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Dragon Ball 2013 Year of the Snake

It was an incredible night with all the stops pulled out for the 24th annual Dragon Ball in support of the Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care with 1,200 patrons.

Highlights include photo opportunities with snakes, the HSBC ice sculpture serving martinis, a raw oyster and clam bar by Raw, a sushi bar, delicious treats by Tundra Restaurant (pleasant surprise seeing you again, Eraj!). There was so much food during the reception that it could have been dinner itself but there was also a 3-course dinner as well. It was great to see the legendary Hazel McCallion, mayor of Mississauga, a regular supporter of Yee Hong. Frank Scarpitti, the mayor of the City of Markham, singing songs in Cantonese. The raffle featured big prizes such as a Lexus CT 200h hybrid and a Caribbean cruise for 7 nights. There was also a large room dedicated to a casino and many items up for bidding in the silent auction. There was a live auction before dinner, too. The evening was hosted by Francis D’Souza and Sangita Patel of City (recently rebranded from “Citytv”, by the way).

I think Lesly Tayles, Vice-President of National Bank, explained Yee Hong’s importance best when she told her story of an English-speaking nurse who said to a Chinese-speaking elder that she couldn’t help if the patient couldn’t speak English. This summarizes the need for providing care with the right cultural and linguistic care and that’s what Yee Hong does with it’s 15,000 seniors.

Kudos to the organizers, sponsors and many volunteers of Yee Hong, as you can tell a lot of effort goes into putting together a gala of this calibre.

Francis D'Souza, Sangita Patel

Hosts Francis D’Souza, Sangita Patel of City

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Lesly and Mike, National Bank

From Tundra Restaurant, Hilton Hotel

Frog leg delicacies topped with cavier from Tundra Restaurant, Hilton Hotel

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The Mayor of Markham, Frank Scarpitti, singing in Cantonese

The Mayor of Markham, Frank Scarpitti, singing in Cantonese

Olivia Chow

NDP members, Olivia Chow and Tom Mulclair

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A family photo with a giant snake

Some notable tweets from the evening

About Yee Hong

Yee Hong is a caring community where seniors enjoy a continuum of culturally and linguistically appropriate care. With a client-centered and personalized approach, Yee Hong is currently serving 15,000 seniors and their families across the GTA through its 4 nursing homes, social services and community based programs, as well as medical and rehab services.

With strong roots in the Chinese Canadian community and our respect for seniors, we enable seniors of different backgrounds and needs to live their lives to the fullest – in the healthiest, most independent and dignified way. For more information, please visit www.yeehong.com

Yee Hong Facts

  • Four Yee Hong Centres in Scarborough, Markham and Mississauga, serving 15,000 seniors and their families each year.
  • 805 long-term care beds with 4,000 on the current waiting list, the longest in all of Ontario
  • Offers culturally appropriate long-term care services to seniors of different backgrounds, including Chinese, South Asian, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Italian, Filipino and Portuguese
  • 150 social housing units
  • 308 life lease units

Motionball 2013: Winter Wonderland Gala

Those that were there knew how lively it was at the annual Motionball gala in support of Special Olympics Canada, with this year’s theme of “Winter Wonderland”. How befitting considering the large snowstorm that had arrived that evening.  But that didn’t deter the 2,000+ guests from attending this sold-out charity gala that took over the 41,000 square foot Muzik night club.

The event featured tons of great live music and a silent auction. There was also an Iceberg Vodka bar and a mixology bar hosted by Weslodge.

It was great to see retired Toronto Argonaut, Adriano Belli, who brought out the one and only Grey Cup. Another Argo who attended was wide receiver, Mike Bradwell, with MTV News anchor, Aliya Jasmine Sovani. The evening was hosted by CP24’s Melissa Grelo and TSN’s Cabral “Cabbie” Richards. Other notable guests included Damon Allen and Randal Edwards.

The dance floor at Muzik was large, the crowd even larger and that’s where most guests congregated to dance to some great entertainers including CrashDex featuring Jerzee, performance by a 44-piece symphony orchestra, and DJs Skratch Bastid and Efsharp.

Great news that the event beat it’s target and raised $300,000 for the Special Olympics Canada Foundation!

Crashdex feat. Jerzee Photo: Jason Kwan

Crashdex feat. Jerzee Photo: Jason Kwan

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right: Damon Allen

right: Damon Allen

44 piece Symphony Orchestra Photo: Gus

44 piece Symphony Orchestra Photo: Gus

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Check out the video of the founder of Motionball, Paul Etherington speaking to CTV News.

Also, check out our coverage of the recent Special Olympics Festival gala.

ABOUT MOTIONBALL
motionball is a not-for-profit organization that builds awareness and raises funds for the Special Olympics Canada Foundation (SOCF), targeting a “next generation” of supporters – Canada’s professional crowd who are not defined by their age but rather their mind-set. To keep up to date with Motionball, click here.

Some notable tweets from the evening

Book Lover’s Ball 2013

Conrad Black

Conrad Black

L-R Authors Megan Crewe, Grace O'Connell

Authors Megan Crewe, Grace O’Connell

C.S. Richardson, Author

C.S. Richardson, Author

Kelda Card and Author, Liam Card

Kelda Card and Author, Liam Card

Hilary Scharper, Author

Hilary Scharper, Author

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The Book Lover’s Ball is rated as one of the top 100 events according to BizBash in 2012. It’s a book lover’s dream, being able to rub elbows with 60 Canadian authors in attendance in support of the busiest urban library system in the world. Not only do guests get to rub elbows at the reception but each author is assigned to a dinner table, so that’s getting quite intimate. For 2013’s Book Lover’s Ball, the evening featured 5 “chapters” of entertainment, each based on a different novel. Highlights included a fashion show by Lucian Matis for “River of Stars” by Guy Gavriel Kay. The 5th and final chapter was a Dianna DiNoble lingerie-based fashion show based on “S.E.C.R.E.T.” written by Dragon’s Den senior producer, Lisa Gabriele, under the pseudonym, L.M. Adeline. It’s a book inspired by 50 Shades of Grey with it’s own publishing rights already sold to 30 countries.

The evening was hosted by Cityline’s Tracy Moore and Melanie Ng. Notable guests included Conrad Black (yes, the infamous media baron also happens to be an author and has an upcoming TV show), Arlene Dickinson, Jian Ghomeshi, Lloyd Robertson and Amanda Lang.

Check out the 2 galleries below: Reception and Entertainment

ABOUT THE TORONTO PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION
The Toronto Public Library Foundation was established in 1997 as a registered charity. Our mission is to provide essential resources for the enhancement of the Toronto Public Library and to allocate funds to priority needs not supported by municipal funding.

Urgent needs for the Library include: improved and expanded collections, enhanced programs and services, upgraded technology, and revitalized community spaces to respond to the changing needs of the people of Toronto.

Since its inception, Toronto Public Library Foundation has raised over $55 million in support of Toronto Public Library priority needs.

The Foundation’s long-range goal is to build an endowment fund that will generate sufficient income to support enhanced library programs, collections and services in perpetuity.

An investment in the Library is an investment in Toronto’s success today and for generations to come.

www.bookloversball.ca

Models from the S.E.C.R.E.T. inspired fashion show by Dianna DiNoble Photo: George Pimentel

Models from the S.E.C.R.E.T. inspired fashion show by Dianna DiNoble Photo: George Pimentel

Photos of the Reception

Photos of the Entertainment

Canada’s National Ballet School Gala: Monte Carlo Meets Gatsby

  • February 11, 2013
  • arts, gala
  • Comments Off on Canada’s National Ballet School Gala: Monte Carlo Meets Gatsby

Canada’s National Ballet School hosted their annual fundraiser gala with this year’s theme of “Monte Carlo Meets Gatsby” pairing roaring 20’s Great Gatsby attire and Monte Carlo styled casino. I spotted Margaret Atwood and asked her why she didn’t attend the Book Lover’s Ball just the night before. She replied that she wasn’t invited this year. Was she joking? Anyway, luckily for guests of the NBS gala, this most-honoured Canadian author was kind enough to provide photo opportunities for adoring guests.

Other notable guests included Canada’s own World Champion figure skater, Kurt Browning. It was great to see all the well-attired guests come out to support Canada’s National Ballet School, a crucial foundation to Canada’s art scene.

“Because talent is the sole criterion for entry into NBS’ Professional Ballet Program, our annual fundraiser is crucial in generating awareness and securing support for our extraordinary students—of which almost 8 out of every 10 require funding.”, says Mavis Staines, NBS’ Artistic Director . “The annual gala performance highlights the determination and the artistry of our emerging young talent. Our patrons are part of a thrilling process–what better way to demonstrate appreciation than through the beauty of dance”.

Middle: Margaret Atwood

Margaret Atwood

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Guest, Karen Kain, Kurt Browning, Sonia Rodriguez, Veronica Tennant

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Stephen Voisin, Joan Lozinski

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Kurt Browning, Sonia Rodriguez. Doesn’t Kurt Browning looks like a younger Steve Buscemi in Boardwalk Empire?

ABOUT CANADA’S NATIONAL BALLET SCHOOL
For over 20 years the annual gala has helped NBS ensure that the most talented youth find a place at the School regardless of families’ financial circumstances. Established in 1959, Canada’s National Ballet School is a global leader with an international profile for producing the finest and most gifted dancers, both from home-grown talent and from youth recruited abroad. For more information visit www.nbs-enb.ca

More photos by Tom Sandler

Toronto’s Official NFL Superbowl XLVII Party

  • February 6, 2013
  • Events, sports
  • Comments Off on Toronto’s Official NFL Superbowl XLVII Party
Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders

Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders

If you’re an NFL fan in Toronto, there’s probably no better way to enjoy the full experience of the Superbowl than official party hosted by the NFL itself. Featuring 100 HD screens throughout the Sound Academy, as well as NFL’s Tim Brown and Brian Westbrook and the Miami Dolphins cheerleaders. During commercial breaks there were a bunch of activities happening on stage (yes, to the background of Canadian TV commercials on the big screen). It is what it is. NFL prizes were given out including the opportunity to win entry into the VIP lounge with its own bar, Pinty’s wings and exclusive meet and greets with some Miami Dolphins cheerleaders. Brian Westbrook came up for photo opportunities as well. Overall, it was a great way for Superbowl fans to experience the Superbowl in all of it’s glory. Well done! Whether you missed it or not, watch for this again next year.

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Pinty's Wing Eating Contest

Pinty’s Wing Eating Contest

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See below for more pictures or check them out the Facebook album here.

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