At Least The Dog Will Dance with You!

You know, for my money, you just can't match the entertainment value of a golden retriever dancing to John Travolta and Olivia Newton John's song from the 'Grease' soundtrack, called 'You're the One that I Want'.
Here it is. Enjoy! Now, if we could just get our husbands to dance with us. Heck, never mind. Getting the dog to dance is much easier.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqbVbPvlDoM

Mmmm...Fresh Fig with Gorgonzola Mousse. Wait! I Had that LAST Night!

Tickets to the Ottawa Humane Society's fabulous Fur Ball are going fast, so get yours now at www.ottawahumane.ca!! The theme this year is 'Beauty and the Beast', and honorary chair Laureen Harper returns for an evening of music, spectacular auction items, and gastronomic delights by Thyme and Again. Its all happening at the National Gallery on Saturday March 29th. I am honoured to MC this event, with all proceeds to the animals...and now....just in case you were wondering, here is the menu for the evening...

FUR BALL MENU....(drooling is ok, in fact encouraged)

~ Passed Hors d’Oeuvres ~

Smoked Salmon on Dill Scone with Lemon Cream and Golden BeetsPhyllo Cup with Wild and Tame Mushrooms in Brandy CreamCaramelized Onion and Cheddar in Roasted New Potato

~ Dinner ~

Fresh Fig with Gorgonzola Mousse drizzled with Star Anise Infused Port
Grilled Beef Tenderloin and Jumbo Prawn Brochettewith Worcesterchire-Bourbon Jus
Red Beans and RiceGreen Beans and Roasted PeppersAssorted Rolls, Flatbreads and Mini Baguette with Butter

Dessert

Brown Sugar Crème Brulée with a Festive Fruit SalsaOrganic Coffee, Decaf, Tea and Herbal Tea

Everyone has a Double

When there's nothing on TV, even staring out the living room window is not delivering any excitement, here's something fun to do. Go to www.google.com, click on 'images', then type in a name. You will then see photos of people who share your name. Here are other versions of Sandy Sharkey, John Rodenburg, and Matt Hamer.

Sandy Sharkey
Matt Hamer

....and John Rodenburg

So, how are you enjoying 'Kindness Week'? It first occurred to me that it was 'Kindness Week' when I watched two guys get into a brawl at the Rideau Street McDonalds at 7 o'clock last Monday morning, which also happened to be Family Day. These guys were not in the spirit of either occasion. However, 'Kindness Week' has certainly improved since then.

I love the idea of giving someone a 'kindness card' when you see them do something kind...whether its helping someone with their groceries or holding the door open or not sending a big torrent of water their way when you drive through a giant puddle. Ottawa police are handing out 'kindness citations'. Sure beats getting a fine for not coming to a full stop. Thank you to Detective Brenda Kerr for walking right into the BOB FM studio this morning to deliver a citation to JR, who has been a bit of a 'doubting Thomas' with regards to Kindness Day. His face did lighten up when she told him that she had hand-cuffs.

Don't you just love dining out every once in a while? But you're still recovering from all the Christmas bills? Great news! The new 'Cheap Eats Ottawa' book is out! 'Cheap Eats' serves up recommendations on Ottawa area restaurants using this criteria: breakfast must be under $5.00, lunch under $10.00, and dinner under $15.00! To get your copy, go to http://www.cheapeatsottawa.com/. Keep it handy. Just don't bring it with you on a first date.

Ooops, Correction!

Ooops. There's a wee bit of a mistake in the earlier blog entry with regards to the Mike Fisher Hockey Camp taking place in Orleans this July ! All information remains the same, including the all important website www.mikefisherhockeycamp.com. But now, the correction: proceeds to the Mike Fisher Hockey Camp go to: Rogers House, Make-A-Wish Foundation of eastern Ontario, and the Mike Fisher Foundation. There. The editor apologizes for any confusion. Ha. As if this blog has an editor.

Lets Get the 'Magic Critter Bus' on the Road!

For an animal rescue organization, reliable transportation is an absolute necessity! The Westminster Pet Sanctuary got some good news this week, they have found a new rescue bus (a former prisoner transport bus)....now they need to raise $3000 to get it! This bus will help transport animals that are in need of emergency help. It will also be required to bring rescued animals to and from the vet clinic, and to carry food, supplies, etc. For a $50 donation, you will get a 'paw print' in your name, or your pet's name, which will be put on the side of the bus. So far, $150 has been raised, so there's still a way to go! Please consider a 'paw print' , go to www.westminsterpetsanctuary.com. P.s...if you own a business, this would be a wonderful sponsorship opportunity!

Mike Fisher Hockey Camp!

This summer, Ottawa Senators' Mike Fisher is offering kids in the Ottawa area an incredible experience they will never forget. You'll want to sign them up right now for the 'Mike Fisher Hockey Camp'! Mike himself is hosting this camp (with appearances by fellow Sens players) from Jul7 21st to August 8th at the Ray Friel Recreation Complex in Orleans. Atom and 'Pee Wee' players will have the time of their lives...and not only that, its all for charity! Proceeds to Rogers House, the Childrens Wish Foundation, and the Mike Fisher Foundation. For more information, www.mikefisherhockeycamp.com. Better hurry, spots are filling up fast!

Busy Day For Mike Fisher

Pictured above: Mike Fisher and Fun-With-Photoshop bride Carol Manson.

And, how self-less!

Carol made me a bride too!

Hey Winnipeg: Size Does Matter

Pictured above: The World Famous Rideau Canal Skateway, Unesco World Heritage Site, Guinness World Record LARGEST Skateway at 7.8 kilometres, enjoyed by over one million skaters each winter. Home of Winterlude Festival, attended by thousands from all over the world, featuring concerts, competitions, races, all against the scenic backdrop of Canada's Capital buildings including historic Parliament Hill and the majestic Chateau Laurier Hotel.

Pictured above: the Winnipeg Skateway, challenging Ottawa for the title of World's 'longest' skateway. Students have been shovelling the Assiniboine River to extend this backyard trail to 8 kilometres. As you can see, its become quite popular.

Nothing like taking a good old-fashioned challenge and making a song out of it. Check out: 'They Wish That They Had Our Skateway':

http://www.939bobfm.com/audio/the-morning-after/ourskatewaysong.mp3

Thanks to Bob FM's own Lou Maiorino for his vocal talents.

Snowed-in Superbowl Sunday!

Its the day millions of people have been waiting for: Superbowl Sunday!!
Here in Ottawa, you had to get up extra early today to dig the car out. Nothing can stop the run to the store for Superbowl supplies: chips, dip, Doritos, pizza, chicken wings. And of course you'll need a vegetable platter. It costs $15.00, a nice assortment of raw carrots, broccoli, mushrooms, celery, cauliflower. And its always the one thing that's pretty much left untouched at the end of the night.

The viewership for the Superbowl is something like 90 million or a billion, so the commercials are huge and for many (me included) its the thing I enjoy most about the broadcast. If you don't get the American network broadcast and you miss the excellent commercials (not that there's anything wrong with commercials for 'Corner Gas' or 'Canadian Idol')..you can click here 'after the game', and the Superbowl spots are yours to enjoy on-line.

http://sports.aol.com/nfl/superbowlads

You can also get some laughs from the best Superbowl ads of 2007, youtube has put together the top ten from last year:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACZgJAlPP-4