president Lyon Sachs at the Jewish National Fund of Ottawa’s Negev Dinner, honouring Dorothy Nadolny, held Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014, at the Shaw Centre.

From left, 2013 dinner chair Lawrence Weinstein with 2014 dinner chair Stephen Victor at the Jewish National Fund of Ottawa’s annual Negev Dinner honouring Dorothy Nadolny, held at the Shaw Centre on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014.

From left, former heart surgeon, researcher and senator Wilbert Keon with his wife, Anne, and Jim Orban, CEO of the Heart Institute Foundation, at the Jewish National Fund of Ottawa’s annual Negev Dinner, honouring Dorothy Nadolny, held Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014, at the Shaw Centre.

From left, lawyer Lawrence Weinstein with keynote speaker Michael Oren, former Israeli ambassador to the United States, at the Jewish National Fund of Ottawa’s Negev Dinner, held Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014, at the Shaw Centre.

Jewish National Fund of Ottawa executive director Lynda Taller-Wakter with Alan Blostein, president of the JNF Ottawa board, at the 2014 Negev Dinner held Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014, at the Shaw Centre.

From left, Jen Arron with Amy Weinstein at the Jewish National Fund of Ottawa’s annual Negev Dinner held at the Shaw Centre on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014.

Liberal MP Irwin Cotler with Evelyn Greenberg at the Jewish National Fund of Ottawa’s annual Negev Dinner, held Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014, at the Shaw Centre.

From left, Sara Vered with Barbara Farber at the Jewish National Fund of Ottawa’s annual Negev Dinner, held Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014, at the Shaw Centre.

From left, Michael Farber with his girlfriend, Leah Erlandson, and Jen Arron at the Jewish National Fund of Ottawa’s annual Negev Dinner, held Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014, at the Shaw Centre.

Dinner honouree Dorothy Nadolny with, from left, granddaughters Allison and Carolyn Cherney and Rebecca Cowley at the Jewish National Fund of Ottawa’s annual Negev Dinner held at the Shaw Centre on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014.

Dinner honouree Dorothy Nadolny is flanked by grandsons Joey Nadolny, left, and Mark Nadolny at the Jewish National Fund of Ottawa’s annual Negev Dinner held at the Shaw Centre on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014.

From left, past president Elizabeth (Lisa) Cogan with Jewish National Fund of Ottawa board president Alan Blostein and his wife, Margo, at the annual Negev Dinner held at the Shaw Centre on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014.

From left, Stephanie Appotive with Tamara Fathi at the Jewish National Fund of Ottawa’s annual Negev Dinner, held at the Shaw Centre on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014.

carolyn001@sympatico.ca

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• Around Town: Ottawa Singers bring music never heard here before

Guess Who saved the day at Hope Live after headline singer Alanis Morissette called in sick and left organizers with a bitter, jagged little pill to swallow?

Burton Cummings.

The 66-year-old Canadian rock legend was at the top of his game Monday as he sang and played keyboard to a sold-out, non-partisan crowd of politicians, lobbyists, media elite and corporate sponsors at the GCTC theatre. His stellar performance was part of an annual benefit chaired by the incomparable Heidi Bonnell for Fertile Future, a non-profit organization that helps young cancer patients fulfil their dreams of one day having a child. Interac was back as presenting sponsor.

Returning for his sixth year to host Hope Live was Bonnell’s good friend, primo political satirist Rick Mercer of CBC’s The Rick Mercer Report. It was the well-connected Mercer, along with music impresario Sam Feldman, who helped Bonnell after Morissette suddenly bailed Friday night.

From left, former charity boxing fighters Walter Robinson and Justin Trudeau ham it up at the cocktail reception for the Hope Live gala held at the GCC on Monday, Oct. 27, 2014.

“When the Bat Signal reached Burton Cummings, without hesitation … his answer: ‘Absolutely’,” Bonnell told the packed audience, which erupted in cheers and applause.

Proceeds raised from Hope Live galas have formed the basis of Fertile Future’s Power of Hope Fund. It provides financial assistance to qualifying young cancer patients seeking to preserve their fertility prior to cancer treatments. The fund has helped 297 young men and women.

“More and more young people get cancer; more and more young people survive cancer,” said Bonnell, an executive with Rogers Communications. “We’re selling hope here tonight, folks. We believe in the whole big picture and the possibility of families.”

Health Minister Rona Ambrose briefly took to the stage to publicly thank the event team and Bonnell, who personally took up the cause after being diagnosed with cancer.

Bonnell saw a lack of information and support services for cancer patients wanting to learn about their fertility preservation options before beginning treatments that could render them infertile. Bonnell is now the mother of twin boys with her husband, Joseph Galimberti.

Heidi Bonnell, founder and chair of the Hope Live gala for Fertile Future, at the GCTC on Monday, Oct. 27, 2014, with close friend and host Rick Mercer.

Mercer opened the show on a serious note, recognizing the difficult week in the nation’s capital following the Oct. 22 shooting attack of a Canadian soldier and on Parliament Hill.
It wasn’t long, though, until the room was full of laughter as Mercer began ribbing politicians, including Treasury Board President Tony Clement (the music lover attends the gala every year). Mercer teased the cabinet minister over his active Twitter feed, particularly during last week’s security lockdown on the Hill. It saw Prime Minister Stephen Harper whisked from his caucus meeting to the relative safety of a closet space.

“I didn’t get my news from (Peter) Mansbridge, I got my news from Tony’s feed,” joked Mercer. “Some people thought he Tweeted too much, but I didn’t. Although, he might have went a little far mid-morning when he Tweeted: ‘He’s in the closet’. To be fair, with that caucus that could be referring to any number of people.”

Also sighted were seasoned cabinet ministers James Moore and Lisa Raitt; Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau and his wife, Sophie Grégoire, and former CTV Canada AM host Seamus O’Regan, now the Liberal candidate for St. John’s South-Mount Pearl (there was a good political turnout from that neck of the woods due to Bonnell and Mercer’s Newfoundland roots). Veteran journalist Don Martin from CTV Power Play was there, as were Olympic gold medal hockey players Natalie Spooner and Meaghan Mikkelson (the pair dominated the second season of Amazing Race Canada but fell just short of winning). The athletes appeared on stage to model some of the Team Canada 100th anniversary jerseys later given away to everyone as part of the swag from sponsor Canadian Tire.

There was plenty of time for food and friends before and after the show, thanks to a tasting menu paired with Canadian wines, by Stephen Beckta and Chef Michael Moffatt of the acclaimed Beckta, Play and Gezellig restaurants.

carolyn001@sympatico.ca

Hundreds of young professionals got their schmooze on at United Way Ottawa’s signature social networking and fundraising combo night, held at City Hall’s Jean Pigott Place on Thursday.

Schmoozefest 2014 raised $31,232 — pushing past last year’s total of $25,000 — for the Lunch Box Program that provides healthy and nutritious food to vulnerable children and youth.

It was hosted by a group of volunteers belonging to United Way’s GenNEXT cabinet. It brings together young adults from the millennial generation who share an interest in making new friends and getting involved in the community.

“Every time I turn around I meet somebody new; somebody who does something completely different from what I do, and they’ve taken a different career path than I have, as well,” Chris McPhee told Around Town of his experience at Schmoozefest. McPhee is the chair of the GenNEXT cabinet and an IT strategy manager with sponsor Accenture, a management consulting, technology and outsourcing company.

Also mingling in the crowd of 400-plus people were 40 more-established professionals, called People 2 Know. They included Police Chief Charles Bordeleau, Bluesfest and Folk Festival director Mark Monahan, Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group president Jeff Hunt and LiveWorkPlay co-founder Julie Kingstone. United Way Ottawa Community Campaign co-chairs Yaprak Baltacıoğlu, Secretary of the Treasury Board, and Mark Sutcliffe, a Citizen columnist, CFRA broadcaster and CEO of Great River Media, were part of this group, as well.

Since there’s no such thing as a free lunch, partygoers were encouraged to purchase deferred meal items and put together healthy Lunch Box brown bags with other purchasers of a virtual sandwich, juice or piece of fruit. In return, they were entered into a raffle to win two flights anywhere Porter Airline flies and a pair of festival passes to Bluesfest 2015.

carolyn001@sympatico.ca

So long hospital gown, hello formal gown. A record crowd of 640 people, all in the mood to celebrate groundbreaking research and community support, came together Saturday for The Ottawa Hospital Gala, held in the fun and vibrant ballroom of The Westin hotel.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin, U.S. Ambassador Bruce Heyman, British High Commissioner Howard Drake, and Ottawa Liberal MPPs John Fraser, Madeleine Meilleur and Yasir Naqvi were just some of the faces spotted in the cross-section of leaders in medicine, business and government.

From the hospital was its president and CEO, Dr. Jack Kitts, along with Dr. Duncan Stewart, scientific director and CEO of The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute.

From left, Tim Kluke, president and CEO of The Ottawa Hospital Foundation, with Dr. Jack Kitts, president and CEO of The Ottawa Hospital, and Dr. Duncan Stewart, CEO and scientific director of The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute at The Ottawa Hospital Gala held at The Westin hotel on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014.

Just so you know, it’s not your typical black-tie dinner gala that sees attendees home in time for the late-night news. “It’s a very, very social evening,” said Tim Kluke, president and CEO of The Ottawa Hospital Foundation. “We have very few speeches and everything is about you mixing and mingling. This dance floor goes all night. Once the band kicks in, it’s party time.”

The evening, presented by Nordion, recognized the record $9.7 million raised in the past year for medical research. It also shone the light on three exceptional scientists.

From left, Dr. Matias Alvarez-Saavedra, Dr. Barbara Vanderhyden and Dr. Marc Rodger were all award recipients at The Ottawa Hospital Gala held Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014, at The Westin hotel.

Dr. Barbara Vanderhyden was given the Grimes Research Career Achievement Award for her dedication to ovarian cancer and her strides to create new treatments for the disease while Dr. Marc Rodger was named Chrétien Researcher of the Year for his study that found blood thinners ineffective for pregnant women at risk of developing blood clots.

The Worton Researcher in Training Award went to Dr. Matias Alvarez-Saavedra for his work, under the mentorship of Dr. David Picketts, in regenerative medicine. He’s looking at how cells regenerate in the damaged brain to get a better understanding of the brain’s ability to rewire and repair itself.

Lawyer Randy Marusyk and Hilary Phenix with their dinner guests, Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin and Frank McArdle, at The Ottawa Hospital Gala held at The Westin hotel on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014.

Vanderhyden was “honoured, thrilled and excited” to be receiving the career achievement award. “We obviously work very hard, and every once in a while it’s nice to get the recognition that we’re doing something right,” she told Around Town.

Her lab colleagues were there that night to help celebrate. “It’s not a solo effort. I get to stand in front of everybody and say ‘Thank you’ but it really is a team effort,” said Vanderhyden, who this past spring was presented with the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award for combining volunteerism with her scientific work as a cancer researcher.

From left, Greg Kane, co-chair of The Ottawa Hospital Gala, with Lian Kitts and Dr. Jack Kitts at the gala held Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014, at The Westin hotel.

Dentons lawyer Greg Kane was back to chair the gala with Whitney Fox, who looked sublime in Sukhoo Sukhoo couture. Designer Frank Sukhoo‘s fashion installation with live models added extra glitz to the night.

Ottawa couturier Frank Sukhoo presented a fashion installation as part of the glitz and glamour at The Ottawa Hospital Gala, held Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014, at The Westin hotel.

From left, Jacob Polisuk with his wife, Jeannie, and Ottawa couturier Frank Sukhoo and Nila Matthews at The Ottawa Hospital Gala, held Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014, at The Westin hotel.

From left, award recipient Dr. Matias Alvarez-Saavedra with Lucie Bartosova and U.S. Ambassador Bruce Heyman and his wife, Vicki, at The Ottawa Hospital Gala held at The Westin hotel on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014.

From left, Micheline McElligott with Dr. Bob Roberts, former head of the Heart Institute, and his wife, Donna, at The Ottawa Hospital Gala held at The Westin hotel on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014.

From left, Dr. Michael McBurney, from the OHRI Cancer Therapeutics Program, and fellow senior research scientist Dr. David Park from the uOttawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, attended The Ottawa Hospital Gala on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014, at The Westin hotel.

From left, Grant McDonald, KPMG, with his wife, Carol Devenny, PwC, and Stephen and Sandra Assaly at The Ottawa Hospital Gala held at The Westin hotel on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014.

Liberal MPP John Fraser (Ottawa South) with his wife, Linda, at The Ottawa Hospital Gala held at The Westin hotel on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014.

Scott McIntosh of long-time sponsor Nordion with his wife, Michelle, at The Ottawa Hospital Gala held at The Westin hotel on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014.

From left, Kelly Santini LLP partners David Charles with his wife, Judy, Larry Kelly with his wife, Lourdes, and Pat Santini with his wife, Leslie, at The Ottawa Hospital Gala held at The Westin hotel on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014.

Medical researcher Michel ChrÈtien, after whom one of the gala’s research awards is named, with Arti Kothary and her husband, senior scientist and deputy director Dr. Rashmi Kothary of the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute at The Ottawa Hospital Gala on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014, at The Westin hotel.

From left, Dr. Marc Rodger, 2014 recipient of the ChrÈtien Researcher of the Year Award, with chief/chair of the department of medicine, Dr. Phil Wells, at The Ottawa Hospital Gala held at The Westin hotel on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014.

Businessman Nick Pantieras of Primecorp Commercial with his wife, Cathy, at The Ottawa Hospital Gala held at The Westin hotel on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014.

Greg Kane and Whitney Fox were back as co-chairs of The Ottawa Hospital Gala held at The Westin hotel on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014.

Surgical oncology head Dr. Michael Fung-Kee-Fung with Dr. Angel Arnaout, surgical oncologist at The Ottawa Hospital, at the hospital’s annual gala to celebrate the best in medical research, held Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014, at The Westin hotel.

From left, Dr. Haissam Haddad from the University of Ottawa Heart Institute with Dr. Jack Kitts, head of The Ottawa Hospital, at The Ottawa Hospital Gala held Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014, at The Westin hotel.

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It seems the crowd couldn’t get enough of Alan Neal, who was back to host the 17th annual Live Auction and Benefit Concert for the TD Ottawa Jazz Festival, held Thursday at Library and Archives Canada.

Take jazz vocalist and audience member Karen Oxorn, for example. She paid $1,600 in the live auction to spend an afternoon on Neal’s CBC radio show, All in a Day. She was top bidder after he threw in a bunch of CBC swag, agreed to let her sing on air and name-dropped such colleagues as Laurence Wall, Ian Black and Lucy van Oldenbarneveld, who will be getting ready to read the CBC TV news that day.

“I will bring you into the room where [she] is getting her makeup done,” Neal promised bidders. “You will see her without any makeup whatsover.”

From left, TD Ottawa Jazz Festival board president Louise Meagher with Karen Oxorn at the 17th annual Live Auction and Benefit Concert held Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, at Library and Archives Canada.

Neal continually cracked up his audience as he deployed his self-deprecating and razor-sharp humour to jack up the bids. He sold off more than 20 items ranging from a tandem skydive to a whisky-tasting dinner to a getaway to Quebec City’s Château Frontenac. There was also a Via Rail trip to the Halifax Jazz Festival and a private party catered by Thyme & Again, with music by guitar master Roddy Ellias.

Alan Neal from CBC Radio’s All in a Day was back to host the 17th Live Auction and Concert Benefit for the TD Ottawa Jazz Festival.

A crowd of 300 turned out for the 17th annual live auction with Alan Neal and benefit concert with Susie Arioli, held in support of the Ottawa Jazz Festival.

The benefit concert featured Juno-nominated vocalist Susie Arioli, who took to the stage after the auction. About 300 people attended the benefit, which typically raises between $35,000 and $40,000 and involves auction and prize donations from some 80 hotels, restaurants, stores and other businesses and organizations.

“It’s just great to know that there’s this kind of support in the city,” Catherine O’Grady, executive producer for the jazz festival, told Around Town. “We know times are hard all over the city and we just have a very loyal and loving group of people who value what we do.”

From left, Canadian vocalist Susie Arioli, seen with Catherine O’Grady, was the musical headliner for the annual benefit concert held Thursday in support of the TD Ottawa Jazz Festival.

Attendees included the jazz festival’s board president, Louise Meagher, as well as former Scotiabank Giller Prize-winning author Elizabeth Hay, Justice Jean Legault and Ottawa Magazine publisher Dianne Wing.

The event raised $30,000.

Lawyer Rick Brooks, past president of the TD Ottawa Jazz Festival board, with Jackie Legault and current board president Louise Meagher at the 17th annual jazz auction and benefit held at Library and Archives Canada on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014.

From left, Dianne Wing, publisher of Ottawa Magazine, with TD Ottawa Jazz festival board treasurer Jean Vanderzon at the 17th annual Live Auction & Benefit Concert held at Library and Archives Canada, Nov. 6, 2014.

TD Ottawa Jazz Festival board member Eric Sladic with his girlfriend, NoÎlla LeBlanc, at the 17th annual Live Auction & Benefit Concert held at Library and Archives Canada on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014.