Wild Time in Whistler

From the day it was announced that the 2010 Olympic Winter Games were coming to Vancouver/Whistler, I knew I had to do whatever I could to be there. I opened a bank account and saved $20 a month. That, in the end, paid for one meal in Whistler Village last week. My husband and I arrived in Whistler on day 2 of the Olympics and stayed for a week- We hadn't purchased any event tickets before arriving, deciding to take our chances. We lucked out, and got tickets for mens luge (surprisingly fun to watch!), womens downhill and womens downhill combined. We also skied Whistler on the day of the mens downhill, which gave us an amazing view of the race. Each day was a new thrill, seeing world class athletes, people from all over the world draped in their national flags, shouting, cheering, medals ceremonies and concerts- it was a trip of a lifetime. Despite the fact that our Canadian athletes had not amassed the medal haul that was predicted before the start of the games, the mood in Whistler Village was nothing but upbeat. And huge kudos to the volunteers, who always had the biggest smiles, no job was too small for the people in the blue jackets who represented Canada so beautifully to the rest of the world. I am now back to watching the 'second half' of the Olympics from my couch. Not quite the same, but its not as hard on my vocal cords (or my wallet!) Go Canada Go!!


TSN's Michael Landesberg with Canadian alpine skier Britt Jenyk. Looks like rain?


Mens Luge, Whistler Sliding Centre. Above: Canadian luger Jeff Christie. Notice how the crowd is still looking to the left, while Jeff has slid past. Thats what happens when you travel 80 miles an hour!


Bedouin Soundclash performs in Whistler Village Square. The free concerts were amazing!


American skier Bode Miller races to his first bronze medal of the 2010 Olympics. Mens downhill tickets were impossible to find, so Rob and I bought 2 lift tickets, rented ski gear, and found a spot on the mountain where we could see a huge portion of the race. Thanks to the waiter at 'The Keg' Whistler for the awesome tip!


AkselLund Svindal shows his silver medal form for Norway


And all the way for gold- downhill's fastest racer picks up the top spot, this is Switzerland's Didier Defago


No medal for Canada's Manny Osborne Paradis - but it was fantastic to see him in the Olympics. One of our Canadian Cowboys!


View from the 'Peak to Peak' gondola, from Whistler to Blackcomb


Mounted Police were like rock stars in Whistler Village, with people clamoring for photos. Two gorgeous RCMP horses were also happy to pose


Olympi-Dog! Never mind OWNING the podium, he CHEWED the podium!


2010 Olympics: 10,000 media. 6,400 athletes. Left: Muchmusic's Sarah Taylor live from the base of Whistler Mountain


These guys took the chants of 'more cowbell' very seriously! World's largest cowbells, courtesy of Swiss fans! I can just imagine how easy it was to get those through airport security


Alpine downhill course, Whistler Creekside


Womens downhill in action


Sweden's Anja Paerson, one of several women who crashed on course (thankfully no one hurt)


Even Access Hollywood is here! Host Billy Bush with USA's Julie Mancuso, double silver medalist in womens downhill


I asked 'Ryan Seacrest' for a photo. Oooops. He pointed out that his name was Billy Bush. Luckily he was ok with it. Here's yours truly with Ryan Seacr- I mean, Billy Bush. Seriously, really nice guy. I turned purple from embarrassment


Womens slalom race


Former World Cup Ski champion Rob Boyd. Snapped this photo of him in the crowd at Whistler Creekside. He is now the coach of the Canadian Womens National Ski Team


Alt-country rocker Corb Lund performs in Whistler Village


This dog was waiting for his master to come out of the Irish pub. In order to take the picture, I had to go INSIDE the Irish pub. We stayed 2 hours

The 'unofficial' Olympic theme song!

Cooper Brothers video for 'Thats What Makes Us Great': the unofficial theme song of the 2010 Winter Olympics!
I am off to Whistler for the first week of the Olympic Games! I have no tickets to any of the events, but I am hoping to find some on the ground. See you in a week!

Help Save Beaux the St Bernard!

Beaux is a St Bernard and best friend to Brett Carter, an Ottawa student. Beaux requires surgery that will cost $3549, and Brett is desperately trying to raise that $$$ so he can keep his friend around for years to come.
Local doggie treat chef Andrea is offering to donate 50 percent of the proceeds of her dog cookie sales to help Beaux, her number is 613-327-1456 or you can email her at dirtydogbake@xplornet.ca

A bank account has been opened up if you wish to donate to help Beaux! It is at the
Bank of Montreal. If you go into any BMO location give the teller this
information:

Branch # 2442
Acct # 3611-045
Make sure to credit memo your name so we know who to thank.
***This is ONLY for BMO no other Bank***


here is a link to the facebook page, 'Help Save Our Best Friend Beaux'- please pass it on!
Help Save Our Best Friend Beaux

Important Information for the Haitian Community

Information session for the Haitian community in Ottawa: Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and Service Canada are participating in an information session for the Haitian community in Ottawa in order to provide people with information on the special immigration measures and how they can sponsor members of their immediate family who were directly and seriously affected by the earthquake in Haiti.

This information session is open to the public and is targeted to people in Canada who want to apply to sponsor their spouses, common-law and conjugal partners, dependent children (including a child adopted abroad), parents and grandparents and orphaned family members (brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews or grandchildren under 18) from Haiti.

NEW LOCATION

Date: Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Time: 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm

Location: Le Patro
40 Cobourg Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1N 8Z6

Girls Night Out for Mike Fisher Fan Club!

What a fantastic time last night - such a wild girls night out! Members of the Mike Fisher Fan Club hooted and hollered and cheered on our favourite guy...er, our favourite team- thanks to Bayshore Shopping Centre! Thanks to Pamela and Michelle for being the ultimate hostesses! It was a blast! Oh yeah...and the Sens beat the Flames 3 to 2.

Once You're Wet, You're Wet!

Just got back from Zihuatenejo Mexico, we made the best of it but this part of Mexico just had the worst spell of torrential rain that anyone could ever remember. But, it gave me a chance to repeat my favourite saying, over and over again to anyone who would listen, 'once your wet, you can't get any more wet.'
This is a bird that kept stealing our sugar.

Ottawa Rocks for Haiti Relief

The compassion of Ottawa residents is well known- and in the aftermath of the tragic earthquake in Haiti - people are opening their wallets, they are collecting money at their workplaces, kids are organizing events at their schools, there is an overwhelming desire to do whatever we can to help the people of Haiti.
The local music community is coming together for one marathon concert this Saturday, Jan 30th at Capital Music Hall, 128 York Street. Join nine of Ottawa's best bands at 'Rock for Haiti Relief' with all proceeds to Red Cross Aid for Haiti. MonkeyJunk, Big Jeezus Truck, The Action, Good2Go, Ninety Pounds of Ugly, Boom Creek, Evil Farm Children, The Kingmakers and The Big Bend will perform for one electric evening. Doors open at 6, show starts at 7. Just $10 admission!

****NOTE: a new forum has been created for Haiti fundraisers here in Ottawa- if you want to donate or get involved, please go to: http://www.webviewdesigns.com/haiti_earthquake_relief/haiti_relief.html

The Cooper Brothers are BACK!!!

Mark Feb 27th on your calendar!! The Cooper Brothers are back in a BIG WAY!!! On February 27th, the Cooper Brothers release an all-new CD 'In From the Cold', with a performance that evening at Centrepointe Theatre. I was lucky enough to attend a 'sneak preview listening party' this week - and, as the Cooper Brothers' number one fan, I am ecstatic about the new tunes! In the late 70's, early 80's, Ottawa's own Cooper Brothers had hit after hit on Canadian and US radio- and their tours were legendary. After a long break from the music scene, they are back with a vengeance! Dick Cooper's masterful songwriting shines on this record, Brian Cooper's vocals never sounded better, and producer Colin Linden put his gritty polish on every track. Guest appearances by Jim Cuddy and Rolling Stones' keyboardist Chuck Leavell. Watch for the song 'Thats What Makes Us Great' - it is sure to be Canada's next un-official fist-pumping anthem!! Can't wait to get my hands on 'In From the Cold'. Get your copy February 27th!

www.helphealhaiti.ca

Following the Jan 12 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Ottawa residents Oni the Haitian Sensation and Rachel Décoste have raised over $20 000 in two days for the Red Cross and for the Humanitarian Coalition (which includes CARE Canada, OxFam, etc). Their goal is to raise 1 million dollars for Haiti's earthquake relief victims.

Join the effort! You can raise funds at your school, office or place of worship. Every dollar counts! A local website has now been set up pass along very important information regarding upcoming fundraisers for Haiti. Along with cash donations, there is an urgent need for volunteers/venues/sponsors.. everything from office supplies to blackberrys-
please go to www.helphealhaiti.ca

Help For Haiti

The devastating earthquake that took place in Haiti is beyond the scope of our imagination-
urgently required now: donations. Donations for medical supplies, shelter, food, clean water. Please- contact one of these relief organizations and give what you can: www.worldvision.ca, www.redcross.ca, www.salvationarmy.ca, www.unicef.ca

Locally, we are banding together to help. This evening at the Babylon Club, 317 Bank Street , Oni the Haitian Poet is hosting a fundraiser with several area musicians, $10 at the door. Oni has friends and family in Haiti...including her own father, who she has not heard from. It is devastating. In Manotick, Grace Agostinho, owner of the French Cafe, is donating all proceeds from coffee sales to help an orphanage in Gonaives, Haiti-
a cause that is close to her heart, having already worked the past year to raise $50,000 for the orphanage. We spoke to Grace on the morning show this morning, she is torn apart - having just returned from Haiti recently. She has no idea of the status of the orphanage she has been trying to help. Local stories. Please let us know what you are doing to help the victims of Haiti, and we will do our best to pass it along. Call us on 'Stuntman and the Shark' , 613-750-4-BOB, or email us, mornings@939bobfm.com. We can make a difference
We can make a difference together.

So Inspirational!

Your feel good moment of the day.

Lucky Ron and Stuntman Stu: Dreaming Big for Mayor

Pictured above: Stuntman Stu Wows the Crowd: Destination Unknown. And Lucky Ron Burke wows the crowd at the Lafeyette Tavern, Saturday matinee.

They said it couldn't happen. The naysayers were vocal. But, the naysayers were nowhere near as vocal as the yay-sayers. And so, with a groundswell of support that began in the bottom of a giant quart of Blue, or Labatts 50, (this fact continues to divide people)....Lucky Ron Burke declared his run for Mayor of Ottawa, in the year of 2003. His qualifications? He could play guitar and sing every Johnny Cash song note for note, which he did at 4 o'clock every Saturday afternoon at the Chateau Lafeyette Tavern in Ottawa's byward market. Lucky Ron's show never varied, each song sung in the exact order, week after week he was consistent, giving the people what they wanted. A fine trait for a Mayor. 2003. It was a different time then. Or....was it?

Here is an excerpt of the issues that were top of mind throughout the municipal election campaign (source: http://en.allexperts.com/e/o/ot/ottawa_municipal_election,_2003.htm)
"
The main issues of the race were a controversial Smoking ban, the expansion of the O-Train (Ottawa's light rail system), official bilingualism and the recent amalgamation. Chiarelli was in favour of the smoking ban, which had been implemented by the last city council. The ban was on smoking in all public places, which angered many bar and restaurant owners. Kilrea was against the smoking ban. He was also against putting money into expanding the O-Train, and official bilingualism in the city. Chiarelli was in favour of the O-Train expansion along with Awgu, while most of the other candidates were against. Awgu and perennial candidate John C. Turmel were the only candidates in favour of bilingualism."

And so, voters came out in droves on November 10, 2003. The results? Bob Chiarelli wins, but looky here! Lucky Ron silences his critics with a huge 1.46 percent of the vote, almost 2700 people, AND, check out the results below, he beat out FOUR other candidates! Well, there was much celebration at the Lafeyette that day, where rounds and rounds of quarts were quaffed, and legend has it that Lucky Ron even played a couple of Johnny Cash songs OUT OF THEIR USUAL ORDER!!

Results for mayor
Candidate Vote % Change
Bob Chiarelli (inc.) 104,595 56.53 +0.21%
Terry Kilrea 66,634 36.02
Ike Awgu 5,394 2.92
LUCKY RON BURKE 2,698 1.46
John A. Bell 2,027 1.10
Donna Upson 1,312 0.71
Paula Nemchin 1,191 0.64 +0.36%
John C. Turmel 1,166 0.63 +0.36%

The moral of the story? Follow your dreams. Dream BIG. Learn as many Johnny Cash songs as you can and play at a tavern every Saturday afternoon. Ok, maybe not the Johnny Cash stuff. But, the DREAM BIG stuff? That is the way to live your life!

My partner in crime, Stuntman Stu is doing just that! He is considering a run for the Mayor of Ottawa. His qualities? He's everywhere at once. He's a great auctioneer. He has a blackberry. He has his own line of wine. He is a family man. He willingly stands in long line-ups. He has better access to Mike Fisher than most of us. He does several impressions, each of which sounds exactly like Jack Nicholson. He has his own website, www.stuntmanstu.com. And right now on Facebook, there is a 'fan page'
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&ref=search&gid=287074699096
its called 'Stuntman Stu should run for Mayor of Ottawa'. Last time I checked, it had 166 fans. Hey, I think Lucky Ron serves as an inspiration, and Stuntman Stu should follow suit. Go for it, Stu! Remember, 'Dream Big'! And maybe, just maybe, YOU will be toasted at the Lafayette this coming October, everyone lifting quarts of Blue in your honour! And it wouldn't hurt to learn a Johnny Cash song or two.

URGENT- $65,000 NEEDED FOR CHRISTMAS EXCHANGE!

People in the nation's capital care. They care very much- about others who are less fortunate. At this time of year, we do our best to reach out and help those in need. The Ottawa Christmas Exchange provides families with Christmas hampers...filled with food and gifts, a blessing that arrives at the door when parents are facing a tough Christmas season. Right now, there are still 800 families on the list that might not be able to sit down to a proper Christmas dinner. The Ottawa Christmas Exchange requires $65,000 BY CHRISTMAS, to fill the hampers for those 800 families! Please- give what you can, TODAY!!!! You can easily donate on-line right now at www.christmas-exchange.com. Merry Christmas!

Mike and Carrie - Its Official!

It finally happened. No date set, but there will be a wedding! Mike Fisher and Carrie Underwood are engaged. I can't imagine two people who are more perfect for each other....they are such a class act! On behalf of the members of the Official Mike Fisher Fan Club, we wish them all the best!

Mike Fisher on the Olympic Team!!!!

Mike Fisher MUST be considered to be on the 2010 Olympics mens hockey team! No one plays with more heart! Please sign up on this website now!

http://mikefisherforteamcanada2010.ca/

Ozzy has been Found!

Update - Ozzy the Australian shepherd is home! Thank you to all who helped!

Lost Dog - Have You Seen Ozzy?

Ottawa resident Rick Hudon was one of the unfortunate people involved in the multi-car pile-up on highway 416 on Monday morning. In the confusion, his dog Ozzy ran out of the car, and has been missing ever since. Pictured above, Ozzy is a very friendly australian shepherd with a collar and tags. So far he has not appeared at the Humane Society. He may be in the Manotick area (but not necessarily). If you have any information about Ozzy, please call Nancy-Lynn at 613-797-4454!

Lets Find Rory a Home in Time for Christmas!

This is Rory. The Ottawa Humane Society is asking one thing only from Santa Claus this Christmas, and that is to find Rory a home! Rory has been at the shelter for four months! He is sweet, energetic, and waiting to be someone's best friend. Please check out this link to Rory's details:
http://www.ottawahumane.ca/adoption/petharbor_dogs.cfm
Let's find Rory a home! Thank you!

Olympic Torch Comes to Ottawa!

I've always been a proud Canadian but yesterday as I stood outside in a few strategic locations to steal some glimpses of Olympic torchbearers, I had tears in my eyes. Ok a couple of times it was because of the wind. But, kidding aside, it was a beautiful day in the nation's capital and something very special was taking place....the Olympic torch was symbolically winding its way from street to street, clutched in the hands of proud Canadians who deserved their moment. There were a handful of us who tucked in next to the bridge over the waterfalls on Sussex Drive around 11:30 am, to catch our first glimpse of the flame. In hind-sight, not exactly the best spot for photos, as I tried to shield my camera from icy spray from the waterfalls- but it was all worth it when a torchbearer came into view. Dressed head to toe in an official 2010 Olympics suit, she trotted past with the torch held high, wearing a smile bright enough to challenge the flame. I didn't know her name. But I decided to follow, and down Sussex Drive I went, where the crowds were large and giddy with excitement. Outside 24 Sussex (gee, somehow I am now in front of the Prime Minister's house) beyond the crowd I saw a warming scene: one torch igniting another- it was all I could see- until the next torchbearer burst from the group, and it was none other than Carolyn Waldo, three time Olympian and CTV Ottawa sportscaster. She proudly carried the torch to the Governor General's residence, where a wall of photographers awaited. I was planning to go home, actually start on my Christmas decorating, baking, etc. But I wanted more!! More Olympic memories!
So I drove over to City Hall where crowds were gathering for a torch-receiving reception. I had a nice chat with Tim and Cindy McKee's young daughter Natalie, who was chosen as one of the torchbearers. Tim is somehow related to Canada's sweetheart, gold medal figure skater Barbara Ann Scott, and was quite thrilled to meet her and get a photo. Ontario MPP Jim Watson (always up for a party!) grabbed my camera so I could get a photo with Barbara Ann Scott and Minister of Sport Gary Lunn. It was over quickly so I don't think they knew what hit them. I'll add this photo to my ever-growing collection called 'me and people who don't know why I am standing next to them'. With Max Keeping as MC, the outdoor ceremony began with the arrival of the torch- carried by young Melissa Brunet, Ottawa's Citizen of the Year. Former Olympians were on hand, including Sue Holloway, Liz Manley, and Greg Joy- and several politicans cheered on the crowd- but the biggest cheer was reserved for the raising of the 2010 Olympics flag, followed by 'Oh Canada'. Canadian rugby team member Al Charron proudly took the torch from City Hall to continue the relay, which would later culminate at Parliament Hill with Joe Juneau as the final torchbearer. An amazing day!

Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest Musical Instrument Drive

Instruments urgently needed!

Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest has been running a new program called ‘Be in the Band’. This program mentors young people who have an interest in music. The Ottawa Bluesfest organization is expanding this program to include at-risk youth in various communities such as Michele Heights, Lowertown, and Russell Heights. To support this initiative, the Ottawa Bluesfest organization is in desperate need of instruments to be used by participating students.
“We’re calling on the community to donate instruments,” says Bluesfest’s executive director, Mark Monahan. “Many people have instruments at home that they’re not using. We’re hoping people will want to donate those instruments to a very worthy cause.”
Ottawa residents are encouraged to drop off their out-of-use instruments between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at Ottawa Bluesfest HQ, 265 Catherine Street (2nd floor of the Ottawa Greyhound bus station); or at Compact Music Store(s) 190 Bank Street; or 7851/2 Bank Street, during business hours.