How Many Sleeps til Bluesfest?!! Just a few!!!!!!

(above: The Flaming Lips)

I can hardly contain myself!!! Just ONE WEEK to go before Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest takes over this town and brings US the absolute best in live music!! For thousands and thousands of music fans, it has become something that is on our calendar, we look forward to it every year and many people of course take vacation during Bluesfest - not a bad idea if you can swing it! I like to squeeze each and every minute that I can out of Bluesfest, so once again I will be staying at The Albert At Bay Hotel, home of the BIG rooms. Staying at the Albert at Bay (just a short walk to Bluesfest) lets me have a wee bit more sleep so that I can be bright-eyed for the morning show. Another stellar line-up this year: Blue Rodeo, Tragically Hip, Peter Frampton (how many times did you wear out your vinyl 'Frampton Comes Alive'?), Cheap Trick, Jane's Addiction, the return of the amazing Steve Miller Band, a major extravaganza known as The Flaming Lips, and so many more acts- all details at www.ottawabluesfest.ca. I hope to see you there! I know I will!

A Good Wil Story

(pictured above) Wil Kelly and Rob Bennett

This isn't a story about a stolen guitar. OK, maybe it is. But more importantly, it's a story about one man who decided to do the right thing, and to give up something that he loved. His guitar.

Can you love a guitar? I have learned the answer to that question, and it's a resounding 'yes'.

Twenty years ago, and just two weeks after we met, my now-husband Rob signed over his entire paycheque to buy a 1974 custom Fender telecaster at Songbird Music on Gladstone Avenue. There was nothing left over for rent, or food, or gas. But this was the 'Keith Richards' guitar, it was rock 'n roll, it was attitude, it was midnight black, road-worn and stripped of paint in spots from being played to death. Rob had to have it.

That vintage Telecaster became part of our lives. We lived in the country, which meant that speakers could be turned up to `11` when the boys came over to rock in the living room. The guitar always seemed to go with us, wherever we went. It defined Rob`s sound when he joined `The Bleedin`Hearts`, a popular band in the 90`s known for sweaty rock `n roll, playing rock clubs and festivals everywhere. Since I was the one with the pick-up truck, the band`s gear often travelled with me. I always liked carrying the case that contained the black Telecaster because it made me feel like I was part of the band. (without an ounce of musical talent this was as close as I would ever get!)

In January of 1994, Rob`s black Fender `Telly` was stolen. Someone had kicked the door open at the band`s practice room on York Street and everything was taken. A police report was filed but Rob was given a stark statistic; only 2 percent of stolen guitars are ever recovered. Rob was devastated.

Other guitars would be bought or traded over the years, but nothing would even come close to that beat-up axe. It wasn`t just a guitar. It was like our house in the country, our dog Bono, our pick-up truck, it was part of the back-drop of our lives.

Fast forward to June, 2011. Rob and I were at a sneak preview of the new Ottawa Humane Society, where we bumped into Wil Kelly from CUPE 503. Wil and I knew each other through the 'Rock for Public Services' series of concerts. Within a few minutes, Wil turned to Rob and told him, 'I have your guitar. Your black Telecaster.'

Wil told us the story. He had purchased the guitar at a legitimate guitar shop in Ottawa five years ago. He had no idea of the guitar's history. But recent information had surfaced, and we discovered that seventeen years ago, Rob's stolen Telly had been unceremoniously dumped at a pawn shop. From there- it exchanged hands more than once- until the day that Wil spotted it and had to have it.

Ottawa's musician community is tight-knit, and they look out for each other. The story of Rob's stolen beat-up Fender Telecaster eventually made its way to Wil Kelly. Someone had made the connection: Wil's unique guitar with the dents and faded paint was, in fact, the guitar that was stolen from Rob in January of 1994.

Wil loved that vintage Fender Telecaster. He referred to it as 'his baby'. Several musicians had offered to buy that guitar from Wil, but he would never sell. It was just too precious to him.

Sunday evening, Wil arrived on our doorstep with a beaten up guitar case, containing an equally beaten up 1974 custom Fender Telecaster. Rob's guitar.

Wil handed Rob the guitar case. After seventeen years, Rob was re-united with his old friend.

Wil Kelly is a big man. With an even bigger heart. As difficult as it was, he did the right thing. My husband is appreciative beyond belief.

I'm sharing this story because it's a wonderful example of faith in humanity.

Thank you, Wil Kelly. Enjoy the karma. You've earned it.

$75,000 raised for 'In the Dog House"!!

It was a hot summer night and I couldn't think of a better way to spend it: at the brand new Humane Society for 'In the Doghouse', an evening of fun and fundraising that had people 'in cages'...not allowed to taste freedom until they raised a set amount of funds. I did slip from my cage every once in a while. Thank you so much to Jerry from Hog's Back Brewery for paying my bail. Thanks to our 'judge' Stuntman Stu from Majic 100- all the wonderful restaurants, caterers, Casa Dea Wine, Hogs Back Beer, and of course the fans of the Humane Society. By night's end, $75,000 raised for the animals! Huge kudos to organizer Susan Gray: amazing job, Susan! Thanks too to Anna Silverman, Bruce Roney, countless volunteers. Next Wednesday, the animals move into their new digs! Happy days!

The Gorgeous New Humane Society!!

(above) Humane Society Executive Director Bruce Roney beaming with pride!

The early reviews for the brand new Ottawa Humane Society on West Hunt Club Road are in: it is absolutely breath-taking! Congratulations to executive director Bruce Roney, building campaign manager Anna Silverman, the incredibly dedicated Humane Society staff and the COUNTLESS animal lovers who pledged the funds necessary to achieve the long-awaited dream. If you visited the old Humane Society on Champagne Avenue with its cramped, dark conditions- and walked away feeling that Ottawa's animals and the staff that cared for them deserved so much more- you will be SO thrilled with the new digs!! Designed by award winning architect Barry Hobin, the new animal shelter is bright, spacious, cheery, and optimistic! Bruce Roney visited other state-of-the-art animal shelters throughout North America and compiled the best ideas from each of them, a little of this, a little of that, and the result is a building to be extremely proud of! The animals are moving in on June 22nd and once everyone is home, please do visit the new Humane Society. You will be so glad you did!!! And don't forget your FIRST opportunity to enjoy the shelter is this Thursday night, with a special fundraiser called 'In the Doghouse'! Ticket information at www.939bobfm.com! There are so many things to celebrate with the new Ottawa Humane Society!! A new era for Ottawa's animals has arrived!!!


(above) the new 'Rabbitat'! Bunnies in a cheery place!

(above) Building campaign manager Anna Silverman shows off state-of-the-art kennels

(above) Jerry and Dorothea from Hogs Back Beer brought their sweet dogs!!

(above) the indoor/outdoor cat enclosure is a fantastic first impression!

(above) labs love it too

(above) Bruce gives the outdoor tour, lots of green space!

(above) eco-friendly, energy saving construction

(above) me and my buddy Bruce!

(above) Bruce Roney.... job well done sir!!!!!

The Story of Alan Brydges

(pictured above) Alan Brydges


His name was Alan Brydges. And as I found out recently while standing next to the Rideau River near the old Brighton Beach, he was the nicest man I never met.

It was a rainy day, and a group of us had gathered for the annual 'Swan Release'. In 1967, the Queen presented Canada with a rather unique 100th birthday gift: six pairs of Royal swans. After wintering at the 'Swan House' in Leitrim, the graceful descendants of the original birds are set free to nest and glide through a lazy summer on the scenic Rideau River.

Christine Hartig (city of Ottawa) is the program co-ordinator for the swan program.
This is my fourth year attending the swan release, and I have learned a lot from Christine. Including the fact that the swans are not given human names. Each summer, the swans are given the freedom to do what comes naturally, and to be enjoyed (from a distance) by the people of Ottawa. They are in a 'semi-wild' state, therefore, no human names. Actually, no names at all.

That's why it was so odd to hear Christine say, 'Wait til you see Big Al'. She gestured towards a wooden crate. Inside was one of the biggest swans I'd ever seen, a massive male that was all attitude and personality and impatience. He couldn't wait to get on the river. I asked about the name 'Big Al'.

Christine introduced me to Andrea McCoy-Naperstkow, a Parks and Rec manager who works out of the National Equestrian Park. Between Christine and Andrea, my question was answered.

‘Big Al’ the swan was named after Alan Brydges. Sometimes in life, we meet a person that through one reason or another, becomes our favourite person to be around. Alan Brydges was that guy. For 20 years, he worked as a foreperson at the Equestrian Park. He was caring, funny, an old fashioned gentleman farmer, non-judgmental, a dedicated family man, a hard-working jack of all trades. Alan Brydges’ often gruff personality could never truly mask his sweet core of kindness. As Christine recalls, you could ask Al if the sky was blue and he might respond with a cheeky grin, ‘Maybe, maybe not’. When the Royal Swan program was transferred to the city of Ottawa’s Parks and Rec department two years ago, Alan Brydges suddenly found himself knee-deep in swans. His manager Andrea would often hear Alan grumbling about this turn of events (not quite what Alan had signed up for), but before long, he was sneaking moments with the big white birds. Helping with their care, assisting with vet visits and of course ensuring all went well when the swans were released into the Rideau River in the spring.

Alan Brydges passed away on December 6th.

Alan’s story continued on that early morning in late May, a group of us gathered to enjoy the release of the Royal Swans. Andrea and Christine explaining the tale of the giant male swan in the wooden crate. Hatched in the swan house, this bird quickly earned a reputation for being cheeky and independent and full of character. He was different from the others. And if a swan can burst with confidence, this one did . With a personality to match his size, the big swan was stomping his feet and becoming increasingly impatient inside his wooden crate. The swan crew lifted the crate to the river banks, opened the door, and out rushed Big Al.
For Andrea and Christine and Alan Brydges’ precious family and friends, there was no doubt that this swan deserved a very special name. And as he swam from the riverbanks and flapped his wings just enough to make a scene, Big Al then looked back sweetly.

A big man’s spirit lives on, in an unlikely but magnificent form. Alan Brydges. Thank you for sharing your world with us.



(above: Alan and Christine Hartig at the annual Swan Release

(above: Alan helps the vet examine a swan)

(pictured above) 'Big Al' shows his big personality

(pictured above) the biggest of them all: Big Al