Great Big 'C'

Ok, so they played on June 25th, not July 1st, but you couldn't get a better Canada Day warm-up than Great Big Sea in concert! The pride of Newfoundland played for over 90 minutes at a special showcase gig at Mother McGuinty's pub in the market. These guys are nothing but a great big party! If you missed them, they're back in town for Bluesfest on Friday July 11th. Here's the link for info:
http://www.ottawabluesfest.ca/en/index.php?page=scheduled_performer_list&performer_id_req=14
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Happy Canada Day! There is no better place to be on Canada Day, than right here in the nation's capital. Thousands will take to Parliament Hill, (with Blue Rodeo just one of the many performers), then the famous fireworks will light the sky. This, in my opinion, is one of the best times to own a pair of 3-D glasses. If you haven't watched fireworks while wearing 3-D glasses, you haven't really watched fireworks.
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If you can't make it to downtown Ottawa for the Canada Day festivities, head to Bob FM's 'Mattamy Homes Canada Day' at Walter Baker Park in Kanata. April Wine is playing, there will be refreshments, activities, fireworks, all details here at www.939bobfm.com
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Whatever you do, HAPPY CANADA DAY!!!!
This is the best country in the world!!! Celebrate it!
With or without 3-D glasses, have a great day tomorrow.

Finger Lickin' Good!

The Sparks Street Mall's International Chicken and Rib Cook-off is on til Sunday! JR, Milky and I had the difficult task of 'judging' the chicken and ribs last night, along with special guest judges pictured here. Jean-Guy Brunet, kids Evan and Alicia and wife Tracy. (thanks to Milky for the photo) I must admit that in this photo, everyone looks w-a-a-y too 'clean'. At the other end of the table, we were pretty much covered in chicken and rib sauce. Get out and take in the Chicken and Rib Cook-off on the Sparks Street Mall, it is fantastic!

Rhymes with Orange

Here's JR in his orange Holland shirt, supporting the soccer team of his ancestors. Its the most orange shirt I've ever seen. How much more orange can JR's shirt be? The answer, is 'none'.
At least we know he can't wear it on the golf course because it doesn't have a collar.

BOB FM wins an Award!

Yesterday was a very cool day! I’ve always been proud of the fact that 939 Bob FM is the ‘world’s only pet friendly radio station’, and lo and behold, along comes a very special honour from the Ottawa Humane Society. ‘Media Award for 2008’! We are beaming from ear to ear. Its not very often that an occasion calls for me to actually brush the dog and cat hair off my clothes!
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I was paddling in my kayak today and one of the things I love about kayaking, is how ‘quiet’ you can be. In fact, its one of the few times that I am quiet. The benefit of being quiet while on the water, is that wildlife isn’t as scared of you as …say, you were in a jet ski. As I paddled along a shoreline I came upon a blue heron that had just caught a fish. A really big fish. Too big for that skinny throat, I thought. Sure enough, the heron tossed the fish into the air, grabbed it and proceeded to swallow it. But then, the fish got stuck. It appeared to be lodged in the heron’s throat. I paddled quickly to the scene, my mind racing, it was obvious that I needed to give this great blue heron the ‘heimlich manouevre’. Would he stand still and allow me to do it? How much pressure would I need to put on his rib cage? Where is a heron’s rib cage? Was there a place to tie up my kayak? So many questions, so little time! I raced towards the huge bird, the bird who’s life I was about to save. But suddenly the great blue heron opened its mouth, burped, and swallowed the entire fish. Good thing.

I have absolutely no experience in administering Heimlich manouevres on great blue herons.


The Sparks Street Mall International Chicken and Rib Cook-off starts on Wednesday and continues til Sunday! This is a huge event with competitors from all over North America vying for the right to say ‘their chicken and ribs are the best’! This is the smokiest, tastiest, stick-to-your ribs bbq fare and the portions are big so bring your big appetite! On Wednesday night, JR, Milky and yours truly will be ‘cook-off judges’! I’m looking forward to it, although I’m not much of a judge when it comes to food. I like almost everything, except jello salads in a mold, with various vegetables trapped inside the jello. You see these things at bridal showers and baby showers. Yeccch.
Anway, hope to see you on the Sparks Street Mall!!

A Day Trip to Kemptville's Big Sky Animal Sanctuary!

It was a beautiful sunny day, a perfect time to visit Andy Parent and all the wonderful animals at the Big Sky Animal Sanctuary in Kemptville.

My friend Jay and I had a great time walking around the grounds of the farm, taking photos and chatting with Andy about all the stories associated with these rescued animals. The dogs, the horses, goats, sheep, even Dakota the buffalo and Arnold the world's largest pig have all been brought here to live their lives in a beautiful, peaceful setting. Owner Andy Parent has a very impressive success rate for finding these animals loving, permanent homes. Of course they are also welcome to stay at the sanctuary - so donations are gratefully accepted! Check out the Big Sky website for information about one-week kids' summer camps, and Big Sky's big summer fundraiser, 'Animalfest', taking place July 5th and 6th. www.bigskyranch.ca!

CHEO Telethon: A Winner Again!!!

Congratulations to everyone involved in the 25th anniversary edition of the CHEO telethon this past weekend!!! 5.9 million dollars raised, a record set! Your generosity will go towards care, research, and much-needed equipment for CHEO, a world-class facility for youngsters in our region. Pictured here, JR with a very special CHEO telethon co-host!

Thanks to GioVanni for the photo.

Kitty's Arrival

This is my new cat. He was a stray cat and we tried to find his owner, but no one claimed him. So, he lives with us now. His name is Kitty. He has no idea how to use the litter box. But we love him anyway. He really likes watching tv.

www.climbforlife.ca

Pictured: Ottawa native Dan Hopkins readies for his expedition to the top of Denali in Alaska...to raise funds for nutrition programs to help children in the north. In Friday's blog, I gave the incorrect web address for Dan's journey. The correct link is www.climbforlife.ca
Apologies!! Best of luck Dan!!!!