WINNING ODDS: Two decades ago, 麻豆传媒映画beat cops Al Arsenault, Toby Hinton and Chris Graham set out to produce a short film on drugs and the drug addicted for high school students in an attempt to help youth choose a drug-free life. Their efforts would become a 20-year passion project. Over that period, Odd Squad Productions has produced a series of documentaries and videos to help youngsters understand the stark realities of drugs and gang life. With the aim of encouraging, inspiring and mentoring kids to make positive life choices, the reality-based films have been seen by hundreds of thousands of youth locally and abroad. To mark Odd Squad鈥檚 milestone anniversary, 350 guests attended the Back on Track Fundraising Gala. Held at the Pinnacle Harbourfront Hotel, the event saw attendees raise a glass to the society鈥檚 ongoing efforts and to hear from the night鈥檚 special guest, Hockey Night in Canada host Scott Oake. The broadcaster shared the loss of his son Bruce, who died of an overdose in 2011. The night of inspiration, celebration and giving would raise a reported $250,000 to fund more productions, including upcoming docs on the current fentanyl and opioid crisis.
SHINING NEWS: St. Paul鈥檚 Hospital Foundation lit up the new year in grand fashion. Bolstered by a sizeable $469,000 from hospital staff and volunteers to spark its 20th Lights of Hope Holiday Campaign, the annual tradition would see donations total more than $3 million with the ushering in of 2018. Individuals, businesses, organizations, staff and volunteers contributed to the impressive effort, which began mid-November to meet the greatest needs of patients, caregivers, residents and their loved ones. A beacon in the city鈥檚 downtown core, more than 100,000 sparkling lights, 10 kilometres long, were draped in front of the venerable hospital The spectacular display was made up of donated materials and adorned with sponsored stars built by 150 volunteers in what has become a holiday tradition. Over the past year, St. Paul鈥檚 Hospital has provided care to more than 177,000 people, with its emergency department alone providing care to 86,000 patients.
NEW CLUB MEMBER: In the past five years, Torontonians have experienced a wave of B.C.-based chain restaurants invading Hogtown鈥檚 culinary scene. Establishments such as Earls, the Keg and Cactus Club have all expanded their boundaries making noticeable inroads into the highly lucrative and competitive Ontario market. The latter opened a 500-seat, multi-level restaurant in the Toronto鈥檚 financial district, and more recently King Taps 鈥� a craft beer-focused eatery and bar. Cactus Club president and founder Richard Jaffray, along with Rob Feenie, the firm鈥檚 chief culinary architect, introduced Cory Vitiello, their latest hire to local foodies. A member of Cactus Club鈥檚 senior team, Vitiello will head the culinary development in Toronto. Once owner of the award-winning Harbord Room and current operator of Flock Rotisserie in Toronto, the culinary star may be more familiar to Vancouverites and Royal watchers as Meghan Markle鈥檚 ex-boyfriend. Grabbing tabloid headlines, the celebrated Canadian chef reportedly dated the former Suits actress for several years before she embarked on the whirlwind romance with a certain British prince.
NEW EDITION: CBC Radio One entered a new era in 2018. On Jan. 2, CBC鈥檚 Stephen Quinn stepped into the hosting chair of The Early Edition, the province鈥檚 most listened to current affairs morning program. A part of the CBC family since 2008, Quinn first started covering the city hall beat. His passion for municipal affairs and local matters, along with his strong interview skills, have earned the veteran broadcaster much praise and accolades. Most recently, Quinn was the voice of CBC鈥檚 afternoon drive show, On the Coast, and creator of the popular Quinn鈥檚 Quiz. The Early Edition team recently took the show on the road airing from Spade Caf茅 on Commercial Drive to introduce Quinn to the community of listeners, as well delve into hot topic issues such as the plight of small businesses, minimum wage and housing affordability.
Hear Fred Mondays 8:20 a.m. on CBC Radio鈥檚 The Early Edition AM690 and 88.1FM; email: [email protected]; Twitter:
听
听
听
听
听
听
听
